Is it low sugar or a panic attack :( ?

SusantheChatterbox · Post by **SusantheChatterbox** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:23 pm

I have been searching to find out if there is any way (other than a blood test) to see if I experienced a panic attack tonight or a low sugar attack. My Dad is hypoglycemic and so was his Mom, my Grandma, and I am sure I am hypoglycemic to. Out of the blue I get a disoriented whoozy kind of feeling along with the shakes (not always) and light headedness (not always). I also get this overwhelming feeling that something bad is about to happen to me (almost always). If I eat something immediately like a peanut butter sandwich the feeling always goes away within 10 minutes or so. I have to wonder though if its hypoglycemia everytime or if a panic attack hits instead, because there have been times when something happens to upset me (not long after I eat something) and the feelings are the same and an episode hits. I run for more food and within 10 minutes I am calmed down. Am I using food as a crutch to stop a panic attack? Does anyone here have hypoglycemia and panic attacks both? If so could you please tell me how you tell the episodes apart? This is really starting to get to me. I hate that food, panic attacks, anxiety, stress, and other health issues are keeping me in the worst Agoraphobia self made prison yet. I have gotten better in the past but then I sink back into the Agoraphobia with each time getting worse and more severe.

Any help and comments would be so much appreciated. Thank you and God bless.

Susan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 4:42 pm

All I can say from my experience is that in the past I have always passed a glucose tolerance test because some of my medical physicians thought I might be hypoglycemic and now I know I have anxiety disorder. I've even had my blood oxygen level measured during a panic attack because the medical personel thought I might be low on oxygen in my blood, it was at a normal level. I used to get relief from panic by eating a fast food meal, you know triple cheeseburger, large fry, chocolate shake. I am not hypoglycemic but many of the symptoms of my panic attack: like a real tight chest/sternum area, tunnel vision, yellow spots zipping in front of my eyes, nausia, severe buzzing in my ears until I could hardly hear what was said by other people, dizziness, vertigo, and so forth could easily be mistaken for hypoglycemia. I do think the food was just comfort food and distraction from the anxiety. eating was something to do and enjoy while the anxiety worked itself out inside me, it made me feel better. thats just my experience though, only a blood test will be 100% certain as far as I know.

one thing I forgot to mention, if I feel any impending doom, fright, I'm dying feelings, I'm going to embarrass myself in front of others thinking I just assume its panic, never been wrong so far!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:38 pm

I am diabetic and struggle sometimes to tell the difference. Luckily the last month I have hardly had panic attacks. Whenever I dont feel good I just check my blood sugar, if it is fine then I simply need to relax myself, if I am low I just drink some kind of juice or sugary snack.

The most important thing to remember is that neither can kill you. I always keep a juice or a sugary snack wherever I go, to be on the safe side.

hopehound · Post by **hopehound** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 5:27 am

I also feel the same as you do. And because of me not knowing the diffrence I had gain over 100 pounds!! I started checking my blood sugar then it became an obession. I would check it every 15 mintues. My finger were so sore and red and swollen. Finally my doctor told me to stop and throw away the glucose tester. They both have the same symtoms though. There is some info on the web about low sugar levels causing anxiety and panic attacks. Just google. I know how you feel and wish you luck.

Therapy4me · Post by **Therapy4me** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:25 am

Thank you all for your replies. This is so frustrating and irritating. I hate that food has basically taken control over me. I have also gained 20 some pounds thanks to using food as my crutch. I was told that high protein/low carbohydrate diet is good to follow for hypogycemia, does anyone know if that is true?

Have a great day and God bless you all.
Susan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 09, 2009 6:52 am

I get low blood sugar and always have but when my panic attacks started, I used food and soda as a crutch and made myself believe that that's what I needed. I gained 50 pounds. But now I'm exercising and yes, a high protein and low carb diet is what you need. Protein balances your blood sugar level instead of spiking it high and then dropping it below what it was to begin with (which is what sugar/carbs do). I always keep protein bars in my purse but wait as long as possible before I eat them...I make sure I really need it and not just needing comfort. I usually need to eat something about every 4-6 hours so if I just ate an hour ago and I feel shaky, etc. I know it's not low blood sugar.