Hi all, I'm new to the forum but unfortunately all too familiar with panic and wondered whether others have experienced my "latest" panic symptom. I have noticed that my attacks now seem to be heralded by a feeling of weakness / paralysis in my left arm followed by overall numbness and weakness, like I'm floating away. I know that the weakness and paralysis isn't "real" because I can use my left arm, lift heavy things, etc. while its happening. But it scares me absolutely to death because I think I'm having a stroke and then the rest of the symptoms get rolling. Its only happened about 4 or 5 times in the past 6 months, but its a somehwat new symptom and has me worried (attacks in the past were more along the lines of being unable to breathe and racing heart)
I am only 29 years old and am otherwise healthy - have had all the diagnostic tests for heart problems, etc. and was diagnosed with classic panic disorder 6 years ago. I took Zoloft for 2 years and was panic free, but stopped because I felt things were fairly under control.
The other complicating factor is I live in the Democratic Republic of Congo where I manage a health project - so I don't really have access to specialized doctors or a support network.
Has anyone else felt this paralysis/weakness thing - its making me crazy!
