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lightheadness - how to overcome?


15 years ago 0 14 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0

Alex, I think that you and I have a lot in common.  My first panic attack happened while I was out for a run Christmas Eve morning in Ruidoso, New Mexico.  We were vacationing there.  What should have been the most beautiful run of my life  -- snow on a dirt road, deer out and about, mountains in the distance -- turned into one of the worst experiences of my life.  I felt like I was going to pass out on a secluded street in a strange town.  Several times, I walked until the dizziness went down, then resumed running until I finally thought that I was going to hit the ground.  I walked back to the condo and said nothing because I did not want to worry my family.

Like you, I've had all sorts of tests which revealed that I am relatively healthy.  Also, like you, I have found it hard to jump back into exercising.  Lately, I have done some walking and riding a stationary bike.  It helps with my mood.  However, I just can't shake this damn lightheadedness.  Today, I was convinced that something physical was wrong with me.  I was in a business meeting, and I felt like I was going to faint.  While this was going on, I formulated a plan to go to more doctors to find out what was wrong.  Well, when the meting was over, my lightheadedness went away 90%.  So, obviously, it wasn't a physical issue.
 
At this point, I almost want to pass out just to get it over with.  All I can do is challenge the thought, and go on with my day despite the anxiety.  I wanted nothing more than to run out of that meeting, get in my car, and go home.  I stuck it out though and am glad that I did because I don't want to fall back into a pattern of agoraphobia.
 
Best of luck to you. 
 
 
15 years ago 0 1693 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
alex71104,
 
Welcome to our support community, you have come to a great place.
Thank you for telling us a bit about yourself, and for sharing your experiences. It is great that you are starting to exercise again, and how wonderful that your symptoms go away during and after exercising. Not a bad way to relieve your symptoms
Have you read through the program? If not, please do, and take a look at the tools and resources that are available to you through this site. We are here to help and support you in whatever you need, so please stay close, and post often!


Breanne, Bilingual Health Educator
15 years ago 0 1 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I was diagnosed with having anxiety disorder and panic attacks about two months ago.  I have had three panic attacks prior to this diagnosis in the past year, something that had me very scared, thinking I was having a heart attack each time.  I had and EKG at each one of those episodes to find out that my heart is perfectly fine until the Dr. finally told me what was wrong.  I am on 0.5 mg Alprazolam now.  I was taking two pills a day, but lately I was feeling worse, even with the medication.  I decided to try to cut down, so I started taking half a pill twice a day,  I read about how addictive Alprazolam can be.  I am feeling better since I cut down on the dose.  The symptom that has sticked has been the lightheadness... I hate it.  But while doing some research and finding out that this is a common symptom of anxiety, I noticed that I don't get it that bad.  I also started exercising again (I used to exercise daily ever since I can remember)  It is funny, but all of the symptoms go away while I am exercising and for a few hrs after that.  So, I am planning on jumping back into exercising regularly to help myself in my recovery process.  My next big step would be to hop on the treadmill again, something I have not done for close to 8-9 months, since one of th first panic attacks I had was while jogging on my tradmill.
16 years ago 0 955 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
barbika,
 
Thank you for sharing this information with other members here. It has been quite helpful.
 
The benefits of exercise can be endless. It is so great to hear you have already experienced some of the successes related to exercise.
 
Members, has anyone else had this experience with increased exercise? How does exercise relate to the intensity of your symptoms? Please share your experience!
 
 
 
 
Sarah, Health Educator
16 years ago 0 23 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey everyone
 
I realized and also my therapist mentioned that my light headedness, dizziness, off balance has to do with lack of exercise. And it's true, ever since my major panic attacks i started to move and do phisical activity less and less. Which lead to symptoms I mentioned above.
 
So anyways, for the past week i started to exercise every night, as well as do a 10 minute walk going back and forthto work. I already feel better and my symptoms stopped...So i can recomend you to try to keep your body healthy, and try to push yourself more and more....
 
remember our problems dont  create us, we create our problems!!! So i'm basically trying to push myself everyday, to not be afraid and to do every possible way to not think about fear, so i keep myself occupied....and i feel great...
 
 hope this will help someone...

16 years ago 0 28 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Barbika,  your post contained the most amazing insight...  did you notice that?  You wrote "it is amazing to be a nonsmoker."  Referring to yourself as a "nonsmoker" rather than a smoker that quit, shows that you're already changing who you are, and your identity. You're not a smoker that quit.. you're a nonsmoker. That's a BIG distinction, and one that will make it so.  Excellent. 
16 years ago 0 23 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
thank you, it is amazing to be a nonsmoker....i'm so happy :)
16 years ago 0 28 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
barbika, how great to hear that you quit smoking! Congrats on that.  that's always a step in the right director toward good health! 
16 years ago 0 23 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Also the doctor suggested me to take a B-vitamin complex. I also stopped smoking cigarettes for a week now after 13 years. And i don't feel as much off balance and dizzy, i can't wait to see next weeks results.
 
:)

16 years ago 0 23 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Brandie
 
I totally understand what you are going through.  I'm not sure on what you mean by being off balance, but for me being dizzy and being off balance is two different feeling.
 
The feeling of being off balance is when i walk i feel like i'm walking on clouds, i don't feel the solid ground. And that one of my feet is smaller then the other. I usually feel like i'm going to fall. I usually feel off balance when i'm having lots of panic attacks.  When i feel dizzy i feel my head is in a slight spin, but it's not that major. When i have this feeling i feel like i'm going to faint, even though it never happened.
 
So anyways i also noticed that the less i concentrate on these feelings, even though they are part of my life every day...they seem to wanish slowly. 
 
I also been to the doctor several times and could not find no cause to these, other then anxiety. But i will also make sure it's not alergy.
 
Be well and try to eliminate your concentration to these feelings and you will see it wanish...
 
take care
 
 


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