Need support for panic attacks.

[Maya7]

I've been having severe episodes of panic ever since I've been experiencing sinus tachycardia for the past 13 months or so.  Initially the rapid heartrate came on perhaps twice a month and then got worse.  I've been thoroughly checked out by several cardiologists.  I've had an echo done, been twice on halter monitors for 30 days each time, had blood work done and everything came out normal.  The heart monitor showed that I had inappropriate sinus tachycardia, meaning that i would get the rapid heartrate out of the blue while resting.  I was told that it isn't dangerous and that they don't know what causes it.  I was told that it could be unconscious stress. Ever since i've been having these rapid heart beat episodes, i've developed high anxiety and panic attacks and having catastrophysing thoughts such as I'm going to have a heart attack, i'm going to faint, i'm going to die, my heart is going to stop on me.  I get tingly sensations in my arms and legs, I feel like I can't breathe.  I'm especially panicky with driving since the rapid heartrate has happened several times while driving.  I am starting to avoid going places because i'm scared something is going to happen to me.  I just want my normal life back.  I recently switched from paxil to lexapro and i guess i need to give lexapro some time to adjust to my system.  I'm wondering if there are others who are or have experienced what i'm going through.  It's so hard for those who don't experience it to even understand me.  I sometimes feel like I'm going crazy, like I'm losing it.  Please let me know if  you have experienced panic attacks, then how have you learned to cope with them, and if anyone has experienced rapid heart rate and if anxiety could be the cause for it.  I really need support.  thanks.

[mammo]

Panic attacks will make you feel and think you are dying.  I know because I had them so bad I became housbound for the most part, and only after I started getting them at home did I seek help.  They are very frightening.  You know your heart is fine, so this you can relax about.  What happens with a panic attack is the same thing that happens if you are in a very serious situation where you feel the need to fight or run.  For some reason the brain senses we are in a "fight or flight mode" and rushes adrenaline throughout our bodies to give us the energy to do what we need to do.  Since we are not in this mode the adrenaline has nothing to work on and it causes these panic attacks, with the pounding heart, nervousness, sweating, etc.  It's a very normal thing coming at the wrong time. The best thing you can do is start doing something physical to give the adrenaline something to work on, and keep talking yourself down by saying "I'm okay, this is a normal response coming at the wrong time, and will pass."  I had to go on medication for mine with great success.  Try therapy to learn how to cope with this, as I'm sure your very anxious over your tachycadia.  Also, pay close attention to your breathing.  When we're anxious we tend to breathe more shallow, so breathe slowly in thru your nose, and slowly out of your mouth 8-10 times. Your anxiety will make your heart beat faster, so getting this under control will help immensely.  Take care....

[NervousChick90]

The tingly feeling is DEFINITELY from stress, I get this all the time. I, too, also have hypochondriac thoughts. I find that having hypochondria also makes us more in tune with our body. Seriously, if I get an itch I freak out. I think the best thing to do is talk to a close friend or relative. I do this often and then I realize how ridiculous I sound worrying about things. Once you say it out loud and you realize you're going to be okay, it makes the coping easier.