First off, let me introduce myself, my name is Steve. For about 5 years I've suffered from anxiety and panic disorder. I've been on a lot of different medications for it, too. From Zoloft to now Luvox. I take Luvox, and Seroquel. I also take Klonopin for panic attacks.

I have the common fears everyone does, but I do seek reassurance. Benzo's supposedly cause you to feel faint, and light headed. 3 years ago, I went to the ER multiple times thinking I was dying of heart issues. Of course, my heart was and is fine.

The new worry, is fainting. I just recently started having panic attacks again because it's possible I simply got used to the medication I'm on. I've gone to the ER 5 times in the past 2 weeks. The first time I went they gave me Ativan for panic attacks. It worked fine for 2 days, but then started making me feel faint, and lightheaded. I would have a really strange pressure in my head.

I'm terrified of fainting, but haven't ever fainted even though I feel like I will. I feel this way all the time now, and although like I said I haven't actually fainted, I still worry about it. And sometimes it drives me over the edge into a panic attack and I'm tired of going to the ER for it.

I wonder if anyone here who's actually fainted could be of assistance. I feel lightheaded, unsteady, and dizzy. I'm assuming it's the Benzo's but I can't be sure.

Every time I've gone to the ER they say my BP is perfect, my heart rate is perfect, my brain is fine, and I'm in good health. The only real problem I have is my panic disorder, GERD, and being 100 pounds or so overweight.

But the fainting feeling started after I got on the Ativan and so far it hasn't gotten out of my system since I still feel faint, or maybe the Klonopin is causing the same problem. I've taken it for 3 days so far and the doctors say it works great and isn't addictive like the Ativan.

I took the Ativan for about 6 days and then stopped but still feel faint.

I just need some reassurance and help. I hate this feeling. =(

Hi Steve and welcome to NeuroTalk.

I'm so sorry for all the anxiety you're feeling. I wish I had a magic wand that would just make us all better!

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to offer some good advice to you. I just wanted to welcome you to the site.

hi there steve!i understand how you feel coz ive been there.i too had a fear of fainting.everytime i get panic attacks i always fear that i might faint coz of shortness of breath.but i realized after my 5 years of on and off panic disorder i didnt faint even once so i think i got over my fear of fainting with that realization.and one thing more i havent heard of anyone who fainted coz of panic attack.we just fear we might faint but we wont and i believe that now.maybe you check out the site anxietyzone.com.it helped me a lot like this one.there are lots of success stories out there.if they can do it im sure we will.just try to face your fears,i know its easily said than done but gradually like me you will get better and better.GOD BLESS AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU

I am an anxiety sufferer too.

I have fainted, and its completely different than a panic/anxiety attack. you can clearly feel the difference (or at least I can) as I get VERY hot, I feel like all the blood rushed to my head, and then, someone pulled the plug. The skin on my face stings like icy rain smacking on it, and I get blackness that leeches in from the sides of my vision. it decreases my visual field, and the stinging gets more intense. Then, you realize, that you are going to have to sit down, or lay down. its not a want, its a NEED. Your body MUST find a way to get level. its like you can feel the weight of the world pulling you downwards.

When I am having anxiety, I feel flushed, frustrated, and fearful. I get the panic heart race the heart thump in the throat feeling. The buzzy rushy hot flashy kind of panic of IM SICK IM SICK IM SICK. HELP ME HELP ME HELP ME.

The weird part about the faint is I dont feel like I am gonna die, its actually peace filled. its slow, and detached, and it takes me out of myself. its like my body takes it all away from me, and no longer lets me control it.

So, if I am feeling like i MUST GET HELP NOW. I know that is panic. I try to examine what is going on at this moment that triggered me.

hope that helps.

Welcome to neurotalk. I take the same medications as you except for the Klonopin. I take Xanax,Luvox,and seroquel.

When I was given a larger dose of Seroquel,I felt like I was going to fall down,after getting up to walk across the room. I take it before bed.

How often does your doctor tell you to take seroquel? Has he told you to take it before bed?

Hang in there. This forum has alot of people who understand how you feel. Brokenfriend

Hi Steve, and welcome to NeuroTalk! This is such a great place to hang out, with lots of friendly, caring and helpful people. We're glad you found us!

I take Klonopin, for help with sleep and tremors. I've taken it for about six months and have noted no side effects, but then everyone is different when it comes to meds and some people are affected differently than others, as you probably know.

I hope you find answers, and I wish you well.

I also have these strange pressures in different areas of my head. I also have pains in my chest,and sometimes I feel like I'm going to die. Sometimes I feel certain that I'm going to have a heart attack.

I get pains also in the middle of my chest,that hurts for a long time. Then I get obsessed with worrisome things.

I understand these things. I hope that I can help you. Brokenfriend

You are a strong person. Thanks for your encouraging words. You can only know how that feels like by experiencing it. Let's just say they're not good experiences but we learn and grow from them. We can overcome fears and recognize anxiety-powered thoughts. Adjustments are necessary and a little polish don't hurt.

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and love. I do have an update on the situation. It appears I may have fainted, I'm not sure though. See, I was going into a panic attack one night when my mother wasn't there and had just gotten up. I had slept all day, but was still bogged down and panicky. So I decided to rest on the couch and watch TV. Maybe get my mind off of my worries. I started to dose off again, and then that's when this event happened. First, everything started getting darker and darker. Then, my ears started ringing something terrible. Finally, my eyes closed. I struggled to keep them open, but wasn't able to. Several times I felt my heart skip, and I felt the faint feeling coming on each time stronger and stronger as I tried to fight it.

Either it won and I woke up a few minutes later, or I fought it off and got up. It happened very quickly and no more than a few seconds had passed when it ended.

The reason I question it being fainting is because I could "fight" it. I don't think you can "fight" fainting, it just happens. I'm not sure if I had a seizure, but it would kind of make sense since I was told to stop the Klonopin cold turkey without weaning off of it and it says that can happen (seizures). Then again, it wasn't in my system more than a few days if that. The Ativan was in my system for a week when I was told to stop it cold turkey. I guess it doesn't matter with those type of drugs since they are so low doses. (.5-1mg)

Whatever the case, it scared me greatly. Since it occurred I've been back to the ER nearly 7 times to the point where they say "There's nothing more we can do for you". They ran a CT scan, EKG, blood and urine tests, and everything in between and all turned out great. But I feel faint all the time now. I don't know what it could be. The drugs should be out of my system by now.

Gosh. I understand everything that you are saying.

I was lying down watching TV,and everything went dark,and I woke up later. It's scary when they say they can't do anything more for you.

I've been on Ativan before,and it's addictive,but not if you where just on it for a week. The imaginations can run wild though,and obsessions can make you feel afraid.

I've stood up,and sat down feeling like I was going to faint,and sometimes I feel a jolt of electricity flash through my body.

I have the pressure feelings in my head,and pain in my chest when I'm tense.

I have had a loud ringing in my left ear. I'm not sure when it started. Sometimes the ringing is a whistling sound,with 3 different pitches. It might be the seroquel. I don't know. Then the ringing goes away,then it comes back.

I understand what you are talking about,and the helpless feeling that you feel when those panics come.

When my panic attacks started,I felt like I was going to die,then I'd go into that panic zone,feeling like a gray cloud had come over me. At these type of times,I cannot think of anything good. They say it's a biochemical imbalance,and inherited from the family tree. No one understands it if they haven't been through it.

I hope that your family are giving you love,and support. This type of secure feeling of being loved will help you.

I have learned a few things that help. There are some verses in the bible that I read,and I pray for help.

My friend,my heart goes out to you in sympathy. People don't understand phobias unless they have been through them.

People that I know,and family members get this subject all mixed up. There are so many misunderstandings that happen with phobias,and trying to get understanding from people.

I have multiple anxiety problems on top of the phobias. I have OCD,and some sort of learning problem. I have depression,on top of focusing on what people are saying,and etc.

I understand. Brokenfriend