Anxiety/Panic attacks and Bodybuilding...

[HUTCH]

So a few months ago I get in bed and just as soon as I fall asleep I wake up with a rapid heart beat, cold sweats, kinda tingly, like a fight or flight type feeling...Turns out i had a panic attack...Now this just came out of nowhere...I have just as much stress at most people with a job and kids and all that...Its more of a hormonal thing I guess...So i have done a lot of research since then and that has really helped out a lot...It does however effect my bodybuilding because I cant take ephedrine or a lot of caffeine, sometimes I have to just not take anything with caffeine for a few days and let it clear my system...The fat burners trigger my attacks because they of course increase my heart rate which in turn makes me think im having an anxiety attack which then actually gives me an anxiety attack...Same thing goes with training sometimes, do a hard set and of course my chest pounds like it normally would after a hard set but sometimes it send me into a little attack, especially on legs, though i have become better at controlling them while training...No one ever notices i am having an attack, but i just become uncomfortable and feeling like im gonna jump out of my skin...I can take a little xanax if I have to but I am wondering if any of you suffer from this and how you handle it as far as with supplements and working out or even everyday life...

 

[thedonker]

So a few months ago I get in bed and just as soon as I fall asleep I wake up with a rapid heart beat, cold sweats, kinda tingly, like a fight or flight type feeling...Turns out i had a panic attack...Now this just came out of nowhere...I have just as much stress at most people with a job and kids and all that...Its more of a hormonal thing I guess...So i have done a lot of research since then and that has really helped out a lot...It does however effect my bodybuilding because I cant take ephedrine or a lot of caffeine, sometimes I have to just not take anything with caffeine for a few days and let it clear my system...The fat burners trigger my attacks because they of course increase my heart rate which in turn makes me think im having an anxiety attack which then actually gives me an anxiety attack...Same thing goes with training sometimes, do a hard set and of course my chest pounds like it normally would after a hard set but sometimes it send me into a little attack, especially on legs, though i have become better at controlling them while training...No one ever notices i am having an attack, but i just become uncomfortable and feeling like im gonna jump out of my skin...I can take a little xanax if I have to but I am wondering if any of you suffer from this and how you handle it as far as with supplements and working out or even everyday life...

Sorry to hear this is happening to you, it does sound a little like something I've had in the past and the simple advice is pretty much what you said, I had to quit any form of stimulant, coffee, tea eca ecy whatever, I started taking valarian root extract at night to get my sleep patterns back to normal, and added some 5 htp to get my brain functioning better, and I stayed without stims for a good while, I choose to drink water instead of tea or coffee and I just started feeling better, both within myself and in the gym too, total detox helped me clear my mind, I kept my cardio steady and did more of it.

I do on occasion still use stims, but it is not that long before I get those feelings back, and I stop immediately, I still do drink coffee and I certainly love coffee, but I just keep it real like 1 cup a day. It took me a long time to truely realise that I could get into good condition without stims, and that becuase my genetics are not as great as some peoples I just had to work harder, I found that with knowledge of stims I turned to them too easily, and this inturn had an effect on my life and my health, and my natural stress level.

I hope you get to the bottom of this dude and best wishes

 

[thebrick]

Tren used to do this to me big time. I would wake up in the dead of the night from a sound sleep exactly like you described, almost like a panic attack or with high-anxiety. I couldn't even lay in the bed, I would have to get up and try to calm down. I almost felt I couldn't breathe. I would go sit in front of my computer at 2:00 AM trying to calm down. Hated that. No tren =much easier to sleep for me

 

[STEVO 47]

Tren used to do this to me big time. I would wake up in the dead of the night from a sound sleep exactly like you described, almost like a panic attack or with high-anxiety. I couldn't even lay in the bed, I would have to get up and try to calm down. I almost felt I couldn't breathe. I would go sit in front of my computer at 2:00 AM trying to calm down. Hated that. No tren =much easier to sleep for me

I went through the same thing and it scared the living shit out of me.
Woke up in the middle of the night feeling like I was suffocating or
going to die, tried to lay back down but made it worst so I got on
the computer to take my mind off of it and after an hour it went away.
This happened during my first cycle with test and thank God it hasn't
happened since.

 

[theycallmejake]

tren does it for me too. ive also had panic attacks in the past, really bad ones. every muscle in my body would tense up and i felt like i was having a heart attack. scary shit. i went to the doc, and of course all he wanted to do was prescribe meds. i went on zoloft, which made me feel like an emotionless zombie for months. the stopped that and took xanax. that made me feel like sleeping all day. once my body got used to being sedated, it grew a tollerance and i got hooked on xanax. it took me forever to stop taking xanax. once i did, and as crazy as it may sound, meditation and breathing techniques completely cured my panic attacks. breath in slow for 5 long seconds, hold that breath for 5 long seconds, and exhale for 5 long seconds. you seriously have to focus on this though. keep doing it until you feel fine. the counting, and extra oxygen your body gets during those 15 seconds will calm you down like you wouldnt believe. i read this on a website somewhere a few years ago. but works magic

 

[hollaatyaboyy1]

im right there with you bro.... i still remember my first panic attack when i was around 17 or 18 .... It came out of no where for no reason at all and i was bugging out... i got rushed to the hospital and the whoel nine yards... I got panic attacks religiously for months almost every day and multiple times a day and had no idea why and thought it would never go away.. After a million and one tests on my heart and bloodwork taken docs put me on zoloft first, and when i started feeling better i took myself off... big mistake...they put me on lexapro and i was a zombie... i told myself at that point i will do this naturally and on my own. after all the tests i convinced myself there was nothing physically wrong with me and it was all in my head.. that calmed me down alot however when i started to get anxious again i would tell myself. "If this is how i am going to die then let it be, stop fighting it....." it sounds really sick but it works... because when you start feeling like that you just become so afraid that you are going to die you get yourself even more worked up... Im obviously hear and healthy. For the most part and do on occasion get those old feelings again. i dont put them off as nothing i sit myself down and pay close attention to my symptoms. To be honest the day after a really hard chest workout when i am sore gets me a little anxious because i feel pain and think its related to my heart. If it were the old me i would think omg heart attack and bugg out.. JUST REMEMBER TO CLOSE UR EYES TAKE A DEEP BREATH and Relax!!!! YOUR MIND IS SUCH A POWERFUL THING meditation does wonders

GOOD LUCK BROOOOO

 

[rAJJIN]

Add me to that list also.
Tren use to be My favorite! Now Im afraid of the stuff for the same reasons you guys are describing.

 

[hardcoremt]

Tren used to do this to me big time. I would wake up in the dead of the night from a sound sleep exactly like you described, almost like a panic attack or with high-anxiety. I couldn't even lay in the bed, I would have to get up and try to calm down. I almost felt I couldn't breathe. I would go sit in front of my computer at 2:00 AM trying to calm down. Hated that. No tren =much easier to sleep for me

The shit we bbers do.......Were fucked up boy. Id eat pavement if it made me bigger LOL

 

[glock95]

I went through nocturnal panic attacks with tren

Tren used to do this to me big time. I would wake up in the dead of the night from a sound sleep exactly like you described, almost like a panic attack or with high-anxiety. I couldn't even lay in the bed, I would have to get up and try to calm down. I almost felt I couldn't breathe. I would go sit in front of my computer at 2:00 AM trying to calm down. Hated that. No tren =much easier to sleep for me

It's happening at night because your amped-up metablolism requires more oxygen. When you're sleeping many of us, especially when we get bigger, experience sleep apnea or snoring. This increases the carbon dioxide level in your blood which causes your brain to think you are suffocating. You wake in a state of panic; racing heart, short of breath, your body is now full of catecolamines (epinephrine, cortisol, etc.) causing you to feel as though you're having a heart attack. I had this same thing happen to me and it lasted a good long time after I quit using tren. I think tren is really rough on the body and brain. There are no studies I am aware of that show the effect of Tren on the human brain.
Cut the gear, try some deep breathing/relaxation, and attempt to minimize stress. You might try sleeping propped up to help with snoring. If that fails go to a psychiatrist who will probably put you on something to help you to sleep for a while then gradually ween you off it to see if you can sleep on your own.
You WILL get better.
Hope this helps

 

[HUTCH]

First off, Thanks guys for sharing...it helps me out a ton hearing your stories and knowing you got thru it ok...

I take Valerian Root before I go to the gym and sometimes through out the day...it helps quit a bit...I only take the xanax if I really need it...I really dont wanna rely on meds...I was doing fine for a couple months with no problems then i started prepping for my contest and I quickly found out that fat burners or ephedrine were out of the question...I thought Mitropin would be Ok so i gave that a go but just recently it started giving me issues when i would take my second dose in the evening...So i stopped that...I have found that Cytolean from Gaspari works well, I guess cuz it doesnt have a lot of stimulants and one serving has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee...i just spread out the one serving throughout the day and it has been ok so far...

I still have the " oh shit im having heart attack" thoughts even though I know that is NOT the case...its Crazy...Its hard because after I have an attack I get frusterated and I just wanna say fuck it quit my diet and take a break from bodybuilding period...Then i come to my senses and realize that wont fix anything except prolly make me depressed and guilty...

i am gonna try some of the 5-htp, and some other herbs to see if they help...I went and had a good hamstring workout today and did cardio without any issues...So thats a plus...

 

[HUTCH]

It's happening at night because your amped-up metablolism requires more oxygen. When you're sleeping many of us, especially when we get bigger, experience sleep apnea or snoring. This increases the carbon dioxide level in your blood which causes your brain to think you are suffocating. You wake in a state of panic; racing heart, short of breath, your body is now full of catecolamines (epinephrine, cortisol, etc.) causing you to feel as though you're having a heart attack. I had this same thing happen to me and it lasted a good long time after I quit using tren. I think tren is really rough on the body and brain. There are no studies I am aware of that show the effect of Tren on the human brain.
Cut the gear, try some deep breathing/relaxation, and attempt to minimize stress. You might try sleeping propped up to help with snoring. If that fails go to a psychiatrist who will probably put you on something to help you to sleep for a while then gradually ween you off it to see if you can sleep on your own.
You WILL get better.
Hope this helps

Thanks Glock,
I actually dont have a problem sleeping anymore...Thats just how it started...My main thing now is just when im at the gym or doing cardio and my heart rate gets going...

Raj - unfortunately Tren is in my contest prep starting at 6 weeks out...Also EQ is right now and that could be another reason why they have started back up...if the tren causes trouble i will have to drop it...I dont take much though so hopefully it can be kept to a minimum...

 

[RLara85]

Whoa, this is MY topic

I've had severe Panic Disorder since 2005... like, I have trouble going outside to get the mail and wake up vomiting at night, that severe. It gets worse every day/month/year too and Xanax barely works for me. If I can keep lifting, ANYONE can. My issue is mainly digestive and with vertigo, but it sounds like yours is caused by increased heart-rate, if that's the case you want to take much longer breaks between sets, NO supersets, NO high volume training.... low volume, very high intensity and very long breaks in between should keep your heart rate from getting too high. Your endurance will suffer, but it's a price to pay.

 

[BigMatt]

Remember everything can be cured Tru Proper Nutrition.

If your consumming something in your diet that your body doesnt like he will respond that way by trowing off different signals.

Make a journal and write how you feel about certain foods after you have eaten them.

I personally think Dairy products and Wheat products are harmful.

Just my 2c

 

[pumpt73]

Fellas, I've had anxiety/panic attacks for the last 2 years. Some are mild and no big deal. I just slow down, go into a cool, dark room and take long, slow, deep breaths. Others can feel like Im having a heart attack. I had one so bad that I couldn't slow myself down that I chucked a candle and it's holder across my living room. And nope, I wasn't on anything. I wasn't even training at the time.

The best thing to do, is recognize when one is coming on. You'll know it. Your breathing will get shallow and your heart will beat faster. Sweating is a gimme. As much as I hate Xanax, if I take one when I recognize the attack is coming on, it stops it dead in it's tracks. The only other prescritption option I know of is Ativan, but I hate that stuff more than I hate Xanax. They suck bro, but they're manageable.

 

[ironwill]

Thanks Glock,
I actually dont have a problem sleeping anymore...Thats just how it started...My main thing now is just when im at the gym or doing cardio and my heart rate gets going...

Raj - unfortunately Tren is in my contest prep starting at 6 weeks out...Also EQ is right now and that could be another reason why they have started back up...if the tren causes trouble i will have to drop it...I dont take much though so hopefully it can be kept to a minimum...

Hey hutch hang in there bro....i see you mentioned eq is in your stack...I had to stop tren a long time ago, i cannot handle the sides....Anxiety being one of them, i havent had a problem, until i was using EQ, about 4 weeks into it, i would get anxiety attacks that lasted mayb 3 -4 minutes at most, but i really think it was because of the eq, a week or so after i stopped taking that compound, ive been good ever since, almost a yr now, i am adding eq into a cycle coming up, if it happens again, then ill have to take eq off of my to do list as well.......
It is a horrible feeling as if some terrible thing has come over you, even on the nicest, most beautiful day having a great time, then it washes over me, for a few minutes, then gone.....
Hope you keep your chin up bro, im looking forward to seeing you prep once again, always motivating bro...

 

[Moen]

So a few months ago I get in bed and just as soon as I fall asleep I wake up with a rapid heart beat, cold sweats, kinda tingly, like a fight or flight type feeling...Turns out i had a panic attack...Now this just came out of nowhere...I have just as much stress at most people with a job and kids and all that...Its more of a hormonal thing I guess...So i have done a lot of research since then and that has really helped out a lot...It does however effect my bodybuilding because I cant take ephedrine or a lot of caffeine, sometimes I have to just not take anything with caffeine for a few days and let it clear my system...The fat burners trigger my attacks because they of course increase my heart rate which in turn makes me think im having an anxiety attack which then actually gives me an anxiety attack...Same thing goes with training sometimes, do a hard set and of course my chest pounds like it normally would after a hard set but sometimes it send me into a little attack, especially on legs, though i have become better at controlling them while training...No one ever notices i am having an attack, but i just become uncomfortable and feeling like im gonna jump out of my skin...I can take a little xanax if I have to but I am wondering if any of you suffer from this and how you handle it as far as with supplements and working out or even everyday life...

Try a bèta-blocker, works like a charm!

 

[Phidias]

Try a bèta-blocker, works like a charm!

Yes. Or a calcium inhibitor like Verapamil... one 240mg time released tab a day (prescribed by my heart specialist) really helps to slow down my heartbeat.

If it can ease your pain, Hutch, it happens to me at least twice a week these days... very unpleasant indeed.

 

[EVERLAST]

wow...........

I had no idea how many of us have these.
I had them at night so bad I would go outside and just not feel like I could breathe. Pressure in the chest, etc.
Meditation and breath control helps alot, but I'll check into these other treatment options.

Thanks guys...I don't feel like such a freak now.

 

[HUTCH]

I had no idea how many of us have these.
I had them at night so bad I would go outside and just not feel like I could breathe. Pressure in the chest, etc.
Meditation and breath control helps alot, but I'll check into these other treatment options.

Thanks guys...I don't feel like such a freak now.

There a huge amount of people that have this issue...Once i started doing research I was suprised at how many people there were with the same thing going on...

I am gonna look into the beta blockers and verapamil...

 

[pesty4077]

If you are taking T3, this is a common side effect. It is your body tellling you that you are taking too much. Hutch, Masteron is a good safe alternative for Tren.