Hi, and welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

I probably can't really offer too much but some things stand out in your post. I have experienced anxiety since I was a young child. It ebbs and flows but it's easily triggered. Your paragraph regarding the children and worrying about them coming to harm is probably something most of us parents have gone through at some time or all the time Some of that sounds more as if you slipped over from anxiety into panic. Remember too that anxiety attacks and panic attacks are the responses of our body usually brought on by stress.

Something that really has helped me for decades is learning the first signs of the anxiety getting the better of me. The sweaty palm, the change in breathing, the depersonalisation etc. They're just responses and they're not going to harm you even though it feels sometimes as if you're going to die. Those who've not experienced those fears can't ever really fathom why we get to that stage.

Having some serious past health issue is also something that can trigger us into thinking we're very sick or worse. That's something I deal with all the time and it's something that others don't always understand. Especially GPs who are constantly want to "fix" my brain chemistry with some SSRIs or SNRIs or whatever. One even commented that as well as helping my anxiety they'd help my neuropathy. Not going there but having said that I know someone really well who does take the Lexapro and it really saved her life basically. She doesn't do well on the generic so it must have fillers in it. Remember too that starting a med like that can change the way you feel and it might take a while to feel as if it's either helping or not.

Having very young children obviously would be full on for you and your wife. There's a whole heap of emotions involved due to everything being so hectic, noisy, busy, happy, sad, loud, dangerous etc. etc. and of course everything is changing constantly with 3 so very young. If you're a person who thrives on your own routine then it can be difficult indeed but we can adapt.

As well as the changes you've made with food and exercise etc. make sure you get some relaxation. Even if you incorporate it into the whole family way of life. That helps.

You certainly can't go through life feeling depressed and anxious although I know many of us do either due to life experiences or health reasons or brain chemistry.

I wonder if they did thyroid/parathryoid tests along the way. Especially with your Vit D being so low.

I love magnesium. It doesn't cure anything I deal with but I do know it helps me some when I need it.

I also want to let you know that we used to have some other forums here but they've transferred over to the My Support Forums
You may like to ask about the med situation over there too.

I hope you can get these fears about your health under control soon. You have so much to live for in a happy way and they need you.
Take care,
Lara