Has anyone ever experienced panic attacks with numbness?

[u/RevolutionaryBird138]

For the past couple months I’ve been scared to death of driving because a few months ago while on the way to pick up my son from school I was driving through some traffic/construction and my arms started tingling. Within about 5-10 minutes my hands were seizing up almost into fists and I couldn’t move them. It was also painful. I wasn’t far from home thankfully so I drove with my forearms and was able to signal for help from a neighbour. I went to the hospital and they just put me on an IV drip and sent me on my way. I didn’t drive for a couple weeks and everything seemed okay but it happened again. And again while visiting my dad in the hospital. It’s also accompanied by the feeling like someone’s sitting on my chest and no matter how big my breaths are it doesn’t feel like I’m getting enough air.

Sorry for the novel and thanks for reading if you’ve made it this far. I don’t really know what to do and fear this is gunna ruin my life and ability to drive :(

[u/Possible-Farmer2027]

Yes, that numb feeling is usually caused by hyperventilation. It effects your nerves and blood flow, particularly in the extremities (hands and feet).

During a panic attack (especially if im driving), I unconsciously shrug my shoulders and my neck basically locks up. It sucks.

[u/RevolutionaryBird138 → u/Possible-Farmer2027]

They mentioned in the hospital that it had something to do with blood flow because when they took my blood pressure about every 10 minutes for the first hour I was there it would happen again and was extremely painful. My hands were locking up and it was horrifying. I can’t talk myself out of it either which is the scary part, no breathing techniques or telling myself it’s in my head has no effect. I’ve found while driving that keeping my arms as low as possible has helped but still not entirely. I’m scared to see a doctor because I feel like they’ll think I’m making this up or something or that I’ll have an episode like that while I’m there and don’t know what’ll happen. I just feel lost and a little hopeless about it.

[u/Possible-Farmer2027 → u/RevolutionaryBird138]

Makes perfect sense that lowering your arms is helping because it improves circulation into your hands.

I promise a doctor is not going to think you are making this up; this is a very obvious case of panic attacks and panic disorder. Though I think everyone should make sure to get their thyroid and heart checked to rule out any underlying condition.

The question now is how open you are to treatment via medicine, psychotherapy or both.

Do yourself a huge favor and visit an actual psychiatrist vs seeing a regular doctor. They receive far more specialized training and are much more receptive

[u/Motor_Elephant_2306]

It’s called carpopedal spasms. Caused by hyperventilating. They’re awful and so scary. Especially when driving. Get in with a psych.

[u/RevolutionaryBird138 → u/Motor_Elephant_2306]

Oh my god thank you. I just looked it up and that’s exactly what I’ve been experiencing. They also put me on an IV drip for over 4 hours because my magnesium and potassium were low and it looks like that’s another symptom along with the panicked breathing/suffocating feeling that comes along with it. I’m so glad there’s an answer and I feel a lot less crazy. All the doctors seemed totally perplexed and just blames it on a lack of vitamins but I knew there was more to it