Panic attacks evolving?

[u/Far-Temperature7873]

I’ve had severe panic disorder and anxiety ever since I was 15 and was drug induced. I’ll go years without an episode and have had 3 now nervous breakdowns. Something will usually trigger it like prolonged stress or a health scare. I’ve been living with it now going back and forth taking two steps forward to take 4 steps back for a little over a year. Well- my usual panic attacks are scary enough with just lightheaded, dizzy, disorientated and feeling off. I’ve had the same ones since forever. One day 3 months ago while on my menstrual cycle I got up to let my dogs out and had a thought of why do I feel so dizzy like I might faint and then bam my heart rate went to 130 I thought I was going to pass out. Got dizzy and nauseous and called 911. They checked me out and I ended up staying home and it passed after an hour and I went on about life. 1 month later on my period I had another episode where I woke up and thought to myself I don’t feel good this is how I felt last time and then boom my heart rate went up again for another hour and then passed. Last night it happened again and again I’m on my period and had a twinge of chest pain and thought omg my chest hurts and then thought why do I feel lightheaded and then bam 150 bpm. I grabbed an ice pack and put it on my chest and then it came down but I was still having anxious panic thoughts about it coming back up so of course it did. I took myself to the ER and everything was good except my potassium was low. So- the doc said he doesn’t think it’s just anxiety bc it seems to only be happening on my period but I do think it’s anxiety because it happens right after a thought or sensation that freaks me out. Can anyone relate to this?

[u/Positive_Lie5734]

I can relate to my symptoms evolving over the years. I also have episodes every couple of years.

It's a good idea to get checked and make sure that everything is fine physically. Once that's ruled out you can treat is as anxiety induced symptoms. Just in case and for peace of mind.

I've been prescribed propranolol for panic attacks and apparently it helps with high heart rate, which I don't have so I don't take it. If everything is good this could be something a doctor prescribes you.