Question:
Howdy. I am trying to diagnose whether I am having panic attacks or some actual
physical problem or a mixture of both. I have only had two really bad attacks
over the last 2 months, but each has come and gone several times over 2 or 3
days. During thee periods, however, I notice that my urine smells kind of odd.
It seems pretty unlikely that it is a coincidence. i was wondering if anyone
else here experiences this, and if they might know what it is. Does adrenoline
smell odd when it is released in the urine stream? Could this be potassium
excrete due to a CO2 imbalence? What else could it be?
Answer:
I'd go with the adrenoline, after a severe attack I can smell a strong musty
odor from my sweat. I attribute that to the "smell of fear". Plus K doesn't have
much of an odor.
Well... also keep in mind that our sense of smell varies allot,
sometimes due to anxiety levels and subsequent nasal problems.
Nonetheless, if you feel this indicates a medical problem,
best to consult your doctor about a urine test.
No nasal problems or anything like that, this is actually odd smelling urine.
Other people verify this. I don't think it indicates a medical problem in
iself, I am just hoping it can provide some clues as to what is going on for me
as I don't seem to fit into any of the anxiety disorder categories yet I have
periods of stress, the worst of which have been accompanied by off physical
symptoms and this urine thing. i would think if it was adrenoline, then (1)
everyone in this group would have experienced the same thing; and (2) I would
get the same odd feeling when I do other things that cause a rise in adrenoline
(exercise, etc.).
Some physical problems can mimic things like panic disorder and if you
have not had a physical exam you might get one soon. It may be
coincidence or you may be noticing something that is going on physically
that is related to your attacks. The idea that it is adrenaline however
doesn't seem likely to me.
Nope, my diet has been consistent. The attacks were 8 weeks apart and the
urine smell lasted for several days when the anxiety was at its worst both
times. Completely separate meals were eaten those different periods as well as
within each period. Its clearly somehow linked to the anxiety, like an
aftereffect of the anxiety, or perhaps whatever caused the anxiety (although I
doubt the latter). I am not on meds or any vitamins or anything - nothing was
done these two time periods that wasn't done many times before without a change
in urine smell. I'm not looking for ideas, just similar experiences. Wild
guesses get me nowhere.
