I am thoroughly clueless whether this fits here, but this sounds like one of my PTSD trigger events. When they hit me while watching TV, the trigger was usually a trauma reminder within the programming.

But that is me. . .

Gentle support while you figure what it is for you, Don. Hope you keep up the wonderful improvements in your self-care. It's all connected and, if nothing else, the self-care helps us stay strong enough to carry home. A distraction, like a swim, can be helpful, as well.

(((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
I know in the midst of having an attack or multiple attacks, ya just want it to stop.
There is no quick fix and I want to encourage you to keep up the regimen of exercising, eating better, vitamin D (very important), and there are other vitamins, especially magnesium, and potassium are very important. Nobody seems to get enough potassium as we need 4,700 mg per day and we usually only eat about 1,700....sometimes less.
You more than likely are deficient in other vitamins and minerals. Hydration is another big thing. We don't need 8 glasses unless you are running a marathon or are outside gardening in hot weather.
Make sure you eat Sea Salt or better yet.....Himalayan salt. They won't effect your blood pressure....that is a myth. It may raise it a little, but it won't cause you to suffer from high blood pressure. That's a topic for another day.

Even if you are not diabetic, you need to eat consistently in order to keep your sugars level. The highs and lows of blood sugar alone can send you reeling into the abyss with anxiety.
Deep breathing is excellent for a tight chest . Remember that your heart is to your left, so if the tightness is in the center at the breast bone.....it's probably you heart Chakra opening (I've had tons of the lately) and it is not deadly.....energy is clearing. Breath deeply and it should pass fairly quickly.
The more you resist the anxiety, the worse it will get. I know this is going to sound crazy, but once you feel the anxiety, acknowledge it for what it is....anxiety and not some deadly disease. Deep breath and know it will pass.
The bad news is Benadryl is really hard/bad for your liver and kidneys.

I know it seem hopeless and I wish I could wave a wand and make it go away.
However, it takes time. It takes as much time as you put into it.
Sometimes it is two step forward and then one step backwards.
I'm still detoxing from all the meds I was on and all the damage they did to my body. Yeah.....I cry about it sometimes, but then I put back on my big girl panties and own it like a boss :P
I just take one day at a time and that is all any of us can do.
Know that your mind created the anxiety /panic attacks and it can cure it too.

Drink some decaffeinated chamomile tea before bed. Think good thoughts just before you fall asleep as this sets the tone for the next day.
If you have insomnia, don't fight it, just turn on a boring tv show or read something boring or relaxing and know that if you don't sleep tonight, more than likely, you will sleep tomorrow night.
Gentle ((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))) and hang in there.
Love and light sent your way!

Maybe I have some sort of ptsd. I don’t know I was never in the military although I was around a lot of yelling and throwing of things when I was young. The problem is I’ve never been diagnosed with anything and since I haven’t been to a doctor doctor in several years I guess she’s more concerned about my physical well-being than my mental at this time. It was actually my stomach doctor that gave me the lexapro not my pcp. I did tell her I was prescribed it but she didn’t seem to want me to take it untill I had my blood test results

Don. you have gotten some great replies. PTSD does affect some with military service, but most of us on the PTSD site didn't serve in the military. We had childhood trauma, and/or later ones, that resulted in PTSD. It is crazy making to look for why we are suddenly thrown for a loop. As was said earlier, something triggers us. Over time, we learn more about the triggers. Yelling and throwing things are traumatic for a child to witness. That is scary. Hugs..

Get a new doctor. It’s ok to take something for the symptoms. If they are bothersome enough and disruptive don’t let any quack make you feel awkward for asking for help. I’ve been there. I left and changed doctors. This could be a short term stress reaction. Trust me I know it’s scary. If you check out physically then these attacks will not and can not hurt you. Now is THE BEST time to get a grip on this before it develops into a disorder which many of us here have.