Hey there Denise..I really do feel for you, I started getting panic attacks at the beginning of this year, I have had them before but years ago, this time though it was worse.First I was convinced that it was a medical problem and I had every test you can imagine, they came back negative, I assumed they must of missed something. I had all the symptoms sweating,not being able to breath,, uncontrollable shaking,feeling like i wanted to vomit or have a bowel movement, the fear was huge.I was convinced I would die.The anti depressants I was prescribed made me sick, I had to take control of fear of losing my mind,now this is the hard bit...I had to tell myself that the panic attacks were in fact a normal reaction flight or fight...its your bodies way of dealing with danger...the vomiting and bowl movements are in fact to make you look less appetizing for prey and the shaking of the legs are you running from prey...its a normal reaction that has got out of control,you CAN get your life back ..I tried relaxation music and also tried Yoga as the breathing techniques are very good..breathing in through your tummy and then up to your chest through your nose not your mouth if possible for the count of 7 and then breath out slowly to the count of 11...Distraction is good as well, reading writing...when I felt an attack coming on I told myself that this cannot hurt me, I did my breathing and carried on with what I was doing...staying calm is the key, dont fight it...am I completely cured..no but I have not had an attack with palpitations for months now and at least I feel I am getting my life back, I still have breathing problems but I'm sure if I keep a positive attitude and relax
this to will pass..I don't know if any of my rambling will help you Denise but if nothing else you at least know there is hope...x

Hi Denise,
I suffered from horrible Panic attacks all of my adult life. Recently I posted on this site "Panic Attacks Hormonal" by uhlizza, you should read it. One thing I didn't mention though, should have is that say 80% was hormonal, 10% genetics on my Mom's side, and 10% lifestyle (young single mother, owned own home, worked full time high pressure job) etc.,also I could never take birth control - thus my wonderful full grown baby! In those years Xanax and breathing in a brown bag did the job for me usually although I ended up in the hospital more than once sure that I was dying. At any rate I am not suggesting that you should get a hysterectomy by any means as I related the answer in my post. But there are "Endroconalagist" (I am sure that is not spelled right!) that no doctor ever thought of doing blood work on me, it was just a happy side effect of my hysterectomy that I no longer suffer intensely from attacks. Every so often I might get anxiouse; but not to the level I lived my entire life with. Don't give up, and remember everyone is different and reacts to medications and therapies differently; there is an answer for you. Hope this helps. Lisa
P.S. I notice a test you can take on here about hormones and Panic attacks to rate yourself.

Have had panic attacks on/off for 30 plus years. They are scary but find someone who has had them to talk about it. Most of the time you think youa are the only one. When the professionals, MD and Phd. told me it is a treatable medical condition and usually they see a genetic marker. I felt so much better just knowing that. Yoga, exercise, caffeine reduction, relaxation tapes, etc all helped me to work through it. I started a journal even and read it when I feel good to remeber I I did feel bad. Breathing exercises really helps. If you can control your breathing you can control all the other symptoms. Practice everyday so when it gets the panicky time you can go right into the pattern you have already set.

Kmakenas; did they do blood work on you to find a genetic marker? With me, I just know, all my siblings and a few neices and my nephew, and my cousin on my Mothers side has degrees of panic and other disorders; dyslexia also runs on her side of the family; she is obsessive complulsive; both of her parents were alcaholics; & meen. Screwed up side of the familly. Oh and then my Dad is the most perfect and happy intelligent artist & successful guy in the world; so I get a bit bi-polar; being a mixture of a really great guy who is intelligent and creative; and then my mom. They do not mix well so I end up acting like one or the other. I focus on trying to act like my Dad; my mother is also mentally abusive; and I broke that cycle with my daughter we are as close as we can be! Should change my screen name to "ramble on" I have also had problems breathing in an attack; have an inhaler. But like I said I am pretty much cured from them taking my hormones via hysterectomy and replacing them with a constant flow of a normal combination (HRT).

Uhlizza, No there was no test to see a genetic marker on me. But research has shown that there are two genes that are marked for those that have a tendency for panic disorder. You can not cure it but you can control it. This is what the PHD that specializes in panic disorder told me.
Also, no one wants to feel panicky so you will see people will try and self medicate through alcohol. People with panic disorder also tend to be perfectionists and artistic.
I found a book that was helpful by Mark S. Gold, MD. called "The Good News about Panic, Anxiety and Phobias".
I am sure there is even more current research on panic disorder out now and again it is understanding it so you can deal with it.

I have had panic attacks for the last year and a half. I can't work, alot of the times I can't even leave the house. I have no suggestions or solutions for you, but I wanted to thank you for sharing your story because it is sotrue, so many times I feel so alone and as if I am the only one. I joined this site a few days ago and it has been a God send. All of the people that post about panic disorder or any form of anxiety give me hope that I am not alone, and that I can get better too. So thank you.