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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by highanxiety on December 1, 2002, at 8:42:49
Is anyone out there who has had a diagnosis of panic disorder or anxiety disorder or a tic disorder and then subsequently had either an additional diagnosis (anything from high blood pressure or bi-polar to epilepsy) or had their diagnosis changed?
Im asking because I had a siezure on Nardil, I had a seizure under sedation in surgery, and I'm having intolerable sensory stuff with a high dose of Remeron (see my other post). Would like to know if theres anybody else out there who later found out they were having other problems (I was in a panic support group and we had several people with heart and lung problems...curious!).Thanks for any responses in advance, would like to hear how your diagnosis evolved.
Posted by Mr Cushing on December 1, 2002, at 9:19:12
In reply to Anxiety/panic attacks - a different diagnosis?, posted by highanxiety on December 1, 2002, at 8:42:49
*shrugs* I'm not sure if this is where you're heading, but I'm diagnosed with both Panic Disorder and as being Bi-Polar 1. I personally think the Doctor hit the nail on the head with both diagnoses.I'm still having trouble finding something to keep my Bi-Polarness (new words lol...) more stable. But for the panic disorder, I found that Clonazepam (Klonopin) has done wonders. If I start to feel really high strung or like I'm about to have a panic attack, just a really small dosage of that stuff during the day and I feel pretty good. Then another dose at night along with my other meds (currently just a MS) to get me to sleep.
But from the Clonazepam, I've never had any other symptoms like seizures or anything.
Posted by Krysti on December 2, 2002, at 7:50:16
In reply to Anxiety/panic attacks - a different diagnosis?, posted by highanxiety on December 1, 2002, at 8:42:49
Hi highanxiety,
I had anxiety and anxiety/panic attacks (still not exactly sure what the difference is) daily for 6 years. I also had major mood swings going on, but didn't really recognize/acknowledge it. I just thought the anxiety was causing everything. I ended up going on Paxil for it and became manic and delusional. I was then diagnosed as bipolar. I was told SSRI's without a mood stabilizer, when you are bipolar, can bring on mania. Mood stabilizers have completely taken away my anxiety, thank god (they don't for all people from what I've read in other posts).
Now that I have been diagnosed and the anxiety is gone, I can look back and see that I had the signs of bipolar even before I went on the Paxil. I would at times be really up, want to talk, talk, talk and be very impulsive. At work, I would run around getting all my work done really fast and I would have periods of euphoria. Other times, I wouldn't feel like talking to anyone, would just lay around and do nothing. At work, I would just want to stay in my office. I suppose if I had thought about it, I would have recognized this as strange, but I just thought it was all due to the anxiety. Anxiety sometimes is a part of something else going on, but not always. I know quite a few people who have anxiety, but do not have the major ups and downs of moods that I had.
I do not have heart or lung problems and my blood pressure is on the low side. Although, when I went to the doctor in a manic state, it was very high (first time that has ever happened).
Hope this helps.
Krysti
Posted by Mr Cushing on December 2, 2002, at 8:29:31
In reply to Re: Anxiety/panic attacks - a different diagnosis? » highanxiety, posted by Krysti on December 2, 2002, at 7:50:16
The difference between anxiety and panic attacks is well... you just described the ups of mania which is usually linked to anxiety. Say that you had this anxiety for a while now, like you were already cycling into a major episode, but at some points you would shoot up like 10 times higher. You basically feel like you're falling, you feel like your heart is going to jump out of your chest, you basically lose complete control. Mania was scary, but having these was a bit scarier for me. You never really knew when they would come on. I'm lucky in that I could tell after a while from my moods when I was about to have one sometimes up to an hour before hand, so now if I feel one coming on I just take some Clonazepam and I'm fine.I was going into a full manic episode while I was having panic attacks, so yeah, when you have them, you can definitely tell the difference between the two.
Posted by Krysti on December 2, 2002, at 10:28:42
In reply to Re: Anxiety/panic attacks - a different diagnosis?, posted by Mr Cushing on December 2, 2002, at 8:29:31
Hey Cush,
Actually I know the difference between anxiety and a panic attack, but I don't know the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack (if there is one). Actually, I think they are supposedly the same thing. When I had an "attack" though, my symptoms were different from what other people describe. My arm never went numb and I didn't feel like I was having a heart attack - I knew what it was.
For me, it was like having an inferiority complex, I felt like people could read my mind and see that I was crazy (because of the anxiety). When I would be talking to someone or when they were talking to me, I would be constantly thinking "I wonder what they are thinking I'm thinking". We could be talking about the weather and I'd be freaking out. It would be like I was way too aware of myself. My heart would race and I would feel the need to escape because I was afraid they could see me shaking (especially my mouth).
Mine started though after I worked for a boss who continually put his "digs" in me every day. It took it's toll after a while. It was a big blow to my self esteem and after a year and a half of it, I was close to a "nervous breakdown". It was a scary thing. I never ever thought someone could do that to me - always thought I was too "strong minded" for that. Eventually, I let him get to me though and unfortunately started doubting myself. That led to my 6 years of anxiety hell!
It would be interesting to hear other people explain their anxiety and what they think set it off. Maybe I'll start a new thread on it : )
Krysti
This is the end of the thread.
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