Panic Attacks Anyone?

20+ yrs here of anxiety/panic attacks/deppresion and off and on bouts with agoraphobia. Seems to be some hereditary thing in my family even though scientist are/have argued over this therory. Till about 10 yrs ago I didn't know what was going on, finally once diagnoised I was put on paxil/xanax combo. I refused to take the xanax for yrs because my Mother was addicted to RX meds. But in the last couple years I learned to accept it as life long illness, even though controlable but probably something that I will never get completley over. Once hubby and I seperated I found myself driving again after a 3yrs hiatus, going places alone etc. I have to tell you, the new found freedom completley amazed me. As for the TAH I am so scared it is going to set me back because I am NOT allowed to drive. I dont want that to happen. What I have done is search this board over and again prior to my TAH so that I KNEW some of what to expect after the TAH so I would go into major panic attacks. I am so glad I did cause these hot flashes sure can make you feel like it is a panic attack. I am so happy had I had a chance to read, and read some more from this site prior to the TAH. Praying really hard though that it does not make my panic attacks increase.

I have been having panic attacks since my surgery...it's horrible.

I'm medicated for my anxiety disorder (as well as depression) and I was surprised I was able to keep it under control as well as I did when it came to the surgery. I did need to be sedated while in the prep area for surgery. But I was just tellin DH that I was proud of myself for doing as well as I was. Since the medication, I've been able to get most of it under control. I have noticed that the older I get the worse my claustaphobia gets. I went through a car wash and out of nowhere had a panic attack. Now, for what ever weird reason, I can't go through them anymore. And 2 years ago I suddenly became afraid of putting my head under water. I have never been afraid of the water before. I heard that for some reason as women get older these things seem to happen. A woman I work with who is the same age as me, has noticed she's afraid to put her head under the water too. The mind is the most amazing thing sometimes.

siamuno - I'm sorry your experiencing the panic attacks. Have you considered talking to your dr. about it?

Have you had your thyroid checked? It being off can cause panic attacks.

I posted here months ago about my experience years ago (which had no explanation) but then didn't have them for a long time. Last summer I was inside a closed ride and panic took over. It was the first time in a long time. My thyroid was off. Then last month I was seated in an auditorium 'trapped by the people' in my row and had another attack so I had to move to a seat near an exit door. Again at my last thyroid check, it was off. I had discontinued use of iodized salt and that changed my numbers.

I know that is not the only cause but it should be checked out.