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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2003, at 18:53:02
In reply to Panic attack or hypotension?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 16, 2003, at 9:01:13
> A couple of nights ago, I had finished watching "The Hours" (gah.), and got up to brush my teeth before bed. I walked into the bathroom and grabbed my brush and toothpaste. As I was squrting the paste onto the brush, I began to feel very weak and disoriented. My heart began fluttering and I had to concentrate intensely to not fall down. I was quickly unable to do anything but struggle to stay concious and standing. This lasted about 30 seconds, and slowly became less pronounced. When I felt able, I shuffled over to my bed and sat down. My heart was beating more normally, but I was covered in sweat. I don't remeber feeling "panicky," but I did wonder if I might be dying. I've had postural hypotension before (dizzy when you stand up), but this seemed much more pronounced and sweaty.
Posted by galkeepinon on September 16, 2003, at 19:25:44
In reply to Panic attack or hypotension? « Eddie Sylvano, posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2003, at 18:53:02
Hi Eddie, I've been suffering from something similar to what you describe here. (heart fluttering, feeling panicky)
Have you called your doctor? Are you on medication for your postural hypotension? If so, did you just start it or have you been on it for a while?
It could very well be panic. It may have been your reaction from the movie you watched.
Wish I had a better answer for you~but I hope this helped some.
Keep us posted:-)
> > A couple of nights ago, I had finished watching "The Hours" (gah.), and got up to brush my teeth before bed. I walked into the bathroom and grabbed my brush and toothpaste. As I was squrting the paste onto the brush, I began to feel very weak and disoriented. My heart began fluttering and I had to concentrate intensely to not fall down. I was quickly unable to do anything but struggle to stay concious and standing. This lasted about 30 seconds, and slowly became less pronounced. When I felt able, I shuffled over to my bed and sat down. My heart was beating more normally, but I was covered in sweat. I don't remeber feeling "panicky," but I did wonder if I might be dying. I've had postural hypotension before (dizzy when you stand up), but this seemed much more pronounced and sweaty.
>
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 16, 2003, at 20:25:59
In reply to Re: Panic attack or hypotension? « Eddie Sylvano, posted by galkeepinon on September 16, 2003, at 19:25:44
> Have you called your doctor? Are you on medication for your postural hypotension? If so, did you just start it or have you been on it for a while?
-----------I used to get hypotension on a sporadic basis when I was on imipramine, which is how I can relate to it. My doc did a few tests on me (tilt test, ECG, blood pressure upon standing, etc) when I told her about it, and didn't find anything unusual. It'd been a while (8 months?) since the last time I had it, and I'm not on imipramine now, tho I am on remeron and wellbutrin (about 3 weeks in on both).
It seemed to come on like a typical hypotensive dizziness (I had just stood up after 2 hours of sitting), but then just kept escalating, which did freak me out a bit. It lasted much longer than the typical dizziness does. Maybe it was a little of both?
Posted by galkeepinon on September 16, 2003, at 20:38:39
In reply to Re: Panic attack or hypotension? « Eddie Sylvano » galkeepinon, posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 16, 2003, at 20:25:59
Glad to hear that your doctor didn't find anything unusual! But, did she say what may be causing this??? It sounds to me as if the cause may be the meds? Wellbutrin is known to increase one's blood pressure (in some people)~in fact, my brother had to go off of it due to that very reason. I'm on Lexapro and you talk about 'It seemed to come on like a typical hypotensive dizziness (I had just stood up after 2 hours of sitting)'
I'll tell ya~this has been happening to me lately. It could just very well be the medication Eddie. I'm hoping maybe as time goes on for you that these symptoms will subside.
Like I said, it could be a little of both.
Please take care of yourself. It is scary~I understand.
Please keep us posted.
>>>>> I used to get hypotension on a sporadic basis when I was on imipramine, which is how I can relate to it. My doc did a few tests on me (tilt test, ECG, blood pressure upon standing, etc) when I told her about it, and didn't find anything unusual. It'd been a while (8 months?) since the last time I had it, and I'm not on imipramine now, tho I am on remeron and wellbutrin (about 3 weeks in on both).
> It seemed to come on like a typical hypotensive dizziness (I had just stood up after 2 hours of sitting), but then just kept escalating, which did freak me out a bit. It lasted much longer than the typical dizziness does. Maybe it was a little of both?
>
Posted by KimberlyDi on September 17, 2003, at 9:21:41
In reply to Panic attack or hypotension? « Eddie Sylvano, posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2003, at 18:53:02
Eddie,
Everyone I know seems to be dying of heart attacks right now. Would you please go get a complete physical and rule that out? I've never had a panic attack without feeling panic.
KDi in Texas
Posted by mrporter1 on September 17, 2003, at 11:09:30
In reply to Panic attack or hypotension? « Eddie Sylvano, posted by Dr. Bob on September 16, 2003, at 18:53:02
Have you thought about your blood sugar? The exact same thing happened to me about 3 weeks ago. Middle of the night, got up and felt horrible in a weird way. Heart rate was fine, but immediately covered with sweat. I got myself on the floor and put my feet up on the bathroom counter, knowing that I was about to faint. I felt that it was either a blood pressure or blood sugar issue. I woke my husband and told him to get some oj quickly and in the meantime I tested my blood glucose (had a diabetic cat and happened to own a glucometer - weird i know). Anyway, by blood sugar was low and the juice and elevated feet solved the problem. I have been fine since. Also have been tracking blood pressure just in case and it's fine.
Just might be something to consider. Also might make sense to have a blood pressure monitor at home to test if it happens again.
Good luck and take care!
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 17, 2003, at 14:43:17
In reply to Re: Panic attack or hypotension? « Eddie Sylvano, posted by KimberlyDi on September 17, 2003, at 9:21:41
> Eddie,
> Everyone I know seems to be dying of heart attacks right now. Would you please go get a complete physical and rule that out?
------------Not to worry, I've had my doctor test me for anything serious that could be causing it. Beyond that, I'm only 30, so a heart attack is probably 10 years away.
My suspicion of panic attack is also based on the fact that my father used to get them frequently, and there'a a genetic component to it. Something else I hadn't mentioned (and just recently remembered) is the fact that I seemed to have a slight sense of control over it. I forced myself to breathe deeply and relax, which may have kept it from getting worse (or maybe it was just a coincidence).
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 17, 2003, at 14:46:17
In reply to Re: Panic attack or hypotension? , posted by mrporter1 on September 17, 2003, at 11:09:30
> Have you thought about your blood sugar?
-----------I had that tested several months ago and my doctor claimed me to have an "excellent" fasting glucose level. Although, my thyroid was pretty high, and I know that can cause common symptoms.. hmmm.
This is the end of the thread.
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