Strange "panic" attacks

[MountainBoye]

I've dealt with what everyone has dubbed panic episodes for almost 5 years. They have progressed gradually from minor to bad. They have become extremely physical (fast shallow breathing, dizziness, pounding racing heart, etc)

I had a terrible one last weekend and seem to have stayed in it ever since. I recognize I may have some anxiety issues, but these attacks seem beyond that. Despite all vitals being great, I'm convinced there is a physiological issue

I've noticed that i get a tightness in my sternum area, like something is tied to my heart/lungs and pulling down. No matter what diet, I always appear bloated. Chiropractic care seems to provide relief. It is what I imagine a hernia feels like. (Been cleared for that). I've recently started Zoloft and they've prescribed me Klonopin and hydroxyzine as well; both of those make me feel great, but the bloated tightness problem is still there which makes me think it's not related to something mental. It seems this triggers me to start breathing more shallow, and seems exasperated by sitting in an automobile.

My mom said she experienced similar problems before having her gallbladder out. Has anyone ever experienced something similar? I'm at my wit's end.

[ciley]

is there some part of your life you would like to change but been unable? i say this because,like me, your anxiety has got worse~

[MountainBoye in reply to ciley]

Nope. I moved about a year ago to a place I always wanted to live. Really nice, got the perfect job, etc. Sure, there are a few things that are not perfect but that's going to happen anywhere.

[ciley in reply to MountainBoye]

YOU ARE LUCKY THEN~I THINK ITS ALL GONE FOR ME~

[HeartoftheTriforce in reply to ciley]

I think it's unfair to say someone is lucky when they are still in pain and suffering from anything. We shouldn't measure pain and compare ourselves to others

[ciley in reply to HeartoftheTriforce]

if you want/need to judge you will

[HeartoftheTriforce]

Panic attacks come in all shapes and sizes. And mental illness can make you sick physically in a lot of different ways. I'm sorry ur not feeling well

[ciley in reply to HeartoftheTriforce]

indeed~this is a new place for me~in some ways i have been lucky ~

[MountainBoye in reply to HeartoftheTriforce]

Thanks. I guess it's hard for me to accept that it's mental rather than physiological. I used to be in excellent shape and this kind of gradually popped up. I guess I didn't see it progressing. It also manifested so physically- my mind has always been sharp.

I still wonder if it couldn't be some effects from a back injury. My wife tells me I have health anxiety, not a good thing for an ex trainer/gym rat to have 😄

[Tigerlilly81]

How is your neck?