Hello,
Over the past few weeks, I have started having the classic panic attack symptoms- paranoia, anxiety, and more recently and often, light-headedness. I am overweight, but carry it well, I am active, and can ride a bike for an hour at a time. Recently, I have lost 20lbs by eating smaller meals--normal portions. I eat 3 meals a day, and have cut most caffeine out of my diet. I drink plenty of water every day. Have even started taking a good multivitamin. The strange attacks, can last anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours and range from mild to extreme--extreme being I must sit down and feel like I am going out of my mind. Lately though, it has mostly been a lightheaded feeling that gives me issue. Weird enough, belching reduces the feeling and so does eating a meal and sometimes drinking something. Also when I'm feeling worst, I usually am feeling bloated. These feelings are not brought on by physical activity and sometimes not by any stressful situations. Its like a light switch, I either feel great or like crap. I work in Iraq as a civilian for the US Army--medical care here is not great, and I go on vacation to Thailand in 2 weeks. Once there I can go to a modern hospital and get looked at. Also even though I am in Iraq, I am on an isolated base with very very little war activity. I do not feel this is brought on by my location or job -- both are pretty calm. THANKS MATT