wierd symptoms, not sure if related to diabetes

Bella · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 12:35 AM

I was diagnosed type II last month, but for the last 5 months or so I've been having these intermittent odd experiences. I have no idea if its related, but to be honest I have nobody else to talk to.

I'll try to describe them the best I can (part of me thinks I'm crazy but its happened enough for me to know what I'm feeling is real)

It starts with a very FAST feeling of dizziness - kind of the way you feel if you were bending over then stood up very fast. That's how I know its "coming on"... the dizzy/wonky feeling grows and grows,....then comes a tightness in the chest and a sensation of pure, unadulterated FEAR. I mean pure terror. This sensation lasts a minute or two, then passes. Then I feel like I want to cry. After about 10 minutes, everything's normal again except I feel a bit "off" for the next 30 mins or so.

Sometimes I'll get one experience a week, and sometimes (like today) it will happen twice. I'm usually not doing anything strenuous to bring it on - in fact 99% of the time it happens when I'm either reading a book, or listening to music.

*AM* I crazy? I don't have high blood pressure. I'm taking 500mg of metformin 2x a day, .05mg of synthroid, and Pariet for an ulcer. I'm scared to mention it to my doctor for fear of him thinking I'm just looking for attention - I mean how do you diagnose dizziness and fear? I've read about anxiety/panic attacks but everything I've found online says that they last about 30 minutes. These episodes, as I call them, only last 3 at the most. They don't stop me from day to day activities, but I am terrified of it happening while I'm out driving because I totally loose focus for about 3 minutes. I wouldn't want to attempt to walk when one was happening, let alone drive. I've tested right after one has happened and my sugars have been neither too high or too low.

any ideas?

Mister Q · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 02:39 AM

Hi Bella

I am no medic but spekaing from my experience that sounds like a panic attack pure and simple, the actual attack doesn't have to last 30 minutes but from what you say the after effects last that long. I would mention it to the doc just in case it could be a reaction to youe meds, but in my experience it depends on the doc some are more receptive to these kinda of things than others.

Whatever you do I hope you get on top of it soon.

seacomp · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bella

It starts with a very FAST feeling of dizziness - kind of the way you feel if you were bending over then stood up very fast.

This may be a stretch, but autonomic dysfunction is a possiblity. To simplify, that condition is an abnormal dizziness upon standing caused by diabetic changes to the nervous system.
You may wish to Google it and find out more. Best of luck.

decimaldancer · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2006, 11:28 PM

Quote:

It starts with a very FAST feeling of dizziness - kind of the way you feel if you were bending over then stood up very fast. That's how I know its "coming on"... the dizzy/wonky feeling grows and grows,....then comes a tightness in the chest and a sensation of pure, unadulterated FEAR. I mean pure terror. This sensation lasts a minute or two, then passes. Then I feel like I want to cry. After about 10 minutes, everything's normal again except I feel a bit "off" for the next 30 mins or so.

Sounds just like the panic attacks I used to have. I would also feel pain and pressure in my chest. I thought I was having a heart attack. I was hospitalized for heart problems twice, but they couldn't find anything wrong with my heart.

My doctor put me on a mild tranquilizer that I take only at night and since then I haven't had very many.

I would tell me doctor about this in case it is something more serious, and I would also check my bg's when this is going on. A few weeks ago I felt dizzy and panicked and was crying and my bg's were low for me.

RBmumsie · #5 (**permalink**) 05-06-2006, 11:37 PM

Bella - not to be nosy, but how old are you? Some of these symptoms can be attributed to hormonal changes. Do you get all shaky when this happens?

psilocybin · #6 (**permalink**) 05-06-2006, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Q

Hi Bella

I am no medic but spekaing from my experience that sounds like a panic attack pure and simple, the actual attack doesn't have to last 30 minutes but from what you say the after effects last that long. I would mention it to the doc just in case it could be a reaction to youe meds, but in my experience it depends on the doc some are more receptive to these kinda of things than others.

Whatever you do I hope you get on top of it soon.

i agree. friends mom goes through them all the time because of her daughter and kids living at home still (3 kids her daughter has) and is still living at home at 29 years of age...she also doesnt take care of her kids so her mom has to....all her sister does is sit on her butt and watch tv..

sharron ward · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2006, 05:20 PM

hi i was having same symptoms you are having and had not yet started the metformin. i have had panic attacks along time. i also thought it was my heart. i was also told i could be having vertigo. oh well i guess will try to get to the answer someday. i still am not sure what it is. sharron

kid_fears99 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2006, 06:03 PM

Bella - I have the exact same thing happen to me. I'm pretty sure they are panic attacks. I read online somewhere that all of the symptoms (fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, etc.) happen because when you have a panic attack, your body is preparing to "fight or flight." Even though you're just sitting there reading a book, your mind convinces your body that you are in severe danger (think caveman times - being chased by a wild animal) so your heart beats fast to give you quick and fast energy. I totally sympathize with you - these things are so utterly scary it's ridiculous. I actually get them almost every time I have to take insulin. If it makes you feel any better, I've read that even though your heart starts racing, and even though you may feel like you're having a heart attack - you're not, and it's not harming your heart. I also lose concentration for a few minutes (it seems like I'm in a dream watching my own life - like I'm not actually in it). I've found that mine come much more often when I'm stressed. So maybe try to avoid stressors as much as possible for a few days and see if that helps. Also, I stopped drinking coffee when I started having these, and that helped out a bit. I'm sorry you're going through this - Good luck, and let me know if you come up with any solutions.

kid_fears99 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2006, 06:07 PM

I forgot to add one thing - Another thing that helps me when the panic attack are actually happening (mine last only about 3-10 minutes, too), is to start talking to someone. Even if you are so disoriented that you have no idea what you're talking about, just strike up a conversation. This may sound weird, but for me it works. Honestly, I had a panic attack (for no apparent reason) just a few minutes ago. As it was happening, I ran into a friend who started talking to me - and it snapped me out of it pretty quickly. this way you force yourself to think about something else, so your mind can't run away with itself.

pam · #10 (**permalink**) 05-08-2006, 05:47 AM

I, too, suffer from panic attacks, related to stress. It began years ago when I'd have shortness of breath every morning, and I thought it was the humidity. At times I'd get this reall odd feeling that I can't even describe, but it would go over my entire body. One day I was out of town and this began to happen, and I was rushed to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack (this was pre-diabetes). The doctor said I was having a panic attack but I disagreed and insisted it was a heart attack due to the pains in my chest!

Since then the symptoms can vary. Sometimes I can actually feel the attack coming on. Sometimes I get chest pain with pain in the arms, sometimes shortness of breath, and occasionally I just get dizzy.

It's a horrible feeling.

They had me on a medication whose name I can't remember but it would take an hour for it to work and in that hour I'd panic more and more when I could not breathe easier. I was then put on Xanax which takes 20 minutes to work. While they say it's habit-forming, I've never had a problem with it. I can go months without an attack, then have several in a week or even a day.

McKryton · #11 (**permalink**) 05-15-2006, 05:11 PM

It sounds like a panic attack and the fact that you recognise that the feelings are irrational is a very good sign because it indicates that you are not crazy. I've had them for years and was recommended by my doctor to treat them like a white knuckle rollercoaster ride, they're intense, sometimes shocking even terrifying but during an attack if you can hold on to the idea that the attack can't actually do you any real harm and that it will eventually come to a halt then you'll get through.

nancyaw · #12 (**permalink**) 05-25-2006, 11:46 PM

I am now 60, and have experienced anxiety/panic attacks od various degrees, since I was 14 years of age. I have gone years without even one....then...whammo, I'll have a run of them, each time telling myself that I will recognize it when it happens, and "deal with it". Ha! Once one starts, it runs a gamut...just like you have described! I do use a lot of meditation, and perhaps that is why I've been pretty okay for over a year now, but still "worry" about when the next one will "hit". They seem to come on whenever/wherever, with no apparent trigger! I know that I for one, ALWAYS react with panic to any feeling of dizziness! Perhaps your doctor can prescribe a mild tranquilizer, to be taken if needed. I do know that there is a natural remedy called Atri-Nerve, that you can get from a Natureopathic Dr. or Chiropractor. My 28 year old son takes them, as he has the same symptioms as you mention. Nancy

SVanderkolff · #13 (**permalink**) 05-26-2006, 07:41 AM

I know the concensus of opinion is panic attack but this also has all thre hallmarks of beginning heart trouble. Before you assume it is panic I would get your doc to check out your heart. If it isn't your heart then there is less of a worry.
Steve

Bella · #14 (**permalink**) 05-29-2006, 07:54 PM

verified panic attacks - I saw my doc again and the heart is fine and so is my blood pressure. I had 6 attacks on Sunday and got worried sick - had a bunch of tests done today and he put me on Effexor and Xanax. We'll see if that helps.

londonlady · #15 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 06:00 PM

I had symptoms like these years ago, which went on for months, and read a book by a Doctor called Claire Weekes.The title (Self Help for your nerves) is not helpful

I found, but the content is pure gold!! Absolutely fantastic. I never looked back, at least I understood what was happening and was able to stop the attacks. It was such a relief.
I wish you all the best.