During the attack Friday night, I finally noticed that I breathe like a freight train during that time on the bathroom floor by the bowl (about 1.5 hours). I looked it up and Google has links to hyperventilation causing vertigo, but nothing about vertigo/nausea causing hyperventilation. I don't think its a panic reaction--tried to slow rate down but it feels physiological.
I don't hyperventilate during a vertigo attack but my heart pounds fast and hard. In fact shortly before one starts I feel my heart starting to race.
i curse the attacks and refuse to acknowledge them. This seems to work about 90 % of the time the other 10% it doesn't matter what I try I still go into full vertigo. I have even taken 10 mg of Valium at the beginning of the vertigo and I still couldn't walk or drive for four hours. Walking is more like stumbling. I don't hyperventilate when i'm under attack but I do get sweaty and blood pressure goes up a bit. Sometimes I have had to vomit. So, what ever happens to you during an attack I do believe you will survive and live a long and happy life.
My heart beats very rapidly, I breathe heavily, sweat, then get chills, sometimes shake....let's see, what else. We get it all, don't we? Margie
In my opinion, you're working yourself into a panic attack. I used to always keep a small paper bag in the bathroom for those times. Sometimes it helps to have someone with you telling you to just breathe normally and help you through it. I'm sorry this is happening to you, I've been exactly there. I kept a small pillow, a throw blanket and a dark cloth to cover my eyes in the bathroom at all times. I also cleaned that toilet bowl everyday. Yes,the sweats when you strip and the chills, it's all part of it. I think it's just your body's way of coping. I'm hoping that knowing that these things are a part of it, sometimes, and that others have had the same experiences will help you. I've had people tell me to control it, that it's a mind over matter thing. Yeah well, they have never been there. Easy to say, not so easy to do. Now, the scary part, I've actually passed out from hyperventilating. It is very important to realize that if that happens you will be fine. Try to breathe through it the best you can and remember it will pass.