Stressful Week- Perceived Heart Issues(Real or Not?)

So I'm really taking well to CBT and my new therapist. I've made excellent progress and the past three weeks have been almost normal for me. Until Monday. I had an interview for a new job(I was recently laid off). Sunday evening I thought I was handling things well, I had a few pvc's but all in all, I wasn't consciously anxious. Sunday night I didn't sleep.....at all. I woke up, went on with my day and didn't panic until 10 mins before my interview. Interview went well and I made it through, GOT THE JOB!(New stress:P) When I left I felt exhausted and just over stimulated. I took my blood pressure and it was 180/120.... Yeah... It has NEVER been that high. I usually run 120/80. It persisted and I started to focus on it. I would take it every 20 mins or so and so I immediately thought something was wrong with my heart. I didn't sleep that night either. The next day my chocolate lab went missing...... That brought on other symptoms, chest pain, left arm numbness, weird pain and throbbing in the left side of my neck. Needless to say my bp didn't go down. Yesterday I went to see my therapist and he said this is all normal, I've had a nuclear stress test in April and several EKG's and blood work in between then and now. He says my heart isn't just going to up and fail on me.(Also no family history ever of heart disease) Well, I left feeling encouraged and empowered. Got home, made dinner for the kids and the wife and prepped for calming down. At 7:30 I got a call that someone had seen my dog in a neighbors back yard and their children were bragging that they had just gotten a new dog.... I immediately went to the callers house and she took me to her neighbors, where I FOUND MY LAB. I Hopped the 6ft fence, grabbed my 70lb dog and leaped back over the fence. I don't know how I did it. But I had so much adrenaline in me and when I should have been relieved I was plagued by an excitability I can't even describe all night(Heart racing for hours, shaky, breathing issues). Now I feel chest pain, arm weakness, leg weakness, neck pain and throbbing and I am SCARED TO DEATH that I am dying of a heart attack.....

I know this is a trick, I know this is something that is not being done TO me, but BY me. At least I hope anyway. HOW DO I GET OUT OF THIS CYCLE?! I'm doing all the coping and positive affirmations, breathing techniques. I keep thinking I wish I would die already if this wouldn't stop. Not meaning I'm suicidal, I just would rather die of a heart attack than keep worrying about it.


Does anyone else experience this? Is this tied to a HUGE week of stress and I'll get over it?

Looking for a light at the end of the tunnel,

Cal

How to get out of the cycle is a tricky question. It is different for everyone. Medication, meditation, positive thoughts, patience, breathing exercises, going to the doctor, exercising, therapy, relaxation, vacation...etc. sometimes it's one thing, sometimes it a combination. What is important is finding what works for you. Maybe try different things if your finding your old stand bys aren't quite cutting it anymore. Anxiety seems to finds its way around coping skills sometimes.
You know that your mind is tricking you, as stated above. That's half the battle! But, Until you start believing yourself (and all the doctors), its likely the cycle won't be broken:( For me, this took quite a bit of time and I am still working on it.
Congratulations on landing a new job and finding your dog!!! Great stuff is happening for you! I hope you find time to celebrate these victories:)

Calibren- I had to read this twice because I thought it was MY post (not really). But honestly I have been in your same situation many many times in life. Heart racing, high BP, mind racing, adrenaline pumping, chest pains, arm pain, you name it, I've had it. But I agree with Cornell above... try to trust your doc. I'm quite sure there's nothing wrong with your heart. You're just a member of our exclusive organization, The Anxiety Club! We're all here for you, please remember that, and I'm not trying to minimize the symptoms you're feeling because I know, first hand, how horrible and real they are. But sometimes when you can talk with people like us who know EXACTLY what you're going through, it does help a little, even if only for awhile. If you keep talking to yourself, keep doing breathing exercises and using all the other tools offered here, YOU WILL GET THROUGH IT. It may come back again at times but you may be better equipped to handle it if you've learned your coping skills. I wish you all the very best in conquering this period you're going through and keep posting as you go along and let us know how you're doing....we all DO care.

Calibren ,
Anxiety can make us to stuff we can't imagine ,like you jumping the fence !
That takes lots of mental and physical energy and that's why you feel the way you feel.

I did that one time --was sure i hurt my ligaments and cried in pain for weeks !
(i did not have anxiety then or i would think exactly like you)

I am glad you found your "dog" ~how about you get your heart checked out again next week!

will put your mind at ease>

take it slow and worry can eat soooo much energy i know!