u/GetawaysByTiffany

I’m posting this because I’m genuinely curious if anyone else has experienced anything similar, especially anyone who has dealt with iron-deficiency anemia, anxiety/panic attacks, or perimenopause.

I’ve been anemic pretty much my entire life. For years, my hemoglobin would usually be around 9–10. Doctors would tell me I was anemic and to take iron pills, but it never seemed like a huge concern. I’ll also admit that because I didn't really have noticeable symptoms, I wasn't always consistent about taking them.

Honestly, if I hadn't had children and routine bloodwork over the years, I probably wouldn't have even known I was anemic.

Then everything changed in 2024.

I was driving one day when I had an absolutely terrifying panic attack. I genuinely thought I was having a heart attack and ended up in the emergency room. They discovered that my hemoglobin had dropped to around 6, and I needed a blood transfusion.

I have never felt completely normal since that day.

I have good days and bad days, but unfortunately, I have more bad days than good ones. And when I feel bad, I feel REALLY bad.

The hardest symptom to explain is this strange “drugged” or “high” feeling. I'm obviously not actually high, but that's the closest description I can come up with.

It happens especially when I go into grocery stores, stores with a lot going on, or crowded/public places. I suddenly feel extremely overwhelmed and overstimulated. There's usually no pain. I'm not necessarily nauseated. I'm not always dizzy. I just feel completely OFF—almost disconnected or drugged.

Sometimes I do experience a different sensation where, if I'm standing still, I feel like I'm rocking or swaying on a boat.

When these episodes happen, they can become so intense that I feel like I shouldn't be driving. I feel like I could possibly pass out, even though I usually don't. There isn't anything I can take that instantly makes the feeling disappear, and I cannot simply “push through it.” It can be extremely difficult.

I've also noticed:

• Occasionally my foot will twitch.

• My heart will sometimes race, although other times my heart rate is completely normal when I feel this way.

• My upper chest constantly feels tight—almost like someone is hugging or squeezing the entire upper part of my chest.

• My neck hurts A LOT. I work on a computer, and turning my head left or right can be extremely painful. My traps are constantly very tight.

• Grocery stores and public events seem to trigger the strange feeling much more than being at home.

And that's one of the biggest reasons I keep wondering if anxiety is playing a major role.

At home, I usually feel like myself. Occasionally I'll still feel a little strange, but it's nowhere near as intense as it can be when I'm shopping, driving, or somewhere with a lot of stimulation.

I've wondered a million times what started all of this.

Did becoming severely anemic somehow trigger anxiety in my body? Did that first major panic attack create some kind of anxiety response that I've never completely gotten out of? Is my iron still contributing to it? Could perimenopause be making everything worse? Is my neck tension contributing to some of these sensations? Or is there something completely different going on?

I don't expect anyone on Facebook to diagnose me. I'm sharing this because I want to know if anyone else has experienced this particular “drugged/high/overstimulated” feeling.

It's incredibly frustrating because I WANT to go shopping. I WANT to go places with my kids. I WANT to enjoy public events and normal everyday activities without constantly wondering if I'm suddenly going to feel strange or like I might pass out.

If you've experienced anything similar—especially the drugged/high feeling, feeling overwhelmed in stores, rocking/swaying sensation, or feeling much better at home—please tell me what it felt like for you and what you eventually discovered was causing it.

Sometimes just knowing someone else understands exactly what you're trying to describe helps. ❤️

Today, I was on a 30 min car ride. My seat was reclined. I sat up at end of drive, drank a little soda and got out of the car. My heart started racing sooooo incredibly fast. It scared me. I got back into the car and did my breathing excercises and it calmed down. If it was the caffine... wouldn't it NOT calm down? It wa racing so fast it scared me. Anyone have this?

Does anyone start getting really swaying and weird in stores? I feel like everything around me is not real. I start feeling weird. Swaying when standing too.

Hi. 41 year old F. Diagnosed by doctor with anxiety. I am also anemic (turns out I have been for years and my doctor was not concerned) however, lately I have been dizzy (recently)

Not the spinning dizzy, but the swaying kind. I stand still, I feel wobbly. Only happens when I walk, stand or sometimes sit. I feel best laying down. Doctor still thinks it is anxiety. I have constant neck pain, left shoulder/trapeze pain (i work at a desk all day) I also feel very weird in places like supermarkets, etc. Sometimes I also feel drugged. Like weird. Out of it. Like whatever is happening isn't real and my short term memory is gone.

Sometimes I have head pressure too.

Going to a new doctor, soon...

Has anyone raised hemo/ferritin with something other than an Infusion? I am terrified of infusions. Hoping for the best.

So i had RNY IN 2018. Slightly above my largest incision near belly button, I have sharp pains from time to time. When I lay flat on my back, and push on that area I can feel something that is roughly a hand size mass area. I called my PCP and they want to see me on the 21st. My doc is wondering if it's a hernia or mesh from surgery but idk if I had that.

Question. Does everyone with a deficiency feel bad DAILY or does it come and go? Currently I am at a 330 which says normal within my US doctor labs.

I do not have pins and needles.

I have severe brain fog and possible dissociation and depersonalization.

Again, it comes in espisodes. I feel fine right now typing this message. In 20 minutes, I may feel drugged or weird.

Just want to make sure this is safe. I am anemic. Hemo 8. FERRITIN is a 7. I need infusions. Maybe need B12. It's at 330. Vitamin D 25. My doctor said B12 is normal, but lately... my memory is declining and I feel so much brain fog. Also, might be in Perimenopause... everything hitting me hard.

HI! I need something fun for teens to do. And no Disney or Universal please!

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Also looking for recommendations for a family of seven that won't break the bank.

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Is Kpot worth it? Any other fun experiences???

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Anything I can book or do for teens?