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Posted 9/23/2013 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
After my last personal post I was starting to do better with panic/anxiety attacks and feel better in general.
I feel that most of the help was by learning to pay attention to my breathing. I used to think that I was breathing correctly (filling lungs only) until I watched the vid on this site!
Anyhow, a few weeks ago I had a medical scare (legitimate) and was order by my PCP to see a cardiologist! Now, we all know how easily, just that thought alone, can shatter any progress that I have made.
It did, but not as bad as I thought.
Cardiologist said that I should be fine and I'm not going to be a 'heart patient' with my heart condition, "come see me in a year for a follow up ECG". Have a precautionary stress test this Weds(maybe just for a base line?).
The weird thing is that after being told that I'll be fine is when I started to feel more health anxious! The Cardiologist tell me I'm OK and I get more anxious??? WHY?
And to boot I play in a band and at our Saturday night gig (this past saturday) I had one of the worst attacks that I've had in many, many years while we were playing. Out of the blue I just felt like I got flushed out and started sweating big time. Seriously, I felt like I was going down! Somehow, I stuck it out even though I wanted to leave the stage in a bad way!
What is going on here??!!
Posted 9/23/2013 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Richaf,

I am sorry to hear about the recent setback. It would be natural for anyone who is sent to a heart specialist to be nervous. However, you are now having more anxiety after seeing the cardiologist...and that is puzzling you. I can see how that may seem strange...however, I can also see why it is causing your current anxiety, for a couple of reasons.

It is likely that you were compartmentalzing the worry up until your appointment. You were expecting a definitive answer, one way or another. Unfortunately, there really was not a clean cut outcome for you to deal with...instead, you got a somewhat intangible prognosis that is going to drag out for another year. This would not sit so well with me either...because my personality is such that I want things 'cut and dry.'

Anxoius people often see things in black and white...things are either good or not good, right? Well not always. The goal is to accept things for what they are. Yes, there is something going on cardiovascularly...but it is managable, and no cause for immediate concern. Monitoring and good choices will most likely find you doing really well in the future. Hopefully your stress test will give you some more answers and reassurance.

I am sorry to hear about your awful attack...on stage no less! You handle it well though, and that is huge progress! You are now stronger than ever in managing attacks, since getting through that one.:)

Keep up your coping skills to get you through this time. Keep us posted as to how you are doing, and anything more you find out and want to share.

We undersrtand and are here to listen anytime.

S.C.
Posted 9/23/2013 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Correct you are, Scaredy! I do and have always seen things as Black or White!
I feel this is a trait that I will always live with. I'm never comfy with grey areas.
It probably won't hurt to learn more coping skills.
Where to start....
Posted 9/23/2013 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Health-Anxiety-David-Veale/dp/1845298241

http://www.amazon.com/Treating-Health-Anxiety-Cognitive-Behavioral-Approach/dp/1572309989

These could help...

S.C.

Posted 9/23/2013 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info!
300 pgs!! I hope they keep my interest!!
Posted 9/23/2013 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Haa haa...do you want me to see if I can find the Cliff's Notes?;p
Posted 9/23/2013 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
It would be wonderful if there were Cliff notes for these, but next time I'm at the book store I will look for these.
Maybe I'll try this as well.
http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2390

 

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 9/23/2013 2:10:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/23/2013 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
this also looks interesting.
http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Depression-Anxiety-Apryl-Ryder/dp/B003U2KEM4

 

Post Edited By Moderator (Scaredy Cat) : 9/23/2013 2:12:42 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/23/2013 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
These look good.:) I made them into active links for you.

S.C.
Posted 9/24/2013 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I agree. Thanks!
I just read my post again and I left out one of the more imortant, if not the most important, "symptoms" that I've been having since the cardio visit.
I've been experiencing constant upper sternum pressure,very light pain. It goes across my entire upper chest. I'll be sure to mention it when I go for stress test Weds.
Now, I've been having upper back pain for a long, long time and know that is a classic anxiety symptom, but upper chest?
Posted 9/24/2013 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Chest pain can be part of the list of anxiety symptoms, but do mention it when you go in for your test.

Let us know how it goes.

S.C.
Posted 9/24/2013 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Scaredy.
I wonder why I am getting new anxiety symptoms all of a sudden? Ugh!
I will let you know what they say. Anything that can help others.
I'm pretty sure that I should have no issue with the stress test.
Thanks again
Posted 9/24/2013 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
You did say that you had a legitimate health scare, so I am reluctant to just say, 'Yeah it's anxiety...new symptoms pop up all the time.'

While that can be true...not knowing why you were referred to the cardiologist, I have to tell you that you really should let your doctor know about it on or before (if it gets worse) Wednesday.

Keep up your stress relieveing skills, and let us know how you are doing soon.:)

S.C.
Posted 9/24/2013 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
I know what you mean Scaredy.
I was referred to a cardiologist because an ECG found that a heart defect that I was born with(VSD) never healed like it was believed to have done. No heart attacks or the like.
I GUESS the stress test is just a precautionary thing.
I read that upper chest pressure and upper back pain are symptoms of GERD which can be caused by cronic anxiety. We'll see.
I did order that Yoga for Anxiety vid that is linked above. After my wife gets done laughing at me for ordering a yoga vid (I'm an alpha male in her eyes!) I shall pop it in and see how well it works!
Posted 9/25/2013 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
REAL men do yoga! Is your test tomorrow, or next Wed.? If it's tomorrow...all the best...I am sure it is going to go really well and show good results. Let us know about it when you can.:)

S.C.
Posted 9/26/2013 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Stress test was today. Nurse Pract that administered the test said that I did very well and have no limitations, but my lungs burn!!!! I haven't ran like that in a while!
We'll see if this REAL MAN likes the Yoga. I get bored easily with slow things. Time will tell. I'll report back on that as well if you are interested.
Posted 9/26/2013 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah! So glad to hear that you 'passed' your test! This is good news and indicative that you will hear good things from the cardiology appointment!

Yes, let us know how you find the yoga...and if we need to start calling you 'Yogi' Bear.;p

S.C.
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