Poll: Does panic override your ME symptoms?

[Wishful]

A member mentioned that a panic event (pipe burst) allowed her to override her brainfog/lethargy for long enough to stop the flooding. I've had similar experiences. So, I'm wondering whether the brain's panic mechanism can override ME symptoms, at least temporarily. I added some extra options, since some people might not be sure, or they're not sure of their memories of an event many years past.

I've also had non-panic situation, but tasks that had to be done, and managed to finish them Replacing my roof was a strenuous task, and I didn't feel as brainfogged/lethargic as I expected. So, feel free to mention any non-panic activities that overrode your expected hurdles due to ME symptoms.

 

[wabi-sabi]

Isn't this a variation on the push-crash issue? When I was mild I had a time when I needed to dig my car out of the snow (back from an airplane trip) and was able to do it with the help of the airport van driver. At the time I didn't really understand ME/CFS and I was marveling how I could muster the energy to do that while knowing I would not be able to do it again the next day. As I got more severe this ability to push got smaller. There was a time (when I was crashed) my mother needed to call the ambulance for my father and I could not get out of bed and help. I had to lie there and ignore it so as not to panic and crash worse.

 

[Wishful]

Isn't this a variation on the push-crash issue?

No, it's just focusing on the push part. Whether you crash or not after the event is a different issue.

I think your snow digging counts as yes for the poll, since you had ME symptoms at the time. Losing the boost effect at a later date doesn't change that. If it is a common effect, then the change in it over time or other factors is worth studying.

 

[southwestforests]

I expect is probably result of some kind of adrenaline flood from flight or fight effects of the panic.

While a crash afterward is beyond the specific narrow issue here, the crash after the adrenaline wore off was big.

 

[hapl808]

So, feel free to mention any non-panic activities that overrode your expected hurdles due to ME symptoms.

Nah, panic events screw up my nervous system.

But I can 'override' my symptoms with my will - it's not that hard. Just leads to an immediate and prolonged crash (at which point I will no longer be able to do that in a crash).

Like if I needed to sound 'normal' on a phone call, usually I can do it (depends how bad my voice has gotten and if I'm coughing). If it's a good day for my voice, I can project and sound energetic and focus - but it will lead to a multi-week crash. Then when I'm in a crash, I couldn't do it because my voice is gone, I'm coughing and hacking, etc.

I don't really think it's particularly relevant. Like if you break your foot and tear some tendons, you can usually walk through the pain if you have to do it - but it's going to mess up your foot even worse.

 

[Blazer95]

panic crashes me since it uses a lot of adrenalin and other resources. glad i havent had a panic attack in the last 12 months-ish

 

[wabi-sabi]

Yes, if we specifically separate a panic attack from an event the requires adrenaline and pushing, they are different for me. A panic attack will crash me, like any other emotional upset. I have a suspicion that these emotional induced crashes are worse than activity induced crashes. A push that requires adrenaline, like the snow shoveling I can no longer do, does crash me (I mean it's a push so it's followed by a crash!), but it's just not at all like having a panic attack!

Panic attacks feel horrible before during and after, while adrenaline pushing can even feel good, especially if it's for something fun like snow.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

But I can 'override' my symptoms with my will - it's not that hard. Just leads to an immediate and prolonged crash (at which point I will no longer be able to do that in a crash).

ditto

Recent example of pushing despite- I broke a glass in my bedroom

Glass shards went everywhere.

Nobody else was here, and I could not even get out of the corner of the room.

And I"ve already had the $800 Urgent Care trip to remove broken glass from my foot.

Not only did I have to clean it up, I had to squat, and not move while doing so. Took me oh two hours to deal with this unplanned disaster.

- Similar event occurred, broken water pipe in kitchen.

Everybody else is so helpless. I am the Fixer. I figure out what broke and I'm underneath the dishwasher.


- of course I crash severely after such incidents. And I would not describe it as my ME was suspended. Crossing out suspended.... overriden is more like it.

 

[Estel]

As I believe I'm the member in question (not a euphemism), I did vote yes. But I think it's important to distinguish between panic (or sever anxiety) and crisis. I've had an anxiety disorder for many years and have experienced panic attacks. That kind of overwhelming anxiety is exactly that, overwhelming, and has a negative impact on my symptoms. I have, however, always been good in a crisis and crises do tend to momentarily snap me out of some or all of my symptoms with no crash afterwards. Shrug.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

That kind of overwhelming anxiety is exactly that, overwhelming, and has a negative impact on my symptoms.

I agree with what your saying.

I did not have a panic attack over the broken glass. I had anxiety, because it was immediately very difficult.

I have immediate panic attacks over dental issues. I managed to get that to stop for about four years but it returned. Need it to stop, please stop.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

I have, however, always been good in a crisis

somehow I was built for crisis. Then, a while later, I collapse.

 

[wabi-sabi]

That kind of overwhelming anxiety is exactly that, overwhelming, and has a negative impact on my symptoms. I have, however, always been good in a crisis and crises do tend to momentarily snap me out of some or all of my symptoms with no crash afterwards. Shrug.

This difference is exactly what I was trying to explain. For me, both situations are bad and cause PEM (although I can power through a crisis, but not a panic), but a panic attack just feels so awful in a way that a crisis doesn't.

 

[hapl808]

I have, however, always been good in a crisis and crises do tend to momentarily snap me out of some or all of my symptoms with no crash afterwards. Shrug.

I've always been good in a crisis. It does not snap me out of my symptoms, unfortunately - I'm just able to 'override' them with my mind temporarily. The crash afterwards is horrific and sometimes a permanent decline.

Even when I was mild years ago, I noticed this. I was always exhausted in the morning, but if I had a big day, I could just 'turn it on'. Maybe I learned to control my cortisol / adrenaline. So whether I slept 8 hours or 2 hours, I could appear to have the same level of energy for a busy day. But I always, always crashed afterward - and it was always horrible. I'd get so exhausted that I was nauseous with fatigue and felt like I was poisoned. I never understood what it was, though.

I think the PEM and crashes is one of the most distinguishing factors for this type of illness, compared to other flavors.

 

[Estel]

I've always been good in a crisis. It does not snap me out of my symptoms, unfortunately - I'm just able to 'override' them with my mind temporarily. The crash afterwards is horrific and sometimes a permanent decline.

Override and snap out is a bit of a fine distinction and I'm not sure I could tell you which one is actually the case. If something goes terribly wrong sometime soon, I'll see if I can parse it out.

I do get PEM from other things. This just doesn't happen to be one of them. Though when and why I get PEM tends to be frustratingly unpredictable, My symptoms do come back when the crisis is over, but without any noticeable change in severity. Again, shrug.

 

[Wishful]

Okay, I should have used "crisis situation" ore even "exciting situation" instead of "panic". Since I don't have panic attacks, the word has only vague meaning for me.

It would be interesting if some people who could barely move due to ME could move normally when in crisis mode.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

but a panic attack just feels so awful in a way that a crisis doesn't.

I could not even explain them (panic attacks) for a few years. They are so WEIRD.

The time I got one REALLY BAD, I had not slept, on an airplane. I then pretty much decided I'm having a coronary and I'm going to die right now. I drove myself down 10 minutes to my doctors office, where I was told about gator aide.

For many years now, I don't get any help at doctors offices.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

I have not been overriding any crises very often here lately.

 

[wabi-sabi]

I have not been overriding any crises very often here lately.

Yep. most often they override me.

 

[Wishful]

I drove myself down 10 minutes to my doctors office, where I was told about gator aide.

That is awful, but I'm having a smile right now imagining the office team doing a song&dance number advertising Gatorade.

 

[southwestforests]

where I was told about gator aide.

the office team doing a song&dance number advertising Gatorade.

Totally on a gator tangent so as to have a smile distraction in the middle of all this;


Mid-1970s we lived on base housing at the Naval Weapons Station near Charleston, South Carolina,
which was kind of surrounded by swamps,
& while I can't recall what we were told about how it all began,
There was an alligator who would come when you went to the park and called out in to the swamp,
"Margaret!"
And pretty soon here would come this pair of eyes and a nose gliding toward you through the swamp water.
And you would toss the giant chocolate marshmallows one by one from the big bag you got at the little PX.
And Margaret would swim along scooping them up.
And she would come as close to you as you dared toss the marshmallows.