Panic attack?

[kricket_4]

Ok, first - let me say, I don't REALLY think what happened had anything to do with e-cigs, but I have to ask to be safe.

On Saturday, I was driving to a family reunion, about 2hours from home. I had been having chest pains (I have a history of arrythmias, nothing major I'm not on anything for them) and didn't really think anything of it. About 1hr into the drive, my arm starts feeling funky, kinda pins n needles, like it fell asleep. It bugged me, but I didn't really worry too much about it. Then, about 15 minutes before we get to the reunion, I have what I thought at the time was a heart attack. I couldn't breathe, my chest felt like someone was holding me in a bear hug, I couldn't formulate a thought to tell my husband what was going one. It was the absolute scariest thing I've ever experienced. He got me to pull over and took me to the ER. They said it was indigestion - really? Anyway, I think what it was was a panic attack. Now, my Mom mentioned something about e-cigs and how they have been on the news, blah blah blah.

I've been vapin for just about 3 months, and this is the first time anything even remotely like this has happened. I don't really think vaping is the issue, but if anyone else has experienced anything like this since vaping, I'd like to hear from you. I vape 12mg TV juices - so it's not like I'm using anything even remotely high that it could be a nic overdose. I'm still waiting for my regular doc to call me back, he knows I vape and he is ok with it. I'm grasping here, I don't know what could have been the cause of this, so I'm just trying to cover all my bases.

 

[JerryRM]

The way you described the symptoms it doesn't sound like a panic attack. I'm no expert, but I strongly suggest that you see a doctor as soon as possible.

 

[GPAUL]

I agree that you should get checked out completely. The problem is that many panic or generalized anxiety symptoms are typical with myocardial issues. What you experienced could be either. I had a heart attck out of the blue, two years ago. Nobody, including my doctor and the ER hospitalist could believe the EKG until the blood gasses came back bad. My symptoms were vague for the most part. Cardiac events can be quite stealthy. The fullness and tightness that you felt in your chest could be many things. Acid reflux, panic disorder, or a cardiac event in the making.

Please do yourself and those that love you a big favor. Follow through with this and get a stress test and cardiac work up. It is very likely nothing. If there is a problem however, you need to take swift action and get it corrected. Please do not be afraid. The cardiologists these days are a very talented group with some serious miracles at their disposal if needed.

If you want to talk specifics, you are welcome to PM me.

Glenn

 

[Zurd]

Doesn't look like a panic attack because it lasted too long, like over an hour since the first symptoms and the last one. Panic attack only last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. Get a medical check!

 

[kricket_4]

I should have said I was following up with my doctor. I had an appt today and he is running a million and 1 tests. He doesn't seem to think it has anything to do with e-cigs (which I wasn't really that concerned, but wanted to see if anyone else had any reactions at all). so I'm just keeping an eye on my symptoms and what triggers them. Thanks for the responses!!

 

[Kgrin]

I agree do get rechecked, but from someone who suffers from severe panic/anxiety attacks that is exactly what happens to me, and they can last for a couple of hours with the residual effect.. It usually builds, hits full on, and then declines.. With that said though make sure that you do get rechecked, because unfortunately there are other things that can cause these same symptoms as well and you would rather be safe then sorry..

 

[Seabrook]

What a terrifying thing to happen, especially when you couldn't communicate with your husband. And you were driving at the time? Wow, good job on pulling the car over without crashing into something.

As everyone else agrees, good thing hubby took you to ER and that you are now following up with your doctor.

I had one of those attacks years ago due to an acute allergic reaction to papaya. Your post triggered a flashback with me on how scary it was. You're right when you say you can't form a thought to communicate. I remember.

Be sure and tell your dr if you quit smoking rather suddenly or cold turkey, which is definitely extremely hard on the body. And I know you're probably sick of hearing it from forum members, but make 100% sure you are drinking half your body weight in ounces of pure water or lemon water. Actually, those in the alternative health circles say to not detox on water along, but add lemon or lime to it -- supposedly it acts as a buffer -- the vita C in it helps too.

Hope you have a speedy recovery and that everything tests out okay.

 

[Serpentine]

I hope you find out what happened, and I am very glad you have a doc who is taking this seriously! Many times cardiac issues can be misdiagnosed as reflux, panic disorder, anxiety, etc. Good luck!

 

[Java_Az]

I have had that happen to me quite a bit. Hurts so bad you just want to curl up in a ball and cry. Has only happened to me once since i started vaping was alot more common when i was smoking. What i do is take a aspirin and chug a bit of liquid anti acid. It goes away really quick. First time it happened I was doing the Red Sanford bit thinking it was the big one. Pretty scary stuff for cause i been there.

 

[knifesideleft]

Personally I've had panic attacks for a long time and waaay before I ever used nicotine. They can last anywhere from several minutes to hours.

I'm diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and taking any substance in too large a quantity can defiantly start one.

The ones that had lasted for hours usually are triggered by some "outside source" and do not come out of the blue but it does happen. In this case they stop only after the source is removed. This can also be caused from having little sleep as well. There have also been times when I ingested way too much caffeine and the panic attack lasted hours until I assume my body fully removed the chemical from my system. This could be true with too much nicotine as well.

I wouldn't stop though. Sometimes your body can just be on edge already and putting a little bit of stimulant might just push you over the edge. The real thing you need to control is anxiety issues in general if you have them.

Then again small amounts of it can push you over the edge into a panic attack if you are just over anxious in general that day.

I've had bad panic attacks like you had as well. I'm only 22 but I've gotten terrible symptoms that resemble heart attacks. My arms have gone numb, been dizzy wanting to pass out, chest pains, head throbbing, being unable to hear and see.

As you mentioned though the family reunion may have been the trigger. I'd have a lot of anxiety (good or bad) going to one of those. I'd had panic attacks right before much lesser types of social occasions and they came right of the blue.

 

[Kgrin]

Hey what did the doc have to say with your follow up? let us know!

 

[kricket_4]

They are still running tests, I've seen 3 docs so far (my regular doc, a cardiologist, and an endocrinologist - how fun!) and the consensus seems to be I have Hashimoto's disease, which is a thyroid condition. And along with that they also think I have Mitral Valve Prolapse. Both are really not a big deal and are treatable (they won't really do anything for the MVP but watch it and put me on beta blockers if it gets bad). But what is kind of disappointing is that not one of them ever heard of e-cigs till I talked about them. But on the plus side, none of them thought it had anything to do with them either! Thanks again for all the comments and support! It's been a long couple weeks with all this testing and doctors, but at least they listened to me and didn't just write me off as it all being in my head!