Anxiety and Stress Forum - Alcohol Induced Panic... Super Long Post.

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Q: Alcohol Induced Panic... Super Long Post.

asked by: highwire1 on August 7th, 2005

New User

Been an alcoholic for about 15 years; been through treatment and got clean for awhile...Didn't take. Found god (i mean that sincerely) asked him to take away my addiction; got a decent job and only drank on the weekends (about 15 beers on friday night.) and then...

One morning I woke up hung over like normal, but this time my entire body was shaking (not a seizure), my mind was spinning out of control, heart beating uncontrollably, such terrible acid that it felt like a heart attack. I was certain that I was going to die...I gave up and told god that he could have me, I was ready to go; laid back down and waited for the white light and a lot of explaining to do. White light didn't come (obviously) but the shaking and insanity and acid continued. Finally went to the hospital.
After multiple blood tests, the doctor told me I was fine - that the acid was gastrius, and then gave me some industrial strength maalox and told me to avoid alcohol and caffeine and nicotine. I was sure that he was mistaken, this sort of thing couldn't be just acid and soda could it?
The symtoms went away, and I was able to stop drinking for two weeks (a record of some sort), but, being the alcholic that I am, I figured that if I just quit the soda I would be fine. I drank again and the same thing happened again.
Now to the present
i've been off booze and caffeine for 3.5 months, and been off of tobacco for 3 weeks. For the first couple of months I felt ridiculously good, I mean just awesome, but then I had an attack again 2 weeks ago while at work. It was quite a bit like the ones I described above but not as severe and without the shaking and the feeling of losing control. It was more like a huge burst of adrenaline shot up from my feet up to my brain, leaving me momentarily paralyzed. Also, big time hearburn and chest pressure, but my breathing and heart rate was normal though I was panicy. Went back to the hospital...Same results - nothing wrong, but this time they gave me some heartburn medicine (ranitidine) in lieu of anti-panic meds (which would be prescribed later if necessary).
It seemed that the meds were working but then yesterday at work I didn't feel all that good - started out with pressure in my chest, heartburn, dehydrated feeling, weakness, a little panicy, but then it hit full force again. This time I just sat down and rode it out and it finally passed, though I felt drained and weak for the next two days. Normally I drink a bunch of maalox and it helps relieve the pressure in my chest, eventually giving me diarrhea and expelling the acid acumulation, which in turn stops the panic attack, but it doesn't seem to be working as well anymore nor as fast.

Now for my question (finally): if the ranitidine was working would I have to still be using maalox?

From reading the posts on this site, it seems that I have a classic case of panic attack disorder. Does this sound right to you guys?

I know that the gastritus can be caused by alcoholism, but what about the panic disorder? Has this happened to anyone else? Specifically through alcohol?

I've had general depression for a long time (but not severe panic attacks like this) and have tried several anti-depressants - paxil worked, but the sexual side affects were unacceptable. Would you guys recommend my trying another stronger antacid or trying to go back on paxil? When your mental stability is in question, erections don't seem nearly as important! Does paxil work on panic attacks or just depression?

I'm praying that this whole thing will go away with time - I mean, it took over 15 years of drinking to get into this shape, it probably will take longer than 3.5 months to heal.

When I prayed that god would take away my addiction, I wasn't expecting this!

Sorry for the epic post. I look forward to answers to my questions as well as words of encouragment and advice.

Thanks.

Replies(12)

djajt

replied on August 17th, 2005

New User

You Need to Contact Me!!!

I have the exact same thing as you. I have depended on alcohol to help with my attacks until I can get xanax. I am 31, and a disc jockey (which doesn't help) and I have been having panic attacks since I was 19. I feel I have wasted so much of my life on this. I have had several shrinks, went to support groups been on meds. Nothing has worked. I recently ran out of xanax and was a "recovering alcoholic" and that all stopped because when I am feeling anxious I will drink until it goes away (usually cuervo) we need help. I just don't know where to find it. I have several visits to the er and am agoraphobic. I am on the computer several times a day. I don't sleep much due to the panic and I have no life. I can't do anything really. Please feel free to get in touch with me, it would be nice to talk to others who experience the same symptoms and emotions of panic and anxiety...They suck!!! I hope to hear from you!

Amy

djajt

replied on August 17th, 2005

New User

Also

When I went to the er they diagnosed me with gastritis due to the alcohol consumption. But I understand the helplessness and the need for immediate relief. Trust me. It calms me down too. I don't know about you but I don't want to live the rest of my life with this! Meditation, breathing, relaxation....Doesn't work most of the time! Teetering on the edge of a panic attack all the time is no way to live and it's good to know (although i'm sorry that anyone has to experience them) that someone else has the same problems I do.

highwire1

replied on August 17th, 2005

New User

Hey, Amy

Thanks for replying, I was beginning to think that no one was going to!
It blows me away that there isn't more exposure about panic attacks. Before I had some of my own, I thought they were just little anxiety attacks that made you feel nervous when under stress - just walk it off, ya sissy, but that is not even close to the case! It's like saying to a drowning person, "quit whining!" it's not really just a mental thing, it's actual physical reactions in our bodies that bring on real symtoms.
What was really scary for me was that I don't even have the option to drink booze to combat the attacks - they are what caused them to begin with, so I have to suffer through them cold turkey. I didn't have one last week, or so far this week, thank god, though I have felt a couple coming on and, for some reason, they didn't hit me. Since mine seem to start in my stomach, maalox has been helping keep them at bay.
I wish I had something encouraging to say to you, amy, but I don't know what. I guess you should keep trying different meds until you find one that will help you.
At the risk of offending you, I would suggest that you keep/start praying. The way I look at it is: if there is a god (and I believe there is) then he must care about this problem and be willing to help. When I was first beginning to believe, I told god that I was willing to believe but he had to do some things too - real, tangible things. What I didn't want to hear was, "it's just god's will that you are suffering through this." that to me is a cop out! I'm not talking about a genie here - no basing your belief on whether or not god gives you a mercedes, but something that is as serious as these life altering/destroying attacks should be something that he would be interested in helping with. He has helped me enormously in the last year, these panic attacks are the last really big thing in my life that I have to overcome.
I hope you feel better, and I would be happy to keep talking with you! Hey, you get to work on the air, life can't be all bad 8)

djajt

replied on August 17th, 2005

New User

Nope, i'm a mobile dj...Weddings, parties etc...I get panic attacks from a hangover, that is why I don't go "over the edge" just a little buzz when I am anxious. My mother was an alcoholic and so was my father, I don't speak to him anymore but I do talk to my mom who lives right down the road from me and never stops criticizing me for my drinking. I know mom! I want to stop and I will, but she likes to make me feel guilty about it when she can because she stopped cold turkey and thinks that everyone should. She has klonipin so she is still able to self medicate in one way or another. I do believe in god but I know that the answers to my problems are in me. I need to start therapy again and get pro help. I will have xanax again friday so the drinking won't be an issue and my stomach will be right again. I have a peptic ulcer from stress, i've had it my entire life it seems. I think the majority of my panic and anxiety comes from the 'what if's' and 'scarry thoughts' my mind goes 100 miles an hour all the time.
I'm glad you haven't had a panic attack or anxiety in awhile. That is a good thing. I just wish I could stop them or find out why I have them all the time. I'm a pro at this i've been dealing with it so long it's good to finally know i'm not alone in this. Although I wish I could sleep! I've had insomnia for a week and a half! Anywho, let me know if you have any techniques that work for you or any info you would like to share I am here to listen(read) about your experiences with panic. Sometimes it just helps to talk to someone who understands. :)

Lennon

replied on August 18th, 2005

Experienced User

Don't shrink from your panic. If the attacks are new to you that's the best time to start. What brings them back is your fear of them. Everyone can panic but some people start thinking what if it never stops or what if it happens right now. That second fear after the panic itself is the disorder that slowly gets you obsessed with it. You have to replace your what if thoughts with......So what thoughts. Like, so what if I panic? Tell the panic to do it's worst and tell it you aren't afraid of it. I've had anxiety for 23 years and it's nothing if you don't tense up about it and aren't afraid of it. Your mind will start to drift onto something else, your body starts to heal it's nerves and you slowly get back to normal. Every single time you feel it come on just say.......Big deal......Go ahead. Just don't be afraid of it and let it happen.

djajt

replied on August 18th, 2005

New User

I tried that method once...And I had a really bad panic attack and ended up going to the er with a heart rate of 180. That was not a fun day!
I have been having these for as long as I can remember but started to get real bad at 19 i'm 31 now.

djajt

replied on August 18th, 2005

New User

Highwire I Forgot

All my panic and anxiety attacks begin in my stomach. Then I get that hot cold rush (fight or flight syndrome) and that's when the heart rate goes up and then sparking the chain of the funfilled events. I wish they would do more research on panic and help people like us so we wouldn't have to "ride the next one out". :\

Lennon

replied on August 18th, 2005

Experienced User

djajt wrote:

i tried that method once...And I had a really bad panic attack and ended up going to the er with a heart rate of 180. That was not a fun day!

I have been having these for as long as I can remember but started to get real bad at 19 i'm 31 now.

you can't just do it once and say......Oh well, it didn't work. That's not the point. You'll feel panic the first time and the next time but if you aren't afraid of it and feel a bit more calm than you usually do during a panic attack, you're on your way to getting better. Every attack that comes will be a bit easier if you aren't afraid of it. They don't just stop. It takes time for your nerves to de-sensitize themselves.

blackjack

replied on August 18th, 2005

New User

Just a quick question here for highwire1 and djajt.
You both mentioned it starting in the stomach more so for djajt. Does this make you go to the toilet and if so do you find that the attack goes when you have gone sometimes, I mean immediately after you have gone like feeling it drain out of your body and back to normality.

Just trying to link something here with feelings I get.

Cheers

djajt

replied on August 18th, 2005

New User

Yup...Goes right to the bowels (not to be gross) it makes me feel better for a little while but that's just cuz our nerves make the acids in our stomach start churning and when you expell the acids it helps. Sometimes it will look like the lining of your stomach is in the toilet (again, not to be gross) but guess what, it is. The lining of your stomach, don't worry it heals itself, just takes time. With alcohol consumption, the pain is a bit worse and lasts longer, sometimes a week for me and the bathroom has become somewhat of a library for me since I spend a lot of time in there. If it gets bad after awhile, try some immodium. But don't overdue it cuz it can cause a reversal and you don't want that either.

djajt

replied on August 18th, 2005

New User

Another Method That Works For Me

When the panic starts to hit I will pace...Back in forth in my living room. Helps if someone is there that you trust just calmly sitting while you pace and talk out how you are feeling to them, tell them every physical symptom you are having. Sounds kinda dumb but after awhile, you walk off the nervous energy and have to relax or collapse onto a sofa or something and you also feel like you have gotten a load off your chest. Sometimes I will even call my mom or a very close friend and just say i'm having an episode just talk to me, then tell them what I am feeling while I am pacing at the same time. For those that can leave the house, go for a walk even if it's down a sidewalk and back, do it a couple times. Neighbors might think you're crazy but who cares, like I say unless you've been there you don't understand.

highwire1

replied on August 19th, 2005

New User

Yep...

Going to the toilet is the key for me too, though it takes awhile for the attack to completely stop afterwards - it seems to relieve the pressure in my chest and abdomen. My doctor told me that this is the bodies way of expelling the adrenaline and acid.
One day I woke up with a dull headache (one of my signs of an oncoming attack) that meds wouldn't touch. I went for a bike ride and the headache persisted, though it did lessen somewhat. The post exercise endorphines didn't come, and later at work I had a panic attack.
The idea that worrying about an attack brings more attacks doesn't seem right to me. I could be be laying down and watching tv - just relaxing, with nothing on my mind except what to eat for dinner, and the adrenaline will hit and the fun begins.
Granted, understanding what is going on in your body when an attack hits makes the ordeal less stressful, I can't seem to get the things to stop by using calming techniques such as breathing or self talk. And I certainly can't stop them from coming. I don't dismiss this idea out of hand, I just haven't been able to do it.
But on the bright side I haven't had an attack for two weeks, perhaps they are going away. But on the other hand, my hours at work have been cut back (i really dislike my job) so I have more days off.

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