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Can anxiety do this to me?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 5/19/2014 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Since Wednesday I've been in a state of almost constant panic, with multiple panic attacks a day. I thought I was dying once. I went to the hospital, and they did blood work and an EKG ( I thought it was my heart ) and they came back normal. Went to the cardiologist to follow up, and he said my EKG was enough to assure me that my problem lied solely in anxiety. However, I'm not so sure... Although the anxiety symptoms have gotten better ( shaking, palps, short of breath, minor chest pain, headache, tingling in face and extremities, etc ) I still feel very weak and my heart does not feel right. I can feel it beating far too often and it palpitates way more than it used to before the episodes. I get tired going up a flight of stairs or, if I'm feeling really bad, just standing up can make me rest for a minute. I walked slowly up a flight of stairs at school and by the time I got the the top I was tired and my heart was beating hard and palpitating. I am also experiencing a lot of gas, especially in my upper body. Gas-X is fixing that for now... Could the constant state of anxiety over the course of almost a week reduce me to this? I'm 17, male, not very active but not obese, pretty bad diet... Nevertheless, I have never felt so terrible before. I'm afraid to go to school again because I don't know if I'll make
it up those stairs.
Posted 5/19/2014 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HealingWell and know you have come to the right place to meet others that understand what you are going through. Assuming that you are under the regular care of your doctor...and with so many DR visits...you are bound to have ruled out any physical reason for these symptoms...you can most likely assume that you are dealing with anxiety. Now that does not mean that these feelings aren't physical in nature, and very real and really frightening...it just means that they have originated from anxiety, not in some disease or condition of the body. Therefore they need to be treated differently. Have you discussed your options with your doctor? Therapy and medication are the two most common ways to manage this issue. We also have a great Resource Guide here on our main page, 1st post. Check it out and see if there is something there that looks like it could be of help.   Anxiety disorders may be caused by environmental factors, medical factors, genetics, brain chemistry, substance abuse, or a combination of these. It is most commonly triggered by the stress in our lives. Usually anxiety is a response to outside forces, but it is possible that we make ourselves anxious with "negative self-talk" - a habit of always telling ourselves the worst will happen. Have you seen a therapist or psychiatrist yet............now would be a good time to make an appointment with one to see if you can find help for your symptoms. Kindly, Kitt  
Posted 5/19/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I'll be seeing a psychiatrist within a week... I understand that anxiety can affect you physically, but when I feel I have calmed down from the anxiety I still have this incredibly low stamina that I can't explain, and my heart also seems to tire easy. Maybe this is really just a part of the anxiety, it's just I don't see how. I never had any real issues except short 1 minute episodes until Wednesday, so I guess I'm kinda new to all this. I spoke to the psychiatrist briefly so I do get the basics, but this seems unrelated... I don't know.
Posted 5/19/2014 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Do you engage in physical activity? Whether it's formal exercise or some type of outdoors fun? Something to keep your body active and moving?






M.
Posted 5/19/2014 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
I do karate and I bowl. My anxiety stems from concern about my own health issues and too many internet searches about my symptoms (lol). I've stopped doing that now but it's very hard for me to not obsess over the unnatural things I feel, which I know but makes me feel worse, which makes me obsess more, etc. Still, can this extreme loss of stamina and performance really just be from anxiety?
Posted 5/20/2014 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi SER and welcome!

I am sorry to hear that you are having a rough time of it with the anxiety and symptoms currently.:(

Anxiety is exhausting, and since you have been having so many attacks, it it no wonder you are feeling worn out.

Here is a site that lists many of the physical symptoms of anxiety...and I am sure some will be familiar, and comforting to read about, considering other people have experienced similar sensations.

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

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

I am also going to recommend these books as excellent self-help tools in dealing with anxiety regarding health.  Check them out and see if they look like they'd be helpful to you.

http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Health-Anxiety-David-Veale/dp/1845298241 

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

 

I am glad to hear that you will be getting some help with your upcoming appointment as well!  Therapy is a crucial step!! :)

Post with us anytime for support.  We understand and care, and support is a big part of the healing process.

Scaredy Cat

Posted 5/20/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I appreciate it. I just wasn't sure if it could leave me feeling so weak. It hasn't been too bad today; I usually get my anxiety episodes in bursts, with lots of calm in between. Unfortunately it seems the easy times may be over. Thanks for your answers and support guys.
Posted 5/20/2014 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome .... I will tell you , I have been through all you have and more , and well it's a year and half later and I'm still here ....
I have every test you can name and procedure as well ...
I know how you feel , I had what they call the golden standard test which was a cardiac catherazation of the heart and it was all clean and clear , and I'm fine ..... I know it's not easy trust me I know .... I just pray that God will give you comfort and peace , please know if you been tested and something wAs wrong with your heart , they would not allow you to leave the doc or hospital ... I know how you feel , just pray , pray , pray and get a good support system if you have one ......
Posted 5/20/2014 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I call what you had a "rolling panic attack", my doctorate degree is in the mail smilewinkgrin, but it is one panic attack seemingly followed by another, and they do leave you weak and just blah!

I also suffer from Hypoglycemia(low blood sugar) which mimics a panic attack to a T, so if they have ruled out things like low blood sugar, etc then it sounds like a bad panic attack.

I have been to the hospital many times myself with basically the same symptoms as you were having, occasionally they will give me a shot of Ativan which seems to help quickly, I love when the one doctor wanted to give me benadryl for a panic attack, benadryl literally makes me panic just taking it.
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