I've been dealing with anxiety and panic attacks for the past 5 years or so, I've done the midwest program and read many books. I am now 42 and seem to be having new symptoms which I have never experienced before. I used to have racing heart and panic. Now I get extremely faint very quickly, and it frightens me, most of the time I am able to get myself to a place to sit down, but it frightens me because it has happened in many public places, and because it comes over me with no warning. I have had my blood sugar checked, thyroid, heart, and hormone levels. My doctor says I may be entering "perimenopause" because the faintness happens typically in the PMS phase of my cycle. Has anyone else experienced this? What have you done to lessen the occurrence or symptoms? Thanks!

Unfortunately, I don't have advice but wanted you to know you are not alone. I have been having "attacks" at work wear I get a terrible sinking feeling in my stomach and then almost pass out along with nausea. And for me (30/m) it is definately not PMS! I have had many tests including a brain MRI and all are negative so my best guess is anxiety. In fact I am about to resign and try to figure out if the job was the cause. Hang in there! I am trying to do the same.

Dear Lizag

"Weak turns" (which is what you are describing is called) is a very typical symptom of anxiety. It is also more likely for a person to get this syptom while out in public. The reason this happens is when a person nerves are "sensitive" (in other words if a person has anxiety) the blood rushes to your legs causing your legs to feel heavy and you head to feel light. THIS IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. It can't hurt you. It is just a typical symptom for someone suffering with anxiety. You will not faint or fall down. The best thing you can do for this is to keep walking. Prove to yourself that it won't do anything worse than make you feel weak. Keep in mind that no matter how weak your legs my feel, they can still carry you to where you need to go. Don't let this symptom "bluff" you into thinking it's something more and that you will not be able to walk. It is nothing more than anxiety and it CAN'T hurt you. Also keep in mind that it is physicaly imposible to faint while having an anxiety attack. There is way too much adrenaline pumping through your viens for you to faint. A lot of people don't know this and why more doctors don't tell people this I can't understand. Anyway, the next time this happens to you keep these things in mind at let it do it's worst. You will soon relize that you have allready experenced the worst it can do.

Best Of Luck, Mellie

[This message has been edited by mellie (edited 06-25-2001).]