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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Panic Attacks?

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Posted on Thu, 18 Dec 2014
Question: I was fine this morning. Then after I put my daughter to bed, I got in the shower. When I was about to get out, I started to have a panic attack but calmed myself down. I got out of the shower and my heart was still beating fast and I started to feel dizzy, so I went to lay down in my bed. Now I just got up to go to the living room, and I was so dizzy I could barely walk. It felt like the room was spinning. So I lay my head down on my lap in a chair in the living room and I was ok. Then I get up to walk again and my balance is off again. So I make my way back to the bedroom and I'm currently laying down and I'm ok. I just had an MRI with and without contrast in XXXXXXX Nothing was found. I am getting over a cold, but have no ear pain or anything like that. What could this be? I'm very scared. Is this a brain tumor? Do I need to go to the ER? What could this be and why did it come on so suddenly? Please help, I'm very scared. Even if I pick my head up off the pillow I'm dizzy.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
no brain tumour

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

I can understand your problem.

You had one panic attack and had dizziness and your were unable to stand. You have to lay down on bed and then you again had attack of dizziness. MRI came normal. There is no earache and you were having cold.

First of all I would like to tell you that most likely there is nothing serious because MRI was normal so it could not be some tumour. Secondly tumor present with different clinical feature. Most common presentation is sudden onset severe headache, weight loss and night sweats. You are having dizziness so it should be ruled out.

Some ear infection can be one possibility but there is no pain so in gross we can rule out. But as you were having cold so this could be the reason. If there was no blockage sensation in throat then we can rule out this problem still you can consult a physician to examine and to give opinion on any infection of ear. Imbalance and dizziness are common symptoms. For immediate relief you can take OTC analgesic medicine with anti allergy medicine (common cold medicines like paracetamol, pseudoephidrine) which will help to decongest and will improve the symptoms.

Other possibility of such symptoms is hypotension. Get your BP checked and if it comes in lower range then most likely hypotension is the reason for such symptoms. Low BP or postural drop in BP is one of main reason for such symptoms. Take plenty of fluids and juices to prevent it.

Other possibility is anxiety itself. Due to anxiety and panic attack individual may show dizziness. I would like to know if you are on some medicines for anxiety. Consult a psychiatrist for anxiety and panic attack treatment. Panic attacks can be the triggering events of such symptoms. Relax yourself and as per my opinion there is no immediate need to go to ER but consult a psychiatrist if problem persist.

So
- It can be due to anxiety and panic attack, but evaluation is needed.
- As per my opinion keeping brain tumour as possibility at this stage is wrong. Possibility is very very rare.
- No need to visit ER but consult a physician and psychiatrist for evaluation if problem persist or reoccurs.
- Even panic attacks occur suddenly and can present with such symptoms. No need to fear you will be alright.


Thanks, please mention any treatment history in follow up.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (18 minutes later)
Im feeling better now, but still a little dizzy. Is this concerning? If it were something like an inner ear infection, wouldnt it be constant?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Dizziness

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

No need to worry, inner ear infection may present with such symptoms but other symptoms of ear problem should also be there. Most likely its anxiety and you are also feeling better. Take the medicine as I have mentioned. Due to labirynthitis dizziness may be seen but other symptoms like imbalance, nausea, vomiting etc are also there, so ear infection can be ruled out.

Thanks, You can ask again for more uncleared doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (6 minutes later)
I went to the ER and they said i have a ton of fluid in my right ear. But i just got over a cold, so thats probably why. Theyre giving me something that starts with an "M" for dizziness. Said its not a brain tumor unless its some rare aggressive brain cancer. They did a neuro exam (light instrument in eyes, fingertips to nose, ect) and i passed. Im still worried. They said it is BPPV, but i thought that lasts only a few minutes, not two hours like mine did. I also had/have nausea since it started.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
BPPV

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

After attack of cold due to blockage of nasopharyndeal tube fluid collection in ear may occur which can cause blocking sensation, pain in ear and dizziness. But there is no reason to fear from that. Course of antibiotics and decongestants improve the symptoms. Start steam inhalations 3-4 times a day and which will help in quick recovery. Nausea, vomiting can occur due to gag reflex or due to dizziness.

Yes considering your age and presentation as per my opinion chances of brain tumour are very rare, infact nil.

BPPV or benigh paroxysmal positional vertigo is also a disorder of balance and it can present with similar symptoms, the symptoms may persist for some hours even. Taking analgesics, decongestants and some drugs to maintain balance like (betahistine) will help in quick recovery.

One thing that is certain is that chances of cancer are rarest or rare.

Thanks, ask again for more doubts.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Panic Attacks?

Brief Answer: no brain tumour Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM I can understand your problem. You had one panic attack and had dizziness and your were unable to stand. You have to lay down on bed and then you again had attack of dizziness. MRI came normal. There is no earache and you were having cold. First of all I would like to tell you that most likely there is nothing serious because MRI was normal so it could not be some tumour. Secondly tumor present with different clinical feature. Most common presentation is sudden onset severe headache, weight loss and night sweats. You are having dizziness so it should be ruled out. Some ear infection can be one possibility but there is no pain so in gross we can rule out. But as you were having cold so this could be the reason. If there was no blockage sensation in throat then we can rule out this problem still you can consult a physician to examine and to give opinion on any infection of ear. Imbalance and dizziness are common symptoms. For immediate relief you can take OTC analgesic medicine with anti allergy medicine (common cold medicines like paracetamol, pseudoephidrine) which will help to decongest and will improve the symptoms. Other possibility of such symptoms is hypotension. Get your BP checked and if it comes in lower range then most likely hypotension is the reason for such symptoms. Low BP or postural drop in BP is one of main reason for such symptoms. Take plenty of fluids and juices to prevent it. Other possibility is anxiety itself. Due to anxiety and panic attack individual may show dizziness. I would like to know if you are on some medicines for anxiety. Consult a psychiatrist for anxiety and panic attack treatment. Panic attacks can be the triggering events of such symptoms. Relax yourself and as per my opinion there is no immediate need to go to ER but consult a psychiatrist if problem persist. So - It can be due to anxiety and panic attack, but evaluation is needed. - As per my opinion keeping brain tumour as possibility at this stage is wrong. Possibility is very very rare. - No need to visit ER but consult a physician and psychiatrist for evaluation if problem persist or reoccurs. - Even panic attacks occur suddenly and can present with such symptoms. No need to fear you will be alright. Thanks, please mention any treatment history in follow up.