Panic Attacks - Wind Gap,PA

My husband was getting panic attacks until he was put on anti-depressants to calm the anxiety. He's a very high-level anxious person, so he's on some pretty high doses of meds. If he doesn't take his meds, he shakes like a leaf. My husband sees an internist for his anxiety. I think you need to find another doctor to get another opinion. If untreated, it can get worse. Also, I have heard, but don't have any experience with this, but behaviorial therapy can help with anxiety issues also.

Have you had your thyroid checked? I know this sounds like a very weird question but back in 2006, I was dealing with panic attacks, shortness of breath, loss of weight, rapid heartbeat and fatigue.

My doctor ordered this travel EKG thing or whatever and I had to wear it for 24 hours. It stunk, but it helped them to see if there were any abnormalities in my heart rate. It came back fine and then I went back to get blood work taken.

I started taking these herbs called Nutri Calm, which helped me relax and since it was all natural, that helped. When my herbalist checked me over, she said my adrenal glands were out of whack (that's when she offered Nutri Calm). Come to find out, she was right on my adrenal glands. My throid was like 5.2 and the dr's like it no more than 4. So, I now take Synthroid .05MG once per day. It's worth looking into.

But before any of this stuff happened, I ended up in the hospital twice for Hyperventalating. It was awful!!!! The first time I hyperventalated, my mom took me to the ER and ran in to get a nurse and I remember her saying I was hyperventalating. I swore I was having a stroke because my hands started tingling and they drew up, like I had no control. Then my lips puckered and I couldn't talk. That's why I swore I had a stroke. Finally after the nurses started demanding me to breathe, I did and I was better. But this all happened before I knew I had a thyroid issue. Both ER doctors said I was crazy. I knew something was up and good thing my doctor found out it was my thyroid. I've been on medicine now since 2006 and I'm doing better. I still don't feel as good as I once did. I think once your thyroid goes whacko on you, you still aren't the same, but the good thing is so far I've never had to change the dosage and I've had 3 kids since then too. Although I did just have blood work taken for this a few days ago so hopefully nothing has changed. I feel better too. Once on the medicine, it does take about 4-6 weeks before your body starts to notice the change in the medicine. If you do have thyroid issues, they will monitor it through bloodwork and keep monitoring it every 3 months until you hit 1 year. If you haven't changed dosage in that time, they will usually check it every 6 months and eventually every year.

Sorry for the long response. Good luck.

My husband had horrible panic attacks until he was put on anti depressants. If you asked him, he would have told you had did not have any anxiety either. Only after therapy did he realize that he does have quite a bit of anxiety. Even if you don't have anxiety, I think you should consider the meds. People use antidepressants for a variety of things, some of them having nothing to do with anxiety or depression.

I would see a cardiologist and have them check you for blood clots too. You need a good check up for everything related to heart and circulation and if those are all good then you know it's not that for sure. I don't mean to scare you but I would not just have a doctor say you are fine until testing is done. It could be other things than panic attacks. Please see a good cardiologist soon.

I started getting panic attacks after m 3rd child was born in june of 09. The first panic attack I got was in Nov of 09 and my husband and I was watching a movie at the movie theaters when it came on. I didn't understand what was going on. Kinda freak me out. I had problems with losing my "baby weight" from my son and was so depressed and so tired ALL the time. I got blood work done and came back I have underactive thyroid disease. Which explains EVERYTHING i had. I get them every now and then. The last one I got was March 3, and we were at the Moster Jam show with our kids,my mother,stepdad and 2 brothers. I was perfectly fine and excited but as soon as those trucks came out and the loud noise threw myself into a panic attack. I had to get up and leave my 3 children with my husband because I felt like I was having a heart attack. I spent 15 mins in the bathroom and my mom came in there and gave me some gum and told me to take deep breaths. Once I got back in there and chew the gum my panic attack finally went away. Every now and then I will wake up panic like I can't breath. My mom told me certain things will threw herself into panic attacks. The only meds i'm on is my thyroid and blood pressure.

I was having mild panic attacks. I went to see my therapist who prescribed Ativan. I only take it when I'm feeling anxious. For me the anxiety builds up until I have a panic attack.

I'm also taking an anti-depressant, Wellbutrin, and a small dose of Abilify. I was taking Zoloft until recently.

I, too, suggest that you will be helped with an anti-depressant. Not all general practitioners feel comfortable prescribing mental health medication. I'm guessing that's why he didn't prescribe something for you. I'd check with a therapist who is able to prescribe medication. My therapist is a Mental Health Nurse Practioner.

I had my first, and hopefully, only panic attack the tuesday after the time change. My twin daughters were laying in bed with me, each one on an arm. We have done this often before as Daddy and I are separated, but it has never bothered me before. This time though, I started to freak out. I think it actually started earlier and I thought it was an asthma attack so I took a puff from the inhaler. I told the girls that they needed to get off of me, RIGHT NOW! They couldn't move fast enough to keep me from loosing it! I jerked my arms out from under them, sat straight up and was breathing like I had run a mile in 15 seconds.
I see a councilor anyway due to the stress I have been under with my job, divorce, etc and he gave me some exercises to do for breathing and relaxing. I did, kind of, feel it coming on and I know not to let my girls lay on me that way any more.
I felt that in all my trying to deal with everything going on, that this was such a set-back, but doc assured me that this sometimes happens when you start dealing with stuff instead of burying it.
Is your doc a family practitioner or a psychologist or psychiatrist? FP's often don't know what to do with this kind of thing, psychologist don't prescribe meds, but a psychiatrist does!

Panic attacks are so horrible to deal with. Been there, you truly feel like you are going to die. I had my first one driving to work. Didn't think I was feeling anxious at all, but all the "stuff" in my life runs through my mind even when I think it doesn't. I think I would consider another doctor. 2 years of panic attacks and no meds? I understand the concept of trying to get through these things without meds, but after 2 years, you should be able to get something to help take the edge off. I take Fluxoitne every day and Clonezepam (sp) as needed. I tried Celexa and it made me more anxious. Good luck, I hope you are able to get some help and don't have to deal with these attacks much longer. What reason does your doctor give you for not needing meds? Anyway, good luck again, no shame in meds, find a new doctor. 2 years of suffering is long enough.