Onset of panic attacks - symptoms?

[NoPoet]

Hi all,

I've had a really good day today but half an hour ago a feeling came over me, like I went cold and suddenly became very anxious, almost like a cloud passing across the sun if you'll pardon the cheese. It literally felt like something had changed in my brain.

I've had this feeling before and in another thread I likened it to when you hear water come flooding through a radiator at night. Anyone know what I mean?

Could this mean I've got a chemical imbalance or something, or is it just a symptom of anxiety?

[Nicola_lou]

Hi yeah yesterday I was having a chill day, and went freezing then became anxious I think its anxiety. If that's what you mean

[suzy-sue]

Its just anxiety,dont let it freak you, its a cunning little beast,tell it to s-d off and shut the door on it.Itll creep in when you least expect it,so be on your guard! Youre doing great ,well done .Sue

[NoPoet]

So it's just a symptom then, it's not a change in my brain chemistry or anything like that?? Thank God *breathes a sigh of relief* My worry was causing a bit of flatulence.

Thank you both :D

[suzy-sue]

That makes you an honorary member of the TRUMPET TROUSER CLUB then !! just another little problem :blush: you can get on this stuff.lol
Sue:doh:

[NoPoet]

Heh, that's quality :D For once we have a beneficial side effect.

I was at my mate's and I asked him if he liked vegetables. When he said yes, I unleashed the "keck kazoo" and said, "Well there's a cauliflower" ;)

Try doing that without citalopram in your blood!

[NoPoet]

You know what, since Nicola and Suzy put my mind at rest, that weird feeling has never happened again. :D

I still sometimes feel blue or start to have an anxiety attack but I recognise the signs and they don't scare me any more. Thanks for helping to put my mind at rest!!

[Nicola_lou]

Good news.

[NoPoet]

Sorry to bump an old thread. Does anybody think the symptoms I described in the first post sound like "brain zaps"?

I still haven't had them since. But I have had a lot of headaches.

[NoPoet]

Anyone? I occasionally experience very weak forms of this feeling right before a downer or anxiety attack. Should I see my doctor about this or am I just getting brain zaps?

[sharona]

HI

I have been having them since I stated seroxat but this last 3 days have got to be the worse. i ahve had them constantly and feel giddy which is making me feel worse. I have been googling all day (I know you shouldn't but scared) and every site said hey are normal anxiety or stress so I have now come to the conclusion that we have to live with them.

Sorry but they have ruined my weekend so far as I do not want to go out.


Hope you feel better soon

Sharona

[Nicola_lou]

you can ask ur dr put ur mind at rest. but in top tips there a thread on brain zaps explaining what they are, im sure your fine hun, just our little big mouth friend called anxiety.

[sharona]

Hi

I have read that they can be side effects of AD,s.I am going to the ENT next week, I am going to ask the specialist have they heard of them as I get them through my ear as well. I will let you all know what they say.

Thanks

Sharona

:hugs:

[NoPoet]

Ooh I forgot about this thread.

I spoke to my doctor and a young female trainee doctor (who was extremely good looking and, if you'll pardon my rudeness, I nearly "citizen's arrested" her on suspicion of smuggling peanuts) at length about these symptoms.

They both agreed that I was suffering purely from physical symptoms of anxiety rather than brain zaps.

This came as a big relief and has allowed me to ignore the symptoms when I get them. One less thing to worry about!! :D

What did your doctor say sharona?

[sharona]

Hi

She said I should come off seroxat immedietly and gave me sertroline. I am not sure what to do as I know I have to come ff the seroxat but I don,t want the side effects of starting something new. If you know what I mean.


Hope you are well.

Sharona

[shaz36]

sharona

hi i'm new

can i ask why you were put on seroxat, was it for panic attacks

[sharona]

Hi Shaz

Great name, yes it was for anxiety and panic. Are you on them?

What do you suffer with?

If you want to PM me you are welcome, I am still on them not cahnged yet but plan to on the weekend.



Sharona

[NoPoet]

Sharona, why did your doctor tell you to come off them immediately? I thought "brain zaps" were not harmful. Also I have read that at least 50% of doctors don't know what a brain zap is.

[shaz36]

Hi sharona/everyone

I am not on serona but am on diazepam 2mg. My panic attacks were not really a massive issue until about 5 weeks ago. I had a cluster of them about 2 years ago but thety ahd been pretty good up until now. Recently i have had 8 in 10 working days. The odd thing is mine are always at work. I work in a call centre and they nearly always start when i am on the phone although always when i am having a good call which strikes me as odd. The last on on Monday was huge which resulted in me going striaght to my doctor who unfortunately or fortunatley witnessed it at its worse. I never used to faint with them but lately that seems to be the end result no matter how i try to deal with them. Even though i take them at work, work seems to my safe area because mondays started at home and i drove to work, stupid in hindsight but at the time all i could think about was getting to work, because my managers can deal with them as i feel i can't myself. i started councelling on Tuesday and am going to get CBT therapy as well although how helpful this will be i don't knw as i don't know the reason behind them

xx

[shaz36]

Hi nicola-lou

what is a "brain zap. I hear you all talking about them but i don't understand.
x

[NoPoet]

A brain zap is an electric shock feeling in your brain. It is usually experienced as a withdrawal effect when coming off an SSRI too quickly. It can be very frightening and distressing when you don't know what it is but it is not harmful. A variant of the brain zap is a very loud noise in your ears which occurs suddenly and without explanation. That is also a harmless symptom.