Is This a Panic Attack? Suddenly Felt Faint and Numb

[PeteJ]

This is the 2nd time this happened.

I was standing up and suddenly felt faint and numb. I decided to call an ambulance as I felt like I was going to pass out.

I felt anxiety after the onset of symptoms not before.

It passed but I don't know for sure how long it lasted. I would guess 5 min or less.

I went outside to wait for the ambulance and a paramedic ran tests, blood pressure and oxygen etc. Everything came back okay. She thought it was a panic attack and I declined going to the hospital as I would be waiting in the waiting room for who knows how long.

I'm going to make an appointment to see my GP.

Do those symptoms sound like a panic attack? There was no warning.

My health has declined since tinnitus.

 

[another sean]

Usually a panic attack is associated with a rapid heart beat, like 160bpm, even when sitting doing nothing. Parts of the body, like arms, can get numb afterwards. But if your heart seems normal, then you might have come close to just fainting instead.

 

[JasonP]

This is the 2nd time this happened.

I was standing up and suddenly felt faint and numb. I decided to call an ambulance as I felt like I was going to pass out.

I felt anxiety after the onset of symptoms not before.

It passed but I don't know for sure how long it lasted. I would guess 5 min or less.

I went outside to wait for the ambulance and a paramedic ran tests, blood pressure and oxygen etc. Everything came back okay. She thought it was a panic attack and I declined going to the hospital as I would be waiting in the waiting room for who knows how long.

I'm going to make an appointment to see my GP.

Do those symptoms sound like a panic attack? There was no warning.

My health has declined since tinnitus.

I'm not sure but I wonder if it was orthostatic hypotension. Hopefully, whatever it is, the doctor will figure it out. If he can't maybe go to another doctor.

 

[GSC]

You were probably close to fainting - you haven't been sleeping well.

 

[Jack Straw]

Seeing that panic set in after the symptom, I would assume it wasn't a panic attack.

You probably got light headed from standing up so quickly.

 

[emmalee]

Do those symptoms sound like a panic attack? There was no warning.

A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms:

Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
Sweating
Trembling or shaking
Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
Feelings of choking
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea or abdominal distress
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
Chills or heat sensations
Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations)
Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
Fear of losing control or "going crazy"
Fear of dying


Some people experience what is referred to as limited-symptom panic attacks, which are similar to full-blown panic attacks but consist of fewer than four symptoms.


Although anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms, such as a racing heart or knots in your stomach, what differentiates a panic attack from other anxiety symptoms is the intensity and duration of the symptoms. Panic attacks typically reach their peak level of intensity in 10 minutes or less and then begin to subside. Due to the intensity of the symptoms and their tendency to mimic those of heart disease, thyroid problems, breathing disorders, and other illnesses, people with panic disorder often make many visits to emergency rooms or doctors' offices, convinced they have a life-threatening issue.

 

[Tretred]

I am the queen of anxiety and panic attacks. From what I can tell you are having a hard time coping with this. By the way, I get it, I was in treatment for over a year, I still am but really back to my normal self lately. Anxiety can manifest into so many physical problems. I had dizzy spells, stomach issues, unexplained weight loss to the point I had cat scans, ultrasounds, blood test and an upper endo to rule anything physical. The paramedics were constantly at my house, the er knew me. Definitely get checked out for anything physical. If nothing pans out then it might be anxiety. I read a book called my anxiety companion. It was written by a girl who had 45 symptoms during her worst time with anxiety. She is also on YouTube if u want to check her out. I wish you the best and if it is anxiety or emotional in nature you will heal. If I can, anybody can. Hugs.

 

[ozm8ey]

Thats not a panic attack. A panic attack gets you ready for danger and according to my psychologist I used to see, you can't faint from a panic attack.

 

[Extreme]

Thats not a panic attack. A panic attack gets you ready for danger and according to my psychologist I used to see, you can't faint from a panic attack.

Actually, you can. If your blood pressure gets low enough, you can pass out.

 

[JohnFox]

You stood up too fast. Not uncommon.

 

[tiniturtle]

I've had panic attacks in the past, and it's nothing like what you're describing.

 

[GlennS]

I have had anxiety attacks. They felt to me exactly what I imagine a heart attack or stroke would be like. Random heart palpitations followed by light-headedness. Take it for what you will.