Panic attacks

Hello

Has anyone experienced panic attacks post op?  I'm almost 4 years post op.  I went in at 350lbs and went down to 175-80lbs in 14 months and have stayed this weight ever since.  I experienced my first panic attack last week.  I havent been on any medication, havent changed my diet, nothing stressfull in my life... out of nowhere.  Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do to treat?  
Thanks in advance.


Santino

I developed some anxiety post op RNY.  I am not on medication right now - but I took Lexapro for a while.  Then my insurance changed and my new insurance was too expensive to take Lexapro.  
Now I am considering calling my doc.

I also experienced anxiety post-op.  The first time I had no idea what was going on, truly scared me.  My PCP prescribed Ativan to help.  I only take 1/2 of the prescribed amount when needed.  I helps tremendously, within just a few minutes.  If I take the whole precribed amount, better find me a bed I'm out in 5 minues.

Please talk to your PCP about your concerns.  You may need something to take the edge off when this happens.

Edit:  I wanted to mention I was 3 years post-op when this happened the first time.

Can any of the previous posters explain the symptoms that you've had?

Megan, I'm posting a list of symptoms (there could be more) associated with panic attacks. 

Common anxiety attack symptoms include:

• A feeling of impending doom, that something horrible is about to happen, that you are in grave danger
   
• A strong feeling of fear, foreboding
   
• An urge to escape, to get out, to run away from danger
   
• Blanching, turning white, looking pale
   
• Blushing, skin blotches, turning red
   
• Burning skin
   
• Choking sensation, tightening throat, it feels like your throat is closing
   
• Confusion
   
• Depersonalization (feeling detached from reality, separate from one-self, separate from normal emotions)
   
• Derealization (feeling unreal, in a dream-like state)
   
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness
   
• Emotional distress
   
• Emotional upset
   
• Fear of going crazy
   
• Fear of losing control, freaking out
   
• Fearful thoughts that seem incessant
  Feels like there is a tight band around your head
   
• Hot or cold chills
   
• Inability to calm yourself down
   
• Knot in the stomach, tight stomach
   
• Nausea
   
• Numbness, tingling sensations in any part of the body
   
• Panicky feeling
   
• Pins and needles feeling
   
• Plugged ear(s), stuffed ear(s)
   
• Pounding heart
   
• Racing heart
   
• Shooting pains in the chest, neck, shoulder, head, or face
   
• Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
   
• Sweating
   
• Tightness in the chest
   
• Trembling, shaking (visibly shaking or just trembling on the inside)
   
• Upset stomach
   
• Urgent desire to go to the bathroom (urinate, defecate)
   
• Vomiting

Thank you!!!

its called mid life crisis. see doctor and get some meds. you'll br fine, time will cure it. I know!!

When my panic disorder started I went to the E.R. because I thought I was dying.  Are you sure you had a panic attack and not RH, because the symptoms are pretty much the same but food will cure RH not so much with panic attacks.  I take Xanax for my big attacks and try to deal with the smaller ones.  Once the door is open to a panic disorder it really changes everything about your life and how you cope.  For your sake I hope its a one time deal.

Thank you for the reply's.
It started last week.  Scared the crap outta me.  I didnt know what was going on.  Its never happened to me before and i havent changed anything in my life.  Food, finances, lifestyle... all the same.  I dont know what caused it.  I never want to go thru that again.  It was horrible.  I was thinking that maybe GBP patients were more prone to it bc of malabsorption issues or something.  I dunno... its all i coould think of since nothing else for me has changed.
Anyways... thanks for the replies. 

Santino