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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 29 to 53 of 92. Go back in thread:
Posted by panic_attack on November 12, 2003, at 10:22:01
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by ramsea on November 12, 2003, at 3:07:32
Hey guys... well its been over a year since I posted this babble and I must admit that I am still having the same problems. I am now 23 years old and unemployed :( I got fired b cuz of my drinking. I was always so ill that I had to call out of work alot. I was their best employee... they loved me but they had to do what they had to do. Now I am going on 1 week sober (and counting) and need to find another job. Im sick of feeling sick. I wish that I can quit drinking 100%. Everybody I know drinks... we live in South Beach so there are always parties and events going on. My friends drink like fishes and have no complaints the next morning whereabout I feel like dying. They all think im crazy but they have no idea how sick I get. I shake... I cant do anything.. cant go outside.. .wont answer the phone... cant breathe right... heart plays tricks on me... feel so weak that I could die BUT I cant sleep. I thought I was the only one that experienced this. Surprised to see other posts with people w/ same experience. I had a drug overdose and thats why Im having these problems. Just cant party like I use to. Gotta slow down!! We'll see what happens.
Posted by Marlin on November 12, 2003, at 20:57:19
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by panic_attack on November 12, 2003, at 10:22:01
Hey Everyone, I just discovered this website last night and couldn't believe what I was reading. I couldn't believe there were so many other people out there that had the same problems as me and understood exactly how I felt, because out of everyone I know, nobody seems to get it. I stumbled upon this through a web search "panic after eating".
It seems I may have finally figured out part of my problem. Reading 'Awake at last' posts made me think I might have hypoglycemia.
I have so much to say it's hard to start - I guess I'll try to be brief, but it'll be hard with 8 years worth of mental problems.
My problems started after I graduated college and had major panic attacks. Of course at the time I had no idea what the hell was going on - I thought I was having a nervous breakdown. Got a psychiatric evaluation - put me on Klonopin. That helped, but since I drank so much it was life threatening. Quit cold turkey - freaked out and had a relapse. Started Paxil (30mg) and eventually leveled out. Saw a psychologist for a while and ended up becoming more anxious afterwards than I was to begin with, so I quit. Drank very heavily - you all know the stories - black outs / 24hr. binges / don't remember parking car / DUI in '96 - totalled my car. Gained a ton of weight on Paxil, started to ween myself off of it 3 times and had relapses every single time. Saw a Psychiatrist for 18 months - he was an asswipe and ended up really hurting me. Then I saw a psychotherapist who was awesome - saw her for two years. By this time I was 27, I had quit using cocaine, ecstasy, acid, mushrooms, and crack. Yep, I even smoked crack for Christ's sake. Gained major ground with her - referred me to a neurologist - diagnosed me right away - textbook case of ADD. Got on Ritalin. I found a whole new world - I could actually concentrate and focus like I never have before. Still on Paxil (10mg.) I eventually developed a 'tick', which plaqued me for a whole year ... all most likely stemming from the Ritalin and took Tenex to counteract this. Switched to Adderall - but got me too loopy. Switched to Concerta, lost the tick - thank God. Considerably cut down on my drinking for the first time in 12 years. Admittedly I get drunk, but once every two weeks vs. minimum twice a week - fall down drunk. 4th time was the charm, finally weened myself off of Paxil - I think I've kicked it for good. Haven't taken any since August '03. Still take Concerta and that's all. Considering trying non-stimulant based Straterra, but am very hesitant.
I told you I had a lot to say! I really hope people aren't bored by this, it's just hard to sum up 8 years of mental anguish. Right now I think I have a pretty good handle on things. But lately I've felt like I've somewhat regressed in terms of the panic/general anxiety. It seems like I get panicky after I eat... but the symptoms are inconsistent. But after reading the posts above, maybe I'm onto something. At this point I am so used to panic attacks, they barely phase me anymore. But the panic that drags on for hours and hours and even days is what makes me want to drive full speed off a bridge. I went through some very good periods of up to 6 months where I felt great, but I was on Paxil, plus all the 'self medicating'. Now I have eliminated many things that I know contribute to panic, and still have long, dragged out panic attacks. I've really come a looooong way and this pisses me off to no end. I'm so sick of this. Maybe there's some truth about what I'm eating and my blood sugar. Check out this lady's story, I couldn't believe how long she suffered..... very interesting:
http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/hypoglycemia.htmlThe thought of changing my diet completely PLUS quitting drinking forever is absolutely terrorizing for me. I don't know if I can handle that. I can definitely empathize with 'panic_attack' - it's so 10 times as hard to contemplate when all your friends are total booze hounds and seem to be fine. It's almost like I'd have to find all new friends... and at 30 it's no easier than if you're 23. I wonder if hypoglycemia is indeed part of my problem that I can diet such that drinking responsibly won't continue to be a negative factor.
I'll end this before it turns into a novel. Just wanted to share my whole picture. How can I finally put this panic to bed for good?
Posted by Sean P on November 12, 2003, at 21:34:39
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by panic_attack on November 12, 2003, at 10:22:01
I haven't been the same since I used ecstacy one damn time!!! I wasn't near as nervous but after I had an anxiety attack from ecstacy in 98 I have been slowly getting worse and it has come to this, could one time do that? I am glad you looked and decided to post again on here because we can talk about our experiences and how much it sucks. Funny your friends all drink and mine do too, so I really can't get around it from what it seems, although one of my friends gets this too but he drinks every single day almost to get rid of his anxiety (He is dumb). I lost jobs too from this, calling in or just leaving work to go home because I was too nervous from drinking again, it really sucks. I can't believe this is happening to me. Have you tried to restore you intestinal health with Probiotics or Candida cleanse? I have heard alcohol ruins your intestinal track so this could be a blessing if you want to try it. Acidophilus and Candida Cleans are the name, try those if you can. I also recommend B Vitamins in higher doses as they have helped and Vitamin C as well, of course both free of additives and Sugar etc., they should help you a little bit with Anxiety. I would also recommend you try some Magnesium because that gets depleted like heck when you drink and it causes Anxiety and depression when depleted. Answer back and tell me how you are doing ok...
Sean
> Hey guys... well its been over a year since I posted this babble and I must admit that I am still having the same problems. I am now 23 years old and unemployed :( I got fired b cuz of my drinking. I was always so ill that I had to call out of work alot. I was their best employee... they loved me but they had to do what they had to do. Now I am going on 1 week sober (and counting) and need to find another job. Im sick of feeling sick. I wish that I can quit drinking 100%. Everybody I know drinks... we live in South Beach so there are always parties and events going on. My friends drink like fishes and have no complaints the next morning whereabout I feel like dying. They all think im crazy but they have no idea how sick I get. I shake... I cant do anything.. cant go outside.. .wont answer the phone... cant breathe right... heart plays tricks on me... feel so weak that I could die BUT I cant sleep. I thought I was the only one that experienced this. Surprised to see other posts with people w/ same experience. I had a drug overdose and thats why Im having these problems. Just cant party like I use to. Gotta slow down!! We'll see what happens.
Posted by Sean P on November 12, 2003, at 21:42:23
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by Sean P on November 12, 2003, at 21:34:39
One more thing, I have been catching overwhelming speedy thoughts this last week or two and can't slow it down for an hour or so, it's just sped up so much it's annoying! I also wake up some nights and have hallucinations while I am half asleep like seeing something and jumping up and nothing there, plus hearing a voice and waking up but it's the middle of the night and once again half asleep and confused it's crazy! Anyone ever wake up with the heart skipping and seeing things? I am not even drunk when I do it, but it is really scary lately! I am going to take my B Vitamins in full and Vitamin C to stop a deficiency and tell you guys if it really helps out, if it does I would be glad to tell you guys how well it does.
Posted by carolee on November 13, 2003, at 9:34:15
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by Marlin on November 12, 2003, at 20:57:19
hey guys -
it really is amazing how it seems that the majority of us who are writing in have had some drug issues in the past that seems to have brought about our anxiety/depression/panic/BP. i too used to do speed, acid, ecstasy, cocaine, and pot. my last time parting w/coke brought about my anxiety/panic attacks...which was about 15 yrs ago. i had stopped everything at that point, been on many prescription drugs for my problems, but nothing seems to help. iam trying to "natural" route.
i just came off lexapro - hated the SE's.
are we to live with suffering of these mental issues because of our fun filled past parting days!
this totally sucks.
i cant drink like i used to either, and when iam hung over, iam definately more sensitive to having panic attacks. i am shaky, heart pounding, can't go out of the house, talk on the phone...
its comforting to know others feel like this, but on the same hand, its so overwhelming to live like this!
Posted by Sean P on November 13, 2003, at 10:11:45
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by carolee on November 13, 2003, at 9:34:15
Oh yeah Carolee silly me to forget, the marijuana started the panic attacks in high school, only when I was too high did I get them but they came then, slowly started coming when I was sober soon after high school. Drugs do change your neurotransmitters I am afraid, what is a panic attack when you are high can come when you are sober one fine day after that, good looking pointing that out.
> hey guys -
> it really is amazing how it seems that the majority of us who are writing in have had some drug issues in the past that seems to have brought about our anxiety/depression/panic/BP. i too used to do speed, acid, ecstasy, cocaine, and pot. my last time parting w/coke brought about my anxiety/panic attacks...which was about 15 yrs ago. i had stopped everything at that point, been on many prescription drugs for my problems, but nothing seems to help. iam trying to "natural" route.
> i just came off lexapro - hated the SE's.
> are we to live with suffering of these mental issues because of our fun filled past parting days!
> this totally sucks.
> i cant drink like i used to either, and when iam hung over, iam definately more sensitive to having panic attacks. i am shaky, heart pounding, can't go out of the house, talk on the phone...
> its comforting to know others feel like this, but on the same hand, its so overwhelming to live like this!
Posted by mrporter1 on November 13, 2003, at 13:19:47
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by Sean P on November 13, 2003, at 10:11:45
Very interesting everybody. Over the past year or so, I've developed some of the same symptoms and have no idea why. Easily hungover (used to drink anything with no impact next day) - nauseated, headache, anxiety. I've had 2 major (and yes - day long) panic attacks the day after a party night. Sure this was the time it wasn't panic, but heart attack.
I have issues when eating certain things, too. High heart rate, anxiety - sometimes very bad. Especially if I eat very greasy things or eat way too much. It's terrible. Often afraid to even eat. Alcohol makes this worse, too - much worse.
Have had one episode (that I know of) of low blood sugar - almost fainted and recovered after drinking juice. I happened to have a glucometer and blood sugar was low. However, I haven't done a full glucose curve to see how it fluctuates. But now I'm wondering if there might be a blood sugar issue.
BTW...I take Wellbutrin XL, Atenolol (manage heart rate), Adderall during most days, Klonopin as needed.
Anyone know of other research resources?? Or next steps to take??
Posted by day on November 15, 2003, at 22:14:42
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by Sean P on November 12, 2003, at 1:37:19
I am certainly with all of you. I used to get drunk every weekend from the time I was 18-30. I'm now 36 and I only get drunk maybe once every 6 months. The main reason I cut back was because of the panic/anxiety. The next day after drinking a lot, I would wake up, my heart would race, sweating, feel like I am going to faint, fear that I was dying. Pretty scary. Not a normal hangover. I even went to see a cardiologist. He couldn't find anything wrong with me. He did suggest that my heartrate is very sensitive to things such as adrenaline, nicotine, decongestants, alcohol and anything similar. He did prescribe inderal (it slows the heart rate). I take it when I feel the need. I did take a blood sugar test, it was low and I went back the next day and it was normal. He said that could be it, so I don't know. And yes SeanP, I also wake up sometimes at night and see hallucinations. They're not as bad as they used to be but they still happen. I didn't mean to write so much but it's nice to know you're not alone.
Posted by Sean P on November 16, 2003, at 17:23:59
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿? » Sean P, posted by day on November 15, 2003, at 22:14:42
If you drink and your heart is racing again the next day (If it still does) then try some Magnesium Citrate Powder in water, it slows your heart down and can really calm you, it worked for me several times. Anyways I am glad (Not really glad but) that other people experience this and not just me, it seems it is more common than I think. I wonder what it really is? Anxiety problems as well? Sluggish livers? Something causes this and I hate it, I like to drink and it seriously can ruin a Sunday for me. I know not to be scared now when I feel like this and it will go away eventually, a fast beating heart is no threat really, it isn't even really that which gives people heart attacks so that relaxes me a little. I felt horrible again today and need to cut it out, not fun at all to say the least and not worth it alot of times. Stay up guys and slow down or cut back on the amount you drink, it probably will help us long term alot.
> I am certainly with all of you. I used to get drunk every weekend from the time I was 18-30. I'm now 36 and I only get drunk maybe once every 6 months. The main reason I cut back was because of the panic/anxiety. The next day after drinking a lot, I would wake up, my heart would race, sweating, feel like I am going to faint, fear that I was dying. Pretty scary. Not a normal hangover. I even went to see a cardiologist. He couldn't find anything wrong with me. He did suggest that my heartrate is very sensitive to things such as adrenaline, nicotine, decongestants, alcohol and anything similar. He did prescribe inderal (it slows the heart rate). I take it when I feel the need. I did take a blood sugar test, it was low and I went back the next day and it was normal. He said that could be it, so I don't know. And yes SeanP, I also wake up sometimes at night and see hallucinations. They're not as bad as they used to be but they still happen. I didn't mean to write so much but it's nice to know you're not alone.
Posted by mrporter1 on November 16, 2003, at 22:56:39
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by Sean P on November 16, 2003, at 17:23:59
Sean,
You're right - we should cut back. Seems so easy. I've thought about this a lot and I just think that for some of us there is so little pleasure and "easy" time - that a pleasurable alcohol experience is hard to resist. It would be so nice to figure out how to drink a moderate amount, enjoy it like normal people and not have a scary, terrible reaction the next day. Thanks for the mag citrate suggestion!
Posted by sackhoullier on November 17, 2003, at 15:15:45
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿? » Sean P, posted by mrporter1 on November 16, 2003, at 22:56:39
I've been drinking pretty heavily since I was 15. I've recently turned 30 - over the past year I've developed these same symptoms. I cut the booze out for 10 weeks for the first time in my life in September but started drinking again a month ago when my nan died - not because of the trauma but because I have a huge scouse / Irish / catholic family that sort of demands it (go on Mark, she'd have been well pissed off if you didn't get hammered at her funeral!) Anyway, the ten weeks off had made me feel a lot calmer, but a few weeks into getting bladdered again and I'm back to square one. Those weird chest fluctuations and gasping for breath when in bed freak me out, Sunday can be utterly destroyed by a half decent session in the pub... - Anyway, I'm packing it in again, maybe for good this time.
As others have said, it's oddly reassuring to discover that this isn't just me.
Posted by Marlin on November 17, 2003, at 18:18:15
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿? » Sean P, posted by mrporter1 on November 16, 2003, at 22:56:39
> Sean,
>
> You're right - we should cut back. Seems so easy. I've thought about this a lot and I just think that for some of us there is so little pleasure and "easy" time - that a pleasurable alcohol experience is hard to resist. It would be so nice to figure out how to drink a moderate amount, enjoy it like normal people and not have a scary, terrible reaction the next day. Thanks for the mag citrate suggestion!Porter I think you've really touched on something important here. For me, after having horrible bouts of panic for days at a time, sometimes it seems the only time I reach some inner peace is if I'm blasted. And that is indeed hard to resist sometimes. It's like I'd rather take the chance of potentially making things worse by having at least one night of fun, where I can relax and be myself. And then the whole 'friends' issue comes in... it seems right now it's just easier to give in and start drinkin' then explain to my friends why I'm not, or would rather not. Weakness on my part I suppose, but there are no easy answers. I did an experiment 2 years ago where I didn't drink for one month. At the time I was on Paxil and was feeling fine as it was. I lost 15 pounds and still ate like a hog. It was extremely difficult being the only sober guy at the party. I went to a wedding too... very boring. The experiment went well, I felt fine, but I'm just not convinced that quitting drinking altogether will improve my panic. I guess a poor analogy would be that cheeseburgers contribute to being overweight, but it doesn't mean you have to quit eating them forever if you want to stay thin.
Posted by Marlin on November 17, 2003, at 18:47:38
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by sackhoullier on November 17, 2003, at 15:15:45
Wow, that's impressive. 15 years and then you quit for 10 weeks. How long have you had panic? Have you taken any medication, been to a therapist? What was it like being around your family and not drinking? Were they understanding, or did they just break your balls all the time? What kinds of things did you do when you quit for 10 weeks? Still have fun?
What is 'Scouse'? How long do your panic attacks/chest fluctuations last?
Posted by Sean P on November 17, 2003, at 21:02:10
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿? » sackhoullier, posted by Marlin on November 17, 2003, at 18:47:38
Marlin, last night with the hangover still in me going to be I caught a bad moment when half in and out of sleep and felt like choking and jumped up with my heart skipping, this was VERY scary to say the least and I felt I was really losing it. Sometimes my thoughts will race so fast and scare me, it's like slowwwww down but I can only do that with 400mg of Magnesium Citrate powder, really a big help for Anxiety! Did you know Alcohol kills Magnesium in your body like crazy, and that is what keeps you calm and keeps your neurotransmitters in your head working correct? So our symptoms are B Vitamins being gone which is for our nervous system and key minerals and vitamins, both in which cause panic and anxiety attacks. Half our problem when we drink is malnutrition, it literally ruins healthy flora which helps you assimilate food, enzymes in your stomach which help digest, causes leaky gut (IBS), kills Vitamins and Minerals, so this is whats going on when we drink. I think cutting back would help all of us, that or just be a moderate drinker and not a 6 or 7 + drinker every single time we drink, it seems we always have to get hammered when we drink. I feel this is happening to all of us because of deficiencies and so on, which is the most I can come up with right now. Tell me what you think guys.........
Posted by Sean P on November 17, 2003, at 21:23:18
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by sackhoullier on November 17, 2003, at 15:15:45
Posted by Sean P on November 17, 2003, at 21:32:21
In reply to Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?!?!?, posted by Panic_Attack on September 27, 2002, at 11:13:59
I am not saying to just do this and go out and drink, but we need to replace B Vitamins and so on in our bodies which are probably causing a ton of the symptoms we are having, I did more research and came up with this for you guys.
http://www.doctoryourself.com/alcohol_protocol.html
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 18, 2003, at 7:48:14
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by Marlin on November 17, 2003, at 18:18:15
Try counting total days of sobriety, and not the uninterrupted period of sobriety. Look back on the year. Look at something 1 way, say you had 4 1-day relapses. There's saying 4 relapses, or there's saying you had 361 (365-4) days of sobriety. All in all, the less you drink, the better you'll be. Being human guarantees imperfection so be careful with the unattainable goals... It's all a state of mind. :)
Oh yeah, and life is dull being the only sober one.
KDi in TX
> > Sean,
> >
> > You're right - we should cut back. Seems so easy. I've thought about this a lot and I just think that for some of us there is so little pleasure and "easy" time - that a pleasurable alcohol experience is hard to resist. It would be so nice to figure out how to drink a moderate amount, enjoy it like normal people and not have a scary, terrible reaction the next day. Thanks for the mag citrate suggestion!
>
> Porter I think you've really touched on something important here. For me, after having horrible bouts of panic for days at a time, sometimes it seems the only time I reach some inner peace is if I'm blasted. And that is indeed hard to resist sometimes. It's like I'd rather take the chance of potentially making things worse by having at least one night of fun, where I can relax and be myself. And then the whole 'friends' issue comes in... it seems right now it's just easier to give in and start drinkin' then explain to my friends why I'm not, or would rather not. Weakness on my part I suppose, but there are no easy answers. I did an experiment 2 years ago where I didn't drink for one month. At the time I was on Paxil and was feeling fine as it was. I lost 15 pounds and still ate like a hog. It was extremely difficult being the only sober guy at the party. I went to a wedding too... very boring. The experiment went well, I felt fine, but I'm just not convinced that quitting drinking altogether will improve my panic. I guess a poor analogy would be that cheeseburgers contribute to being overweight, but it doesn't mean you have to quit eating them forever if you want to stay thin.
>
>
Posted by ditzypixy on November 18, 2003, at 15:02:02
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by Sean P on November 16, 2003, at 17:23:59
alcahol can increase all that sorta stuff,if youre in a bad mood initially,it can just serve to exacerbate it.
Posted by Marlin on November 18, 2003, at 21:22:00
In reply to More for you guys to read, very interesting, posted by Sean P on November 17, 2003, at 21:32:21
I read it all Sean, thanks for the research. It sounds like this Dr. Saul guy is pretty much cuckoo over vitamins B & C. This sounds like good support to better cope with our bad habits of drinking. But I still need some answers how to cope with these brutal drawn out panic episodes ... preferably without a prescription.
Posted by sackhoullier on November 19, 2003, at 12:28:44
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿? » sackhoullier, posted by Marlin on November 17, 2003, at 18:47:38
> Wow, that's impressive. 15 years and then you quit for 10 weeks. How long have you had panic?
In a proper recognisable state as panic attacks, only about three years, but I've somatasised stress into physical symptoms for as long as I can remember.
Have you taken any medication, been to a therapist?
I've been on a bunch of SSRI's over the years but I'm drug free at the mo. I've recently been prescribed lithium as a preventative measure but haven't started it.
What was it like being around your family and not drinking?
You know, because I was so strung out when I packed in, it really didn't hurt. It was like that episode of the Simpsons when Homer had got injured when the Duff factory had blown up and Barney offered him a beer in hospital... 'Beer hurt Homer.' LOL.
Were they understanding, or did they just break your balls all the time?
My dad just ciouldn't understand the concept of us going to the football and me not drinking. Every five minutes he'd ask me to have a drink, and invariably buy me a few that I'd leave.
What kinds of things did you do when you quit for 10 weeks? Still have fun?
Tons more stuff. You get to be able to use your car! Went walking in the mountains , got in the gym every day, read more, got much more of my own writing done, had more sex, blah blah blah.
> What is 'Scouse'?
Sorry, parochial term meaning someone from Liverpool.
How long do your panic attacks/chest fluctuations last? All day after a booze sesh with peaks and troughs during it.
Posted by oeps7 on November 19, 2003, at 12:43:07
In reply to Re: More for you guys to read, very interesting, posted by Marlin on November 18, 2003, at 21:22:00
I have in the past had all the symptoms you are talking about. I am a recovered alcoholic. If you are on meds and combining both it's not a good idea, I think the combination of the two could be contibuting to the panic attacks and racing heart - this has happened to me many times in the past. I can't drink socially, I always needed several drinks once I started.
Take Care,
Mary
Posted by oeps7 on November 19, 2003, at 12:45:28
In reply to My 2 cents, posted by oeps7 on November 19, 2003, at 12:43:07
ps. life can be exciting without alcohol, actuallly better. You need to make up your mind and get support if you want to quit.
Posted by treb on November 20, 2003, at 23:48:40
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by ditzypixy on November 18, 2003, at 15:02:02
Don't know if anyone is still reading this but I can offer my experience. I had been drinking about 30 years and never had any ill affects. After a point of being on vacation and drinking a bit more I started having the symptoms you all speak of - racing heart, palpitations, sweating, etc. I hated to leave the house except that I had to get more liquor.
Oddly enough after I started tossing it back these things would disappear. I went through four hours of sipping and then would sleep about four hours, only to wake up with the same symptoms. Then I started dry heaving along with the other stuff. Miraculously, after drinking more this would all stop.
This cycle kept repeating itself. I finally went to treatment because my Dr thought I was having withdrawl (the symptoms) and that I might die if I didn't get medical intervention to quit. I spent 7 days in detox and was put on Adivan, thiamin shots and Tranxene to lessen the withdrawls. After getting out of that and into a controlled halfway house setting I had no more of the symptoms. It all took about 21 days and I've been sober and loving it for two years this month.
I'm convinced these symptoms were withdrawl as was my Dr. She said it was a classic example. I just came up with a hundred other things it must have been - anxiety, vitamin shortage, dehydrated, I even did the magnesium thing to no avail. I finally had to admit it.
The short test is to drink when you get your symtoms and see if they go away. If they do you may be having withdrawl symptoms - better get help - bad news is on the way! If anyone is here let me know and I'll leave an e-mail addy for an off list discussion.
Thanks for hearing me out - Treb
Posted by Sean P on November 27, 2003, at 14:10:47
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by treb on November 20, 2003, at 23:48:40
> Don't know if anyone is still reading this but I can offer my experience. I had been drinking about 30 years and never had any ill affects. After a point of being on vacation and drinking a bit more I started having the symptoms you all speak of - racing heart, palpitations, sweating, etc. I hated to leave the house except that I had to get more liquor.
>
> Oddly enough after I started tossing it back these things would disappear. I went through four hours of sipping and then would sleep about four hours, only to wake up with the same symptoms. Then I started dry heaving along with the other stuff. Miraculously, after drinking more this would all stop.
>
> This cycle kept repeating itself. I finally went to treatment because my Dr thought I was having withdrawl (the symptoms) and that I might die if I didn't get medical intervention to quit. I spent 7 days in detox and was put on Adivan, thiamin shots and Tranxene to lessen the withdrawls. After getting out of that and into a controlled halfway house setting I had no more of the symptoms. It all took about 21 days and I've been sober and loving it for two years this month.
>
> I'm convinced these symptoms were withdrawl as was my Dr. She said it was a classic example. I just came up with a hundred other things it must have been - anxiety, vitamin shortage, dehydrated, I even did the magnesium thing to no avail. I finally had to admit it.
>
> The short test is to drink when you get your symtoms and see if they go away. If they do you may be having withdrawl symptoms - better get help - bad news is on the way! If anyone is here let me know and I'll leave an e-mail addy for an off list discussion.
>
> Thanks for hearing me out - Treb
Treb that is weird that I would get these after only 7 years of drinking or so and only on weekends, I can get withdrawls from that? I think I have Candida problems and it makes it worse, so I will try to handle that and try to straighten out digestion because I have read it can cause horrible anxiety and depression, among other things with Carbs, Yeast and so on that beer has in it!!! I admit I go overboard when I drink and tend to have too much one night a week, then spend the next day trying to drink that off and feel better, so yes I get that and it does go away when you drink some more (Withdrawls like you said). This won't ever go away if you keep drinking like you do (To anyone), you have to either cut way back or quit because we have our minds trained already and when we drink this is an automatic reaction and will continue, something that used to be so fun is now scary and a problem at times. Hope I can help you guys furthmore, Treb you can drop your email or email me at scagney@comcast.net to discuss this further.......
Posted by Caleb96 on November 27, 2003, at 20:37:38
In reply to Re: Does Alcohol give you PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS?¿?, posted by Sean P on November 27, 2003, at 14:10:47
I posted my story on another thread back in Spetember. I hope it will be of use to heavy drinkers. Alcohol is poison when abused for years.
In reply to Alcohol Sucks!, posted by BarbaraCat on September 1, 2003, at 13:45:17
Dear BarbCat:
Unfortunately alcohol does suck for a lot of us. My 79 year-old dad can have his ONE martini before dinner every night. He's been doing that for close to 60 years. In my 45 years, I've never seen him drunk or out of control. He still works, not because he has to, but because he enjoys it. He's never had health problems, lost his house, family or a job, had a DUI, or ruined a friendship because of alcohol. He can drink because he can control his intake.
As for his son--myself--he can't touch the stuff. About five years ago, I was rushed to the hospital with excruciating abdominal pain. Twenty years of heavy, steadily increasing alcohol consumption--starting in college--had finally caught up with me. I thought I DESERVED to drink because of all the stress I had to deal with on the job.
At the hospital, they ran all the blood chem tests, took x-rays, did ultrasound on my gall bladder, even did a colonoscopy. I still remember the ER doctor squinting at my x-ray--trying hard to find an explanation for my unbearable pain. My wife sat beside me in tears, holding my hand as if she was about to lose me for good. Finally the test results came back. Everything was normal except some slightly elevated enzymes. I could see the doctor still pacing up and down the freshly polished hallway, still holding my x-ray up to the fluorescent lights.
Finally, he walked back into my small examining room. "Do you drink?", he asked.
"Yes", I sheepishly said.
"How much?"
"Probably too much," I answered, dreading what I knew was coming next. How will I ever get through life without alcohol?, I thought to myself.
"On average, how much would you say you drink in a week?", the doctor asked.
I responded, "about a bottle of wine a day." This was definitely a under-estimate when you consider all the bottles of extra stout beer and 86 proof scotch I kept hidden in my basement workshop. There was also the half-gallon of 100 proof Vodka I kept in the kitchen liquor cabinet. A good stiff shot of that in between glasses of wine or beer really hit the spot. I'd be flying. No more problems to worry about!
Or so I thought.
"Mr. C-----," said the doctor, "what you have is an acute case of pancreatitis, and I'm pretty sure in your case it was brought on by chronic, heavy alcohol intake. Now, pancreatitis is--as I'm sure you're aware--generally considered one of the top ten most painful medical conditions. It's your pancreas literally digesting itself. For reasons we're not totally sure of, chronic alcohol consumption can trigger your pancreas to release its digestive enzymes within the organ itself."
Of course, I knew this all too well since I was finishing my PhD in nutrition. My God, I should have known better I thought to myself!
He continued, "In about 10% of the cases, it's fatal. Now, you're still young and in relatively good health. We treat cases like yours by giving IV fluids, painkillers, and withholding food until your pancreas has a chance to heal itself. Fortunately in your case, you should be better in a day or two."
"But"--he added--"if you continue to drink this problem will recur, and each time it will be more painful and more damaging, until...well, there just won't be anything we'll be able to do for you. Statistically, from the time a person is first hospitalized due to alcohol, if they continue to drink, their life expectancy is 15 years."
"You have a beautiful wife who loves you very much, and you can have a long, full life--but you have to stop drinking."That was probaly the best advice anyone has ever given me. And I took it.
At first, I went to a few AA meetings, but I found that I couldn't really relate to all the tragic experiences these people had gone through. It just wasn't for me. But I would never put it down because it does help many people. I found it was just easier for me to quit and not think about it. If I'm at a party and someone tries to give me a drink, I just tell them I don't drink. If they get too pushy, I'll tell them I'm an alcoholic. It's not something I'm ashamed of. I would be ashamed if I still drank.
So that's my story. I can't tell you how many months, days, hours, etc. I've been sober. That kind of trivia is irrelevant to me. I can only tell you I'm much happier and healthier since I made the decision to be sober for life.
So good luck on your quest to sobriety. You recognize you have a problem and that's the most important start. Now figure out what route you want to take to kick alcohol for good. You can do it.
Best wishes--Caleb
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