hyperthyroidism

My daughter haves what seems like panic attacks.  I have seen these brought on my stress usually, but not always.  She explains it as her chest tightening up, can't breathe, hot flashes and sometimes she throws up if it is really bad.  We are waiting to hear back from a thyroid specialist on what her levels are.  She is not on any thyroid medication yet, but they did confirm that she does have hyperthyroidism.  Does anyone else have these kind of attacks?

[Neicey12]

I got them when I was pregnant or when I got upset. Same symptoms as you mentioned and I would get really really hot and feel like i would pass out. This especially happened if i were crying which you do as a pregnant woman I thought it was due to pregnancy but I am going through tests now and it looks like I have Graves Disease (Hyperthyroidism). My baby just turned 10 months

[yankeeRN]

Yes with hyperthyroid that can happen....there myself..best to not get emotional..only makes it worse..catch 22  When the chest gets tight it is a very scarey feeling..I would call the doctor if she is having these symptoms...today please if you haven't already.

[danie17075rm]

I hate calling them panic attacks.  In was hyperthyroid for the last year.  I found out while I was eating a salad, and I felt like I couldn't breathe and my heart was racing out of my chest.  These are not CLASSICAL panic attacks, which many doctors will not understand.  Your body goes through the attack not your mind.  They do provoke the same consequences as panic disorder though (such as agoraphobia, fear or panic attacks, etc...).  I struggle with them any time my thyroid is not normal.  When I am not hyper or hypo, I am fine and I have never had a panic attack in my life before becoming hyperthyroid.  I recently had my thyroid removed and although I am very hypo at the moment, I feel so much better than I did with the hyper.

What helped me was taking atenolol (beta blocker).  Since my panic attacks were not in my mind, it helped relieved the symptoms of the body.  Also, get some lemonbalm tea.  It blocks thyroid hormone from being hyper, and helps calm you down.  It REALLY helped my panic.  I know what she is going through.  it's horrible.  Mine were so bad at one point that every time I stood up my body would go through one.  I barely left my room.  My doctors used to believe it was all in my head and they would try to pressure me into antidepressants and xanax/ativan.  The xanax never helped a bit and I wouldn't try the antidepressants.  The key is finding a normal zone for the thyroid.  By the way, once she is normal, give it a few months.  Her body is classically conditioned to panic now, and it will take a while to get out of it. I wish you the best.  If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

I am working on my master's degree in health psychology, and all of my studies revolve around thyroid disorders and mental health.