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What Causes Heart Palpitations, Breathlessness, Dizziness And Blurred Vision While Having Anxiety?
Question: Hello
I have been battling what I have been told is anxiety for over a year and a half now and I want to get some second opinions to confirm that I do not have an underlying medical condition. It all started with becoming dehydrated and getting the feeling of passing out. I had a major panic attack for the first time and since then I have had 4-5 others at random times. I would develop symptoms such as racing heart, feeling of not being able to breath, dizziness, feeling of passing out, cloudiness of the eyes, inability to concentrate, stomach pains, and several others. I have never actually passed out and have since been prescribed Ativam that I only take if I absolutely have to during a panic attack. It seems to help as I calm down and the panic goes away. I haven't had a major panic attack in several months as I am used to the symptoms now and know that the panic attack is a result from being worked up over the symptoms. Most days now I have all of those symptoms including the feeling of passing out and dizziness. Some days are worse than others and some hours of the day if my mind is occupied on something else I do not notice the symptoms. I am wondering if this sounds like a definite case of anxiety and if so what recommendation you have in terms of going on medication or not. I am getting by without daily medication however I do not want this to effect my life every day. Thank you!
I have been battling what I have been told is anxiety for over a year and a half now and I want to get some second opinions to confirm that I do not have an underlying medical condition. It all started with becoming dehydrated and getting the feeling of passing out. I had a major panic attack for the first time and since then I have had 4-5 others at random times. I would develop symptoms such as racing heart, feeling of not being able to breath, dizziness, feeling of passing out, cloudiness of the eyes, inability to concentrate, stomach pains, and several others. I have never actually passed out and have since been prescribed Ativam that I only take if I absolutely have to during a panic attack. It seems to help as I calm down and the panic goes away. I haven't had a major panic attack in several months as I am used to the symptoms now and know that the panic attack is a result from being worked up over the symptoms. Most days now I have all of those symptoms including the feeling of passing out and dizziness. Some days are worse than others and some hours of the day if my mind is occupied on something else I do not notice the symptoms. I am wondering if this sounds like a definite case of anxiety and if so what recommendation you have in terms of going on medication or not. I am getting by without daily medication however I do not want this to effect my life every day. Thank you!
I have been battling what I have been told is anxiety for over a year and a half now and I want to get some second opinions to confirm that I do not have an underlying medical condition. It all started with becoming dehydrated and getting the feeling of passing out. I had a major panic attack for the first time and since then I have had 4-5 others at random times. I would develop symptoms such as racing heart, feeling of not being able to breath, dizziness, feeling of passing out, cloudiness of the eyes, inability to concentrate, stomach pains, and several others. I have never actually passed out and have since been prescribed Ativam that I only take if I absolutely have to during a panic attack. It seems to help as I calm down and the panic goes away. I haven't had a major panic attack in several months as I am used to the symptoms now and know that the panic attack is a result from being worked up over the symptoms. Most days now I have all of those symptoms including the feeling of passing out and dizziness. Some days are worse than others and some hours of the day if my mind is occupied on something else I do not notice the symptoms. I am wondering if this sounds like a definite case of anxiety and if so what recommendation you have in terms of going on medication or not. I am getting by without daily medication however I do not want this to effect my life every day. Thank you!
I have been battling what I have been told is anxiety for over a year and a half now and I want to get some second opinions to confirm that I do not have an underlying medical condition. It all started with becoming dehydrated and getting the feeling of passing out. I had a major panic attack for the first time and since then I have had 4-5 others at random times. I would develop symptoms such as racing heart, feeling of not being able to breath, dizziness, feeling of passing out, cloudiness of the eyes, inability to concentrate, stomach pains, and several others. I have never actually passed out and have since been prescribed Ativam that I only take if I absolutely have to during a panic attack. It seems to help as I calm down and the panic goes away. I haven't had a major panic attack in several months as I am used to the symptoms now and know that the panic attack is a result from being worked up over the symptoms. Most days now I have all of those symptoms including the feeling of passing out and dizziness. Some days are worse than others and some hours of the day if my mind is occupied on something else I do not notice the symptoms. I am wondering if this sounds like a definite case of anxiety and if so what recommendation you have in terms of going on medication or not. I am getting by without daily medication however I do not want this to effect my life every day. Thank you!
Brief Answer:
it is anxiety and needs specific treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.
From your symptoms it is likely anxiety disorder specifically panic disorder. Ativan is just symptomatic treatment. TO rule out physical cause you need to undergo cardiac check up and thyroid and vitamin B12 level.
Specific treatment of anxiety disorder includes both medicines and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).
In mild cases only CBT is sufficient. In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added. And later on medicines stopped gradually.
If medicines alone are used chances of relapse are more after stopping the medicines.
In medicines SSRI group of drugs (fluoxetine,paroxetine,sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. I prefer paroxetine. Benzodiazepines group of drugs(clonazeapm, lorazepam or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief.
You need CBT with Ativan, if needed paroxetine can be added. Please ask your psychiatrist to modify the treatment so you get completely cured.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
it is anxiety and needs specific treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.
From your symptoms it is likely anxiety disorder specifically panic disorder. Ativan is just symptomatic treatment. TO rule out physical cause you need to undergo cardiac check up and thyroid and vitamin B12 level.
Specific treatment of anxiety disorder includes both medicines and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).
In mild cases only CBT is sufficient. In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added. And later on medicines stopped gradually.
If medicines alone are used chances of relapse are more after stopping the medicines.
In medicines SSRI group of drugs (fluoxetine,paroxetine,sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. I prefer paroxetine. Benzodiazepines group of drugs(clonazeapm, lorazepam or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief.
You need CBT with Ativan, if needed paroxetine can be added. Please ask your psychiatrist to modify the treatment so you get completely cured.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response, it is very much appreciated. I have had cardiac check up and blood work performed for thyroid and everything came back fine. As you know anxiety causes you to think the worst so I constantly worry that my body has something wrong with it. May I ask what cognitive behaviour therapy involves? I have been seeing a health councillor and learning breathing techniques however I do not feel like it is going to eliminate the problem and allow me to be symptom free. I feel the idea is to be able to be comfortable with the symptoms however I would like to solve the issue completely. I will ask my doctor about the listed medication. Thank you very much
Brief Answer:
CBT with relaxation exercise can help a lot
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow up and sorry for delayed response.
In CBT psychiatrist/psychologist helps person to identify his/her automatic thoughts and faulty behavior which would ultimately be modified by person with active efforts and help of therapist. It also includes time management, daily sleep, meals and exercise timing.
You may learn or even apply CBT with these online links:
https://moodgym XXXXXXX edu.au/welcome
http://serene.me.uk/
All the best and feel free to discuss further.
CBT with relaxation exercise can help a lot
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow up and sorry for delayed response.
In CBT psychiatrist/psychologist helps person to identify his/her automatic thoughts and faulty behavior which would ultimately be modified by person with active efforts and help of therapist. It also includes time management, daily sleep, meals and exercise timing.
You may learn or even apply CBT with these online links:
https://moodgym XXXXXXX edu.au/welcome
http://serene.me.uk/
All the best and feel free to discuss further.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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