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Posted 4/7/2013 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I haven't been on here for a while, but I'm really in need of some reassurance!

I've been feeling so panicky *all* day on and off and am becoming frightened.

My main problems with health anxiety is that I've always got something wrong with my heart; cannot breathe; have asthma; failing lungs etc...list is endless but always 'cardiophobia'!

I have began Citalopram (Celexa to American friends!) recently (week 5) on only 10mg. I was convinced it was helping my anxiety but I'm not sure now.

Then I made the massive mistake of looking it up on the web and saw the possible side affects and now I'm not sure I'll be able to take it.

Help!

Little Petal (LP)

Post Edited (Littlepetal) : 4/7/2013 4:58:29 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/7/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
LP, I am a life long, (at least since age 35 cardiac patient) If you will make yourself read the other posts
you will see a preponderance of heart related fears, I think the reason is that after we start having PAD
episodes we start to listen to what was always there we just didn't pay attention to it much, I have caught myself listening to see if it was going to stop. I know how silly that sounds but I did a lot of things that did not make sense. Just refresh your self with us here and realize you are not alone in this fear. As far as your meds I would not set myself up for failure by reading Spooky Google, those side effects are from a small percentage of the population, for the most part we are much the same but a small percentage are different chemically and react differently. If you are overall having positive results and have been on them this long I would find something else to worry about, like a meteor strike, the odds are not much different. I am not making fun of you but we do have to be able to laugh at ourselves from time to time, touch base with the resources you once used here and stay with us for a while. "its not your heart, its your head"! lol same for us all.
Larry ***
Posted 4/7/2013 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Larry.

It is therapeutic just to re-read many posts and even though it is very sad to know so many others are suffering, it is also comforting for us all as we can then, somehow, try and put our panic into some kind of perspective...

LP
Posted 4/8/2013 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi LP,

How are you feeling today? Better I hope! I am glad that reading here has brought you some comfort. I have found it incredibly healing as well.:)

I hope that you can push your worries aside regarding your Rx. I believe that if you were going to experience the side affects that concern you...you would have already at this point.

I wish you the best, and please keep us updated so that we can support you through this time.:)

S.C.
Posted 4/8/2013 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
LP
R U Ok?

Larry ***
Posted 4/8/2013 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both ever so much for caring !

I appreciate it so much.

I'm feeling a little better today in that I haven't had to conquer a panic attack.

It's ironic as today the older children and my hubby are out and I'm with the younger faction who are more demanding and still overcoming their Easter choc frenzies!LoL
Yet I feel calmer..

How are you today?
Larry you mentioned you had cardiac problems, do you mean authentic ones or anxiety-related regarding your heart?

LP
Posted 4/8/2013 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
LP I was making a carrier in the military, when I became 35 they required an ekg to re-inlist, I failed it.
the strange thing was that I could run 10k and was very athletic, so I got out one and a half years from
retirement. I really Love the Military.
I had a balloon surgery when I was 48, 10 years later I had a triple bypass, I am now 71 and feel like a 40
year old, I had a heart attack but the cardiologist said I had no damage, I know I have been blessed.
I actually can do more exercise now than most 30-40 year olds.
I didn't have anxiety until long after I discovered my heart condition.
The experience has allowed me to tell my friends here on HW that the pain they are having is not from
heart disease. Trust me there is a world of difference.

Larry ***
Posted 4/8/2013 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Larry!

So do you suffer from health anxiety?

Is it connected to your heart problems?

My 16yr son is v interested in the RAF regiment...he's a committed RAF air cadet, a Corporal. So proud of him!

You're input and help on here very obviously brings such comfort to many.

LP
Posted 4/8/2013 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
LP
I seldom have anxiety over health issues after my HA and bypass, I thought well you didn't die in surgery and wasted all the years from 35-59 wondering when my heart would stop, I had a thought one day about life and death, don't know if I read it or heard it but it stuck.
God has ordained that one day I must die, that will be enough, I refuse to die every day.
Keep in mind that for aprox 25 years I did just that it was always on my mind and anxiety was eating me alive After I recovered and started walking and exercising i realized that I was in better health than at 30. From then on I started to Live!
I switched back and forth between the US Army 101st Abn and the US Navy UDT, tell your Corporal that I served with British Paratroopers, Sailors, and Airmen they were always Honorable, Tough, and Dependable
My Greatest Joy is to serve my God, Country, Mankind! "I will Pray for You and Your Son".
Larry ***
Posted 4/10/2013 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Inspiring!

So, were you kidding when you said you were 250lbs??

My Corporal will be impressed!

He's also considering the police force...

LP
Posted 4/11/2013 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry LP, but I am full of you know what, thats why my eye's are brown!

At age 71 I lift weights 3 days a week and I walk nearly every day, these are things anyone can
do at advanced age. The walking is for my heart, and the weights are for uper body strength
to prevent falls.

I think my Family name is from the UK. (Mandrell)

Larry ***
Posted 4/17/2013 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
LoL...not sure I get that, you know us British!!

I don't know anyone with the same surname but I think it has Yorkshire origins?

LP
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