So this isn't specifically related to being trans* but I'm having a tough moment currently.  So I'm just trying to make it until I can get home tonight.  But I cannot calm down!  I'm tense, jittery, panicky, I can't understand speech entirely.  I keep zoning out and am moving awkwardly.  I've tried everything from prayer to breathing exercises, to various physical postures and quiet time.  So far nothing has helped.  Sorry for the long post, but if anyone has any tips/anecdotes/concern it would be very much appreciated!


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Sounds like an accidental/malicious exposure to an amphetamine.     I'd avoid doing anything interesting till after it crashes and you feel better; unless you know for SURE that's not possible.

Not sure - it sounds serious enough to actually seek medical help. Especially since you have tried your usual ways of calming down. It may be some adverse reaction to some medication... So please - if it does not get better in the next 15 minutes, call an ambulance and have yourself checked out.

If you haven't taken, eaten or drunk anything unusual, perhaps you're having a panic attack?

Panic attacks are often triggered by anxiety, and they can make you feel like you're about to have a heart attack. You may feel short of breath, shaky, nauseous, sweaty and have palpitations. They can feel very scary; a panic attack sounds like a simple case of 'the nerves' but it can result in very real physical symptoms.

They can be hard to recognise whilst they're happening and they can take quite a while to calm down - the best part of a day in my case - and I've found the best thing I can do is to just head straight home to lie in bed in a darkened room for a few hours where I usually sleep it off.

If that doesn't sound like what you're experiencing, it'd be a good idea to get a doctor to check you out.

Quote from: sarah1972 on September 19, 2016, 11:25:01 AMSo please - if it does not get better in the next 15 minutes, call an ambulance and have yourself checked out.

Just re-read my post, it could be read as don't seek medical help;  that would not be the intent;   "interesting" as in don't drive yourself to the ER..   Call for help, or at least get a friend to drive you.

Amanda The first thing I would like to tell you and I have been there before. You may be having a mini stroke AKA TIA transient ischemic attack and I would have them transport you to the hospital as soon as possible to check it out. Feeling faint by itself is something I put up with on a weekly basis. But you said you were not able to understand speech and you are moving awkwardly.   I am a long time heart patient and subject to fainting due to the meds I am on. There are a number of symptoms that I consider whenever I feel faint. 1. Am I constipated? Yes very funny but every time I feel faint every time I stand up until I clear the colon. I don't know why. 2. If you are on HRT. Spiro is a diuretic used in treating Congestive Heart Failure as such you may be dehydrated, making sure you drink your water, 64oz at least. 3. Are you diabetic? 4. Have you eaten? 5. You may be leaching potassium from using Spiro. This will affect you blood pressure. I just went though a bout of this in the last week. I took an enima, took a dump and now I feel normal for the last three days. One of the effects of estrogen is low blood pressure and blood clots due to poor circulation. The last thing I can think of is possible anxiety.

Thank you all for the prompt responses.  I probably should have clarified that I'm not on medications at all, not even an asprin.  And I haven't consumed anything even slightly questionable.  I believe this to be a panic attack.  I'm a little afraid of it being a psychotic break.  But I do have these symptoms every day; It's just really cranked up to 12 today.


Oh!  Also, it is lessening to a point that feels familiar.

Do Not Just lay down. Take an aspirin. It may save your life until you can get to the hospital. It's the awkward movements and not being able to understand speech that concerns me. Have them call an ambulance NOW.  This is a sign of TIA or mini stroke which could escalate if untreated. Not trying to be alarmist but i went through this in 1993. I waited for my wife to drive 90 mile to come get me and then drive 90 miles to the Hospital. The thing is, my boss could have called the hospital across the street. I was lucky 4 hours is much too long to wait. If it is just an anxiety what have you lost if finding out.

Just took an asprin.  And am drinking tonnes of water.  This isn't nearly the first time I've done things like this,  I'm realizing as I start to calm down.  I haven't eaten, am short on sleep, and I have muscular ticks.  It's also not uncommon for me to have someone speak to me and like a minute or two later, I'll ask if they said something.  That's what I meant by difficulty with speech, just like I can't pay attention, which is something I do sometimes.  I know that's a panic thing I do.  But I do think I may be dyhydrated/sleep deprived as well.  It was a lot scarier when I couldn't think about it more clearly.


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Quote from: Amanda_Combs on September 19, 2016, 12:32:00 PM
Just took an asprin.  And am drinking tonnes of water.  This isn't nearly the first time I've done things like this,  I'm realizing as I start to calm down.  I haven't eaten, am short on sleep, and I have muscular ticks.  It's also not uncommon for me to have someone speak to me and like a minute or two later, I'll ask if they said something.  That's what I meant by difficulty with speech, just like I can't pay attention, which is something I do sometimes.  I know that's a panic thing I do.  But I do think I may be dyhydrated/sleep deprived as well.  It was a lot scarier when I couldn't think about it more clearly.


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I'm so glad you are feeling a little better. Taking an aspirin is one of the best things you can do. Fainting has to do with blood flow and aspirin acts as a blood thinner.  Oddly water will also help with blood flow and help relieve symptoms.  God bless.

Quote from: DawnOday on September 19, 2016, 01:11:15 PM
I'm so glad you are feeling a little better. Taking an aspirin is one of the best things you can do. Fainting has to do with blood flow and aspirin acts as a blood thinner.  Oddly water will also help with blood flow and help relieve symptoms.  God bless.

Thank you so much for the concern.  I'm starting to feel a little guilty for running in here, hair on fire, and posting this topic.  That was just easily the worst panic attack I've ever had.  Also, it was for no reason, and the second I clocked in at work.  I was desperate and nothing was helping for a bit.  But already, I'm just sad and tired like normal.  I was even relieved to feel dysphoria a few minutes ago; just because it was not utter dread and panic.  Lol Still, it's a really big relief to just have calmed down, it felt like more than I could take earlier.  So sorry if I shouldn't have posted about it, and thanks a lot for being so helpful!

Amanda,

I know this is a little after the fact and you seem to have deduced what was going on. But a lot of that sounded like low blood sugar to me. You mentioned that you hadn't eaten anything - that may have contributed. If this happens with any kind of regularity you may want to have your doctor check you out and do some tests.

And don't feel bad for posting! That's what we're here for

Glad you are feeling better. Please take care of yourself :-)

Sounds to me like an amygdala hijack. Extreme panick attacks, disrupt the amygdalas ability to process sensory information, make movement difficult, and provide delightful (*sarcasm*), dizzy spells.

Get checked out by a GP, that all is generally ok, and please see a therapist, they have cbt techniques that can help you manage these attacks.

Also ask to be checked out for Auditory Processing Disorder. This is a tricky thing as it means that the brains ability to deal with stimulus and auditory instruction simultaneously is compromised - your therapist will be able to assess you on this.

Take care

Sno.

*edited to deal with the excess of autocorrect...