Heart Palpitations but my cardiologist says I'm fine.

Before i begin, I apologize for the length of this post, I'm pretty desperate for help, and i would also like to apologize if some of the things I say don't make sense, I'm in a bit of a hurry funny enough. Any response would be appreciated but i would prefer something that would not make me worry more, I know that sounds silly but I have a lot on my plate and I would most appreciate reassurance more than anything! Thanks ahead of time.

Hello, my name is Michael, I'm 16 years old and I have been dealing with anxiety problems for 5 years now as of the beginning of this summer. I am a bit overweight, but overall my diet is fine. I should note that I understand that I have anxiety issues, but the main problem is figuring out if something is a result of anxiety or not because I can hardly tell the difference anymore. I have panic attacks every day and I cry a lot, I know this sounds like im a wimp, but the things I have to deal with are nearly unbearable.

Throughout the years I have been dealing with a lot of anxiety, and no matter the many times the doctors told me I was okay I still managed to worry about every tiny detail. I once could not eat for a week because i had convinced myself that i would choke if i would, another time i had an overwhelming fear of demonic possession-- I know it sounds crazy but it sort of was. Over the years, and now that I have matured a bit I have begun to worry about other things. What troubles me now is a fear of heart problems in general.

about 2 years ago I started to have heart palpitations(I assume) as a result of my constant worries. I somehow managed to brush it off and everything was fine for little while, this was because the doctors had assured me that anxiety could cause a lot of strange things to occur. I hate going to the doctor for the same reason; they all say the same thing and I'm not sure what to think of any of it. I'm obviously no genius so I would like some explanation but all they ever say is that it's anxiety. Anyways, to avoid getting off subject too much... I began having chest pain around the same time as the palpitations, and more recently i have trouble breathing during these palpitations, I'm not sure how else to describe the sensation, because i can breathe; my lungs work, but breathing feels as if it has no effect during a palpitation, its weird really. Before this however I did go to my cardiologist and i went through a series of scans and he told me my heart is overall healthy and shows no sign of heart disease or heart failure. That is all fine and dandy but it doesn't explain my palpitations, I mean what if he missed something, what if he was looking at the wrong things, it seems so easy to overlook something like a heart illness. I'm not saying that I want something to be wrong, but I am left wondering why it all still happens. I haven't done many aerobic work outs recently because I'm scared to death of collapsing and dying. There is no history of heart conditions in my family at all but people around me at school and outside of it seem to be dropping like flies, I hate to make them sound so insignificant, but its frightening, and here I am having these heart palpitations. I wore a heart monitor for a day after the doctors visit but i haven't gotten the results back yet. The doctor did ask me a question which I regret answering the way I did, he asked me if I experience shortness of breath during my heart palpitations. I said no, let me explain; I didn't at that point in time, i mean once in a while sure, but I was so forgetful i did not mention it and I was terrified at the response I might get.

I have never felt more scared in my life, each time this happens, (which is not every time I have a palpitation) I feel as if I am going to die, I go into a panic attack mode, and cry myself to sleep. I don't think anyone understands the severity of my situation and I don't know how much more of this I can take. I feel like I'm going to either end up collapsing dead or commiting suicide. I really wouldn't want to put my family through that, but its getting really bad at this point, I can't tell anyone how I feel because they either don't think its a problem, or they over react and make me more freaked out. I'm sure if you've read this far down you can see how much of an emotional wreck I am. I'm terribly sorry if I have wasted your time, I have no where else to turn. I don't know what I'm doing anymore, Jesus I mean I pace back and forth in my room thinking about what will happen after I'm dead. That can't be healthy, and my father won't allow me to talk to a professional about this. I am at a loss here. I feel dead... Thanks for reading.

Hello, I also had constant heart palps for weeks and finally my doctor hooked me up to a monitor that tracks my beats as I go about my day. Boy, that made me nervous to wear. But when The results came back it was nothing, I mean nothing dangerous. A lot of people get them and they are harmless, stress and anxiety is numero uno culpert. Relax, your fine.

Hi and welcome!

I am so sorry to hear about your anxiety and the physical symptoms that it is bringing on:(

Have you asked your dad why he is not for you talking with a therapist for help with your concerns? Many people have successfully learned skills to manage their anxiety in this way!

Perhaps talking about this with your doctor the next time you and your parents are in for an appointment could sway him to consider this option.

Until then, we have some helpful self-help techniques for anxiety/symptom reduction right here.:)

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

 

http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons/

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

 

Find more helpful info and coping tools in the full Resource Guide (main page, 1st post)

Keep posting for support with us!

Scaredy Cat

Hi LB and welcome!

We are glad that you have found us too! Although I am sorry to hear that your anxiety/panic/symptoms have ramped up recently

(if you were to do a search here...menopause would be the topic of many threads...know that this is a common theme, and you are not alone!)

You mentioned meds as something you have done for anxiety management, but how about therapy, CBT, or self-help...anything of that sort?

We have some great ideas to try out in our Resources. I encourage you to give these a look and a try....even if you have already done similarly in the past...there may some new tool that you could pick up that could help! :)

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We are a caring and understanding group, and support is key!

Talk to you soon...and feel free to start your own new thread of introduction so that more people can welcome you.

Scaredy Cat

Bmc.,

The key is to focus on the anxiety management...not the symptoms...but yes, the physical manifestations of anxiety are many!

Use the above links that I posted in my first reply to you for stress relief/relaxation exercises. Do them everyday, 3x's a day for at least 10-15 mins each session.

Here is a link that may bring you some comfort about the symptoms you are experiencing, so take a look...

Anxiety Symptoms, Anxiety Attack Symptoms (Panic Attack Symptoms), Symptoms of Anxiety:

http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml

but like I said, focusing on the coping skills is going to be your best plan!! :)

S.C.

I've suffered with anxiety/panic (and formerly even depression) since I was a young child! I'm now 51 and feel like I'm still learning new things about my "little friend" called Anxiety!

You betcha, with regards to the symptoms. They range quite the gamut and can be unsettling many-a-times. I'm not sure we ever truly get used to them.

As S.C. stated, we'll do better when we focus on our coping skills, rather than focusing on the actual anxiety itself. We will always be faced with situations in life that trigger anxiety. But until we put the effort in to learning, and especially practicing, our coping skills, it can drag out our ability to handle these stressors.

Big emphasis on that. I don't think I really grasped that until these past 2 years or so. So yes it takes time, but it can be done! :)









M.