Hi everyone. I have been on DS for over 2 years now but new to this support group. Had a couple of panic attacks about 2 1/2 years ago and they blew over. Mostly stress and going over this one scary bridge (double decker) near my house. I am a claims adjuster and drive a lot for a living. Years went by, no further episodes. Then, every now and again, would get into a stressful situation and would get light headed and my heart would race and I would hyperventilate (ie: going up a hill on a roller coaster, getting upset with work, certain driving conditions.) They would not last more than 5-20 minutes or after the stressful situation was done, so I lived with it. About 6 months or so ago, I began having panic attacks on a regular basis, mostly while driivng or just sitting in a car waiting for my son to get out of school. The one time it got so bad, I thought I was having a heart attack and quickly got myself to the Dr's. EKG, echocardiogram, etc. All normal. He gave me antibiotices and antivert for ear infection and within a few days I felt better. But then they came back 2 months later with a vengeance. Almost every day, lasting hours.

Feeling like I am going to faint, light headed, naseaous, heart racing, can't catch my breath. Sometimes I feel like my throat is closing up. I try deep breathing, sipping water, etc. But it has been building and building. They are daily now and Thursday, it started at 8am while driving 2 1/2 hrs to a claim I was going to. It is so scary to be driving and feel like that. Usually, getting out of the car and walking around helps me feel better. But Thursday, it never stopped. Over 13 hrs later and I still couldn't breathe and my heart was still racing. I exercise on a treadmill 2-3 times per week and do 5 minute jog/walk intervals and I am ok! I get my heart rate up to 174 then slow down and walk for 5 minutes. Thursday night, it felt like I was on that treadmill for 13 hrs straight. I have never been so scared in my whole life. I tried relaxing, meditation, laying down, etc for hours and could not get my heart rate down.

I finally had the hotel call 911 and went to the hospital. After 15-20 minutes of being on oxygen and an IV, all of a sudden, I felt normal. Normal breathing, normal heart rate. A little whoozy, but hey, after 13 hrs, figured that was to be expected. ALL tests came back normal- cat scan, chest xray, all kinds of blood work.

The Dr says anxiety attacks. He prescribed Xanax. I started taking yesterday. Going to try to get into my reg Dr tomorrow or Tuesday. Had to call my boss and tell him for now, can only drive to local claims. I am just too scared to go distance driving. I think I scared the daylights out of myself feeling like "what if I have a panic attack and I am 2 1/2 hrs away from home, what will happen?" And I guess I just scared myself into having the worst panic attack of my life.

My husband doesn't work (he is self employed and works part time from home, and undiagnosed depression if you ask me.) 13 year old son with ADHD and anger issues. And a stressful job. But I feel awful and stupid. I mean I have dealt with stress all my life. Why now? Why me? I CAN"T afford to shut down. I have always thought of myself as an extremely strong person. I have been through a lot and survived it all and consider myself so blessed with all that I have and all that I have achieved. And compared to so many others, I am truly blessed with all that I have. I rarely feel sorry for myself.

Thanks for listening and letting me vent. I feel alone and scared. I am praying to feel normal again. I used to really enjoy driving. I drove to Floriday by myself, 1000 miles each way, and was fine! Now I can't even drive to the grocery store. I never ever take medication unless I am desperate. But now, I am desperate. Praying that the Xanax helps. Also going to try some self help books. One person recommended openfocus.com.