New anxiety/panic symptom I'm having (dry heaves)

[hiaasenrocks]

Anyone had this? God, it's awful. I've had generalized anxiety and full-blown panic attacks for at least five years now, mostly associated with a social phobia. Sometimes I go through short periods of agoraphobia.

Anyway, last year during some particularly bad anxiety/panic runs, I had dry heaves. It stopped and I forgot about it. Well, lately it's been back with a vengeance. I never actually vomit. At all. Not even a little bit. (Sorry if this is grossing you out.) But it just wears me out, this dry heaving. I mentioned it to my doctor the other day and he was of course sympathetic but didn't seem to think it was serious. And being a hypochondriac, I think it is. Oh well.

Thanks for indulging me. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had this, associated with anxiety/panic. Even if you don't want to say anything on the open board, PM me, and I will keep your message confidential. Just looking for a little support. Thank you.

[fizzgig]

1. i've actually vomited during some particularly bad ones

but there wasn't a lot in my stomach, so there were a lot of dry heaves. i think it's just a physiological reaction and not a sign of anything more serious.

i've found that some hot tea, like peppermint or chamomile, really help with those really bad attacks.

do you have any ativan or xanax or something for the attacks?

[hiaasenrocks]

2. Yes, I take xanax.

Thanks for the feedback. Actually "feedback" might be a bad word to use in a discussion about vomiting and dry heaves.

:) Gotta keep a sense of humor about these things!

[fizzgig]

4. how soon do you take the xanax if you start having an attack?

i've gotten to the point that if i feel one coming on, or even feel that it's possible that one is coming on, i take my ativan and that has made a big difference in the quality of my life.

[hiaasenrocks]

5. I take xanax regularly throughout the day.

It's just .25mg, four times per day, spread out pretty evenly. Actually, the last dose, before I go to bed, is .5mg.

Those are fairly small dosages, so if I REALLY need more, I'll take one whenever.

[Forkboy]

3. Yeah, I've had that happen.

Our nerves are just shot to shit when that happens, so it's understandable. It sucks though, that's for sure. Especially the dry heaves. I'd rather actually puke something than nothing. For some reason the dry heaves hurt more. x(

[hiaasenrocks]

6. Yep. Hurts more, from the torso to the throat.

[BeHereNow]

7. WOW- that is so weird that you bring that up...

As you may or may not read on my thread in this forum,
I am currently dealing with a newly diagnosed bipolar daughter.

Sometimes, when I am sick with worry about her, that happens to me.
I always thought it was because I hadn't eaten for so long...
Sometimes I am just so worried about her that I can't eat.
I never associated it with the chronic anxiety I feel about her
safety.

I think I will see my doctor.

BHN

[BeHereNow]

8. Forgot to say- you might try this; I find it helps.

Years ago, when I was playing music several nights a week,
I had a woman from El Salvador, such a wonderful soul, who watched
my daughter for me. Maria. Such a beautiful person she was.

She insisted on giving my daughter a weak dose of
mint tea every night for her stomach- she said
that was the way in her country. I said fine by me.

To this day, I find that mint tea REALLY helps in settling my digestive system
in stressful times.

Maybe you should try it?
I swear, it works wonders.

BHN