I have anxiety attacks: Recently-twice, I smelled a chemical type smell right b-4 the attack!!!!!?

Question

I can only describe the smell as a chemical smell, not alcohol but almost a sterile type smell. I was working on the computer, then I just smelled something funny and had a rush of panic set in. I was numb, weak, shaking and my heart was racing ( all typical anxiety symptoms) except, the intense smell......... What happened to me?
It was definitely not coming from inside my office and no one was sitting around me. Did my brain release something or what....... also, what does this mean.....is it serious? ......can it happen again.
Is this a sign of something unrelated to my panic attacks? Please let me know asap. I am taking Lexapro and the occassional valium.
TY
CARLA

Answer 1

I've never heard of the odor being associated with a panic attack before. I would call the Dr that prescribed those medications to you and see what they say. Also, if your already on the Lexapro and your still having anxiety to the point that your having panic attacks then I think your med is not working for you. There are several medications on the market that do the same thing as Lexpro. Sometimes getting medications like that right takes some fine tuning.

Answer 2

You definitely need to see a neurologist. Your symptoms sound very much like my husbands. We also thought they were a panic attack or something. Long story short, we discovered they were actually small seizures, or partial seizures. Depending on what area of the brain is seizing, intense, memorable scents are often a side effect of the seizure. My husbands hand would start to go numb and get tingly, then his whole arm, and then most of his upper body. He also had to sit, or he felt like he would fall down. His vision tunneled and he was unable to understand people talking to him. He also felt a Deja Vu feeling (which is actually very common) all these symptoms only lasted 30 sec - 1 min. We ignored his small seizures for a long time, chalking them up to stress. (not to mention men are impossible to get to the Dr.) Eventually he began having the kind of seizures you see on TV, with shaking and unconsciousness. (they are called Grand Mal's) If we had sought treatment earlier, we could have avoided those with the proper meds. I would check it out.

Answer 3

In consultation homeopaths always ask about smell, it is a powerful trigger of memory and emotions. Whether you actually smelled something or had an olfactory memory isn't that important. I'd say the key is dealing with your anxiety attacks. Whatever drugs you take are only going to palliate or cover up symptoms. Consider dealing with what is behind these attacks.

Answer 4

Those symptoms might be related to what you are currently taking orally. Those could be some kind of bad side effects of the meds. Pls. refer to your meds, call a Pharmacist, or call your Gen. Physician. It sounded like a very serious matter that can affect you internally. I would call and seek professional help.

Answer 5

See a neurologist.

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escitalopram