Panic Attacks/Anxiety

[polak]

"Too long, didn't read" version below...

So around 2:30 today, when I was leaving banff I had a latte with 4 espresso shots to wake me up a bit before the drive (Hungover and really tired). I drank the coffee pretty slowly and I didn't finish it until basically arriving back in Calgary which is about the time I started feeling a little anxious. At first I dismissed it as the coffee and went about my day but I thought it was strange cause I have never gotten that feeling from drinking a triple shot which I do quite often, so really, whats one more shot? As the minutes went by it started to get worse. I decided to try and take a nap with my girlfriend and see if it that would help get rid of it because despite the jitters, I was actually pretty sleepy.

Well... I easily had the most messed up sleep of my life. First I started to get dizzy as I was laying there and the anxiety was really starting to ramp up but the tiredness was taking over and I did fall asleep. Bare with me as I try and explain this dream... I had a dream that I was having a dream and waking up with sleep paralysis and trying to get my girlfriend to help me. I know it's confusing. Basically I thought the sleep paralysis thing was real but then I woke up normally and my girlfriend was still sleeping (in the dream she got up). I asked her if she heard me say anything or saw me do anything weird while I was sleeping and she said I didn't so it was all in my head. This freaked me out like crazy and I was still sleepy and dizzy after the nap despite sleeping for a solid hour.

After the nap the anxiety got absolutely ridiculous. I was shaking, getting hot and cold flashes, really nauseous and really panicky. Tried relaxing and watching tv but the anxiety didn't go away.

It FINALLY started to get a little better when I was driving my gf home and the shakes and dizziness went away. Currently I just have the panicky feeling and some chill that seem to come and go but I really don't know what to do.

I don't wanna take any drugs or drink and the only thing I have taken is a couple pepto's for the nausea which did seem to help that aspect. I've only experienced something like this once before but that wasn't unprovoked or as intense. Happened a little more then a year ago.

TL,DR: I had a seemingly unprovoked, massive panic attack today with full out shakes, hot and cold flashes, nausea and dizziness that is only now starting to get a little better. I have no idea what caused it or what to do about it. I've only had something similar to this once in my life but that wasn't unprovoked and took place during a very stressful time in my life.

Any Suggestions???

[frinkprof]

Are you sure it isn't Sbarro's and Papa John's withdrawal symptoms?

Seriously though, hopefully you get it sorted out.

[flylock shox]

This type of thing will happen when you use uppers and downers in combination.

Could be just alcohol withdrawal too, though the caffeine sure won't help either way.

Might need to wean yourself off the drugs for a while.

[nik-]

I had an attack once while I was sitting at work ... I wouldn't deem it a panic/anxiety attack since I was sitting there really calmly until it happened. I have no idea what it was.

Got short of breath, a bit sweaty .. chest tightness. Thought for sure I was about to have a heart attack. Scared me so bad that I went through a bunch of tests and an EKG to see what was up ... turned out I was fine. It sucked balls though.

[polak]

Well I don't want to jinx it but after 6 hours of hell I think it's finally starting to fade for good.

I only worry that it comes back tomorrow while I'm skiing...

If thats how my hangovers are going to start going then I'm never drinking again. I do drink quite a bit though and I've never had that before (although last time I had something similar it was after a night of drinking as well??)

[Kybosh]

Doesn't sound like a panic or anxiety attack to me. You were tired, dehydrated and over stimulated (4 shots of espresso is a lot of caffeine - don't pretend like it's not). Dehydration can cause some serious physiological responses.

[Flabbibulin]

I don't think you mentioned, but did you experience an irregular or fast heartbeat? If not, I would think the other posters are correct in suggesting a combination of tiredness and too many stimulants.

If these symtoms though are accompanied by palpitations, I would suggest a visit yo your family doc.

[OutOfTheCube]

Sounds like when I started having reactions to penicillin back when I had strep throat. Messed me right up in the head.

I stopped taking the penicillin.

[Two Fivenagame]

Kybosh has solved your problem.

4 shots of espresso?? Seriously?

[polak]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

I don't think you mentioned, but did you experience an irregular or fast heartbeat? If not, I would think the other posters are correct in suggesting a combination of tiredness and too many stimulants.

If these symtoms though are accompanied by palpitations, I would suggest a visit yo your family doc.

I don't think my heart rate was up too too much.
Although it definitely felt weird when I was trying to nap. It felt like I had sharp pains starting in the chest and working their way down to my pelvis.

The dehydration + stimulants doesn't sound too far fetched. I did drink water regularly but my lips were pretty dry all day.

I hope that's it! I'll probably go to the doctor if this continues tomorrow.

As I'm lying in bed the anxiety is once again coming and going.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Kybosh has solved your problem.

4 shots of espresso?? Seriously?

That was a regular latte at this place with a single extra shot. I didn't know that when I ordered but when the cashier mentioned it, I didn't really think much of it.

Like I said, I tend to get a triple latte when I go to starbucks

[Two Fivenagame]

Originally Posted by polak

That was a regular latte at this place with a single extra shot. I didn't know that when I ordered but when the cashier mentioned it, I didn't really think much of it.

Like I said, I tend to get a triple latte when I go to starbucks

Try cutting back on the caffein for a while and up your exercise.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by polak

I don't think my heart rate was up too too much.
Although it definitely felt weird when I was trying to nap. It felt like I had sharp pains starting in the chest and working their way down to my pelvis.

The dehydration + stimulants doesn't sound too far fetched. I did drink water regularly but my lips were pretty dry all day.

I hope that's it! I'll probably go to the doctor if this continues tomorrow.

As I'm lying in bed the anxiety is once again coming and going.

Pay close attention to your breathing when you feel the anxiety coming on. Chances are good that your breathing has become quicker. Take slow deep breaths and exhale and that should calm you down some.

[calumniate]

Breathe in, breathe out. Chi Gong style. Drink water. You should be good

[Street Pharmacist]

That sounds exactly like caffeine overdose. 400+mg of caffeine when hungover is bound to mess you up good

[fanman]

Yeah, I'm not really seeing the need for 4 espresso shots in one sitting. Especially when you're hungover. Don't underestimate the caffeine. Drink lots of water instead and maybe just one regular coffee (med size not a large).

Also if you're drinking heavily have a couple glasses of water before you go to bed. Helps take the edge off the hangover the next day.

Hope everything works out for you and maybe stay away from the espresso for a while.

[normtwofinger]

Being hung over and coffee/espresso do not mix. It may give you a temporary kick start, but it really dehydrates you. I've experienced the same thing as the OP a few times when hung over.

[mrbanffgirl]

I have had those (with regularity at one point) and nothing needs to set it off! part of the panic/anxiety is that you do feel like your about to have a jamber, and you stress about THAT! breathing, sitting still and lots of water seem to work for me. But you do feel like you've been hit by a truck for about 12 hours afterwards

[Erick Estrada]

Monitor the situation. If you get repeat episodes under regular circumstances then go see your doctor who will likely suggest some sort of counselling or medication. If he/she suggests Paxil ask for something less powerful. Paxil causes as many issues as it alleviates as it can turn you into a careless zombie and is extremely hart to stop using once your brain gets acclimated.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by polak

I do drink quite a bit though and I've never had that before (although last time I had something similar it was after a night of drinking as well??)

So which is it? Once or a few times now?

All of those symptoms are consistent with the onset of alcohol withdrawal syndrome - the onset symptoms are mild, variable, and random, but get gradually worse with repeated episodes. Nobody is saying thats what it is, but it's very important to keep it in mind.