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 am new to this group, but I'm so glad I have found it. I have very few, if any, people in my life who understand anxiety or panic attacks and I really could use some people who know what I'm talking about!
I am a 37 year-old mother of 2 (12 and 9) and have been married 14 years. I have had severe anxiety for as long as I can remember, and my first panic attack I recall having was in 2nd grade, although until college I had no idea what was going on.
Anyway, I have a question. Have any of you ever had migraine auras or "ocular migraines" or do you have similar events with your panic attacks? I have lost vision before from panic attacks. I have had tunnel vision, spotty vision, seen "sparks" in my vision, wavy lines, double vision, etc. But I'm talking like a blob of bright light that floats around and gets worse and worse, then finally goes away, like what a migraine aura is described as. But in the process, as it is fading away, I get tunnel vision, then a period of confusion and panic. I know it's not a stroke. I can talk during the episode if I force myself to. I can pet my dog or hold on to something. I have had this happen 3 days in a row and it is terrifying me. I actually had a doctor appointment today, but they called and asked to reschedule because the doctor went home sick. My husband stayed home from work today to bring me to the appointment because I'm terrified to drive and couldn't get out of the panic cycle no matter how hard I tried. I spent all night tossing, turning, sweating, and shaking.
If you have had this happen, was it due to a panic attack or anxiety? Or was it from a migraine disorder or eye strain? I must say, I had a very stressful week and was very anxious at the times these all happened. Maybe I'm causing them? Also, after each one, I developed a headache, but not what I would think a migraine would be (I don't know that I've ever had a migraine?) and I also had to go to the bathroom constantly afterward, which is more typical of my panic attacks. Any ideas?
I am a 37 year-old mother of 2 (12 and 9) and have been married 14 years. I have had severe anxiety for as long as I can remember, and my first panic attack I recall having was in 2nd grade, although until college I had no idea what was going on.
Anyway, I have a question. Have any of you ever had migraine auras or "ocular migraines" or do you have similar events with your panic attacks? I have lost vision before from panic attacks. I have had tunnel vision, spotty vision, seen "sparks" in my vision, wavy lines, double vision, etc. But I'm talking like a blob of bright light that floats around and gets worse and worse, then finally goes away, like what a migraine aura is described as. But in the process, as it is fading away, I get tunnel vision, then a period of confusion and panic. I know it's not a stroke. I can talk during the episode if I force myself to. I can pet my dog or hold on to something. I have had this happen 3 days in a row and it is terrifying me. I actually had a doctor appointment today, but they called and asked to reschedule because the doctor went home sick. My husband stayed home from work today to bring me to the appointment because I'm terrified to drive and couldn't get out of the panic cycle no matter how hard I tried. I spent all night tossing, turning, sweating, and shaking.
If you have had this happen, was it due to a panic attack or anxiety? Or was it from a migraine disorder or eye strain? I must say, I had a very stressful week and was very anxious at the times these all happened. Maybe I'm causing them? Also, after each one, I developed a headache, but not what I would think a migraine would be (I don't know that I've ever had a migraine?) and I also had to go to the bathroom constantly afterward, which is more typical of my panic attacks. Any ideas?
I have had the vision problems too, mine are from migraines. One or twice it was due to a panic attack. Everything turns kinda grey. But even my panic attacks are different.
What might help is a visit to the doctor, get an all over physical, blood work etc. It might help to set you mind at ease and lesson any worry or stress over you health.