My Panic Attack Solution

I started having symptoms for no apparent reason couple years ago. Well i had one episode but didn’t look into it. I then had another attack few months later. I then went to the doctors to see what it was. Since then they got to the point where i was having one every couple of days or so. The attacks start off with shaking then anxiety and it works up to my chest then my heart rate starts going even faster than normal then very light headed. my breathing is also effected. After the attack im completely wiped out. The attack lasts for several minutes. I had three attacks in the space of an hour. This to me looks like a panic attack or something however the attacks werent constant. One time i was walking on a beach and another time i was sitting in college both times an attack occurred at quite a severe level one of which landed me in hospital.

I have had ECGs done which showed my heart rate is fast. i was put on beta blockers for couple of months. I had blood work done consisting of LFT, TFT, Glucose, U&Es and FBCs which all came back fine. I have also had a 24Hour ECG which showed everything was fine apart from when i logged feeling as though an attack was coming so im assuming palpitations it showed i had an extra heart beat. The doctor said this was fine so my hearts ok. My doctor told me to ween myself off beta blockers which i did. I dont know whether being on beta blockers at the time would have affected the results but i was told to keep taking them. While on the beta blockers i had many side effects to them but it also felt like my body needed to have one of these "attacks" to feel better. I could feel the tension building up. I have since then had another blood test to re-test the TFT levels and these came back fine again. Both my nan and mum have had thyroid problems.

I now also feel run down all the time. tired. i also have unexplained weight loss and feel so ill and rough everyday. my eye sight also seemed to be effected. fast heart rate. feel slow and sluggish. tremor. My blood pressure is fine though. Feel weak. however i haven’t had massive attacks in a while. I do have to eat sugary sweets every now and then espesh in an attack just to feel a bit better and less shaky. Been tested for Diabetes and Anemia. that’s all fine. We were so sure that it was Thyroid as palpations could have been causing the attacks as well which comes with the Thyroid package. Could it be that the Thyroid levels are just not at a certain level to be considered as a problem yet? im 20 years old and female.

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks for reading.

Symptoms suggestive of hyperthyroidism:
Anxiety
Racing heart
Restlessness
Shortness of breath
Tendency to flush
Tremor
Hunger
Dislike of heat
Increased sex drive
Increased sweating
Insomnia
Itchy, inflamed eyes
Loss of muscle tone
Mood swings
Muscle weakness
Overactive mind

Others may notice:
Agitation and nervousness
Argumentative
Changes in your eyes
Don’t look as fit as before
Very moody
Very talkative
Weight loss

Your doctor may detect:
Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm)
Low blood pressure
Rapid pulse

Thyroid problems can run in families – my identical twin had an under-active thyroid when she was 25 and I finally got diagnosed with the same thing 2 years ago, but it took a great deal of perseverance on my part to convince the GP my TSH blood test results were not ‘normal’. The problem is that the British Medical Association has been changing the ‘goal posts’ re what falls within ‘normal’ parameters, resulting in thousands of people suffering with thyroid problems going undetected. Get another opinion and insist they take into account your symptoms and challenge them on the TSH results – demand a detailed breakdown including Free T4 (FT4) and Free T3 (FTc) results. Record all your symptoms from when they started and show the GP your list. And get hold of the book ‘The Healthy Thyroid’ by Patsy Westcott published by Thornsons – ISBN 0 00 714661 2 (2003 edition) Go to: http://www.thorsonselement.com

Be polite. Be explicit. Be determined. Assure your GP that you want to work with him so you can get back to normal, then suggest you try a course of Thyroxine for a few months to see if that makes a difference to your TSH levels. If anybody tries to fob you off, look them in the eye, smile and refuse to leave till they begin to take you seriously! Been there, done that.