Panic Attack

[Coopie]

Guys - Please check this out and give some feedback...

I have had a prety normal life, and I've never had any mental problems. Two years ago, right before my wedding, I had two panic attacks about one month apart. I thought it was most likely a combination of two factors: wedding (and spending a ton on $$$) pressure, and a pretty heavy cycle.

At that time I was about to drop nearly $50 k on a wedding and that was stressing me out BIG TIME! Also, I was running over 1 gram of test, Tren, Primo, and Var. I wanted to look good for the wedding and honeymoon.

The panic attacks were both excatly the same. I woke up from sleeping and hav a feeling like I was about to die. It scared the shit out of me! My heart was pounding and I was dripping with sweat. Forget about how the effects of Tren - this was 100X worse! I literally felt like I was in a dire situation - as if everything I had done in my life was wrong - and now it was all over.

The first time this happened I woke up my wife and had her call 911. The ambulance arrived in about 1 minute and they immediately took my BP. It was off the charts. I was wearing just a pair of shorts and a tank top and one of the paramedics was just as jacked as I was. He took me into the ambulance alone and, so my wife wouldn't hear, he whispered into my ear "Dude, this shit happens to me too, it's the test - just ride it out." I told him I'd been on AS on and off for nearly a decade and I never felt like this. He just said "It happens, it'll pass." And, after about 10 minutes more - it was over. Back to normal.

Same deal about 1 month later except this time I didn't wake my wife - she would have freaked out. I rode it out alone for about 1 hour of the worst feeling I've ever had. I was certain that I would drop dead literally that second - every second that passed.

So, cut to the chase - Saturday night wife and I go out to a nice dinner and then back home for some fun. We have nearly 3 hours of sex (liquid Cialis!) and I'm ready for sleep. We doze off and all of a sudden BAM! Same crap all over again. Here's the difference: no stress! I am cool in life right now - it's all good. And, my cycle is just a maintenance dose of 750 test / week. No reason for this!

The attack lasted for about 3 hours this time and, although not as intense as the prior ones - it was longer so just as bad.

Any thoughts, anyone else get this? If so, what do you do?

I have a doc app't tomorrow and I'm wondering if I should say anything...

 

[saint808]

sounds more like anxiety attack, which is good.... ore treatable. Tell them everything but the test part. Docs don't understand AAS in general. Not to mention it happened when you were off too.

 

[zephyr22]

Yes tell your doctor....

I think this may be an instance in which a doctors help woulde be advised for sure. It does sound like panic attacks. Usually your primary care physician will prescribe you like a week or two of a benzo like xanax to calm you when you go in to an "attack". Then put you on an SSRI like effexor to mellow you out a little. Mind you it takes 2-3 weeks with effexor and other SSRI to reach blood plasma levels high enough to actually start working for you. All will be better, trust me went through this before also. It seems when I get on over a gram of test along with others I have crying fits. Sounds crazy but I start balling over stupid shit. I also become overly excited as well as depressed in short periods of time. Just my anylisis though. Try to take a couple of nice deep breaths also. You will feel better trust me. Later.

 

[KillerStack]

Years ago I started having panic attacks on a cycle.It progressed to several attacks every day for more than 3 months.It took about 6 months until I was somewhat functional.It was pure fucking hell.Impossible to describe to someone who has not been affected.Even now,years later,it still affects me.The only thing that helped it was an anti-depressant.The more often it happens the more anticipatory anxiety you are going to have.You can get agoraphobic - afraid to go to public,crowded places.Not trying to scare you but saying how it was for me.

If I could go back I would have started the anti-depressant immediately,to nip it in the bud.I was also given a prescription for a benzo for 20 days ONLY until the AD started working.
The longer it goes on the longer it takes to overcome it.

 

[Coopie]

Thanks for the input...

But, I have to ask, does three attacks in 2 years timeframe really mean that I need to medicate? I can deal with these if they remain as infrequent as they've been, and they don't seem to accelerating at all.

I am afraid that medications will either hamper my sex drive, my workout drive, or my ability to function aggresively at work. I may just be spewing false impressions, but don't anit-depresants make you overall "mellow"?

Thanks again... Talking about this helps!

 

[Tman2002]

I get them

I've never gone to the doctor though it usually happens at night before bed or right after. When it happens I'm always saying thats it I'm goin to the doctor first thing tommorow but i never do. A lot of mine are panic/rage attacks doesnt matter if I'm on or not and I dont destroy or really show my anger. I'm not sure what they prescribe for this and I'm not sure I wanna take any cause there are times when I want to be aggresive/angry such as when I train. Whatever the case it definatly sucks. I get these attacks about 4 times a month then I might skip a month and they come right back again.

 

[Coopie]

Tman - I do the same thing!

I say to myself "If I somehow make it through the night I am going to the doctor tomorrow. I'll never shoot again, etc." In a way it's like when I was 18 years old and throwing up while hugging the toilet and chanting "I'll never drink again..."

I am just clueless as to what is triggering this. I am not really stressed right now, and I'm not using tons of gear. I attributed my last 2 attacks to those "triggers".

Maybe my wife spending $1,000 on XMas shopping that day hit me harder than I think, but I really shouldn't be that concerned about it.

My real fear is that it's some real problem, a chemical imbalance, that is causing this.

 

[drgoodbody]

this should be in the counciling forum i think.

DrG

 

[titanicokc]

panic attack

Could also be SVT. Supraventricular Tachicardia. Several things can trigger this. IE gear, caffine, or stress. You should have it looked into. If nothing else, just keep BP near normal, that is what they do for SVT.

 

[bigheinz]

Could also be SVT. Supraventricular Tachicardia. Several things can trigger this. IE gear, caffine, or stress. You should have it looked into. If nothing else, just keep BP near normal, that is what they do for SVT.

i AGREE WITH YOU BRO... Maibe can be sugar levels too....
You have to make a full medical examination, cardiologist, hormonal, and check all your blood levels first.
I hope you get well.

 

[Coopie]

Thanks for the great info guys!

I will talk openly to the doc and see what he suggests.

Again, I appreciate all comments and suggestions...

C

 

[Sigmund Roid]

Coopie,

Anxiety=anxious.
Anxiety is a feeling that causes a physical reaction.
Drugs are not the answer in my opinion.

Drugs treat the symptoms.
For Example: I am depressed. I take prozac and feel better. Problem: I have not dealt with the issues (thoughts) which led to the depressing feelings in the first place!

To treat a feeling that is wreaking havoc, one must examine or change the thoughts that are leading to the distressing reaction.
In my opinion, you do have some thoughts that are causing significant stress.
Just because you aren't actively dealing with an issue in your life, doesn't mean your mind shuts down. The brain keeps on working, chewing, grinding along, regardless. My suggestion is to take some time alone and quietly think of something in your life (usually a relationship at home, work, etc) that might be bothering you more than you are willing to admit. The situation is totally controllable by you once you determine the thinking behind the feelings of anxiousness.

If you want, read Vince's anxiety thread in the counseling forum and send me an email! I am visiting with several via pm's and I am in the midst of discussing the situations with a Dr. Psych who has been dealing with situations like this for a long time. It works out great for me because I need 3000 hrs. logged in to complete my training.

Sigmund Roid

 

[Armageddon]

You should talk to your doc about this or maybe a doctor in general. I wouldn't use your primary care physician, unless he's cool about the gear thing. Cause sometimes once they put that nasty word called steroids on paper and it shows, insurance may have a problem in the future. I know many people are denied insurance because of it. But I think someone should definitely look you over. I would imagine it is from things like caffine and what not. I bet this time it was the cialis that triggered it.
But on another note, 750mg as a maintanence dose. I could still gain a solid 30lbs on that dosage. Best of luck.

 

[IronMike]

...

I seem to get those here and there. They pass, I don't worry. I think worry seems to be what causes them in the first place, so fixing them surely must mean dealing with your stresses. But then I know SFA about them and this is the first time I've considered waking up in the middle of the night, high BP and high heart rate etc an anxiety or panic attack.

Don't panic. (hehe)

Chat to your local doc and have a think about what's causing you grief. And have some dbells near the bed - if you wake up like that again, may as well do something. IronMike

 

[Coopie]

I've been giving this some serious thought, and here's what I conclude about myself:

Since it's only been three "episodes" in two and 1/2 years, I am not concerned that I am in any mental distress. Also, in taking some stock of my emotions (THANKS TO SUGMUND ROID!), I have to admit that I've been blocking some possible triggers.

1. My grandfather died around XMas 6 years ago
2. My brother died on New Years Eve 5 years ago
3. Work has been insane lately, i.e. 60 + hours/week

So... I am going to take a wait & see attitude. I would not be shocked if, because of what I listed above, I get another one before the year ends. If they do not get worse, I'm content. If they do then I will seek a doctor to talk to.

ARMAGEDDON - Great point about talking to a doc "on the chart". To make matters worse my family doc (who I'm seeing tonight) is my father-in-law! If he does a full exam and doesn't see anything wrong with me then I'm just going to keep my mouth shut. If I do have some "problem", then I'll decide what to do. I really do not want to discuss AS w/ my father-in-law. He's a great doctor, but clueless about AS.

Again, thanks much for the thoughts and insight! Much appreciated!!!

 

[Coopie]

Okay, went to doc last night.

He did a full physical and he didn't seem concerned about anything. He said my BP was a little high, but I attributed that to a stressful day at the office.

He's running lab tests on the blood, I'll see if he notices anything out of whack there. All in all, I left well enough alone!

QUESITON: Do you guys think the bridge I'm doing will result in strange blood values? I'm currently on 750mg test / week and this has been my bridge since October 1. Prior to that I was running 1 gram test w/ 600 Deca weekly and 30 mg Var daily. He ordered the "typical" blood tests done.

Might I need to come clean about this or will the elevated test levels just look okay?

 

[bigheinz]

Okay, went to doc last night.

He did a full physical and he didn't seem concerned about anything. He said my BP was a little high, but I attributed that to a stressful day at the office.

He's running lab tests on the blood, I'll see if he notices anything out of whack there. All in all, I left well enough alone!

QUESITON: Do you guys think the bridge I'm doing will result in strange blood values? I'm currently on 750mg test / week and this has been my bridge since October 1. Prior to that I was running 1 gram test w/ 600 Deca weekly and 30 mg Var daily. He ordered the "typical" blood tests done.

Might I need to come clean about this or will the elevated test levels just look okay?

Maibe you will have a some levels out range but nothing to worry, remember you are looking for other desorders like sugar or thiroid, etc...

 

[crackerjack414]

I get realy bad panic attacks now I dunno ive just been realy depressed ive noticed just warm tea seems to help me.

 

[JETHRO TULL]

I THINK YOU WON'T HAVE TO COME CLEAN WITH YOUR DOC!

WITH TEST LEVELS THAT HIGH, HE'D BE A FOOL NOT TO REALIZE WHAT'S GOING ON.....HAHAHAHA.........BUT LIKE HEINZ SAID....THAT'S NOT WHAT'S CAUSING YOUR PANIC.

 

[big-al]

I get the same thing every now and then and its always at night. Don't have a clue what triggers it. It just started on me about 6 or 7 months ago. The Doc gave me Buspirone to take whenever one comes on. He said it was anxiety attacks and the meds seem to work. I've only had about 4 or 5, it just puzzles the hell out of me.
As for the blood workup question, its like bigheinz said, you'll have a few out of normal range, red blood cell count could be out and maybe creatinine and your BUN, it can also drop you good cholesterol count it doesn't seem to affect my bad cholesterol though.
Thats just my experience bro, I hope it helps.