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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> CH and panic attacks?
        
(Message started by: plazticsoul on Sep 16^th, 2004, 1:22pm)

Title: CH and panic attacks?
Post by plazticsoul on Sep 16^th, 2004, 1:22pm

I was wondering if anyone has had panic attacks in association with cluster headaches? I've been suffering from CH for about 5 months now but *very* recently I've been having what I believe to be STRESS-induced moments of attacks where my vision deteriorates and I can't breathe. It's always involving a social situation or trying to make a big decision. It's in the these instances my beast seems to get really angry. They are short-lived after I realize what they are. I'm quite sure they are panic attacks caused by anxiety. I'm just curious if there are any CH sufferers that also have these occassionally or if this is completely unrelated, as they both seem to agitate each other!! ::)

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by Tom K on Sep 16^th, 2004, 1:33pm

Do they happen during a visit from the Beast? I used to get a panic attack or two when I first started on O2. Didn't think I was getting enough air, paniced and ended up hyperventaliting. Once I started to control my breathing, everything was fine. As for nonCH panic attacks, I can't say that I ever remember having one, but then again, as you know, everyone's CH is different.

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by marfanoidus on Sep 16^th, 2004, 1:49pm

I've been fortunate enough to have never suffered a panic attack. I have also been fortunate enough to have been around some who do - my mother and ex-wife, so I am sympathetic.
Panic attacks, in some similarity to CH, can strike out of nowhere for no apparent reason.
From http://www.medicinenet.com/panic_disorder/page2.htm:

Quote:

According to one theory of panic disorder, the body's normal "alarm system," the set of mental and physical mechanisms that allows a person to respond to a threat, tends to be triggered unnecessarily, when there is no danger. Scientists don't know exactly why this happens, or why some people are more susceptible to the problem than others. Panic disorder has been found to run in families, and this may mean that inheritance (genes) plays a strong role in determining who will get it. However, many people who have no family history of the disorder develop it. Often, the first attacks are triggered by physical illnesses, a major life stress, or perhaps medications that increase activity in the part of the brain involved in fear reactions.

Yeehaw!!

If I were you, I would chalk it up to an unpleasant coincidence that they occur together. It is an easy application of the above information, though, to think the fear of an oncoming CH could trigger a PA.

good luck to you,
walt

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by Karla on Sep 16^th, 2004, 2:24pm

I was using imitrix and other triptans excessivly and when I stopped using them and went on the pain patch my anxiety/panic attacks really decreased dramatically. CH in itself caused some anxiety in me but not to the extent that the medicine itself did.

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by floridian on Sep 16^th, 2004, 4:03pm

My panic attacks started about 5 years before my CH. Both can be caused by messed up serotonin. In my case, diet and stress were the two big factors, lately it has been more diet than anything - when I skip a meal, I can get jittery, and then have a panic attack. If I eat sugary foods, I am fine for a while, then can get a panic attack. I think my problem is is too much insulin and adrenaline on top of sometimes low serotonin. Other people with panic have different causes.

(I dont remember getting a panic attack while having a cluster headache, or even when in the active phase.)

One good website is TAPIR - The Anxiety & Panic Internet Resource: http://www.algy.com/anxiety/

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 16^th, 2004, 4:45pm

The development of anxiety disorders and depression is not uncommon with cluster. While a purely medical explanation does not offer much by way of resolution, there is a good track record combining cognitive forms of counseling with antianxiety meds.

The meds, by themselves, will reduce/block panic, but they return regularly return as soon as the meds are stopped. Cognitive therapies teach the person how to cope and even block the development of the attack.

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by plazticsoul on Sep 16^th, 2004, 10:33pm

Well, to be honest I've never been an overly social person... not as social as some are. But I still used to get out and have fun and do things with my friends and all. Then I was diagnosed with CH and it was devastating.. I kept waiting for my "cycle" to end and so I was a total shutaway for several weeks (which felt like an eternity!). Now, since it's been 5 months, I realize being alone isn't really doing anything for my well-being, so I'm learning to cope with the pain and FORCING myself to be social and ignore the clusters as best I can. That's where these panic attacks seem to come into play.

I got a fortune cookie the other day and it said, "What you are afraid of overtakes you", and it was appropriate on so many levels. I was just interviewed for another job. I worked up the nerve to call that co-worker I've had the secret crush on for months and we spent last Saturday night together. I also set an internet date up with a very attractive girl and she forced me to just meet her at a coffee shop after only a 5 minute phone coversation.

The beast is not liking ANY of this!!!!! [smiley=laugh.gif] But I tried being anti-social, and with that I was miserable. It's time to try something else. ;)

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by TxBasslady on Sep 17^th, 2004, 1:36am

Wow, that fortune cookie was right on the money!!

Just because we have CH, doesn't mean we have to become shut-ins. You're doing the right thing.....go on with your life, and tell the beast to take a hike!

The beast would like to beat ya.......but don't let him. Try to never give in ! ;)

Good luck to you !!!! Enjoy your life! :-*

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by synergy on Sep 17^th, 2004, 4:56am

Marc had a panic attack a few weeks ago - his breathing became really fast and erratic and he lost all felling in his arms and hands and couldnt move them. He was also getting pains in his chest so i called an ambulance as i wasnt taking any chances.

He is only 23 but his sister (who is 30) has a heart condition so we didnt want to risk it. The ambulance people told us it was a panic attack - luckily he hasnt had another since but he was having a rough time with the beast before the attack.

We were told to keep a brown paper bag in the flat - if it happens again then marc has to breath in and out of the bag and it will help regulate the breathing - it's where you take in too much oxygen apparently so you need to get your breathing back under control.

luv sarah xx

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by floridian on Sep 17^th, 2004, 9:18am

on 09/17/04 at 04:56:06, synergy wrote:

We were told to keep a brown paper bag in the flat - if it happens again then marc has to breath in and out of the bag and it will help regulate the breathing - it's where you take in too much oxygen apparently so you need to get your breathing back under control.

luv sarah xx

The old brown paper bag trick - if only it were so easy! Some people do have their panic attacks triggered by hyperventilation (and benefit from a paper bag). Other people have just the opposite problem - high levels of CO2 can also trigger panic. Brown paper bags just make these people worse. And many attacks arise from other causes - neurotransmitters, insulin, cholecystokinin, etc. Disrupted breathing is only a secondary effect of those types of panic attacks.

Its worth trying the brown paper bag, but it isn't a cure all for everyone. The people who think a brown paper bag will zap all panic are like the ones who think an aspirin will zap all headaches. Also, please ask them if a white paper bag will work as well?

Title: Re: CH and panic attacks?
Post by yikes_another_one on Sep 17^th, 2004, 8:07pm

Is the pain so fierce that you are paniced when it comes on,

or is the decision making that is so scary?

Life never hands us things one at a time, but you can
muddle through and figure out.

I know that whn I have the pain, I am a timid, tearful mouse
and even just deciding what to eat for dinner, or even to eat at all
is too much for me to ponder.

My husband tries to be patient, but still, when he asks my opinion on things I break down....

the pain causes the fear. Once the pain stops, so does the indeciveness...

having Zomig or imitrex or even oxygen....
whatever will dull / stop the pain....

it helps the social situation.

Knowing that the ch is not cuased by a tumor,
that there is nothing damaged by the attack,
that there will be an end to the pain...

those things help me hold onto the light at the end of the tunnel,
pain causes fear, that's just a human thing.
Knowing that we can outlive the pain,
that should decrease the fear.

Good luck on the dates.
Sounds like you have an angel watching over you.
Take it one day at a time, and hang in there.
TJ