Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
I know this is a medical question, but perhaps there is an MD on the forum, or maybe some members here know something about this.
I have a history of many, many years of severe panic attacks. To reassure people here, this was years ago, when the more effective medications were not available, and this is why I suffered for so long.
I was wondering if all those years of panic attacks, and the adrenaline rushes that occur with them (and I had them almost back-to-back)would cause, at this point in my life, adrenal exhaustion - and what tests I would ask for to determine this. I have brought this up with my MD, but she says that she doesn't think this is a problem for me - but she is not knowledgable about panic disorder.
The reason I even ask is that I have crushing fatigue a lot of the time, and depression, even though I take an antidepressant. I know that adrenal insufficiency can cause these symptoms.
If anyone knows anything about this, or has been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency after having panic attacks, I would appreciate anything you can tell me.
Janet
I have a history of many, many years of severe panic attacks. To reassure people here, this was years ago, when the more effective medications were not available, and this is why I suffered for so long.
I was wondering if all those years of panic attacks, and the adrenaline rushes that occur with them (and I had them almost back-to-back)would cause, at this point in my life, adrenal exhaustion - and what tests I would ask for to determine this. I have brought this up with my MD, but she says that she doesn't think this is a problem for me - but she is not knowledgable about panic disorder.
The reason I even ask is that I have crushing fatigue a lot of the time, and depression, even though I take an antidepressant. I know that adrenal insufficiency can cause these symptoms.
If anyone knows anything about this, or has been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency after having panic attacks, I would appreciate anything you can tell me.
Janet
The holistic MDs do extensive adrenal testing, but insurance, for the most part, will not cover the tests.
One thing my MD (reluctantly) suggested is that licorice root (I use Nature's Plus. 1 500 mg. capsule of Licorice DGL per day) will help build-up the adrenals.
Janet
The holistic doctors do this test, but insurance doesn't cover it
i also have panic attacks with adrenaline surges and daytime fatigue , though in my case the fatigue probaly side effect of my medication(seroquel) but i suspect some kind if imbalance in my case also,like i said im not an MD but but just based on common sense,what you said makes sense -what goes up must come down-after the elevations adrenal surges w/ panic attacks maybe explains the adrenal fatigue(if thats what it is)?
anyway im interested in that to right now just wanted to share that based on what ive read so far it appears luckily the adrenal glands can be(like you said) "built back up"thier are various supplements ,replacement therapie of some kind,medications my only advice is to get professional help with that though it sounds complicated,at least it does to me?
yes there are definately tests, i forget what thier called but they would know-they can test your saliva, blood or urine,whier thiers a "wealth of information"-the things thier looking for are,cortisone levels,a hormone called DHEA(?),testosterone levels,or estrogen for women, and ACTH-i dont see why insurance wouldnt cover it these are legitimate concerns if you have any of the symptoms,but maybe a second oponion? anyway i hope it helps
Anyhow - I saw naturopath last summer who had me to an saliva test to see my cortisol levels and they were off. Starting way to low in the morning, and plummeting in mid-afternoon. At the time I was thinking the adrenal fatigue was causing the anxiety attacks, but now I see it could very well go the other way.
I moved to school, got distracted by dermatomyositis and all the meds I got put on for that, and stopped taking the adrenal supplement. I've tried to start getting into the habit of taking them again.
Thanks for your response.
I was seeing a holistic physician years ago, when my panic attacks first started, and I remember having a very involved test which evaluated adrenal functioning. The test was so drawn-out and involved that they could not get an accurate reading two times in a row, so I finally said that I did not want the test a third time. Probably now, the test is more streamlined, but my doctor feels that, since the regular blood profile does not show adrenal insufficiency, she does not think insurance will cover the more advanced test, nor does she feel I need it.
I would go to a holistic MD again, but I went into a lot of debt years ago seeing holistic doctors (who actually did help me, a lot) because insurance will not cover a lot of what they do, and the tests they perform.
I have a question for Beth - which adrenal supplement had you been taking (which you started taking again?)
Janet
My understanding is that when traditional doctors test for adrenal function, it's only when they're completely depleted that the results show an insufficiency. But, there are other tests non-traditional doctors use which test cortisol levels and such showing irregularities, not complete deficiencies. Irregularities, which, nevertheless, greatly affect our ability to function!
Janet