Panic Attack While Driving? Slamming Heart And Shaking Legs
Feb 16, 2014
So..my daughter wanted to go shopping. I felt a little blah, tightness in chest before we left. A light was changing from yellow to red, and i made a very fast right hand turn so i wouldn't be stuck at a dreaded red light. After the turn I felt a burning in my stomach that quickly spread throughout my whole body. I glanced in the mirror and was bright red..had to pull over. Heart started slamming and so fast...legs shaking. Opened the door, and got out to get air..telling myself im ok, im ok as my daughter sat there ( really sad) 20 mins later and heart slowed enough to drive and here i am. Daughter very angry and confused. Cold feeling in my arms, headache and a slight burning in chest and exhausted. Feeling guilty. Although i feel i managed ok...and made it through...ehh...feel bad. Does this even sound like a panic attack?
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I suddenly started feeling not myself like out of body and my heart is beating so fast! I can't stop shaking, feels like someone is squeezing my head and really hot I hate this it feels like I'm gonna loose control
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I'm sat with family & friends in my local pub and I'm panicking! Nausea hot racing heart thoughts of a heart attack!
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So I started freaking out real bad around 6:50 PM, I couldn't breathe and I started panicking my heart started racing and there's weird pains radiating from my shoulders to my chest, the pain isn't super bad, and it's fleeting, but I'm scared because it's now 8:37 PM and i'm still having breathing trouble, chest pain and the weird hot and stiff feeling. Am I going to die? I don't want to call the ambulance again because I was hospitalized on the 12th for a bad panic attack, I was given more ativan and sent home, I was a-ok for the remainder. I also got a prescription for 0.25 milligrams of Xanax, but have yet to get it. I'm just scared about my breathing and pain and tingling mixed with weird head symptoms. I feel like the heart attack is coming..
It's been 21 days since my fears of rabies symptoms showing. No surefire sore throat, headache, vomiting or anything, but neck and pains.. I haven't felt achy and fluish.
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So last weekend I was out with friends we had had a nice dinner and we're sitting talking when suddenly my heart started racing I wasn't panicked or anything and didn't really have any other symptoms bit short of breath and chest was bit tight my heart rate was 120 this last for about an hour and was nearly 2 hrs before my heart rate slowed to normal. Does this happen to you guys. I did go and get checked out and all okay.
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I just had a panic attack last night, about 30 min after smoking a lil canibus. my chest started hurting and i could feel pain slowly going up toward the top of my throat.
Freaked me out and my husband ran me to the er. but we are in a state where it is legal to smoke marijuana so didn't get in any trouble but it was scary as hell to b 27 and think that u are going to die cause it felt like my throat was closing up. i just want to know why if i have smoked so much weed in my life a panic attack would start so many years later. anyone have this answer for me?
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As I'm writing this, I'm shivering, trembling, feeling weight down. My chest feels heavy and I have trouble breathing. My senses are all on alert and my frightened. Am I having a panic attack? How long does it last? I have a sharp pain in my head that's coming and going. I hate this feeling. Has anyone experience this.
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No one seems to be taking me seriously and I didn't know where else to turn to so I decided to go here. I'm 24 years old and have been dealing with anxiety and depression since I was young. It got worse while living at home during high school and has gotten unbearable up until this point. I was on a short vacation about a week ago (4 days). During my whole trip I suffered from a migraine and it felt as if I couldn't breathe, no matter how hard I tried it felt like someone was suffocating me. It's been about a week now and my migraine seems to be gone but the other day when I got back I was out for dinner with a friend and I felt a strange nauseous wave wash over me and I had to go the bathroom because I thought I was going to be sick. I ended up going home and then going to the pharmacy to pick up my medicine for my migraine because I thought it had passed. When I was standing at the counter I suddenly couldn't breathe at all! I was so scared and started hyperventilating and acted completely hysterical. The pharmacists tried to calm me down and said it was nothing but I insisted there was something wrong with me. They were afraid I had an allergic reaction to something but it felt different so they called a taxi for me to get me to the hospital. While at the hospital the nurses gave me two antihistamines and some sort of drug to calm me down. They explained to me that they couldn't see anything blocking my throat and that all my vitals were fine. They said I had a panic attack or it was anxiety which means it's all in my head?!? I don't understand. Was this a panic attack or anxiety? I felt like a fool for crying in front of these nurses thinking I was going to die. I have never experienced this sort of thing before, (except for anaphylactic shock which feels completely different by the way). Can someone please help me, it's been about two days after I had my episode and I still have difficulty breathing and my throat and mouth feel so dry yet sticky! My throat is starting to hurt and throb, I'm starting to freak myself out! Eating doesn't seem to help and I'm getting scared again. Can this happen and if so how did any of you deal with this?
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I used to suffer from panic attacks but don't really get them no more (only after alcohol)... 3 nights ago I did drink (a lot) and I had the classic panic symptoms but not the actual attack... The reason why I didn't have the actual attack was (I think) I took a friend's anxiety pills (propranolol) I had 1 x 10 mg two days ago and 1x10mg yesterday I havnt took one today because they haven't helped me at all... now I'm just stuck with (what I can describe) just the build up to a panic attack but no panic... I feel I have butterflies constantly in my stomach from worry but I don't know what I am worried about... I feel like this feeling will never go and that there is nothing that can help me has anybody ever experienced this? Also I am aware (now) of the dangers of taking unprescribed drugs I only did this because I felt this was my only option. I only took two pills I should be ok to stop taking the propranolol right?
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19 year old, white, male.
This is kind of long. But I’m desperate and I need help. Thank you for your time!
First of all, a brief history of my medical issues.
6 years ago, I started having chest and back pains.
* Visited many doctors: Cardiologist, General Physicians, Chiropractors
- Figured out it was skeletal issues
* Found an osteopath who was able to "adjust" me every few weeks. Good temporary relief.
Began seeking out a more permanent solution.
* Heard of The Yardley Institute - a specialty chiropractic center that focuses on the Atlas bone
- Turns out my atlas bone was twisted 5.5 degrees, and was pinching my spinal cords, causing all kinds of pain
- They were able to adjust it, making me feel normal again.
- Unfortunately, the adjustments haven't really been holding, and I've been having to be adjusted every week or so.
Naturally, this has caused me some stress. I am constantly tired and unmotivated to do anything. I find myself short of breath, and in pain when simply standing. I loose balance, as if I were out at sea - my legs feel like they’re swaying underneath me. It’s difficult to walk very far because of this.
A month or so ago, I began having these strange attacks:
- Heart rate elevates significantly
- Excessive shivering/shaking. (Feels like adrenaline throbbing throughout my entire body.)
- I get clammy and cold to the touch
- Short of breath
- Pressure in head, like blood isn't escaping
- Pressure in chest and shoulders
- Naturally, very fearful of death.
- Absolutely no energy. I can barely move without being exhausted.
- Very dizzy + a lot of vertigo.
The first time it happened, I went into the ER, fearing heart problems again. They tested heart, blood, lungs, and did X-rays. Everything came back perfectly fine. They gave me some anti-anxiety medicine via IV in the hospital which seemed to calm me down and made me feel normal again. They dismissed me from the hospital without any medication because they didn’t want to say it was anxiety without more proof.
A few weeks later, I saw my life-long physician. He seemed to think it was anxiety, and gave me some minor anxiety medicine: Fluoxetine Tablets USP (10mg). I take these once a day, and they seem to calm me down overall, but do not prevent the attacks.
ALSO, I think the attacks I’m getting now that I’m on Fluoxetine are different than the attack I had which put me in the ER, even if they were extremely similar.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed something a bit concerning. Exactly 24 hours after I masturbate, one of the attacks happen. I notice that it originates in the back of my head, right where my neck connects to my skull. It always happens as I’m trying to fall asleep. Everything tenses up, and I feel as if I have to clench every muscle in my body in order to relieve this throbbing, dizzying sensation. It hits hard at first, causing me to jolt up, as if I wasn’t in control of my muscles, and then settles into the shaking, pressure, and clamminess. It comes in waves, each wave lasting 5+ minutes until it works it’s way all the way through my body after 3-5 cycles. I often have to hold someone’s hand or have physical contact with something sturdy in order to feel stable.
It is absolutely miserable and terrifying.
The last time I felt one of these attacks coming on, I was able to stand up, clench a pillow, and walk around for 4 hours, which prevented the full attack from kicking in. I was able to sleep eventually, but as soon as I woke up, all the symptoms came back, and the attack hit me. It’s was like I was able to hold it back long enough to sleep, but it HAD to get through my system, so it did so as soon as I was conscious again.
As far as diet and exercise: I do cardio nearly every day as well as take multi vitamins, fish oil, D, and C. I haven’t had alcohol or a smoke since my ER visit, but I hardly ever drink or smoke anyway. I’ve also avoided caffeine except for the occasional soft drink. I eat healthy, especially of late. I try to limit cheap, processed food, as well as sugar, just because I feel like it only makes my symptoms worse. I have been tested for allergies and anemia, both of which came back negative.
Some more - possibly helpful - information:
1. Throughout all these skeletal issues, I have had my neck cracked and twisted in many ways by doctors and myself. I try not to crack it, but sometimes, It helps reduce tension that builds up.
2. Occasionally, I get muscle twitches. My tricep, under my eye, my neck, etc. They don’t go away until I wake up the next morning.
3. For the last 6 months, I have been trying to find work and a car. On top of this, I am hung up on a girl. I want to ask her out, but I am unable because of all these physical and work/car issues. Spiritually, I am constantly terrified and confused. Basically, I have major worry about my future, and I can’t fix it.
4. My anxiety and symptoms always get worse near the end of the day. Sometimes, I can’t focus on anything during the evening’s without feeling vertigo/dizziness.
5. I’ll often wake up with symptoms, but they’ll go away as soon as I eat breakfast.
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I have panic attacks while driving in the hills, over bridges or those big flying overpasses on the highways. I also have problems when stopped at a red light if on an elevation. I usually don't have problems crossing bridges if they are flat, straight across and not too long. I can usually go over an overpass on the interstate or a side road over the interstate if it is just a small elevation, but sometimes I do have panic attacks on these. If the overpass curves or goes up and curves - then I get panic attacks. Bridges that start with an elevation really get me and I just have to pull over. I did not start having these panic attacks until I developed a detached retina. I have had surgery twice and still the retina keeps coming loose and detaching and wont stay. It is genetic according to 3 specialist so the light reflects differently in my right eye and makes me dizzy sometimes. I do better on cloudy days or wearing wrap around sunglasses. I also have a lot of fluid in my ears too. I have to stay on a Decongestant to keep the fluid dried up in my ears. I was going around Little Rock Arkansas on the by pass -Hwy 30 and was fine on the bridge but there was a curvy overpass and the traffic was so bad I got stopped in the middle of the overpass. I actually had to open the door and put my foot on the pavement to stop the dizziness and the ticks from the panic attack. I am usually OK driving in the hills except when there it a guard rail and a drop off to my left or right or a bridge at the top of a hill - then I freak out. Going to Branson MO from Springfield on HWY 65 there are three HUGE hills with drop offs and deep gullies and I really get freaked out then. I also get freaked out if I am going down a steep incline with lots of curves. Example being the highway from Nashville to Chattanooga.
When I have the attacks, I notice that my heart races, my mouth gets really dry and throat swells and my vision blurs so I can not see very well. I get very light headed and dizzy and feel as if I am going to pass out.
I have noticed that my attacks are less when I don't drink things with caffeine and cut back on my salt.
I have tried the belly breathing - slowly and It does not really help. If I am talking to my wife or doing something to distract me - I can usually get over the bridge. I just floor it and hope nothing is in my way and pull the visor down and concentrate on the lines of the road. If the sun is really bright it also bring on attacks too or if I am really tired and not rested well.
Anyone have any suggestions for me. I take Ativan and it helps a lot.
The last panic attack I had my wife take my BP with the wrist cuff and it was super high.
This is what I go through when I travel. Not a pleasant experience. I used to love to drive and never had any problems driving until my retina detached. Could that have something to do with the panic attacks.
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I'm going to be completely honest and as thorough as possible, I'm an addict, and I've had an addiction to stimulants for the last year and a half (consisting of about 95% amphetamine usage, never used methamphetamine). I usually keep my doses anywhere around 10-60mg cause I never wanted to over do it. Unfortunately, last week I dove in deep to my addiction due to a recent break up, about 4 days ago I did around 130 mg spread out through the day, I felt fine until I took my very last dose (30 mg about), at that point it only increased negative side effects.
After a while of feeling odd and stuff, I began to have trouble breathing and chest pains (I can't remember which started first), it kind of felt like they coincided, but I still would get very minor and infrequent pain without breathing, it felt like I couldn't take a full breath of air, and when I did the chest pain would kick in (more), it felt like a tightening pain. My left arm soon became somewhat numb and tingly, not numb like when you accidentally sleep on it, but just a little numbing that felt like it stretched down my arm through a single vein, the numbness was generally more intense under my armpit and bicep area, and would intensify when I rubbed certain areas. I had a very sore/stiff neck, especially around the area between my shoulder blades and neck, it wasn't on one side, it was mostly in the middle (my neck and back are still sore after this experience, as well as the tingling sensation in my arm but its not at all that bad, and it comes and goes). I had anxiety during this event, and I felt like when people would talk to me I wasn't truly comprehending what they would say, but yet I still was able to reply to them, I just didn't say much or think about what I was saying, I only could pay attention to what was happening to me. I felt like things were kind of slowed down and I was very fatigued and zoned out. I felt as if I was slowly meeting my demise. I believe I got cold sweats a couple times, but not much. I had some heart burn later that night, and the next but its gone.
It came across to me that maybe this was a panic attack but the pain lasted 2-3 hours, after that it wasn't horrible, but it was still somewhat there, and the mental aspect of a panic attack wasn't that intense. I also do think that my left arm may just have "mouse arm" (cant remember medical term), cause I use a computer a lot, a part of my muscle/tendon in my hand has been sore for a while, and it is somewhat acting up now as I type. I really am not sure if a lot of this is me overreacting, or just a placebo effect (I hope so). I've had minor chest pains since I was 13 (I just turned 18), and every time I went in to get my heart checked out, they said I was fine, and that I had a slight irregular heart beat but it was nothing to worry about and a lot of people have it but don't know.
I also have this weird problem with my thought process either that started the night of the incident, or I haven't noticed before. The only way I can explain it is as if my brain buffers for a moment when I go back and forth between two thoughts, it's like I over excite the neurons responsible for those thoughts and I end up overriding my brain for a brief second with confusion, then it's fine. I do have some chest pains now, but it isn't very often, and honestly happens mostly when I think about it or worry about it (same with the left arm), which is why I think I could be conning my self about this entire incident, because I've had panic attacks before but they weren't as bad and were more mental than physical.
It's dumb of me but I never went into the doctors cause 1. I was too paranoid to go in, and 2. I don't want to worry my mom or waste her money just so the doc's (possibly) find nothing. I haven't lately because all I've been doing is researching about this stuff, off and on I think I'm fine and then I don't. So I came here to settle it once and for all, I have a doctors appt. next week anyways so if you guys don't think its serious (I don't, but it could be denial) I'll just wait until then, if it is then I'll go now. I know everybody says "If its your heart then don't risk it", but every time I go in for my heart, it's always nothing.
My family nor myself have a history of heart disease, diabetes, or just flat out obesity. I'm very fit, just oddly muscular for my age, but I don't work out as often as I should now-a-days. I also smoke cigarettes, and my heart pains/arm numbness do come back a bit when I have a cig, but then again it could just be my head. The last time I had any form of a heart test was probably about a year or two ago, it was an EKG and I believe a blood test, but my memory is a bit foggy in that area. My heart rate is normal, I don't know about my blood pressure, but I believe I got a test for it lying somewhere around my house. My last dose of amphetamines was today, yes I know its stupid, but it's literally my last dose (I weaned myself off).
Oh and I did have sex last night, being in the moment I may have over did it (I usually get this feeling just without the numbing), my heart pounded like hell, I got heart burn during it, my left arm and leg became pretty numb, I was kind of tremor-ish, and that's it. Once I orgasmed the numbing went away (except for under my armpit area), and my heart was fine, but beating pretty fast (110bpm).
So do you think I likely had a heart attack? Or do you think it's something else? Or a combination of things? Or simply nothing but a placebo affect or panic attack? And by the way how long does numbing of the left-arm and chest pains last after having a heart attack?
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Has anyone experienced heart palpitations throughout the day and a fast heart beat that wakes you up in the morning. I'm going to the doc to make sure its nothing serious but i have suffered with panic attacks and hypochondria for years this is just new symptoms.
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hi for about 8 weeks now i have been having what feels like heart palpitations,i have visited my gp and 2 said they thought i was having panic attacks and 1 thought a stomach ulcer i have ended up in hospital twice due to me going light headed feeling sick and having numbness down both arms and racing heart both times i was watching tv when it happened! its driving me insane i have had 3 ECG's all came back normal i sometimes have pain in my left shoulder or in my upper back around shoulder blades or in my upper stomach both sides, i have sat and taken my pulse when it happens but my heart rate doesn't seem to change, i have another appointment with the doctor on monday but feel like im being laughed at and not listened to!
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My blood pressure is 110/53 and I have these spells where my legs start shaking and I feel like i'm going to pass out. My vision gets blurry. Should I worry.
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Need help as I've been suffering terribly with menopause, severe panic attacks, shaking, sweating, hot flushes, legs like jelly!
I had severe chest pain, it woke up from sleep at 4am Easter Sunday. Ambulance came and took to A/E. Hospital said ECG fine but it was a heart spasm probably caused by panic attack in sleep, can that happen?
I shake at any sudden sound? Get that nervous pit feeling in your stomach, goes right through me! Even watching tv any sudden movements make me jump. My question is would vitamin b complex help plus 5 htp at night to help with sleep? I'm in the menopause also, have hot flushes during day and night. Have used menopace but not working now.
Any advice would help as I feel so not myself, low energy, nervy all the time even my speech sounds jittery !!
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I had a heart catherization done in may 2014 and all was normal thank god now my question is what are the chances are for a person with mirmal heart cath to develop a heart attack , and can it happen withen a year from the cath please ?
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I have an emotion like a panic attack when doing sex and i can't finish. I don't know if is psychological or physical organ that does it because of a problem but the sensation starts from pelvis and goes to penis and peins becomes small during sex. What should i do?
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I was put on diazepam for anxiety disorder along with sertraline 50mg I am 4 weeks on sertraline but have been taking diazepam for approx 2-3 months max 6 mg daily I dropped the dose to 2mg once daily around 3 weeks ago and 4 days ago stopped completely although my jelly legs and shakes are there I have been experiencing stomach pain bit like period pain but still wakes me I would like advice on how long these jelly legs and stomach aches will last as my anxiety is spiralling out of control thinking I have something serious wrong with me i've also had blurred vision and feeling sick.
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Had a bad panic attack in the night last night. Tonight I feel worried it's going to happen again . Do I take a diazepam at 9 to keep me calm ? Will it work guys ? And I'm on my own too. Is it ok?
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I've not had a drink since last Christmas. But today I had a cocktail and I don't know if it's just my anxiety, but cocktails have hardly anything in, and now my head feels funny and I just feel weird. Is it the alcohol or is it just me having a panic attack?
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