is this really just panic disorder

[tigerpaw2133]

 For the first time in 2010 I started experiencing weird sensations in my body. After many trips to the doctor blood test and EKG it was determined i had panic disorder. It was a horrible couple months but after awhile of being on Prozac i was back to normal. After awhile I stopped taking the Prozac and i was still fine. Well no its all back and worse. I feel weird feelings in my head everyday even when i feel like im not panicking all day I feel off in my head and like something isn't right so i then have a panic attack. I can barley leave the house now if i don't take klonopin. I am so worried all the weird sensations in my body is not just from panic. So i started seeing a doctor again more blood test, EKG, chest xrays, and a urine test still they say im healthy but i don't feel it. I am now back on Prozac and have been for 3 weeks still suffering. My head will feel pressure, confusion, pains in my head, chest pressure and pain, hot flashes, cold chills, heart palpitations, head rushes and more more. Finally doctors agreed to give me a cat scan for my comfort but they think my head is fine. I feel horrible every day and cant go a day without having a panic attack thinking I am for sure dying. I never feel myself and every time i am reassured i am just panicking i refuse to believe anyone even doctors.

[Wingclipped]

I've lived with Panic disorder for a few years and feel exactly like you described..spent alot of money on doctors or i the er way to much.....But living with panic makes you feel exactly the way you describe/..I finally found playing some sort of an online game or going into a chat takes my mind off of it all and feel alot better..Hope you feel better soon!!

[N.Woodley]

You're not alone with your symptoms, I have everything you described, days feeling faint and over tired when I've had a decent sleep, it feels almost surreal and like life is rushing past and im not sure how to stop it, I dont mean to talk about my symptoms but I just wanted to let you know you are not alone, it's reassuring for me and anyone else here can tell you the same. I hope you can figure out what's up and start to feel better!

[andiemarie]

I am in the same place as you are right now, daily shortness of breath and chest tightness, pressure in the head and neck, exhaustion... I try to catch the racing thoughts of "There's something wrong with me," remind myself that no, it's just anxiety, let it pass and you'll be fine, or find something to distract myself (though that's often difficult to do when I'm at work.) Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Just wanted to let you know you're not alone 

[avnostlga]

I've lived with Panic disorder for a few years and feel exactly like you described..spent alot of money on doctors or i the er way to much.....But living with panic makes you feel exactly the way you describe/..I finally found playing some sort of an online game or going into a chat takes my mind off of it all and feel alot better..Hope you feel better soon!!

I have to second that.  Playing online games has been a godsend to my anxiety.  I even have a little Solitaire game I keep in the bathroom as a way to focus if I have a panic attack at home.  Just sit on the john, and move little cards around on a screen.  Mindless, yes.  Therapeutic?  Definitely.

[cutecat25]

I can relate to you so much. I have constant anxiety and panic everyday. I still cant believe everything i'm experiencing is panic. I feel like i'm trapped in a nightmare.
I truly hope that we find some relief soon.

[avnostlga]

I'd just be happy if my mind would finally accept what's happening to it, and move on with dealing with the anxiety.

[e77]

I suffer from panic disorder too, and I know how disturbing it gets.  Have you considered that the antidepressant is not doing what its supposed to do this time around and making things worse?  In the medications section I have read that the same antidepressant taken the second time can require larger doses and make the side effects, i.e. anxiety, more difficult during the start up phase of taking the medication again.  I know antidpressants help lots of people but the side effects can be very difficult to handle.  Wishing you all the best in recovering your health.  Somewhere else on this site I read the quote: "We can't calm the waves but we can learn how to surf."  Makes a lot of sense to me.  Take care.

[Trinity]

Tigerpaw, Since you were feeling normal before getting off the meds what you could be going through is your body trying to readjust to no meds, like a discontinuation syndrome,  It can take some time, I have heard people only take a ssri for 2 months and they didn't feel normal until 1 year after quitting. Its something to keep in mind anyways, and if you were off the meds to long before reinstating its not going to stop the discontinuation symptoms as it would if you reinstated at a sooner time. Everyone is different but i'm going through something similar and I am 7-8 months off meds same symptoms except I can leave the house with someone, but its still uncomfortable and I do get a spacey hard to focus feeling allot, I cant go out by myself though which is where I have declined. I used to! Hang in there, if its anxiety it will pass, if its anxiety from discontinuation it will pass too, try therapy and meditation and muscle relaxation and exercise, Journaling,  and maybe some self help books ( they ease the mind), if its discontinuation do all those anyways but with both allow more time to pass, you will get there! Also keep in mind, setbacks do happen, it doesn't mean that you are doing bad, it just  means that your body needs more time.  Everything you have learned to help you through panic wont be forgotten because of a setback, those skills will last a lifetime. use them!!! Hope you feel better soon!

[cafeterrace]

I also feel exactly as you described. In fact, our stories are similar. I also developed intense problems and felt awful in around 2008/2009. I started on Prozac and after months I finally started feeling better. I got off Prozac and I was fine for a couple of years. This past December all of my problems returned and I'm working my way back up again.

I hope these posts make you feel better and less alone. :)