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Can the physical symptoms of a panic or anxiety attack last all day, every day??

Posted , 14 users are following.

ray2029
ray2029

Hi all, I’m here just looking for suggestions, advice or just an understanding voice.

I’m a 34 year old male and just over one month ago started to have many physical and mental symptoms of an anxiety or panic surge. The problem is that they have been relatively constant throughout this entire time. The symptoms consist mainly of

-severe anxiety that can turn to dread

-a “crawling out of my skin” feeling

-inner restlessness

-general weakness and stiffness

-constant sweating in the palms and soles

-intermittent numbness and tingling in the legs, hands and face

-loss of appetite

-“lump in the back of the throat” feeling and mild nausea

-heat or cold intolerance

-a general sense of hyper alertness or awareness

-a feeling of malaise or sickness

If these symptoms came in distinct episodes lasting a few minutes to an hour, I may be a bit more relieved. However the problem is that these symptoms have been present virtually all day, every day in the last month. The severity can fluctuate but never truly go away to the point that I have ever felt “at baseline”. These symptoms are most severe in the morning and I can wake up with them or they crash in like a wave in seconds and can last hours. The anxiety can lessen a little towards the evening/night but other times they get worse and prevent me from sleeping. I cannot tolerate anything that increases adrenaline even in the slightest. If I start watching a thriller or take just a sip of coffee, the anxiety drives me over the edge to the point I cannot sit still and must get up and pace. Just over a month ago I used to drink coffee without any problems. The feelings of inner restlessness and anxiety can make my job very difficult, which requires me to basically sit in front of a computer all day long. However, most concerning is that even on a boring weekend, with absolutely nothing going on, I can try to surf the web or read a book and the symptoms will still be there. The strangest symptom has to be the sweaty palms. There never seems to be a moment in the day when my palms are not drenched with sweat. I have started Lexapro 5 mg a week ago and am still waiting for any effect. The only thing that brings relief is a low dose of Klonopin (no surprise) that can last a few hours at most. Common lab work, including thyroid, have been normal thus far. Any words of advice, suggestions, or encouragement would truly be appreciated. I have been alternately fearful, disbelieving, angry, and depressed the whole time and do not know for how many more months to come.

1 like, 41 replies

41 Replies

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  • matt45001
    matt45001 ray2029

    Posted

    Hang in there, everyone.  I know it’s the worst.  All of those symptoms like hard to breathe, heavy chest, heavy head (the worst symptom), numbness, etc came on out of nowhere 2 years ago.  A bunch of ER visits and an inpatient stay at an anxiety hospital got me on medicine and some CBT therapy which greatly helped.  I then started college and most of my symptoms vanished.  I thought I was cured and for two years, felt great.  A couple months ago, I made the dumb decision to come off the meds because I thought I was feeling great.

    Of course, now I’m back to square one and experiencing other symptoms like gastro symptoms, feelings of appendicitis, blurry vision, trembling.  And unlike traditional panic attacks, my heart rate usually stays normal but I definitely feel my body get worked up.  I’ve been to the ER 7 times this month and am just waiting for my old meds to kick back in.  It’s a long process, but you guys can and will feel relief at some point.  Hang in there.  Don’t let anxiety ruin your life.  It can be controlled.

    • Guest
      Guest matt45001

      Posted

      I’m sorry Matt, what you’ve experienced—- that sounds awful.  I was curious what the meds were that helped you before?  I know it’s hard to find the “perfect” combination of meds but we keep trying!
    • jill19850
      jill19850 matt45001

      Posted

      hey matt- did you have sleep issues with this major anxiety too?
  • ozm8ey
    ozm8ey ray2029

    Posted

    Yep happened to me years ago. I was getting panic attack all day every day. Once a panic attack stopped another one would start 5-10 mins later just constant. eventually I couldn't sleep, ear, drink and it started to give me psychotic symptoms and derealization. I finally saw a doctors and about a about a week later after getting anti depressants and and psychotic medication i started to feel better

    • shannon48514
      shannon48514 ozm8ey

      Posted

      Hey this is me at the minute. It's causing me absaloute hell and my family have been no support they are all just having a go at me sad what medication helped you? I'm on amtryptalinre 10mg a night but they don't even help me sleep

  • will20275
    will20275 ray2029

    Posted

    Hey Ray, 

    How are you doing? Are the meds helping you? 

    Will😎

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