The day started out good.....went to a yoga class.....felt so relaxed......

Go to do my shopping at WalMart and I start to feel light headed....then alittle panicky like I felt I had to get some food in me. So I'm wandering up and down the isle at Walmart because my brain has stopped working.....I felt so spacey! I find some almonds and rip the bag open and start to munch....then I'm thinking I need something else so I wander again and find a protein drink. I felt like just running out....I was holding onto my basket because I felt like at any moment I could fall. The had the local firemen at the store doing some special Pink Month thing so I'm thinking to myself....ok good....if I pass out at least I have the whole fire station here! Really I was totally thinking this. Luckily I had made a list and I had to just follow the list like a robot.

When all this peri stuff started about 5 years ago (I'm 46) I was getting panic attacks but I would get the shakes and they were much worse. Do you think these are panic attacks or just anxiety. I finally took half a xanax when I got to the car and I do feel better. It's just this dizziness....my head feels like its in a bubble. I just started estrogen and take prog....today is day 14 when I start me prog 2x a day....so I don't know if that has something to do with it.

It just seems like everything is so hard and big!

I have been in Wal mart and felt like that-then I had a huge hot flash and started sweating-I thought that the clerk was going to think I was stealing something I was acting so strange.I feel for you.Hope you have a better day.GOD-bless

Actually Sweetie, what you are describing sounds more like a hypoglycemic event to me. Have you had your blood sugars tested recently? I get these and it has absolutely nothing to do with hormones for me. It's that my blood sugar is dropping and I need to eat something NOW!!! I'm not diabetic rather I have what is called reactive hypoglycemia and my levels will drop rapidly in response to my eating simple carbs without also eating some fat and protein. If this should happen again, try to eat some simple carbs (candy?) for a quick rescue but then immediately eat some protein (tuna sandwich and some milk?). It sounds like you took the xanax and started feeling better but in reality it may well have been the almonds and protein drink had finally kicked in. I would have that checked out if I were you. The symptoms of hypoglycemia can mimic an anxiety attack in the initial stages, then of course if left untreated you will become unconcious. Good luck and I hope you find out what it was soon and take precautions in case there is a next time.
xoxo
Jan

Dont feel like an idiot -- I've been there and done that --- I always carry something like a banana or a handful of raisens/nuts when I go out just incase I have a hypoglycaemic attack, which I think is what probably what you had...

feel better soon!

I don't know what it is about Walmart.....They are notorious for causing me to have anxiety or panic attacks.

I have experienced exactly what you did in my supermarket--I was grabbling the cart handles for dear life and using the thing as a walker.....I think it is some chemical form of anxiety reaction or maybe a hotflash????. I have had them before so I said to myself "This has happened before and you didn't pass out..." The self talk helped me to prevent escalating my weird feelings into a panic attack...

Meanwhile I look around at the other shoppers who all see so annoyingly serene... ...

Maybe it's the clothes that the shoppers wear It's enough to give anyone a panic attack...

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

MANY TIMES I FELT THE SAME WAY AND AWAYS IN WALMART. I REALLY THINK ITS THE LIGHTING IN THE STORE. ONE TIME IN WALMART I EXPEREINCE THE MOST WEIRD THING I WAS SEEING HALF LIGHT AND DARK IN THE STORE WHICH BROUGHT ON A PANIC ATTACK. DON'T WORRY I THINK ITS ANXIETY OR THE LIGHTING CAUSING THIS.

On the funny side at least you didn't get picked up for shop lifting, the almonds and drink, wouldn't that have been the sh_ts.
I too get this at Walmart, I just thought I was wierd, also at Costco once in while. Have had it on and off for years.
Happy Shopping next time
Queen Bee

Wal_Mart is the only store that this happens to me too. I know just how you feel and I dont like it either.

fluorescent lights are notorius for causing trouble like that, i used to work in a dept store with
lighting like that and the minute i got to work
id get that weird feeling, after 6 yrs i quit
couldnt do it no more, now when i go shopping i have to wear sun glasses, albeit very light ones...

Hi

Sorry you had a bad shopping trip. I get like you when I go to Asda, I just want to run out. I do think its a bit of anxiety and low blood sugar and always carry sweetsd with me. It does amke me feel better.

Take care and don't get cught shop lifting

Ina x

Hey oars,

I can totally empathize with you! I would call what you experienced an anxiety attack vs a panic attack where you would not have been able to stay there.

Walmart is a catalyst for anxiety for me because I have had more than one panic attack in that place but I keep going back to prove to myself that it is my GAD and not anything else.

Don't let it get you down and keep walking forward.

Hugs to you,
Jeaninne

I know what you mean about Wal Mart. It's bright, noisy, and usually crowded. I can really do without those things. I feel that way about some restaurants and "big box" stores - anything with a cement floor that makes it noisier and more uncomfortable.

WriterMom

I too have had this experience at different times and in different places. I don't know if it is blood sugar or anxiety or both. I have had this feeling when driving on the express ways and have had to exit. Funny thing is, I usually feel better when I am off the freeway so I am guessing it is anxiety.

Some months are better than others, but I often have to push myself to go out. Passing out is one of my greatest fears. I just want to feel normal again.