This is strange
 

I am not sure how to start this so I guess I will go back some. I have been under a little bit of stress since the start of the year. I had a baby in January, though he doesn't stress me out, he is a lot of work, our pastor passed away, my grandpa had a brain tumor removed, we found out my grandma has cancer, and now my mom (who is my best friend) is having a lot of health problems and they aren't ruling out leukemia. So it's been one thing after another. I started to go into depression so they put me on a depression pill but it made me have panic attacks. I stopped taking the pill about a month ago but I continue to still have panic attacks. My throat feels HUGE!! Almost like I have a turtleneck on or a rubber band around my neck. I also get a tickle in my throat as if someone has their finger down my throat. The feeling comes and goes. I have no idea when it's going to happen. I am so afraid to try another pill. Is there anything out there that works for you or someone you know when you feel a panic attack coming on? I am open to any of your suggestions. Thanks!

I'm soooo sorry to hear that all of his happening to you. I have no idea about what other pill to take, but have you tried talking to your doctor about all of this? Or maybe get a second opinion from a different doctor?

I was on an anti-depressant for panic attacks but everyone we tried made me sleep around 20 hours a day..I couldnt function. All of these pills are very addictive so you may be suffering from withdrawl...when I was taken off mine I had to be tapered off week by week...did you taper off the pills and can I ask what they gave you? I find that talking to a counceller works wonders for me...better than ANY medication..

Dawn

That sure is a lot for one person to handle in such a short amount of time..when it rains etc. etc.....no wonder your stressed, anxious, down, or even depressed...sorry I don't have any experience w/ medication to help.....if these attacks are new maybe in time they will subside if the family problems ease up...hope things improve soon, so sorry every one is halving health issues...

I had taken the pills for about a week and a half to two weeks. I was so scared with the pills that I just stopped taking them. They gave me Wellbutrin. My mom takes it and it works well for her. I wanted something that wouldn't make me gain weight because I am struggling some getting the weight off. When I talk to family about things I feel better but I'm so shy that I'm not sure if I would be able to open up very well. :( I wish my body wasn't so stubborn.

Thank you for your reply. I really like my doctor and have full faith in him. He didn't have openings that day so I had to see another doctor in his office. Maybe I should make an appointment and make sure I get him this time.

Thank you for your reply. I sure hope this is the end of the bad streak.

Please make sure the doc thoroughly tests you for thyroid problems -- both physically palpating the gland and ordering blood work. In is not uncommon to have postpartum thyroiditis. It can be a temporary inflammation of the thyroid gland and upset the thyroid hormone levels. It can also turn into a permanent hypothyroid or hyperthyroid condition.

All of the symptoms you mention can be a part of thyroid problems. Depression, panic attacks, throat sensations and sensitivities, -- all can be explained by a thyroid hormone imbalance. Other things that are common with hypothyroid: severe fatigue, hair loss, dry skin, hoarseness, feeling cold at times when others do not. Some common symptoms of hyperthyroid: feeling on edge, feeling hot, heart palpitations, faster pulse, losing weight without trying, etc..... There are lots more and a person can experience a combination of symptoms -- especially early in the disease. Sometimes the thyroid actually is going hypothyroid, but it puts out little bursts of hormone occasionally giving the person a list of hyper symptoms. Can be difficult to pinpoint!

I don't know why they do not automatically look for a thyroid problem BEFORE they dish out the postpartum anti-depressants. Have the doc test your TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 -- the 'Free" tests do not relate to cost but show the amount of unbound hormones in the blood. Estrogen (which is fluctuating greatly after having a baby) can cause more of the thyroid hormone to be "bound" and not ready for the body to use. So, it is important to test the Free levels and not just the Total T4 and Toal T3. You could also ask for thyroid antibody tests (Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg) to see if you have developed autoimmune thyroiditis.

This is important to you! Please make sure to get the thyroid checked out.

I never even thought about my thyroid. I get so easily scared so since my grandma was diagnosed with cancer I keep feeling my neck. I don't feel anything weird. Would I with thyroid problems?

As I was reading your post, I thought she has a thyroid problem...kept reading, and sure enough FlDebra suggested exactly what I would have. I had subacute thyroiditis which has now developed into hypothyroidism. I can assure you once it goes underactive (hypo) it is much easier to treat. The feelings of hyperthyroidism are terrible, and the treatment took what seemed like an eternity...I was miserable, except for the weight loss of course!!! Now, yes I'm overweight, but on thyroid replacement...and I feel 100% better. Just get blood test to be sure your levels are within normal range, it's not so bad. But definitely see your doctor, get the test mentioned above, thyroid disease left untreated can be devastating...Take care, and I hope everything will be just fine!!!

Thanks! I am def. going to the doctor to get everything looked at. It may be nothing but I want to be 100% sure of that. Hopefully they can get me in tomorrow.

It took about 4 weeks when I started on an antidepressant, Zoloft for it to work. I take it for panic attacks and anxiety. I also have Ativan for the bad panic attacks and it works great. My doctor checks my thyroid every year as my Mom had thyroid problems. I know how horrible it is to have these attacks and I hope you can get some relief soon.

I went to the doctor today and he put me on Clonzepam (generic) and the name brand name is Klonopin. Does anybody take that?

So...did they run any thyroid test? Don't know too much about klonopin except that they use it for seizures too. I really do hope you feel better, but I do also hope you have the thyroid test...

I am so sorry you are having a hard time, praying everything will get better... I had hyperthyroidism a couple of months after having my son and its a terrible feeling I am almost 6 foot and my weight got down to 125 I looked awful I could not sit still and when I went into one of my Doc visit my heart beat was very high he put on meds and after about a year on the meds I went back and now its fine and dont have to take the meds anymore, it seems like after you have a baby everything in your body goes crazy. Please have your Doc check your Thyroid just to be on the safe side..