@fastheart12
Asked your primary care to refer you to a EP.
A regular cardiologist are very good but an EP are experts on electrical functions of heart.
How about seeing a mental health counselor? Do you have access to psychiatric or psychology medication specialist? They can really look at all medications you are on see if anything is causing your side affects and then find a medication that works for you.
Also I know you probably have heard this but trying to find something you like to do with also help with anxiety, stress, which lead up to panic attacks. Has anyone gone over what causes panic attacks with you. The only fight or flight response to anxiety, stress, worry releases adrenaline so you can fight or flight. In todays world we don't do that so that adrenaline builts up in body. It can only take so much and then has to release it "Panic Attact."
My psychiatric medication specialist went over this with me when I went through PTSD diagnosis that evolved into a anxiety/panic disorder.
Most specialist will also discuss with you lifestyle changes. Finding and exercise (with doctor permission) or a hobby that you would like to do or have done in past. They occupy your mind off this and hopefully you can enjoy the activity.
Regarding your medications have your doctors gone over them recently to see if still the ones you should take and or the dosage? Things change, additional medical and mental issues can come up and other medications can affect what you are taking.
I self referred myself to my Mayo EP at Jacksonville Florida. My regular cardiologist wanted to get a ICD device but when I had my consultation at Mayo EP he wanted to do both a ICD and pacemaker to help with electrical issues in my heart.
I also so a heart failure doctor who speicalises in heart failure. He did not agree with the medications I was on and the dosage. He changed one and doubled the other. It is why if you can seeing a specialist in the field you are having issues is really highly beneficial.
And if they agree with your other doctors fine but at least knowing experts in that field agree with your treatments.
I have seen psychiatrists and gone to counseling. They just tell me that I have medical anxiety and PTSD due to getting really sick 10 years ago. I am only on 2 medications diltiazem CD 120 mg 24 hr capsule and buspirone 5mg twice a day. And now the switching from the diltiazem to ivabradine 5 mg tablet twice a day. My psychiatrist and primary doctor do not believe I am having “panic attacks “ they think they are actually vagal responses or Vasovagal Syncope from the sudden spike in heart rate due to the symptoms that happen. I have tried all the tricks with trying to keep my mind off things, have a hobby, meditation, essential oils, you name it. It’s gotten better than it used to be but it’s really hard to not think about it when you constantly feel horrible.
The Mayo I doctor at doesn’t have any EPs so I need to go to Rochester to see one. Is there a specific one that someone could recommend?