Stupid panic attack/hot flashes are back

[TrogL]

Nobody seems to know what they are.

I get kind of dizzy, get this feeling of impending doom, then a strong physical sensation I can't really explain, sort of like a rush, then a bad taste in my mouth like pencil eraser, then I feel really, really hot and start sweating. The whole process takes about 30 seconds and I feel shitty for about 5 minutes afterwards.

I've been tested for epilepsy. That's not it.

My doctor thinks they're panic attacks. My mother thinks they're hot flashes (note, I'm male, 50 years old).

They seem to be more frequent if I haven't had enough sleep, have been out in the sun or if I'm lying on my back.

Any ideas what these might be or how to make them go away?

[DemExpat]

1. Maybe a type of panic attack....or acute hormonal rush of some kind.

perhaps as a result of the medications you are on now?

They sound very uncomfortable, and I recognize the symptoms you describe - even the taste of something strange in your mouth. But they do sound like hot flashes too, as your Mom says....:eyes:

Maybe these are a side-effect of the combo of meds that the doctors don't recognize...


Since you know what makes them worse you can take steps to do the right things to avoid these nasty waves.
:hug:

Definitely mention them to your doctor soon.


DemEx

[Droopy]

2. I wonder if it's possible that the attacks are

an allergic reaction of some kind. People can be allergic to all sorts of stuff. When I was a teenager I would break out in hives whenever my skin was exposed to cold stuff. It only lasted for about a year, but I had a hell of a time in the winter.

[TrogL]

3. One possibility

They may be precursors to my manic swings, sort of like pre-earthquake tremors.

The other thing is that they happen in normal settings where nothing has changed. Today they were at the office and nothing has changed there in ages.

[rockedthevoteinMA]

4. Yikes! You described exactly what happened to me the

other night. My fiance and I were driving along the coastal route in our hometown, and I couldn't see the horizon. I had a major panic attack (at least that's what I thought it was). He had to get away from the water because it wouldn't stop. As soon as we did, it went away within minutes.

Ever since the tsunami I have been having weekly nightmares about it, fearing something like that would happen here. I guess I just have an overactive imagination. :(

I have no idea how to make them go away. I take Valerian Root when I need it, but it takes 45-60 minutes to start working, so it might not help you in your situation.

[DemExpat]

5. When I travel I always have a bottle of water with me with a strong

dosage of Valerian Root/Passionflower tincture in it.

Helps a lot to take sips on this when I am very anxious.

:hi:

DemEx

[rockedthevoteinMA]

6. That's a great idea DemExpat, thank you.

Do you find the tincture (sp?) works faster than the pill form? I just bought a 1000 pills, because they were out of the liquid at my local health store. (Of Valerian Root)

What's passionflower? Do you find that works better?

[DemExpat]

7. I take the pills as well as tincture.

What works best for me after trying out different mixtures/brands is a good quality tincture of Valerian Root and Passion Flower here...Valerian being the principal ingredient.

I take the pills (same brand) on stressful days, and use the tincture for acute situations, like travelling. Especially for flying, I have a strong mixture of these drops in water (looks like bourbon....:D) which I sip on regularly or whenever I am on the edge of panic.

It does help me.

Eating a banana while travelling also helps me for some reason - keeps my tummy (and blood sugar level) comfortable when I am too strung out to eat other foods.

:hug:

DemEx