I’ve had several funny episodes where I suddenly feel I’m detached from reality, very dizzy, heart pounding, legs and arms feel heavy and numb and tingly, don’t feel real or like I am watching from a distance . Usually worse when tired, stressed or after eating . Sometimes worse when I need the loo . Has happened about 10 times in the last year - five of them severe enough that I’ve been utterly convinced that I’m dying each time . Had one in GP surgery years ago and she was convinced it was a hypo attack .
Present GP said they aren’t sure if it was panic attacks, vasovagal or arrhythmia .
I’ve just had yet another, flatmate dialled 999 - they said all obs normal, normal heart tracing (seventh ECG in three months) and that they’re pretty convinced it’s panic attacks or something to do with vasovagal or blood sugar swings . I was acutely anxious/tearful just before it happened - very very anxious about things - and then suddenly felt I was watching from a distance, and overwhelming feeling that I couldn’t breathe; heart was racing (not that much, only 110 or so on Fitbit) and that I was going to faint or die .
I’ve had therapy times a bloody million for anxiety in the past (CBT, DBT, ACT) so I’m prepared to try and believe it could be panic attacks, although I’m on enough anxiety medication to relax a horse so seems hard to believe that panic attacks could break through that, but I’m finding I’m also worrying it’s cardiac and getting scared to do anything in case the next time it happens I do collapse . Which I know is making it all much worse .
I’m not sure what’s best to do, GP said carry on as normal and call 999 if it happens again, or go to A&E if able, but I’m finding I’m now waiting around on it happening again which is hell .