Help me understand!

[1stforme]

Hello Group,

I am so glad I found this site. I have had lower intestinal problems all my life. I had a recent visit to the emergency room and the Dr. told me it was a panic attack? He gave me Prozac and Ativan to take. I have not taken the prozac due to the fact that some of the side effects are already what is happening in my gut already.
Could panic attacks cause intestinal problems and have no other symptoms?
I am really scared to take the meds.....HELP!!

[floridaguy65]

Hi there:) Welcome to The Zone...you'll find assurances you're, certainly, not alone in your current struggles:) If checked by a Doc, are you gaining any assurances that your "tummy" troubles are NOT a serious organic issue? Gastrointestinal distress is very common symptom of Anxiety Disorders. The "mind-gut" relationship is POWERFUL and IBS is an affliction in which many peeps with ADs suffer. Can you tell us a little more about yourself? How old are you? Have you a long history with Anxiety Disorders? Have you taken the Ativan and received some temporary relief from your worries? Always try to tell yourself that there is hope...there is always hope when suffering from these type of disorders:) Peace and Feel Well:)

[Duckie]

Welcome 1st:  It's so true that intestinal problems can be part of having anxiety disorder.  Like Floridaguy, I would like to know if the Ativan helped.  That would be a big clue as to whether or not your problems are caused by anxiety.  But frankly, if I were you, I'd get another opinion.  Doctors aren't always right, and a second opinion sure would help you to know what's going on. 
Don't give up trying to find answers. 

[constantmover]

Could panic attacks cause intestinal problems and have no other symptoms?
I am really scared to take the meds.....HELP!!

The answer to you question is "Yes", BUT, I think the other question that needs to answered is "Could intestinal problems cause panic attacks."  That answer is also "Yes".  It's the old chicken and egg scenario...which came first.  If you say that you have had intestinal problems all your life it could either be because you have had IBS or some other intestinal disorder or it could be from anxiety.  The fact that you put a question mark after saying that the doctor told you it was a panic attack makes me feel that you have never been aware that this could be an anxiety issue, but only one of intestinal problems.  Has your regular doctor ever mentioned to you anything about anxiety/panic with regards to you intestinal problems?  If he hasn't then I'm not surprise you are surprised and concerned about taking medication you know little about.  What I can tell you is that there are many different types of medications out there that would be OK for someone with your intestinal problems (assuming that it is IBS) if you also have anxiety/panic disorder.  These two definitely can go hand in hand and often a doctor will recommend an anti depressant for IBS sufferers.  The one the doctor at the hospital prescribed is one of many SSRIs that can be prescribed but there are many others from that class of medication or beta blockers or tricyclics that work with IBS. 

The other medication that the doctor prescribe is a short acting benzo that will help calm you or your intestine for a few hours.  This type of medication is used on an as needed basis unless the "as needed" becomes all the time and then the doctor would probably want to switch you to a long acting benzo if he felt it was necessary.  In a way, I feel we are putting the cart before the horse though.  If I were in your shoes, I would go to my regular doctor and check what he says about the possibility that you even have a panic disorder.  Sometimes ER doctors are quick to just write many problems off as panic attacks when they can't quite put their finger on what might possibly be an alternative answer.  Lots of intestinal problems can't be completely identified by a doctor in the ER.  In the meantime, you could take the ativan if you are now feeling anxious about the possibility of having panic on top of intestinal problems.

Let me reassure you though, if your doctor agrees with what the ER doctor says then you really aren't alone.  There are many of us who suffer along with you and once you have talked with your doctor, many of us can tell you which medications work for us with both problems.  That doesn't mean they will work for you, but without doubt, there are medications that can help assuming the ER doctor is correct in his diagnosis.  If you find out he is right and still don't want to take the Prozac, then talk with your doctor about which medications would best suite your intestinal disorder and remember not to read too much information about medication prior because often that just scares people off to even trying medications that could really help them.  Sometimes just the suggestion of a side effect can trigger an IBS reaction.  There are some anti depressant medications that are great for IBS diarrhea like Remeron and then there are other anti depressants that make you go more.  So, it does depend on your type of IBS as to which anti depressant that they prescribe for you.  Your doctor may feel you don't need that type of medication at all.  So as I said, don't let all this information or the fact that the ER doctor prescribe this for you scare you.  Talk with your regular doctor first and then make an educated decision from there.  If he agrees with the ER. doctor then come back to this forum and we will help you along with going through the process of realizing that you have an anxiety disorder and also with some insight as to how you can help yourself.  I look forward to hearing from you either way.  Take care and don't worry too much over this.  If you have both you are in good company on this forum.

[1stforme]

Thank you everyone!

I will give you a little more detail about my case. I have had what I think is IBS for most of my life.  For the past few years in addition I would have short 15-20 minute episodes of nausea and a strange uncomfortable feeling. It was relieved by getting up and walking around. These episodes started to come more and more frequent until I am having them almost on an hourly basis. This recent onset started during a job interview, I was so worried that my "IBS" may act up during the interview, I think the panic set it...all of a sudden I felt the need to run out of the interview.
My symptoms now start off with a pressure build up in my ears and sinus which leads to dizzy and then the upset stomach.
My problem with trying to understand all of this...is the fact that I do not have any of the "classic" symptoms of what I know about panic attacks.  I am a volunteer firefighter and an assistant chief with my department, running calls has no effect on me what so ever....but riding in a car for More than 20 minutes with trigger the pressure and of course lead to an episode.
This has been going on for about two months.....I am 40 years old and I feel this may effects other parts of my health.

Thank everyone again and I look forward to hearing from you

[constantmover]

Hi 1stforme,

I'm going to quote you:  My problem with trying to understand all of this...is the fact that I do not have any of the "classic" symptoms of what I know about panic attacks.  I am a volunteer firefighter and an assistant chief with my department, running calls has no effect on me what so ever....but riding in a car for More than 20 minutes with trigger the pressure and of course lead to an episode.
This has been going on for about two months.....I am 40 years old and I feel this may effects other parts of my health.

Let me reassure you that this will not lead to other parts of your health assuming you understand that, in my humble opinion, the ER doctor was correct.  It is amazing how strong people who have panic attacks can be.  In fact, I have had to do many things because I have a daughter with epilepsy and cerebral palsy and never once during any of her episodes or even when she was close to dying did I have a panic attack.  Put me in a movie theatre or restaurant and there is a good chance I will have one.  Anxiety disorders don't make a lot of sense and that is often why many of us take years to accept the fact we have it.  I have been this way my entire life and yet it wasn't until almost 50 that I finally accepted the fact that I do have an anxiety disorder and got treatment for it.  What can I say, I'm a slow learner.  The fact remains that you need to see your own doctor and discuss this with him/her.  Don't leave anything out.  Make sure he/she has the full picture.  You may be able to get by on just the ativan (get the sublingual kind) as needed without the prozac, but that is for you and your doctor to decide.  If you have this problem on a daily basis or several times a day, then you might want to consider prozac or one of the many SSRIs out there.  A beta blocker is not a bad choice for either as needed or even taken on a daily basis as long as you don't have really low  blood pressure to start with.  I have a few friends who take beta blockers and have had great success.  Whatever you decide, you need to discuss it with your doctor and come up with what would be the best medication for your.  You may be OK on a long action benzo like klonopin but again, this will take a lot of discussion with your doctor especially if you are unsure about taking Prozac or other SSRIs.   

I could be wrong in my feeling that you do have an anxiety disorder but I know for sure that there are lots of people who have high stress jobs and can do them efficiently without anxiety , but once they step away from their job and have to do something that most would find easy or commonplace, panic sets in.  Keeping busy and keeping our mind occupied has proven to help those who have anxiety.  It helps us take our minds off ourselves and our symptoms.  So in my humble opinion, you are almost a classic case of someone who has an anxiety disorder.  Sorry, but that's the way I see it.  Welcome to the club.

[bradley1]

It sounds to me that u DO have classic symptoms of panic attacks!!
U mention a 'feeling of pressure' and a 'strange uncomfortable feeling' with nausea. Relieved by getting up and walking around and the need to take yourself away from the situation it all sounds like panic. Then dizziness and ibs symptoms - I always get diarrhoea as a panic attack progresses.
Obviously u need to talk to ur dr but if you tell him what uve told us I think he may agree.
At least then you will know what ur dealin with so all the best x

[1stforme]

Again thanks to everyone,

This website has helped me more than anything, I was bucking the verdict.....I just did not want it to be true. I will be posting very very often. In my job this is not something you can talk about openly, and that is the hard part.
I am full of questions....the most important of those questions for me now ie this....will it get worse?

Thank you again.

[1stforme]

One more question for now...I get tired easy..not just tired but worn completly worn out. For example, I was going to was my truck and I started scrubbing the rear of the truck and by the time I reached the front half of the truck I was spent. I had to lay the brush down and walk around a little and I felt as if I was going to faint. This lasted a few minutes.....is this part of the panic I have?

Thank you

[constantmover]

Hi 1stforme,

Hey, don't feel badly about bucking the verdict...I did it for many years.  It is hard for some of us to come to terms with it.  I mean, who really wants to have a mental health issue?  I definitely understand your situation at work.  There are lots of people who have no clue about this disorder and therefore may pass judgment because of lack of knowledge.  There are many famous people with anxiety disorder...you'd be surprised.  Funny though, for many of us, it doesn't interfere with our ability to do our job.  Some do have issues with having panic attacks when having to give presentations etc, but that can be easily dealt with either with CBT or in a lot of cases ativan and/or a beta blocker.  After you go to your general practitioner, we can talk about what medication he thinks you should take.  Remember there are lots to consider and maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who can handle this without medication.  I certainly did for years. 

Quote:  I am full of questions....the most important of those questions for me now ie this....will it get worse?

I really want you to understand that this disorder does not have to get worse. The most important thing you can do for yourself is get help.  Go to therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has proven to be really beneficial to many of us who suffer from this disorder.  The medication the ER doctor gave you, Ativan, is great for right now and let's see what your GP says or even better, a psychiatrist or psychologist has to say about medication.  I, personally, do well on medication but it took hitting rock bottom for me to even accept the fact I had this disorder, let alone take medication for it.  I was determined though to feel better and carry on a decent life, so I went the meds route and frankly I'm glad I did.  I am able to do things I couldn't before and even though I still struggle with certain things, I certainly wouldn't be able to do half the things I'm able to do  without the help of medication.  If you look at meds as a tool that helps you have a productive life rather than just a drug then it puts it in the right perspective.  If you do have to take meds then another way of thinking about it is that if you were diabetic you would take medication for that, so why not for anxiety.  It is important to get past the old stigma associated with mental health.  It is so prevalent in society today that in a way it is surprising that the stigma still exists.  Some people look at it as a weakness.  I look at it as strength.  Look how hard we have to work to hide that we have this and yet we still carry out our jobs and usually we are perfectionists so actually do our jobs better than most.  We tend to be great actors too because we don't like people knowing the fear we feel. 

So any questions you have, please don't hesitate in asking because you don't have to suffer with this disorder as long as you are willing to do the work and come to terms with it.  There is lots of help and if needed medication.  You are definitely not alone and I'll bet there are others at you work who have this disorder but they are just keeping it to themselves for the same reasons you are.  It was funny, when I finally admitted to myself and some close friends that I had GAD with panic, it opened up a new chapter in my life.  Through these friends I found others who had anxiety disorders and/or depression.  All of a sudden, it seemed like most of the people I knew had the same or similar diagnosis.  All it took was one person opening up and then we all found out we were hiding this.  Who knew!?  Believe me you aren't alone and even if you aren't able to talk with your closest friends about it, you can with us.   So, fire away..   

[constantmover]

One more question for now...I get tired easy..not just tired but worn completly worn out. For example, I was going to was my truck and I started scrubbing the rear of the truck and by the time I reached the front half of the truck I was spent. I had to lay the brush down and walk around a little and I felt as if I was going to faint. This lasted a few minutes.....is this part of the panic I have?

Thank you

I just noticed you had posted again and I had already sent my last response...To answer your question, it could very well be from the anxiety.  After all, it takes a lot out of a person to be that anxious...a panic attack is very draining but even just everyday anxiety can make one tired.  Also, if you have started taking the ativan, it can make you tired too.  If it is making you too tired during the day, you may want to take a lower dose.  That is only assuming you have been taking the ativan.  If not, yes, the anxiety could definitely make you feel tired.  It takes a lot of energy to be anxious or have panic.