My dad is suffering and needs help
My dad (with no history of mental illness) has developed daily panic attacks, can’t sleep and is going crazy … I am seeking help to find some relief. His blood pressure yeilds ER levels daily and my family is desperate for a solution.
Family medical history: high blood pressure and diabetes
Background: my dad is 59yo and does all the right things (manages stress, sleep, exercise, diet, etc). He never relied on medication to fix something, and instead adjusts his lifestyle or takes vitamins and natural supplements (except blood pressure medication after 55yo). About 5 years ago he started having digestive problems which were never completely resolved and may have pointed towards gall bladder issues. He starts taking a natural root supplement that’s supposed to have gallbladder benefits. He goes to the gym one day like normal and faints as he’s walking up the steps. Still unknown if the episode was linked to the supplement or he was just stressed and dehydrated, but he stopped taking the supplement anyway.
Ever since that day, his body has been stuck in fight or flight as well as digestive issues completely disappearing. He started having the same episodes- ringing in his ears, was dizzy and blood pressure through the roof, visit to the ER, all tests come back normal. He sees general doctors, holistic doctors, psychiatrist, and psychologist with no clear diagnosis. My sister and I have both had panic attacks from general and but this is another level. His panic symptoms were temporarily managed by a strong antihistamine as needed but he developed debilitating back pain. He was prescribed a steroid for the pain which made his panic symptoms worse. The real nightmare started when he abruptly stopped taking the steroid…
His body does not allow him to be tired or sleep more than two hours a night. His nervous system and hormones are completely out of whack. Doctors do not seem to be helping that much other than prescribing endless sleeping pills that do the exact opposite of relax him. One day things point to a nervous system issue another day it points to an adrenal issue. We are lost and my dad can’t function and is exhausted. He will try anything at this point.
I am worried his body is going to give out… He has a completely different personality, I miss him. What is happening.. please help