Hi, I'm 32 yrs old and have suffered on and off with panic attacks for the past 5 years. The panic attacks or threat thereof are now more or less constant. My 3 children are 4 yrs, 2 yrs and 9 mths. The frequency and severity of the panic attacks progressively worsened after each child. Following the birth of each child my consultations have become more frequent and extended. My GP and more recently a consultant are now diagnosing extended post-natal depression with panic attacks.
Following the short term prescription of anti-depressants after each child I am now at the point where I have been prescribed with anti-depressants for a minimum of one year and more likely two to three years. However - and here's the crunch - I have also recently had 2 episodes of AF in the early hours of the morning. Each time I ended up in hospital after seeking advice by phone from our health service (I live in Scotland).
Following admission I had ECG monitoring, thyroid tests etc but they could not find anything wrong with my heart. After about 4 hours my heart went back into normal sinus rythym spontaneously. I am now waiting for an echocardiogram and 24hr ECG as an out patient.
The bottom line is that on top of the ever present fear of my panic attacks these recent episodes of AF, which were only 3 wks apart, have really frightened me. Dramatic as it may sound to some I now live in mortal fear of another attack and hate being left alone, especially with 3 dependent babies and toddlers.
On top of the long term anti-depressants my consultant has now also had to prescibe a muscle relaxant for night time to help me sleep. He has also doubled my dose of anti-depressants.
Please, can someone tell me if my panic attacks have triggered my AF or is it a completely separate problem. Even hearing from similar sufferers and sharing experiences would be of some comfort.
Many thanks
Jo
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) reads that I think...great that will be me then but the new improved panic sufferer (me again 
