Panic attacks, are they a separate issue to thyroid or adrenals?

[Paula101]

I wonder if anyone can help. I now recognise I've been enduring daily panic attacks these last 2 weeks.

The last time I had these was 25 years ago.

If anyone experiences these, what do you take that helps them?

Thank you all

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Probably time to get a full Thyroid and vitamin test. See you changed to NDT 3 months ago. Have you had blood testing since changing?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If also on T3, or on NDT make sure to take last dose is approx 12 hours prior to test

[Paula101 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SD.

I've not done bloods since being on NDT, thus far just been going on symptoms.

It's since 2 weeks ago I've been tipped over the edge & suffering panic attacks due to a family members lengthy illness & wondered if anyone had any remedies or some such.

Thank you for replying🙂

[ShinyB in reply to Paula101]

I take Adrenavive II to support the adrenals.

Diet - keep off sugar and reduce carbs. Eat plenty of fat (but not trans fats or hydrogenated fats). Make sure you eat regularly. Have a good breakfast with protein. Avoid dips in your blood sugar levels. Avoid too much alcohol. Avoid stimulants such as coffee or nicotine.

Adaptogens, such as Siberian Ginseng, can help to balance out cortisol levels.

Don't be afraid to eat salt. It helps the adrenals.

Meditation/relaxation exercises help.

Walks help - movement and fresh air.

Google breathing exercises & anxiety - there are lots of different breathing exercises which help reduce adrenaline and calm you. If I'm so worked up that I can't even focus on doing that, I sometimes just hold my breath for as long as I can - when I let it out again, I feel calmer.

A 'gratitude journal' helps - just jot down a few things each day that you're grateful for,

Distraction techniques can help - if you're really absorbed in something, it switches off the panic brain!

[Paula101 in reply to ShinyB]

Sorry SB I did respond but didn't hit reply under your post.

Thanks for your suggestions. When your head is numb & you can't think straight, it's really helpful to get some reminders. I've got Adrenavive so will give it a whirl & will keep a list of your other suggestions.

Thanks again 🙂

[ShinyB in reply to Paula101]

I know the feeling! I started writing stuff done in a little notebook of 'Things that Work for Me' - but I still have to remember to look at it! LOL. Hope you feel better soon x

[Paula101 in reply to ShinyB]

Bless you, thanks👍🏻😊

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Paula101]

Excess stress hormones benefit from some mild exercise to get them lower

Magnesium supplements can be calming too

But you may need dose adjustment in Thyroid hormones or vitamins.

[Paula101 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry SD, just realised I hadn't said thank you for this post.

Thank you 🙂

[humanbean]

From my own personal experience I think jitters, anxiety, panic, and cortisol are all related.

[Paula101 in reply to humanbean]

I still need to sort another saliva test out, thanks for your help.

[zerendipity]

I have a long history of mood disorders that started in my early twenties. Once I got my thyroid meds in order it did improve a lot, but I do get anxiety during very stressful times. I have been on various medications for anxiety and they do work, but also made me very drowsy. Also, I was afraid of being addicted so I just suffered through the anxiety. I have tried amino acids with some success but currently I am relying on CBD (3%) oil and it works wonderfully without making me sleepy. It was of great help during my uni final project.

[Paula101 in reply to zerendipity]

I have some CBD oil, thanks for the reminder. It's hard to forget things when you're in the thick of it. Thank you 🙂

[thyr01d in reply to Paula101]

Paula I LOVE your comment above - exactly the kind of thing I say "it's hard to forget things ...."!!!

Seriously though, as a Counsellor whose been studying panic attacks, I'd recommend some counselling, on the NHS if poss though perhaps privately while waiting for your appointment. I've been studying the brain and the causes and effects of anxiety/fear/panic etc - the sooner you can change the brains patterns, the better.

I really hope you feel much better soon.

[Paula101 in reply to thyr01d]

Hello 🙂

Thanks for your post as it highlighted an error I made in my post. I was actually meant to put ..... "it's hard to remember things when you are in the thick of it".

I always have to write things down to remember. Sorry about that.

[thyr01d in reply to Paula101]

That's why it was such a great post - we all knew exactly what you meant and it was funny because most of us do exactly the same.

[humanbean in reply to thyr01d]

Unfortunately, once someone has been diagnosed with panic attacks or anxiety and has been sent for counselling/CBT, then every symptom they go to discuss with a doctor will be put down to anxiety or depression, and getting taken seriously will be impossible.

[thyr01d in reply to humanbean]

Oh, I didn't know that could happen, how awful. That means then that in order to avoid the risk people need to pay for private treatment so it's not on their NHS records, how unfair.

On a positive note though, my own daughter suffered from anxiety and depression and her GP is excellent and has never suggested anything since is related to that episode.

[humanbean in reply to thyr01d]

Maybe doctors just decided they didn't like me then when I was a teenager - because I was severely depressed then.

I think my notes were coded to say I was an attention-seeker, hypochondriac, waste of space at that time. That was 45 years ago. I can still go and see staff in the NHS who have never met me before, know nothing about me, and yet when they look me up on their computers they scowl at me like they just smelled something nasty.

[thyr01d in reply to humanbean]

Oh Humanbean I know exactly what you mean and it's horrid. I will PM you.

[Paula101 in reply to zerendipity]

.....the post from thyr01d has highlighted an error I made. I was meant to say

"It's hard to remember things when you are in the thick it" sorry for the confusion.

[Paula101]

Thank you so much. I'll keep your suggestions to hand. I've felt like my brain is frozen & cant think normally.

It's really very very helpful, thanks 🙂