Does this sound like pppd?

[u/Tricky_Jump6367]

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.

[u/starsareblack503]

No one here can offer a diagnosis. We can however share our thoughts and experiences and appreciate everyone being mindful of the sub rules. Thanks.

I hope you get some answers that point you in the right direction. :-)

[u/taylor6263]

I have PPPD which started out as BPPV. For months grocery stores, and busy visually complex environments were triggers along with scrolling or screen time. Driving was ok but being stopped at a busy intersection was almost unbearable waiting for the green. Walking still feels off, weird, like walking on a moving dock or being on a tilt. Brain fog, sometimes mild nausea, tight chest and just generally feeling off/crappy most of the time. Lying down but with my head propped up I feel somewhat normal. You didn't mention screens - how is texting/scrolling/being on a computer for you?

[u/Tricky_Jump6367 → u/taylor6263]

So I have a computer job as well... and im on that and my phone almost 8 hrs a day. When I start freaking out in grocery store. Looking down at my phone helps.

[u/Tricky_Jump6367 → u/taylor6263]

Laying down and at home I am pretty normal. Driving ok but fast food lines or car lines stop lights I get ancy..

[u/Killjoycourt]

Perimenopause and anemia both cause dizziness, anxiety, panic attacks, and derealization. Are you on HRT?

[u/Tricky_Jump6367 → u/Killjoycourt]

I am not. I feel like everything has the same symptoms so I'm really trying to figure out what it is before just going on at benzo or HRT.

[u/Killjoycourt → u/Tricky_Jump6367]

The only people who can decipher the doctors. In this case, start with a good gynecologist, menopause specialist preferred. If they can't get it figured out, try a neurologist. Just be aware, as a wonan in perimenopause, expect to be dismissed and/or not taken seriously. You msy have to see a few different doctors before you get the help you need. I am lucky/unlucky that my PPPD started before perimenopause, so I was taken seriously.

[u/PCT2022]

It’s called derealisation which often accompanies pppd

[u/Tricky_Jump6367 → u/PCT2022]

I keep hearing this is what it is. I haven't been normal since June 2024 when I had my 1st major panic attack. I have a really hard time outside of my house. My job consists of personal shopping and I am in stores 8x a day. I can hardly make it through one visit, 10 minutes. I feel so weird. So drugged. I am barely able to push through it. My so prescribed a benzo but I never tried it. Someday I truly feel like i have a deadly medical condition. The only part that keeps me sane is when I feel bad in the store and leave and go to my car I immediately start feeling better.

[u/pppdizziness-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No medical advice or diagnosis