Do I see the doctor with this?

[panicata]

I’m not sure if it’s peri, thyroid (I have hashimotos) or what. They’ve recently done a 24hr ECG as I had a couple of near faints with similar symptoms

used to be a confident, defensive driver. Now having occasional panic attacks when driving mostly motorway. Random times I’ll be sat at home like tonight and feel like I can’t breathe or swallow, feels like my throat is closing up. Worse at night
also got over a dental phobia and now have developed that again

cold air helps like a fan on in the car or going outside, I can’t drive without the fans blowing on my face

I have a monitor so checked when it happened tonight and my SATS were 98 and pulse 95. Already on 20mg citalopram and have been since I was 16

Probably should add I’m putting off whether I should go due to my size, im a size 18 and 6ft and know they’re going to start on about my weight

CBT for anxiety and consider whether HRT is appropriate; it’s a game changer for this level of anxiety.

I’ve had CBT in the past but these feel very different to the panic attacks I had then
its like they’re… quieter? I’m not visibly gasping for air or crying or upset it’s just a horrible internal anxiety
41 and have a mirena

I dont know what to advise... id suggest doctor. Im 43, no history of thyroid issues but also a few periods of, well not quite light-headedness in the normal sense, more like any concept of balance disappears for a few seconds?? So my head is vacant. And yes I stumble as a result.

Ive had blood tests, nothing strange showed up (no blood sugar isses; at size 20 i also expected the 'lose weight' thing). Im assuming peri, but no way of knowing for sure i think?

I had awful anxiety and many of your symptoms until my under-active thyroid was correctly medicated .

I would ask the GP to check your thyroid levels with a blood test. Being over active can cause the anxiety you describe, if that is normal could consider peri and pursue CBT?

I know my last TSH was around 4/5 but they didn’t want to correct it further, I’m on 100mcg levo

I’ll give them a ring tomorrow and see, they’re usually quite good at getting me in. It’s getting a bit ridiculous now

You should also consider giving up driving until this is sorted / under control as you’re a massive danger to yourself & others, especially on motorways. Please do the right thing here.

I’m perfectly capable of driving, I just feel panicky, anxious and keep swallowing a lot, it’s not a panic attack that anyone would look at me and think that’s what it is as i function normally during them. I’m still a capable driver who also needs to get to work

if I felt I wasn’t safe driving I wouldn’t, but I’ve never had to pull over or anything because of them

Can I suggest the ‘Calm” app? It has various methods you can utilise during panicky moments. I used it to help me through a 1 1/2 hour mri scan, and also dental procedures. Also, when I feel anxious about something, including those driving moments which I also suffer from.

If you feel the symptoms are medical , definitely go to the gp, but the app may help as well.

I hope you are but you honestly don’t sound safe having to concentrate so much on yourself, which will mean you’re distracted & not fully concentrating on driving.

Saw the GP today who was lovely
blood tests to check my thyroid again and starting on HRT