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ANXIETY AND HANGOVERS (ALCOHOL)
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kpb634 posted:
I want to know if anyone else has these symptoms after drinking and are hungover. I have had anxiety for years, but it never got really bad until recently. Whenever I get hungover my anxiety is horrible- I have the shakes, ringing in my ears, feel dizzy, racing thoughts, almost feeling out of touch with reality, i feel like I'm going to pass out, sweaty palms, confusion, lack of concentration, and I constantly feel like I might have a panic attack. I have to slowly breathe and sometimes get some fresh air to prevent the panic attack from coming. A few weeks ago I had a terrible panic attack at work- I ran back to the kitchen at my restaurant and they had to call 911 b/c I thought i was having a heart attack- My arms , legs, chest and face all went numb and tingly, i was freaking out crying, my speech became slurred, the whole 9 yards. Now I do not drink very much but I used to and I noticed slowly over time my hangovers would be so bad that this would happen- increase in anxiety, and a couple of panic attacks. But my hangovers did not used to be filled with so much anxiety until recently and I don't understand why.I just want to know if this happens to anyone else, if they experience the same smyptoms, and most of all, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING. Like I said i do have mild mild anxiety normally, it's very much under control, but when I am hungover it is insane.....I know everyone will probably say don't drink I understand that but Im just worried right now and confused.....Thank you for any advice/information it is much appreciated!!

Kylie
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volleyg replied to JustmeC's response:
I completly agree. After a night of drinking I feel horrible the next day. My anxiety is uncontrollable and lasts for about 2-3 days after. I do notice, however, that it is much much worse if I drink liquor instead of beer. I try to only drink about once or twice a month now just becuase of how bad it makes me feel. I had no idea this affected this many other people as well. I feel better knowing it is common among anxiety sufferers!
 
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MetalManix replied to rocketman01's response:
Why do people like you have to be such a killjoy. she already said dont tell her not to drink because obviously people like to enjoy themselves stupid.
its actually an allergic reaction to the yeast in beer.
drink spirits or other drinks instead, best cure for a hangover is trashy films and lots of munchies.
I also have the same problem so it does work!
 
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Patricia Farrell, PhD responded:
Many people with anxiety disorders drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes to help calm themselves. Alcohol, however, is a brain poison and it can cause any number of problems, some of them in the sort term, like horrible hangovers and some of them in the long-term, such as neurologic problems.

You've already gotten lots of feedback from the people on this board and you already know what to do, so I don't need to re-state it. I hope you do what's best for your health.
 
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nixxm responded:
YES EXACTLY YOU COULDNT HAVE SAID IT BETTER
 
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steffy1968 replied to JustmeC's response:
I feel the same way Hi I am Stefanie I am 41 years old and I cant get past these attacks I pray when its happening and throughout the day. Still trying to find the answer 6 yrs later....
 
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petguy responded:
I have had panic disorder for 28 years and the worst panic attack I ever had was during a bad hangover. I got the same symptoms Kylie described. Worst of all was I never had any tingling or numbness in my hands or arms before. First my hands went numb, then up my arms and then my neck! I was totally panicking in all the other ways too. I called 911 and the paramedics told me that alcohol could cause lactic acid buildup in the blood and that I was hyperventilating to correct this. I breathed into a paper bag and my numbness and tingling started to retreat a moment or two later, along with most of my panicky feelings. One of the best tools I have to cope with anxiety since is to restrict alcohol use and watch my breathing. Hope this helps. Good luck!
 
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mythman replied to petguy's response:
I'm writing this to help some of you with your attacks! I was having all of the symptoms listed above and then some. I stopped drinking for 3 months and my attacks went away and then I fell off the wagon and drank like a fish 2 nights ago and sure enough the anxiety came back worse then ever, I prepared myself for death because it was soooo bad and lasted for hours. The fact is that you need to stay away from alcohol and remember that you will not die and it will pass. I am having a tough time not drinking because it's what you do when you go out but I will beat this because I am better then that and so are you.
 
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Kat41282 responded:
Sounds like you were having a full blown Anxiety attack! I remember when I had my first one about 5 years ago. I went to the ER, I was having the same things going on that you had. Although I had not been drinking. Anxiety can hit you at anytime for no reason at all. It took me a long time to understand this. I just couldnt understand how it could just hit me for no reason at all. I could be out shopping with friends and having a great time and not a care in the world and then...BOOM. I cant breath and I feel like I am going to die. Sounds like this is what is going on with you. Just so happens that the drinking brings it on. Sounds to me like you need to have your meds bumped up. That should help. just remember when yo
 
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Surgical1969 replied to cicerohill876's response:
I have to agree Cicero. Thank God rocket isn't a doctor. Personally, I am a physician and I would never have the heart to call any of my patients stupid because of their dilemma. Anxiety can be debilitating. I suffer from it myself.

Best-
 
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Cobalt1802 responded:
Kylie,
Everything you have described started with me also after I started to get anxiety atacks. If you want to continue enjoying a cocktail, you'll have to know what your limit is so you don't "go there" in that state of craziness the next day. Take care
 
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Descendant replied to JustmeC's response:
If I were you I'd have my hormone levels checked. You might be perimenopausal. Check out this link to see if you have other symptoms: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/perimenopause/DS00554/DSECTION=symptoms . If you do, you might choose to tough it out, or take hormone replacement therapy, but eventually, you'll probably have to pay the piper. I was on HRTs for years, but new studies have shown that they aren't healthy for you in the long run, so I stopped taking them. The usual symptoms started up right away, but eventually they became less frequent until they stopped altogether. What helps the most is knowing what is causing your symptoms, and your choices on how to deal with them. Don't forget there are homeopathic ways to treat hormone changes also. HTH!
 
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Dgirl4M responded:
I havent had anxiety very long, But I can relate to your symptoms. I never realized it until i read your article. I get really dizzy, sweaty, My hands get shakey. Your symptoms sound more extreme than mine, but I am right there with you. And a lot of times it depends on what you drink and how much you drink. If you drinking hard liquor, or mixing drinks, your gonna have it worse that just drinking beer. Or if you drink beer, limit yourself!!
 
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kristin2277 responded:
Kylie-
I am so glad you posted this. I suffer from the EXACT same thing you have. i am having extremely intense awful anxiety right now.... I am hungover and i literally feel like i am going to die. my hands and feet are numb and tingling/face is hot and heart feels like it is going to explode out of my chest. I cannot sleep because of how intense the anxiety is. I am also shaking and dont know what to do. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
 
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Pantalis replied to jeff79's response:
Jeff,
Out of everything I've read this morning you hit the nail on the head for me. Thank You for taking the time and writing a coherent and valuable reply. I've been so lost for monthes and you helped me realize where I need to watch. Dang blood sugar! Might not help too much but my fridge will be stocked with fruit juice!
 
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Godlover82 replied to JustmeC's response:
First off....You will NOT die from these feelings...OK ...Get that in your mind right now...I first had anxiety in 2000 when I quit doing drugs and smoking cigs...Ive been off drugs for ten years now but I drink still...I have a family and kids now...my anxiety completely went away when I forced myself to get on a plane and join the army...for 4 years my anxiety was gone exepct when I drank heavily in the army...heavy drinking brings on anxiety ..you will not die but you will feel it if you already have anxiety....after the army I got married and anxiety came back ...and I did the best thing I could have ever done by telling a doctoer ...and i HATE taking meds but broke down and tried larezapam( or Xanax ) and my anxiety would go completely away for the day and you feel like a million bucks...now I dont have to take the pills ...I take maybe one in six months only on plane trips or long road trips....just having the pills next to me make my anxiety go away..So TRY these pills and you can get thru things now and have an aid for you to get thru your anxiety...your anxioety will completely go away once you accept that its anxiety making you feel this and learn to deal with it ..these pills will help you on your way to this...just slowly take less and less of them like I did..you can have a wonderfull life with anxiety...evryone has it we just have more of it than others..


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