panic attacks without panic?

[Sketchy453]

I think i suffer from panic attacks, but i think i lack a key symptom--the intense fear that is supposed to go along with it. i will get sudden attacks that i can only describe as menopausal heat flashes (though i am waaay to young for that)--i get hot, sweaty, and my temperature spikes--and i also get a little dizzy and lightheaded and i have heart palpitations. these happen without warning and last under ten minutes. i do worry about them, and am a little panicy about them, but i really can describe it as an "intense fear"i am an anxious person, i worry about things all the time and sometimes cannot sleep becuase of it. i dont want medications, ill just work through them, but i -do- want to know what it -is- im going through! am i suffering from panic attacks? after looking things up, its really the only thing that fits!
thanks so much

[Sketchy453]

well thanks guys,
im not sure what im going to do, but my attacks are infrequent and normally occur when im not in the best of health. i dont get fear, just hot and dizzy. i think i will try to be as healthy as possible, work out more, eat healthier and try to overcome it. if i cant, ill just learn to deal with it. i havnt had one is a while. itslike...ill get a lot within a few weeks, then they'll stop for a while. unless i worry about them.....then they happen!
haha isnt out body silly?
thanks for the help again, if anything changes ill keep posted!

[MrGreen]

I'll add a little something extra. Wouldn't be me if I didn't. If you don't get help the one big fear is that they may become stronger and more frequent. I never got help to begin with and ended up indoors for over a decade. The panic overtook me. It dictated what why my life would go. So to be able to control it is a bonus. To me there is always a starting point for everything. Be it a situation in life. One you may not be aware of. Might have happened years back. But always remained with you. Only you know the answers to such questions. But I don't think anxiety comes on us for no reason at all. Finding out the ' why ' would be a huge step to overcoming it.

[RubyWitch]

Panic and anxiety attacks can cause our blood pressure to skyrocket which can produce a hot and feverish feeling. That would be my guess over an actual spike in your temperature.
For those of us who have dealt or are dealing with panic attacks, that they "come out of nowhere" is one of THE most frightening aspects of them. Trying to pinpoint a trigger is fine, but after 40 years, I gave up. The times I thought I was sure to have an attack, they never happened. Sitting around with friends, feeling totally relaxed and happy..........I'd have an attack. There was no rhyme or reason to mine. Perhaps you will be more fortunate. I hope so.
Since you are non-traditional in your approach to medication, there are many "natural/herbal" alternatives you can try. My hope here would be that you consult with someone wise in the use of these. Do not fall prey to the belief that simply because something is "natural," it can't hurt us. There is much in the "natural" world that can be lethal. I applaud your approach but do not totally discount traditional Western medicine. Often a combination of the two is highly beneficial.
I wish you well on your search
Peace
Greenlydia  

[AmyKaytee]

@greenlydia  Did u ever get answers?  Mine sounds similar to yours.

[Sketchy453]

thanks guys!
well ms. greenlydia, im not exactly sure if my temp does spike, but i am very hot to touch, my boyfriend has felt my head several times when im going through an attack, and he says im hot and feverish....
im still not sure what triggers the attacks, a few times im just chilling, doing nothing. once though, it happened during an arguement. ill keep looking for stressors!
im very nontraditional when it comes to medicine, i try my best not to use drugs, and i cant afford a shrink, haha!
thank you both so much for your advice!

[RubyWitch]

Our dear MrGreen has given you excellent advice. Of course I feel the need to weigh in with my "old crone" advice!
As MrG said, what you describe is pretty classic for an anxiety attack. If it were a full blown PANIC attack, I think you would be less "calm" about what you are experiencing. Anxiety, even intense anxiety, can often be dealt with in a fairly rational way, whereas a true panic attack renders you virtually incapable of something as basic as speech in many cases.
The hot flashes you speak of are very typical for anxiety (and panic) attacks, but when you say your temp spikes, that makes me wonder. That is not a usual symptom of either. Are you actually taking your temp during an "attack?" If so, what reading are you getting?
You state you are an anxious person to begin with and that is an open door to anxiety!
I would see your doc for a good going over just to rule out any organic reason for these symptoms. I feel fairly certain he will hand you a DX of anxiety and if he's like most GPs will also hand you a script for a "little something" to calm you down. Be very wary of what he gives you! Ask a ton of questions about it! I'm glad you are sort of "anti-med" by nature, that attitude will serve you well as you deal with this. Ask for a referral to a good therapist and figue out where this anxiety is coming from............pills will only mask it............the therapy will identify the cause and that's what you need to deal with.
You have a very intelligent and rational attitude towards what is happening, and that will serve you well in dealing with it.
I wish you the very best
Peace
Greenlydia    

[MrGreen]

People do suffer from Illness fears. The thought of been sick freaks them out. But there is a trigger. Something that kicks starts the panic chain reaction. By keeping a journal you might just find out what it is. Best of luck to you.

[Sketchy453]

thanks. perhaps ill take a journal and record times when they happen! (mostly during school, stressor much?)
however, i thought panic attacks were random...i didnt realize there was a trigger! they occur more when i am sick or might get sick, though. maybe thats it.
thanks!

[MrGreen]

Sounds like the symptoms of a panic attack. But panic attacks don't happen for no reason. What you need to do is find out why they are coming on. That is if you want to go down the med free route. Why do they kick in. What is causing them. Then try and deal with that. Face it head on. The more exposure the easier the situation becomes. As you are not taken any meds you are exposing yourself to them anyway. So by theory they should become weaker. The more your body gets used to them.