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Suggest Treatment For Nausea And Hot Flashes
Question: 2 months ago, I was diagnosed with a very tiny hiatal hernia. My chiropractor found my stomach pushed up very high, next to my esophagus. He was able to push it back down, but with a lot of painful force and manipulation. Ever since, I've been getting sicker and sicker with "episodes" that are so debilitating that I can no longer work. They happened occasionally at first, but now 3-4 times each day (always upon weakening) and last for hours at a time. It begins in my mid-abdomen. I feel and see pulsating in my abdomen and get a "wet" sensation as though fluid is leaking out of my chest/belly. If I push on that area (or usually all by itself), I get an instant rush of blood to my head and start to feel "fuzzy". My face turns bright red and becomes so hot that I get nauseous. The redness sometimes stays, sometimes goes away. But what always follows immediately is intense heat throughout my whole body, like my spine, muscles, and nerves are on fire - everywhere from my head to my palms to my mouth to the soles of my feet. Then I start to shake uncontrollably, with the shakes progressing into worse "tremors" in my left thigh and right bicep. The shaking definitely seems to start from the abdomen/groin area. If I press my thighs or groin or even touch them lightly, my legs increase in spasticity. When these episodes end, I feel completely wiped out (blurry vision and hard, tired muscles), but I never return to "normal." I ALWAYS feel shaky and can't think clearly. I've been at the doctor's twice when these episodes were happening. The first time my BP was a bit high at 130 (usually I'm spot on at 120/80) and the other time my vitals didn't change at all during the episode. In the past few weeks, when I've spit, my sputum had just a tinge of pink blood in it. That seems to have stopped, but worth mentioning. Now I have an occasional cough and am sneezing frequently. Other info, possibly related: My left thigh and knee are filled with fluid, but my orthopedist attributes that to a popliteal cyst (is that the same as an aneurysm?) he found behind my knee. He gave me a cortisone injection 4 days ago, but so far the swelling in the front of my thigh, my knee, and my calf haven't gone down. I was also told that I have an umbilical hernia and 2 inguinal hernias. I also have a history of localized scleroderma, which, I understand, can weaken connective tissue and blood vessels? Recent blood tests for ANA and Rheumatoid Factor both came back negative? Not sure how that's possible when I was diagnosed with a positive ANA and Localized Scleroderma (Morphea) 25 years ago. I'm very scared! Any idea what's happening to me or what tests I should have done? Not sure if this is G.I. related, vascular, rheumatologic, etc. But I need to find a way to calm these spells while I undergo tests so I can go back to work.
Brief Answer:
Most likely panic attacks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Tnanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query,
I am a Gastroenterologist and would be answering your query.
Have gone through your narration in details and my first reaction is that gastric issue could not be the only causes of all symptoms you are having right now.
Most of your symptoms typically fits into history of panic attacks.Although the exact causes of panic attacks and panic disorder are unclear, the tendency to have panic attacks runs in families. There also appears to be a connection with major life transitions such entering the workplace, getting married, long term ilness,mental sress etc. Severe stress can also trigger a panic attack.
A panic attack is the result of a sudden enormous burst of fear and anxiety. The heart tends to beat faster and breathing becomes difficult. A person gets a feeling of going crazy and dries up. If the treatment is not taken on time, this condition can aggravate to panic disorder and such other problems. It is totally curable if the symptoms are addressed properly.
It takes only 10 minutes to reach its peak and typically lasts for 25-60 minutes. Most common symptoms during a panic attack episode are-
The discomfort of the chest,Profound sweating,Hyperventilation,Fear of losing control of life,Feeling of detachment from the surrounding,A choked feeling
Heart palpitation(can be felt in abdomen),Sudden cold flashes and tingling sensation,Dizziness,weird sensation,tremors.
Apart from the above symptoms, if a patient suffers from anxiety in between panic attacks in anticipation of another panic attacks, he/she could be suffering from panic disorders. it is often witnessed that patients suffering from panic disorder avoid certain situations and places.
Panic attacks can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes. Panic Disorder usually begins during late adolescence and early adulthood and is twice as common with women as compared to men.
SSRI'S along with anti anxiety medications should be started initially for few weeks to see the respponse. It takes several weeks before they begin to work, so you have to take them continuously, not just during a panic attack.
Benzodiazepines. These are anti-anxiety drugs that act very quickly (usually within 30 minutes to an hour). Taking them during a panic attack provides rapid relief of symptoms. Learn about panic. Simply knowing more about panic can go a long way towards relieving your distress. So read up on anxiety, panic disorder, and the fight-or-flight response experienced during a panic attack.
Avoid smoking and caffeine. Smoking and caffeine can provoke panic attacks in people who are susceptible. As a result, it’s wise to avoid cigarettes, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages. Also be careful with medications that contain stimulants, such as diet pills and non-drowsy cold medications. Learn how to control your breathing. Hyperventilation brings on many sensations (such as lightheadedness and tightness of the chest) that occur during a panic attack. Deep breathing, can relieve the symptoms of panic. By learning to control your breathing, you develop a coping skill that you can use to calm yourself down when you begin to feel anxious. If you know how to control your breathing, you are also less likely to create the very sensations that you are afraid of. Practice relaxation techniques. When practiced regularly, activities such as yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation strengthen the body’s relaxation response—the opposite of the stress response involved in anxiety and panic. And not only do these relaxation practices promote relaxation, but they also increase feelings of XXXXXXX and equanimity. So make time for them in your daily routine.
So as per the query to your answer i don't feel they are related to vascular or gastric event rather its related to brain.
.“What do you think about when you are sad/angry?”
“What’s been on your mind lately?”
“Do you find yourself ruminating about things?”
“Are there thoughts or images that you have a really difficult time getting out of your head?”
“Are you worried/scared/frightened about something or other?”
“Do you ever feel detached/removed/changed/different from others around you?”
Please answer for further professional advice.
Regards.
Most likely panic attacks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Tnanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query,
I am a Gastroenterologist and would be answering your query.
Have gone through your narration in details and my first reaction is that gastric issue could not be the only causes of all symptoms you are having right now.
Most of your symptoms typically fits into history of panic attacks.Although the exact causes of panic attacks and panic disorder are unclear, the tendency to have panic attacks runs in families. There also appears to be a connection with major life transitions such entering the workplace, getting married, long term ilness,mental sress etc. Severe stress can also trigger a panic attack.
A panic attack is the result of a sudden enormous burst of fear and anxiety. The heart tends to beat faster and breathing becomes difficult. A person gets a feeling of going crazy and dries up. If the treatment is not taken on time, this condition can aggravate to panic disorder and such other problems. It is totally curable if the symptoms are addressed properly.
It takes only 10 minutes to reach its peak and typically lasts for 25-60 minutes. Most common symptoms during a panic attack episode are-
The discomfort of the chest,Profound sweating,Hyperventilation,Fear of losing control of life,Feeling of detachment from the surrounding,A choked feeling
Heart palpitation(can be felt in abdomen),Sudden cold flashes and tingling sensation,Dizziness,weird sensation,tremors.
Apart from the above symptoms, if a patient suffers from anxiety in between panic attacks in anticipation of another panic attacks, he/she could be suffering from panic disorders. it is often witnessed that patients suffering from panic disorder avoid certain situations and places.
Panic attacks can also be caused by medical conditions and other physical causes. Panic Disorder usually begins during late adolescence and early adulthood and is twice as common with women as compared to men.
SSRI'S along with anti anxiety medications should be started initially for few weeks to see the respponse. It takes several weeks before they begin to work, so you have to take them continuously, not just during a panic attack.
Benzodiazepines. These are anti-anxiety drugs that act very quickly (usually within 30 minutes to an hour). Taking them during a panic attack provides rapid relief of symptoms. Learn about panic. Simply knowing more about panic can go a long way towards relieving your distress. So read up on anxiety, panic disorder, and the fight-or-flight response experienced during a panic attack.
Avoid smoking and caffeine. Smoking and caffeine can provoke panic attacks in people who are susceptible. As a result, it’s wise to avoid cigarettes, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages. Also be careful with medications that contain stimulants, such as diet pills and non-drowsy cold medications. Learn how to control your breathing. Hyperventilation brings on many sensations (such as lightheadedness and tightness of the chest) that occur during a panic attack. Deep breathing, can relieve the symptoms of panic. By learning to control your breathing, you develop a coping skill that you can use to calm yourself down when you begin to feel anxious. If you know how to control your breathing, you are also less likely to create the very sensations that you are afraid of. Practice relaxation techniques. When practiced regularly, activities such as yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation strengthen the body’s relaxation response—the opposite of the stress response involved in anxiety and panic. And not only do these relaxation practices promote relaxation, but they also increase feelings of XXXXXXX and equanimity. So make time for them in your daily routine.
So as per the query to your answer i don't feel they are related to vascular or gastric event rather its related to brain.
.“What do you think about when you are sad/angry?”
“What’s been on your mind lately?”
“Do you find yourself ruminating about things?”
“Are there thoughts or images that you have a really difficult time getting out of your head?”
“Are you worried/scared/frightened about something or other?”
“Do you ever feel detached/removed/changed/different from others around you?”
Please answer for further professional advice.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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