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Posted 9/18/2014 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Last time I spoke with my doctor she mentioned I might be suffering from minor cases of anxiety but it didn't sound like anything to worry about now. Now I'm wondering if my anxiety is worse than I thought and my doctor thought.

Since February I've been concerned off and on about my health. I started taking Lisinopril in February of this year for high blood pressure. Two weeks later I was rushed to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. However after blood work, EKG, chest x-ray, CT scan, echo-cardiogram stress test they could not find anything wrong and released me with no diagnoses. They instructed that I continue the Lisinopril but the next day I was back in another ER having similar symptoms. Needless to say that is the last time I ever took Lisinopril. My doctor took off it, thinking it was a reaction to the drug. Ever since then I've been paranoid about my health. I take my pulse all the time, and blood pressure. I've lost 50 lbs since February through diet and exercise but every time I feel an irregular heart rhythm, fast heart, chest pain, etc. I almost always instantly think something is wrong like I'm having a cardiac event.

I try to stay calm and tell myself its just your acid reflux / GERD but those thoughts creep in. It seems like a vicious circle, the symptoms cause anxiety and the anxiety causes the symptoms. Does it sound like anxiety is the root cause or the anxiety is a result of the symptoms I get?
Posted 9/18/2014 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on the weight loss, that is wonderful. You can read thread after thread of people who have the same exact symptoms of you, I have had them myself. You've taken all the precautionary measures by getting things checked out, you are exercising and losing weight, so you are being proactive.

I think most people with any anxiety problem seem to be overly sensitive to any new feeling in the body, or any feeling that we feel is "not normal", so we start the "vicious cycle" of thinking the worst, which in return brings on anxiety, which in turn makes every thing worse.

As far as is it the anxiety or the symptoms, in my opinion as far as how I react, it could be a combination of both. We feel something that doesn't seem to feel like we think it should, we get anxious which brings on other symptoms and so forth.

Has your doctor recommended anything for you? Or if you haven't spoke to him about it, I would just see what he thinks is best for you.
Posted 9/18/2014 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi greyfox / my brother/sister in anxiety! :)

I have the same story as you. I had an event in February which led me to think I was having a heart attack and rushed to the hospital via my husband's car. I called 911 on the way and asked if they were going to be faster than my husband, lol. They didn't think they'd get me faster than my husband would get me to the hospital.

Anyway, long story short, I continue to be uncertain of my heart's health. I think there are a lot of us on here who have faced the same situation. It is a TERRIBLE way to live, this I know. Has your doctor started you on any anxiety meds? What are you currently doing to try and keep the anxiety at bay? Do you have any coping skills that you are currently using?

I hope that someone on this board can speak some wisdom into your situation, and that you will find the peace that you are looking for...

So sorry you are going through this too...! :( It will get better with time, and active practice of coping skills.
Posted 9/18/2014 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback TooMuchAnxiety and brendaboo. Its good to know I'm not the only one having these experiences.

As far as coping with it I try to keep myself busy, occupied, focused. If my mind is focused on something I don't really notice the symptoms as much. Its when my mind is bored and empty that I notice it the most. I live by myself other than my puppy dog so I have a little too much quiet thinking time. To take my mind off things I'll watch a TV show I'm really into, or kick on the Xbox for an hour or two, or do some programming on my computer. Exercise also seems to help. I'm not taking any medication at this point. I have my yearly physical in November so I was planning on talking about it then.

My anxiety tends to be the worse right before bed or if I wake up in the middle of the night which makes getting a good nights sleep consistently a bit of a challenge. Lately I've just played Xbox until I'm ready to pass out asleep which seems to help sometimes (as long as I don't play any scary games :) )
Posted 9/18/2014 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you came to this forum. You will find so many people with the same symptoms as you. We are all united here through this terrible thing called anxiety:)

The thing that helps me the most with anxiety is therapy. Even with mild anxiety it can be really helpful with the right therapist.

Good luck! You will get through this:) And congratulations on the weight loss!
Posted 9/18/2014 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GF and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your experience with anxiety and the Rx that did not work out. This sounds like it was a trigger for your symptoms and resulting health anxiety issues.

There are treatment options available as the others mentioned. Talking with your doctor about the possibility of medication and/or therapy is a good place to start...definitely bring it up at your upcoming appointment.

Until then, here are some great links that I pulled up for you from our Resources (full Resource Guide found on main page, 1st thread)

Try some of these coping skills and see how you feel. Practicing the stress relieving exercises everyday will start to make a difference.:)

The last link (The Super Scanner) explains how physical symptoms compounds our anxiety...and how you can break that cycle!

Keep posting with us. We understand, care and are here to support anytime!

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

 

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

 

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx

Helping health Anxiety

 

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

http://www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf



Scaredy Cat

Posted 9/18/2014 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! These look like good resources!

I think you may be on to something with health anxiety issues. I have GERD and Caprel tunnel in my left hand/wrist. When I wake up in the middle of the night with chest discomfort and pin and needles feeling in my left arm it definitely gets my mind racing which probably makes in worse.

Thank you to everyone for the feedback and support.
Posted 9/18/2014 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Greyfox, playing X-box(I watch my son play all the time) too much could also cause discomfort in your hands and arms, and especially with carpal tunnel any repeated action can cause pain, some of the games really require a lot of hand movements so it would seem that could cause some of the sensations.

I tend to lean on my left arm when I am on the computer, and I have had that tingly sensation that really scared me, but I also took into consideration I was on face book playing a game for hours trying to complete a mission and it did affect my arm, and it so happens to be my left arm so that worried me.
Posted 9/19/2014 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a software developer so I spend 10+ hours a day on a computer. I wear a brace at night and during the day when it flares up. I use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse at work and home which helps.

I realize video games can aggravate carpel tunnel but they can be soo fun :) I do try to limit myself to 3-5 hours a week.
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