Please help! Panic attacks/constant panic

[Underwood]

Hi guys, I’ve had anxiety for the past 8-9 years. I was getting awful neurological symptoms like tingling, bad brain fog and a host of other symptoms that have pretty much gone away until recently. I had every test under the sun because I couldn’t believe what my brain was doing to me. To the point where a neurologist said to me you have anxiety and need medication.

Ive been on meds that whole time and went off them for a few months this year - had a massive episode of panic and then went back on. Last sat night, out of nowhere my heart sank, I thought I felt numb in my hands which then lead me to a panic state for hours.now I keep getting random symptoms - sweating, feeling on edge, dizzy, crying.

Im going to the doc this afternoon to ask if I may need a med change. I am just scared this isn’t going to go away. I’m in constant fear I’m going to pass out at the drop of a hat and everyone around me will need to call an ambulance. I almost wish I had a trigger instead of it coming from nowhere. No one at work knows about my anxiety which may make it worse. I just want to know how other people cope with this constant fear of a panic attack and constant overwhelming worry about every cell in my body.

[Jim1891]

In my 40s and started struggling with panic attacks for many years, some so severe I called the ambulance as I thought I was having a heart attack.

I live a very active life, my life problems are very minor, so no real stressors.

When a panic attack would hit it would be out of nowhere with palpitations, a rush of adrenaline, sweating, brain fog , weak legs ... this would last for 5-10 minutes and then just go away leaving me exhausted.

After an episode I would tremble , and after some sleep feel , almost, back to normal.

I would also have constant thoughts of something wrong with my health, even though I knew this was not true as all medical tests, heart, bowel, blood, brain came back negative, healthy as a horse.

These thoughts were made worse with tight muscles especially in the upper chest area and back.

My only vice is coffee, cut that out, made no difference.

The anxiety got so bad that meds seemed like the only fix with the Dr suggesting I had a serotonin issue....then one day while speaking with a friend about my problems I mentioned that the panic attacks would typically happen a day or two after I had done a lot of physical work or exercise, which I enjoyed. He told me to replace water during the physical \ exercise period with a sports drink to supplement my electrolytes.

The difference that made has been astounding. My panic attacks are gone now for over 6 months, my brain fog has lifted and I am full of energy. It seems, in my case, there was some electrolyte imbalance brought on by the fact I sweat a lot and no matter how much water I drink , or what ate, it wasn't enough , or quick enough to restore balance to my electrolytes possible leading to lack of energy, palpitations, sore muscles, brain fog...all of which can be caused by such an imbalance.

Something worth checking.