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What Causes Dizziness, Heart Palpitations And Numbness In The Body?

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Posted on Tue, 21 Mar 2017
Question: I'm a 24 years old male and I have started to experience panic attack and anxiety disorder 4 years ago. I used to feel dizziness, numbness in head and body, heart racing and feeling like i'm going to pass out. I have done many health checks and tests until I finally been refereed to a psychiatric. He prescribed me Cipralex and (ativan when needed). I have started taking cipralex 5mg and gradually increased to 20mg and been under medication for a year. I have stopped taking Cipralex on 2014 and kept taking ativan when needed. After 2014, I haven't had a serious attack and I almost came back to normal.
Three weeks ago, I went to play soccer which I haven't play for few months. During the game, I have started to feel dizziness, numbness in head and around my lips and felt like old symptoms of panic attack. I also felt that I'm going to pass out. The symptoms didn't actually go away after that days as I kept feeling dizziness, blurred vision and feeling like going to pass out constantly. I have been in contact again with my Doctor who told me to start taking Cipralex 10 mg again. I didn't feel any better in the first few days. I have actually felt worse and Couldn't sleep in the first 4 days after start taking cipralex again. On the fifth day, I have started feeling better and coming back to normal day by day. Last two weeks, I was feeling very well and almost back to normal.
Two days ago, I went to play to soccer again and unfortunately I had the sysmptoms of the panic again. Last two days, I'm feeling a little bit dizzy. I also feel uncomfortable as my vision is blurred and unclear. I also feel a little bit of numbness around my lips and that my face muscles in general are tensed. I'm very stressed and worried about this especially that this is my last semester in university and I dont want to be affected badly. My doctor have asked to increase the dose of cipralex to 20mg.
Please advice
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

What you describe is consistent with a diagnosis of panic disorder. It appears you remained stable before on Cipralex 20mg daily. Now your symptoms have returned while off Cipralex, and remained on a lower dose of the medication. I agree with your doctor completely that you should increase the medication to 20mg daily. This is safe and effective and will work very well for you.

Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied.

Dr Sheppe
tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (8 minutes later)
Thank you Doctor Sheppe for your reply,
I have started to take cipralex 10mg again almost 3 weeks ago and due to two years off cipralex, I have been experiencing few side effects of returning to cipralex such as lack of sleep and feeling worse in the first few days. These side effects went away starting from the fifth day.

Would I feel any side effects if I start taking cipralex 20mg from tomorrow or It would be fine especially that I have been taking cipralex for three weeks now ??
One more thing that I would like to ask is how long do think I might take to feel better and start feeling better ??
Thanks so much for understanding
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (26 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
It would be fine to start taking Cipralex 20mg immediately.

It may take up to 6 weeks on the highest dose of Cipralex (20mg) before you feels its full benefit.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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What Causes Dizziness, Heart Palpitations And Numbness In The Body?

Brief Answer: Consultation Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks for your question. What you describe is consistent with a diagnosis of panic disorder. It appears you remained stable before on Cipralex 20mg daily. Now your symptoms have returned while off Cipralex, and remained on a lower dose of the medication. I agree with your doctor completely that you should increase the medication to 20mg daily. This is safe and effective and will work very well for you. Please remember to rate and close this answer when you are finished and satisfied. Dr Sheppe tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers