Anxiety, Anxiety, Anxiety [Help!]

Hi All,

My anxiety has been hit or miss with me lately. I'm too scared to go back to the gym as recently, every time I go I get light headed and tired. My anxiety symptoms are also completely frightening. I've had more EKGs and blood tests than I can count, and multiple doctors have said I'm fine. But I don't believe them. I keep thinking "something must be wrong," yet no matter how many tests I do, the doctors keep saying I'm fine. Everything from stress tests, holter-monitors (wore one for 2 weeks), the works - multiple blood tests to check for clots. All that's left is a heart CT scan. I had one scheduled but I cancelled it in a "high moment" where I felt completely normal. Now I'm thinking "what if that would have been the one thing that caught the problem that is now going undetected?"

The symptoms scare me. I have palpitations at random, more so at night or when I'm tired (and I'm always tired). My left arm almost always hurts (I'm dominant left handed, if that helps), and I get random soreness in my muscles. Occasionally, my left jaw will hurt, or I'll get a pain on my upper left back - it's scaring the heck out of me! I started using my CPAP again. I feel tired a lot - sometimes at work, between 2 and 4, I have this huge urge to sleep. I fight it all the way until 6/7PM. Tonight, as I was laying down watching NARCOS at home (great show, btw!), I felt this pressure on my chest, like it was caving in. It lasted a couple of seconds but coupled with the sleepiness, boy did I freak out. Mind you, about 3 or 4 hours prior I had a pretty big meal (steak, hot dogs, veggies, chicken - the works). Was it gasto-related? Was it heart? I don't know, but my anxiety went into "you're having a 'silent heart attack' and que an hour and a half of pacing back and forth and googling every type of terrible end to a life via cardiovascular failure imaginable.

More than one doctor has said I'm okay, but I don't believe it. I don't want to take anti-anxiety meds. I want to beat this - but I'm always scared of something. I used to be able to go to the gym for 2 hours straight on the elliptical and watch my favorite shows and not think a thing of it. Now, I'm too scared to go for a walk.

Did anyone else have this experience? Should I believe my doctors? My therapist is trying to help but I've been so busy with work that I haven't had the regular sessions.

This whole anxiety thing is really frustrating me. I want my life back. I want to feel like I'm alive again - right now I feel so incredibly helpless and trapped.

Any ideas, help, advice -- anything, would be appreciated.

Edit: I'm only 32 years old!

Hi MDoe and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of the current challenges you are facing with anxiety and symptoms. I understand completely...(specifically regarding the fear of exercise...b/c I am an athlete by profession!)


I do encourage you to attend your therapy as often and regularly as possible. It will help with time and continued effort.

I also urge you to be consistent with an ongoing self help regimen. At the top of the main forum page here you'll find great material to work with in our Resources

Start with the Stress Relieving Exercises link and the Health Anxiety info and advice. This will make a difference in how you feel if practiced daily!

Finally, keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key!

Talk soon ,

Scaredy Cat

because ya cholesterol is, good., because you passed ekg, bloods, stress test, holter monitor! is ya anxiety my friend. do the things fore-mentioned. it will pass. deviate that mind.