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Panic attack or seizure?

Sun, 10/08/2006 - 00:10
I am not sure if it was an awful panic attack or...something more. I don't remember much, but here is what "went down." 1600: Get out of school and drive to work. Feeling tired and a little jumpy. Had taken a caffiene pill that morning that hasn't quite worn off yet. 1730: Driving to work; slightly late. Feel distracted, but nothing noticable. 1800: Have arrived at work. Feel like I am going to have a pleasant night; being very flirtatious and friendly, which is unusual for me. 1900: In a discussion about staying up late to study and taking caffiene pills to do so. I demonstrate how I personally stay up late, by stabbing my hand with a pen. My hand begins the bleed. One of my colleagues seems fascinated. 1915: As I have a self-mutilation issue, I am thrilled by the blood. I retreat to the bathroom to stab myself to the point of bleeding twice more in the wrist, and once more in the crook of the arm. When I return to the hostess stand, my boss reminds me to let my fellow hosts know when I am planning to go to the bathroom. I acquiesce. 1930: Suddenly the lights seem to be bothering me. I am feeling dizzy and on edge, my mind is blurred. I assume it is from caffiene withdrawal and drink a few sips of coffee in the server station. I have a headache. 2000: Feeling exceptionally dizzy. Ringing in ears, beginning to perspire. 2005: Heartbeat is erratic and unnaturally loud. My hands feel hot. Chest pressure and moderate pain. 2010: Voices of other people seem distant and when I speak, I can not hear my own words. My boss confronts me about stabbing myself and I am unable to reply. While sitting a table I nearly pass out and return to the host desk. 2015: Limbs begin to tremble. Partial consciousness, remember flashes of a host's face and my boss. According to the host, who spoke to me about it later, my eyes were rolling to the back of my head and my eyelids were fluttering. I was in a standing position but trembling and did not seem to hear my boss trying to talk to me at first. I am quite pale and seem to be going in and out of consciousness, accompanied by severe hyperventilation. I am apparently able to walk, with support, the the server station and sit down. Approx. 2045: I regain full consciousness. First thing I consciously recognise is one of the GAs hugging me, and I am crying into her shoulder, shaking all over. Brief lapse into blurry consciousness, then regain full once more to find my crush telling me stupid jokes and one of the servers, whose other job is as an EMT, having me hold a cup of hot boiling water. 2100: My father arrives at my work and drives me home. I am unable to speak without stuttering and still feel dizzy. I take one of my Klonapin that I keep for panic attacks. By the time I get home I am quite tired but nevertheless do not go to bed until 2200. So, basically, my question is this--panic attack, seizure, something else...? Most of my panic attacks involve extreme nausea and the fear of v*ing (well, obviously, I'm emetophobic.) This attack did not have those symptoms. HELP, here!!

Comments

Re: Panic attack or seizure?

Submitted by Bedge on Sun, 2006-10-08 - 06:13
OMG! That sounds hectic! I'm no Dr so i cant really comment, although I have been disgnosed with Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Dissociative Disorder etc. I had a tonic colonic sezuire in Feb, had a EEG etc which has come back irregular. Going to see a new Neuro this Thursday to finally get a proper diagnosis (after 7 years!). All in all, what I have learnt is to listen to yourself. If you dont feel this was a panic attack go and speak to a GP and get a referal to a Neuro. Am sure this whole thing scared the living daylights out of you. No ones knows your body and mind better than you so go with your gut. Bedge

Re: Panic attack or seizure?

Submitted by Les on Mon, 2006-10-09 - 10:14
First rule of thumb for those of us with E is - no or very little caffeine. It can trigger seizures. The second rule is never forget that what you take will affect you. Caffeine overdose is possible and too much caffeine looks like an anxiety attack. If I were you, I weould lay off the caffeine pills. - Les

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