Anxiety/Panic Attack problem in the car

[pa89]

Hi Medhelp. I am 21 yrs old and for the past 10 or so months I have suffered from anxiety/panic attacks. I think my problem started after a stressful time, and out of the blue I had a panic attack whilst driving. I was then OK for a few months, but slowly my anxiety got to a point where I was having panic attacks every week, so I went to my doctor, who prescribed me Citalopram/Celexa/Cipramil. These made my anxiety and panic attacks much much worse and I had to come off of them as I was absolutely terrible whilst taking them. I was then prescribed a beta-blocker, Propranolol (40mg a day) which has stopped most of the panic, although i'm still suffering mainly in the car and when in the shops. Sometimes when I drive or i'm out i'm completely fine, and other times I can be terrible. I think i'm more scared of having a panic attack rather than driving itself. I'm not depressed, and I enjoy(ed) driving.  It is a very frustrating experience for me and I just wish to drive and go out as normal once again. The only way I can explain the panic is before I go out/drive I have a feeling of nervousness/anticipation like before I go on holiday. My main symptom during an attack is chest tightness, but sometimes the feeling is between the abdomen and the chest. I also seem to burp a lot after an attack which relieves a lot of the tight feeling. After the panic also, my chest muscles normally ache a lot, it's an absolutely horrible feeling.

Could there be another cause for this? Another medical cause? I do have backache quite often and I don't exercise that much although i'm a healthy weight. I would be appreciative of a response, thanks.

[gooddaysbaddays]

I would call your doctor and get a full physical to include blood work...checking out hormones as well....  I live with severe anxiety and panic attacks....I see a therapist and he has helped me a great deal...we do EMDR to help treat me and it is amazing....has helped so much in my everyday life...google it and get more info.  I also take xanax as needed and I don't need it all that often any more!  there is help for you and life will get so much better.  I am only giving you my life scenerio but it helped and I don't think it would hurt...therapy is great for everyone!!!!  call your doc and see what they think!!! hang in there and know that you are not alone!

[pa89]

...and I hiccup a lot

[pa89]

I forgot to mention that a lot of the time the feeling in my chest especially when driving is relieved by burping