I am a 36 yr old man, dealing with panic disorder for 18 months. Been in the Er 5 or 6 times, multiple EKG's, nuclear heart scan, stress test all OK.
I am on nexium 40mg, atenolol 25mg, lipitor 40mg, zoloft 50 mg and take xanax as needed.
I went over two months last fall without any panic symptoms, no xanax needed for about 10 weeks, then i got bold and tapered off zoloft, quit lipitor and began walking daily. I felt GREAT.
After the holidays I started a new job, and the anxiety/panic stuff started creeping back in, and I had a panic attack after exercising for 40 minutes on the treadmill. I have since avoided walking up any stairs or hills, although I can walk flat ground all day long I get tight chested just walking up a flight of stairs.
I think it is ridiculous, but I go into panic mode, usually a few minutes after getting the heart rate up for just a few seconds.
This is consuming my thoughts, I also get chest pain with or without exertion due to reflux so I have been convinced that I have a heart problem even though I have been thoroughly tested.
Could it be that I unknowingly tighten up my diaphragm while anticipating walking stairs or a hill and shallow breath to make myself feel so lousy?
It is a short-lived sensation, slight short of breath, light chest discomfort (seldom pain), and that jelly-legged feeling that comes with a panic attack.
Any one else experience this??
