Maybe it is.. anxiety?

Hello,

I've made several posts throughout several forum sections (even this one) but figured I'd do an updated post.

Let me just start with symptoms I generally run into:
Heartburn
Arm pain (left arm always tingly, hurts)
Jaw pain
Shoulder pain
Upper/middle back pain
Dry mouth (drink so much water, still dry. Not diabetes, tested several times)
Chest pain
Lightheaded/dizzy (I get dizzy all the time, even sitting down doing nothing)
SOB

Over the last several months, I've been going through a divorce, so you could say there is many stressful moments. I've yet to accept stress is the cause of my problems, though. I had high blood pressure, but I lost 65lbs, see you later HBP. I'm generally 120/80.

My problem is I have the biggest heart fear that formed awhile back and I still to do this very night.

I've had the following tests done:
Many ER visits with EKG's which all reported normal
Nuclear stress test (Cleared by two cardiologists) which is a great test, but this wasn't good enough for me.
After the constant calls to my cardiologist nurse, she said we need to proceed with a cardiac catheterization. I did it, and turns out.. I have no blockages in my vessels/arteries. The cardiologist said my heart is healthy. I'm also 28 years old with no heart disease in my family.

So, my medical doctor went the GERD route. Turns out, I have acid reflux, without a doubt. Been on a PPI for over a month now, but it doesn't help at all. Every night, I feel like I'm having a heart attack. My peak hours always make me go crazy from 4-8pm, I don't know what it is about that timeframe, but its crazy! I also would like to state, I eat a very healthy diet.

I wanted to go to the ER so bad tonight, because I felt like I was having a genuine heart attack, even after all these tests!!

I'll give you examples of how my brain just seems out of whack lately. Recently, I've had a really bad cold (sore throat, runny nose, can barely breathe) so I've been a little easier to get fatigued while walking around. I start sweating and needing to breath more, I instantly think I'm having heart failure of some sort, and that's causing me to be out of breathe.

When I walk around the house just talking on the phone, on certain topics it seems to make me to start sweating a little (very minor, but I sure the heck notice it) and then I think I'm having sweats from a heart attack.

I use to work out a lot which helped the weight loss, but now I'm scared to death to even think about it. /sigh

I for sure have GERD and it's the bane of my life right now, but I'm wondering if it's just elevated even more by my anxiety? I've refused anxiety medicines because I don't like some of the negative side effects it can cause. But.. maybe it truly is my anxiety that's all behind this? I don't know.

I guess the reason why anxiety doesn't fit feel for me, is sometimes when I wake up, i'm having these symptoms right away. Then it's all day, everyday. Anxiety to me was only when shocking events happened.

What do you guys think? Prevent me from going to another ER trip, please! I'm almost there as I'm typing this.

GERD & anxiety can go hand in hand. The symptoms of GERD(many of the symptoms you mentioned including SOB & chest pain) can present then the cycle of anxiety can start and so the loop begins.

As far as waking up with it, are you talking abt the GERD or anxiety? There have been many threads started on here about morning anxiety, including myself. Our hormones are higher in the morning is the (physical) explanation I was given by my psychiatrist.

Heart related anxiety is another huge topic here. Know you're not alone with that one. Many of the members here have been to the ER many many times & every one of them were cleared after extensive testing. Some of them wore holter (sp?) monitors for 24 hrs to a month & nothing bad.

I wish more members were online to reply now to you bc they've been where you are right now. I don't have the heart fear (maybe I should lol), but I have a bag full of other neurosis

I can't tell you whether to go to the ER or not. My suggestion would be to call a friend & see if talking to someone helps your symptoms subside. Do you have a close friend you could call or ask to come over & hang with you?

Also- can you take antacids with the ppi you're taking? If you can, I'd be tempted to take a big swig of Maalox or Mylanta & see if that quells your symptoms. If you're not sure, you could always call a 24 hr pharmacy & ask a pharmacist.

This forum is a bit slow on the weekends so don't despair if you don't get many replies just yet.

Sending you many healing thoughts!!

Lisa

trooper,

I think much will be answered when you get to the GI doctor. They will probably recommend an EGD endoscopy. Nothing to it. How long has this been going on? I know you said a few months with the divorce.

Anyway, if you do get that EGD, whatever they find is almost certainly very treatable, friend.

You're definitely eating like you're supposed to. That's good!

I'm a little stumped on what's getting to you 4-8. I'd say avoid the news and googling symptoms if you don't already. You're inside your head too much.

I know what it's like to weigh loved ones down. That's what true friends and family are there for. I need constant reassurance when deep down I know they can't know what my future holds. I'm a lunatic.

Have any therapeutic hobbies? For example, my boss enjoys working in her flower bed.

John

Hi RT.,

So sorry to hear that you are currently going through so much! The things that you mention in your post can certainly be triggers for anxiety, and many of us have the same concerns....so know that you are not alone, and that we undertand

It is not unusual for GERD and anxiety to be comorbid. One can feed into the other, causing a cycle of physical and mental symptoms.

A good approach therefore would be to strive in treating both of the issues simultaneoulsy.

You are seeking the advice of your doctor for the GERD, so now you may want to seek someone for help with the anxiety, or try employing some self-help methods on your own.

We have some really good material and links in our Resources here. You can find them on the main page, 1st thread...or let me know you are interested in checking them out...and I will post the ones I think might help you the most.;)

Keep posting with us...support is key!

Scaredy Cat

Hi Trooper,

I feel like I say this so often, but I could have written your post! As far as symptoms go, I get the same. I've been to a neurologist and a cardiologist and have had a head and neck mri and the stress treadmill test and 24 holter monitor. The neurologist said everything looked perfect. The cardiologist said my chances of heart disease are less than 1% and to keep doing what I'm doing because everything looks great. Yet I am sitting here right now trying to talk myself down from the ledge because I am so sure something must be wrong with me! Honestly, I was just running through all this information in my head and checking my pulse...again...when I thought I needed to come here and post something. Instead your post stood out to me so I read it first. This is all Sooo hard. A constant work in progress. I think part of my anxiety is hormonal. I'm currently about a week or less away from the beginning of my cycle so it's a highly anxious time for me. Also I think I might partly be affected by seasonal affective disorder because last winter was my worst time and it has been increasingly bad since the super cold took over the Midwest. And I've had a cold so I've rarely been outside at all anyway. I wonder if the hours of 4-8 are especially bad for you for a similar reason? Maybe because it's dark and it's kind of a down time for you? And yeah mornings are hard, too. It's like there's a very small window in the day and a very small window each month that's good. Therapy does help. I don't know that my anxiety has greatly decreased. I mean, yeah, it has, but I still get it a lot and I think now I have more tools to rein in it more quickly.

You've come to the right place. I've received a lot of help and great advice here. And it's always helpful to know you're neither crazy nor alone :)

Take care!

R.T.,

Best wishes on your start up ! Keep us posted and we will keep you in support.:)