HI all - recently I have been experiencing episodes that feel like the precursor to a stroke or heart attack. I am now having these so often that I am sensing the 'cues' that one is coming on. These happen completely out of the blue...mostly when I am relaxed...at home watching tv, reading in bed, now they are starting to happen at work and in normal, non-stressful social situations. I feel a crawling sensation on my scalp, ringing in my ears that gets really really loud, my chest will either hurt or I will feel a weight or heaviness. I will often get cold really fast - especially my hands and feel waves of something pours over me. My heart will race and skip beats. My blood pressure goes thru the roof. I will be dizzy and lightheaded and feel like I can't swallow. When this winds down (sometimes a little one will go for 3-4 minutes - to over 45 minutes) I will shake like I am freezing. I have been to the hospital 4 times in the past month. These had been happening just a bit about a year and a half ago...just before my husband suddenly died. They stopped within a month or so after his death. At that time my doctor put me on Nexium thinking this was primarily stomach acid acting on my vegas nerve. Also on Xanex. I started having these again in December and they would happen maybe once in ten days. In the last month, I have had them far more frequently - every other day and sometimes 2 or 3 in a day. I don't get it! I got remarried to a wonderful man in November, my kids are doing better, I started a new job thats wonderful in March.... things are going well. If these are panic attacks why now?? So far the doctors have tested blood for everthing (thyroid, sugar, kidney function etc.) as well as CBC etc. They have done chest x-rays (fine), heart echos, carotid artery dopler, and hooked me up to an event monitor for my heart. I would have these and hit the monitor to record but they would say that my heart would excelerate somewhat but aside from that it was normal. I ended up at the hospital two nights ago and my blood showed an elevate clotting factor so they did a CT scan of my chest....it was fine. I am so scared and freaked out with no diagnosis that I found myself hoping for blood clots because it would explain everything!!! Every time I have one of these I feel like I am dying. Its horrible. I am beginning to be afraid to go places without my husband. I had one driving my kids and their friends home from a movie a couple of weeks ago and had to pull off the road. I don't feel nervous or anxious though...except about the attacks themselves. Sorry this is so long....I am at my wits end and feel like I am getting no answers. Anything any of you can share would be helpful.... <font color="blue"> </font>