Question Re: Panic Attack
Question:
Hello Folks! I just had a huge panic attack. Funny thing is, as the years go by, the symptoms always change. I experience spontaneous panic attacks. I get no warning. I was lying in bed watching TV and then "POOF" a sweep-like wave hits. Begins at the top of my head and gradually makes it’s way down to my toes. Shortness of breath sets in – almost like I get the wind knocked out of me. My outer extremities start to tingle and I feel as though I am about to faint/pass out. I become very pale, sometimes dizzy, but always like I’m not really there. I have a question that is kind of embarrassing as it has just started happening since my panic attacks returned. When I am experiencing a panic attack I feel as though I have to empty my bowels – like I’m having a bout of diarrhea and I have to concentrate or I will YOU KNOW WHAT! Is this normal? I have NEVER experienced this before with any of my other panic attacks. I also need reassurance that what I am experiencing is a panic attack. Like I said, the panic symptoms I experience change with every relapse that I have. BTW do any of you have any ideas on how to get over a panic attack after it has happened? I used deep breathing to calm myself down but it is the after effect – I am really anxious and a bit scared after even though I know what it is. Thanks Everyone Zedexa
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Folks! I just had a huge panic attack. Funny thing is, as the years go by, the symptoms always change. I experience spontaneous panic attacks. I get no warning. I was lying in bed watching TV and then "POOF" a sweep-like wave hits. Begins at the top of my head and gradually makes it’s way down to my toes. Shortness of breath sets in – almost like I get the wind knocked out of me. My outer extremities start to tingle and I feel as though I am about to faint/pass out. I become very pale, sometimes dizzy, but always like I’m not really there. I have a question that is kind of embarrassing as it has just started happening since my panic attacks returned. When I am experiencing a panic attack I feel as though I have to empty my bowels – like I’m having a bout of diarrhea and I have to concentrate or I will YOU KNOW WHAT! Is this normal? I have NEVER experienced this before with any of my other panic attacks. I also need reassurance that what I am experiencing is a panic attack. Like I said, the panic symptoms I experience change with every relapse that I have. BTW do any of you have any ideas on how to get over a panic attack after it has happened? I used deep breathing to calm myself down but it is the after effect – I am really anxious and a bit scared after even though I know what it is. Thanks Everyone Zedexa
Hi Zed, I think that feeling of bowel urgency is common during a panic attack. When I am really anxious, I have to tinkle really bad even if I just went, that is common during a PA too 
After many years, my anxiety symptoms changed too. I was use to a racing heart and very shaky legs, now I deal with dizziness and feeling off-balanced. I couldn`t believe it was anxiety and for two years thought it was something physical. It does sound like you had a PA 
I hate the ones that come out of the blue like that. Sometimes I take it easy after a PA, and other times I keep myself really busy so as not to think too much about what just happened. Take care and hope you feel better!! Jackie
Response:
Thank you Jackie! You are very sweet to reply so kindly! HUGGGGSSSSS Zed
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Folks! I just had a huge panic attack. Funny thing is, as the years go by, the symptoms always change. I experience spontaneous panic attacks. I get no warning. I was lying in bed watching TV and then "POOF" a sweep-like wave hits. Begins at the top of my head and gradually makes it’s way down to my toes. Shortness of breath sets in – almost like I get the wind knocked out of me. My outer extremities start to tingle and I feel as though I am about to faint/pass out. I become very pale, sometimes dizzy, but always like I’m not really there. I have a question that is kind of embarrassing as it has just started happening since my panic attacks returned. When I am experiencing a panic attack I feel as though I have to empty my bowels – like I’m having a bout of diarrhea and I have to concentrate or I will YOU KNOW WHAT! Is this normal? I have NEVER experienced this before with any of my other panic attacks. I also need reassurance that what I am experiencing is a panic attack. Like I said, the panic symptoms I experience change with every relapse that I have. BTW do any of you have any ideas on how to get over a panic attack after it has happened? I used deep breathing to calm myself down but it is the after effect – I am really anxious and a bit scared after even though I know what it is. Thanks Everyone Zedexa Hi Zed, I think that feeling of bowel urgency is common during a panic attack. When I am really anxious, I have to tinkle really bad even if I just went, that is common during a PA too After many years, my anxiety symptoms changed too. I was use to a racing heart and very shaky legs, now I deal with dizziness and feeling off-balanced. I couldn`t believe it was anxiety and for two years thought it was something physical. It does sound like you had a PA I hate the ones that come out of the blue like that. Sometimes I take it easy after a PA, and other times I keep myself really busy so as not to think too much about what just happened. Take care and hope you feel better!! Jackie
Response:
I think you’ve just described a very typical panic episode for many of us. In strictly non-medical terms, your bowels going into an uproar is often part of it. There is a dr. who posts here sometimes who can explain why….I just can’t remember exactly, but it has to do with the whole release of cortisol, adrenalin thing. It’s just another wonderful feeling for us to deal with (ha!). Nothing to worry about it. Warm wishes, Janet
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Folks! I just had a huge panic attack. Funny thing is, as the years go by, the symptoms always change. I experience spontaneous panic attacks. I get no warning. I was lying in bed watching TV and then "POOF" a sweep-like wave hits. Begins at the top of my head and gradually makes it’s way down to my toes. Shortness of breath sets in – almost like I get the wind knocked out of me. My outer extremities start to tingle and I feel as though I am about to faint/pass out. I become very pale, sometimes dizzy, but always like I’m not really there. I have a question that is kind of embarrassing as it has just started happening since my panic attacks returned. When I am experiencing a panic attack I feel as though I have to empty my bowels – like I’m having a bout of diarrhea and I have to concentrate or I will YOU KNOW WHAT! Is this normal? I have NEVER experienced this before with any of my other panic attacks. I also need reassurance that what I am experiencing is a panic attack. Like I said, the panic symptoms I experience change with every relapse that I have. BTW do any of you have any ideas on how to get over a panic attack after it has happened? I used deep breathing to calm myself down but it is the after effect – I am really anxious and a bit scared after even though I know what it is. Thanks Everyone Zedexa
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Folks! I just had a huge panic attack. Funny thing is, as the years go by, the symptoms always change. I experience spontaneous panic attacks. I get no warning. I was lying in bed watching TV and then "POOF" a sweep-like wave hits. Begins at the top of my head and gradually makes it’s way down to my toes. Shortness of breath sets in – almost like I get the wind knocked out of me. My outer extremities start to tingle and I feel as though I am about to faint/pass out. I become very pale, sometimes dizzy, but always like I’m not really there. I have a question that is kind of embarrassing as it has just started happening since my panic attacks returned. When I am experiencing a panic attack I feel as though I have to empty my bowels – like I’m having a bout of diarrhea and I have to concentrate or I will YOU KNOW WHAT! Is this normal? I have NEVER experienced this before with any of my other panic attacks. I also need reassurance that what I am experiencing is a panic attack. Like I said, the panic symptoms I experience change with every relapse that I have. BTW do any of you have any ideas on how to get over a panic attack after it has happened? I used deep breathing to calm myself down but it is the after effect – I am really anxious and a bit scared after even though I know what it is. Thanks Everyone Zedexa
the cortsisol adrenaline thing works to explain the bowel urge it is common-anthropologicaly if a prey soils itself a predator won’t eat it so it is a long standing response. next time you get this wave of anxiety try this: take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds-release it through pursed lips slowly and then tighten your ab muscles real tight and hold for a few seconds then rapidly release while doing this physical response focus your eyes on a spot you pick on the wall or ceiling or anywhere but focus them and stare-while doing this allow the thoughts you are having to come and go at will and ignore them-this adrenal surge will pass quickly and your response will hasten its passing-after it happens don’t read into it or analyze it now actively do something or distract yourself-the symptoms change often when we no longer respond to the older symptoms its like a test-we test ourselves-hey if that didn’t scare you how bout this-sort of psychology. soon you may just experience a feeling of adrenal rush isololated to the area of your kideneys on your back or just around the gut-this means it is pettering out and you are controling it better and better-soon itwill not be as global and you won’t even notice it as much. LM
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello Folks! I just had a huge panic attack. Funny thing is, as the years go by, the symptoms always change. I experience spontaneous panic attacks. I get no warning. I was lying in bed watching TV and then "POOF" a sweep-like wave hits. Begins at the top of my head and gradually makes it’s way down to my toes. Shortness of breath sets in – almost like I get the wind knocked out of me. My outer extremities start to tingle and I feel as though I am about to faint/pass out. I become very pale, sometimes dizzy, but always like I’m not really there. I have a question that is kind of embarrassing as it has just started happening since my panic attacks returned. When I am experiencing a panic attack I feel as though I have to empty my bowels – like I’m having a bout of diarrhea and I have to concentrate or I will YOU KNOW WHAT! Is this normal? I have NEVER experienced this before with any of my other panic attacks. I also need reassurance that what I am experiencing is a panic attack. Like I said, the panic symptoms I experience change with every relapse that I have. BTW do any of you have any ideas on how to get over a panic attack after it has happened? I used deep breathing to calm myself down but it is the after effect – I am really anxious and a bit scared after even though I know what it is. Thanks Everyone Zedexa
What you describe is clearly a PA. Bowel and bladder problems often accompany a PA. I hope you won’t have another one for a loooong time. Philip
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello Folks! I just had a huge panic attack. Funny thing is, as the years go by, the symptoms always change. I experience spontaneous panic attacks. I get no warning. I was lying in bed watching TV and then "POOF" a sweep-like wave hits. Begins at the top of my head and gradually makes it’s way down to my toes. Shortness of breath sets in – almost like I get the wind knocked out of me. My outer extremities start to tingle and I feel as though I am about to faint/pass out. I become very pale, sometimes dizzy, but always like I’m not really there. I have a question that is kind of embarrassing as it has just started happening since my panic attacks returned. When I am experiencing a panic attack I feel as though I have to empty my bowels – like I’m having a bout of diarrhea and I have to concentrate or I will YOU KNOW WHAT! Is this normal? I have NEVER experienced this before with any of my other panic attacks. I also need reassurance that what I am experiencing is a panic attack. Like I said, the panic symptoms I experience change with every relapse that I have. BTW do any of you have any ideas on how to get over a panic attack after it has happened? I used deep breathing to calm myself down but it is the after effect – I am really anxious and a bit scared after even though I know what it is. Thanks Everyone Zedexa
Z, the first thing that goes on me during a PA is my bowels! (((((hugs)))) Lorri<—"Serenity Now"…Frank Costanza
