Hi to everyone and congratulations on such a good website.
I am new to the site but sadly not new to panic attacks or anxiety. Had a bad spell in 2002 and breifly went on meds (citalopram) for 6 months - came off meds and carried on having panic attacks, anxiety, racing heart, rapid pulse and all the other horrid things BUT managed to keep it under control without meds - job, partner etc. In the last six months a new terror has struck and I now feel helpless and hopless. Started off with waking at night every ten/fifteen mins with a jump anmd a gasp as if my heart was about to stop or I had not breathed. Some nights were o.k. In June, following a horrendous time with my relationship and a very very stressful job; began to wake at night with a very rapid heart rate and sweating shaking. Happened once or twice, then in October was much worse - partner called an ambulance - had the whole paramedic thing - ecg at hosp which was normal - ended up at GP who tested thyrpid but no problems although have been having inverstigations for thyroid cancer due to a lump in neck- results are inconclusive and am awaiting further scan in June. GP said that as I had been on citalopram before I could obviously tolerate it - he said my racing heart was a panic attack and that I would need to be on citalopram for the rest of my life. Have not taken them for fear of side effects and certainly do not want to be on that type of med for the rest of my life.
In past few weeks racing heart has got much worse - I wake suddenly - always a couple of hours after dropping off - heart rate has been upto 166 with BP AT 162/99 at one point. Takes bout fifteen mins to settle - happened twice on monday and cos I had no sleep went to bed when I got in tonite and it happened at seven thirty. Am now terrified that I will have a heart attack as my heart can't cope with the strain. Also no sleep for days and I part of my job is to drive to visit clients - my partner is away during the week and I am very very very scared that I will collapse with no-one around though I know a neighbour could help but when my heart is gpoing like the clappers i am not sure what I am doing. Why IS THIS HAPPENING FROM SLEEP WHEN I HAVENT FELT ANXIOUS DURING THE DAY. Sorry this is so long and moany but I dont know what to do - hardly go to my GP but always feel labelled as anxious and that they just throw cipramil at you without finding out first what is wrong - IS MY HEART OK - I AM GOING THROUGH THE PERI-MENOPAUSE WHICH IS HORRENDOUS AT THE MOMENT. aNY HELP ANYONE SORRY TO KEEP ON
bEST WISHES TO EVERYONE OUT THERE - THINKING OF YOU ALL X