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Mental Health Support

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crimycarny

(1,351 posts)
Tue Apr 9, 2019, 09:43 PM Apr 2019

Bizarre and terrifying derealization experience--panic attack? [View all]

I had the most terrifying experience a couple of days ago which landed me in the ER. I have anxiety (GAD) but I've never had a panic attack before. I'm wondering if this is what I experienced?

Basically, I woke up that morning feeling fine. Went for a run around noon and sort of putzed around the house for a few hours. I laid down at around 6:00 pm to watch a soccer game when all of a sudden I was hit with this sensation of being sort of "out of it". I don't know how to describe it. My ears started ringing very loudly, my legs felt weak and I had a burning sensation in my feet, I felt nauseous, I was hit with vertigo, and my vision seemed affected as well (not as in blurred vision, more as in distorted vision--like looking down at my legs they seemed 10 feet away).

I knew where I was but I had this overwhelming fear that "something is wrong with me". I called my brother who has had panic attacks. I remember talking to him and answering him, but it felt like I had to concentrate very hard to stay focused on what he was saying and how to respond.

I got my husband from outside and he tried helping me to calm down. But the sensation just got worse. I thought I might have low blood sugar or something so had him get me some juice, but that didn't help. Tried to wait it out but the sensation just got worse and I felt like I was dying. I told my husband "I really feel like I'm going to die".

Long story short we went to the ER and they did an EKG, CAT Scan, CT Scan with contrast, and did some blood work. All tests were normal though I was very slightly dehydrated. I finally started feeling better around 10 pm, so about 4 hours after the whole thing started.

I still have ear ringing but it's getting a bit better with time. I still have the weird sensation of burning feet (not painful, just annoying).

Anyone else ever have a panic attack that manifested as a depersonalization/derealization type sensation?


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First, let me say how sorry I am that you had this happen to you. CaliforniaPeggy Apr 2019 #1
Not like that irisblue Apr 2019 #2
no but mopinko Apr 2019 #3
That's interesting.... crimycarny Apr 2019 #7
well, i am someone who is prone to mopinko Apr 2019 #8
Epilepsy is so misunderstood crimycarny Apr 2019 #10
my youngest had 3 serious mi dx before she was finally found to have mopinko Apr 2019 #13
I have had panic attacks in the past BigmanPigman Apr 2019 #4
Could be a complex partial seizure n/t RamblingRose Apr 2019 #5
Kind of sounds like a severe hypoglycemic episode. Are you maybe borderline diabetic ... marble falls Apr 2019 #6
Blood sugar levels ok crimycarny Apr 2019 #12
Don't be too hard on hubby. We men sometimes don't listen as we try to solve problems ... marble falls Apr 2019 #16
Husband is borderline diabetic as well crimycarny Apr 2019 #19
I don't know why, but I'm guessing sugar bcause I had a spike two pysicals ago ... marble falls Apr 2019 #20
Sorry to hear about the cancer crimycarny Apr 2019 #24
I have to fight it: the alternative is not acceptable. So far in five years: five bladder surgeries marble falls Apr 2019 #25
when i had em they sorta started like a bell ringing in my head followed by a rush msongs Apr 2019 #9
I will try that crimycarny Apr 2019 #15
I'm sorry you experienced this happybird Apr 2019 #11
Did she also experience fatigue? crimycarny Apr 2019 #14
She did happybird Apr 2019 #17
Thank you crimycarny Apr 2019 #18
Has your stress load increased recently? Bayard Apr 2019 #21
Yes--stress has been off the charts crimycarny Apr 2019 #23
Oh, you have teenagers at home? Lulu KC Apr 2019 #27
I think it was some sort of seizure crimycarny Apr 2019 #28
This is all familiar Lulu KC Apr 2019 #29
This message was self-deleted by its author Bayard Apr 2019 #22
You said that you were very dehydrated. That in itself can make you very light headed & dizzy. YOHABLO Apr 2019 #26
Depersonalization has always been the worst symptom of anxiety attacks Maraya1969 Apr 2019 #30
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