[luvtiels]

Ever since my Panic Attack in April, I've noticed that haven't felt the same as I did before the attack. I mean head-wise. My head feels a little diconnected somehow, like its separate from my body. I guess what I am asking is this: Does having a Panic Attack change the brain chemistry somehow? Gee,I may not be explaining this right, but here goes:

*** Mild dizziness is a constant, along with mild "freaky head feelings".
*** I've noticed a slight head-tilt to the right, that was not present before the attack.
*** My head just hasn't "felt right" since the attack.
*** I have an even harder time concentrating in things than I did before.
*** I have had 3 near-attacks since April, but was able to fend them off (barely, and with the Grace of God).
*** My back pain levels have increased since the attack.
*** I've been nuch more fatigued than before, and sleep more.
*** I seem to be more sensitive to tempurature changes than before.

Does havng had one Panic Attack change a person?

Linda

[Parker10]

I would say NO. If they did, my head/brain would be mush. Having said that, after a panic attack, I would also say it would not be unusual to feel "different" for an hour or so - til the "fight or flight response" kicked outta gear, and until you got over the scarey feeling of having just had a panic attack. AND - we could feel "different" for awhile, wondering if we were going to have more attacks, but IMHO, not the "different" you are describing. Do you take meds for the anxiety/panic? Could it be a reaction to a med given to you after the attack that you are now taking? If not, I would suggest a trip to the Doctor to see if there is possibly a medical reason that you are having these feelings.........because of the length of time involved. OR, perhaps you really have GAD, which could explain some of the feelings your describe being almost constant without treatment.

Sorry you are having these feelings ! Hope you soon find out why, and feel better !

[LadyDragus]

no you should not be having these feelings just after one panic attack, it sounds like you should go in and see your Pdoc and see what is worng..

Something else could have happend..
I would go and see if he could run some test to make sure nothing is wrong, just to be on the safe side..
None of us here are doctors excetp doc.. Did your doc put you on any medications that might be making you feel this way??????????

[luvtiels]

I am not getting any type of treatment, because as I said in an earlier post, I am not homicidal nor suicidal. This seems to be the criteria for the local MH clinic, and it turns out that I am just too damn functional for them! I say BS.... just because I know there is something wrong doesn't mean I don't need help. Maybe I shouldn't let people know that I majored in Abnormal Psychology in college?? LOL

I dont have a Pdoc or T, but I do have a primary doc who may be able to help. My surgeon in April didnt give me any meds except for antibiotics for infection.

The only meds I'm taking at this time are Methadone and Percocet for chronic severe back pain.

I have been keeping a daily diary of how I feel, both physically and emotopnally, and overall, yesterday (Saturday) was a good day. My head felt relatively clear for the first time in days, and my pain levels were down, with minimal pain meds. Now that I am sitting in front of the computer, though, they tend to rise again.... sigh. I'm also keeping track of when and how much pain meds I take during the day/night... I have a hard time remembering these things lately.

[LadyDragus]

with the pain meds you are on that could relate to the feelings you are hving with your head..

Methadone and Percocet are a strong combo, for back pain.. I have not heard much about the frist one..

go to this website www.webmd.com and look both of them up and see what side effects they have listed and you can also ask in the drug foum on here if there are and werid side effects you should know about..

That could be some of your problems.. ok.
Thank you for answering, I would hate for your pain meds to be causeing this

[Miss_A]

In my teen years rarely get panic attacks unless something happens that is really feels bad or if someone triggers me off. But now I seem to control myself with a elastic band over my wrist sometimes pull it the snap feel better not the answer but its something to hurt for instead of something to react for. It made me feel weaker when I get to a panic attack thing. The only remember my first one panic attack it felt horrible because no one was around someone punched me hard that I could get up proberly that I was on my bed crying then starting breathing in to fast then went black out. But now I'm ok. It does change me a bit when I have a panic attack it shows that I can't cope. But now I'm fine. Sometimes have a nervous twitch but thats just me.

[luvtiels]

Well, I saw my rehab doc today (Tuesday), explained about the anxiety, and she prescribed Lexipro 10mg. I took the 1st pill at 5pm PSD. I also took a 2.5mg Methadone at the same time - possible mistake?

About 15 minutes later, I started having Panic Attack symptoms. The freaky head feelings, shortness of breath, feelings of head detached from body, restlessness, agitation, etc. Now mind you, I had been experiencing these very mildly most of the day up to this point. But it wasnt anything I couldnt handle myself. But after I took the Lexipro, the symptoms doubled in intensity. I was in a restaurant, so I was in a safe place (hubby was not home). Has anyone experienced a Panic Attack after their very first dose of meds? Do I need to cut the pills in half to make them 5 mgs and start off there, slowly working up to 10? When isd the best time of day to take Lexipro - morning, afternoon, night? Should I take it with my Methadone or should I wait a few minutes/hours between taking the two meds?

I'm going to copy this post to the Drugs folder, so I get 2 sets of opinions. I am very new to Anxiety/Panic, and its a little - OK, a LOT scary. This is my first time on Lexipro, so its new to me too.

[Myzen]

Hi luv,

I would say that once we have had a full blown panic attack we are never the same person again.

It's only my own feeling, but I have never known what it is to be 'carefree' since that first attack. This is not to say that we can't make something of our lives, but life is definitely not the same as before.

Imagine you had a car and the brakes suddenly failed, then started working again. The mechanic checks the car and says there is nothing mechanically wrong. How would you drive that car from then on? I would say - gingerly!

That's how it is for me.

Gentle (non-panicky) thoughts, Myzen

[ickydog2006]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Hi luv,

I would say that once we have had a full blown panic attack we are never the same person again.

It's only my own feeling, but I have never known what it is to be 'carefree' since that first attack. This is not to say that we can't make something of our lives, but life is definitely not the same as before.

Imagine you had a car and the brakes suddenly failed, then started working again. The mechanic checks the car and says there is nothing mechanically wrong. How would you drive that car from then on? I would say - gingerly!

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
I agree with Myzen. Also I have had a lot of the symptoms you are suffering from after I had my first panic attack. Now those feelings have decreased for me but if you have read my posts you will see that I am more preoccupied with other problems right now. I was prescribed 10 mg Lexapro and took it at night and then switched to in the morning because (unlike most) it gave me an energy spike. It made me have less panic attacks, but didn't make them totally go away. The problem was it gave me this spike of calmness and happiness for a couple of hours and then suddenly dropped off. That sent me into suicidal thoughts ect. Now I've been switched from med to med and am having problems so that is as far as my advice and experience goes. GOOD LUCK

[luvtiels]

Hmmm. Thanks for the input. I got some Lexapro from my rehab doc on Tuesday... took a full pill (10mg) and had another Attack! YIKES!!!! I was a mess, but at least I was in a safe place - Denny's, a restaraunt here in town.Stayed there most of the night, at least until the symtoms faded enough that I felt safe to go home.

I decided to cut the pillls in half, and take it at night - that way I could sleep through any side effects. After taking 1/2 pill (5mg) early Thur. morning (2am), I stayed online for a few more hours, then went to bed. Upon waking in the afternoon, I felt great! Thursday was a Very Good Day (haven't had very many of those lately). No side effects of Lexapro, and no anxiety symptoms. I didn't know it worked that fast.

All I know is that the fear of having another attack is almost as bad as the attack itself.

[jmo531]

Hi Luv,

I too agree with Myzen. I dont think a person that experiences panic attacks are ever fully the same. I mean, this is not necessarily a bad thing either. With treatment we can learn better tools to deal with what brings us the anxiety and learn to deal with it in a more productive manner rather then trying to run away from it.
In my case, I am dealing with depression and OCD as well as panic disorder. I currently take Effexor XR and Ativan as needed. In the begining I took the Effexor at night but I soon realized that it kept me awake. So I started a morning dose which works well for me. My PDoc explained that initially when starting a med, increased anxiety can be expected. After a week or so, this feeling passed. Give it some time. I understand what your feeling. Take care and Much love.


Jen