Huge increase in anxiety lately

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've posted here. I'm feeling awful.

Quick recap about me: I started having panic attacks last December. Went to the ER twice and had the paramedics at my house once. I've seen both a neurologist (CT scan and MRI show totally normal brain and neck) and cardiologist (few EKG's, exercise stress test, 24 hour holter monitor -- mostly all in February, saw the cardiologist in May actually, nothing abnormal, I have PVCs, about 180 noted in the 24 hours, did well on the stress test, no one saw a need for an echo. I had one of those about 10 years ago and it showed a healthy heart.) I started seeing a therapist and that has helped a ton. No meds. Tried one and had an awful reaction. I take Xanax as needed and that need has decreased a lot. I've learned a lot of techniques to manage my anxiety and they help. I haven't had a full attack since maybe February. I'm 42. I've had some degree of anxiety for as long as I can remember and some PTSD from some things that happened when I was little. Not personally to me, but my family. I believe, too, that I am perimenopausal. My doctor thinks it's that or PMDD.

Anyway, fast forward to lately. Someone very close to me recently went through a very horrible, traumatic event. It crushed me. Ive actually increased my therapy to help me through it so I can cope and help her. I'd give anything to take this away from her, but I can't so I'm trying to help. I wasn't surprised that my emotional response has been strong. Of course, it's normal. But it's been 3 weeks and 3 weekly therapy sessions (I was going every other week, and just about to jump to every 3 weeks) yet I feel so much worse. I had horrible stomach pains the other day and didn't get to sleep until 2 am. My sleep has been horrible. And Ive had days, like today, where I really notice the skipped beats and it freaks me out. I know I'm not doing myself any favors by going through google, but I can't stop. This was a problem with my health anxiety before and I had quit but I've started again. My head hurts, my shoulders hurt, my muscles feel tense, I cry at the drop of a hat. I'm scared my heart is having problems and I'm scared of dying. Typing this makes me cry. I don't know what's going on! Why am I feeling the PVCs all of a sudden? about a week after this trauma, I went out with friends. I hadn't wanted to. It had been a really hard week, but I did. I drank more than I should have. I wasn't drunk, but the next day was when I really felt the PVCs, like a flutter in my chest that spread. But why do I feel them today? I don't drink a lot. I had a glass of wine last night and didn't even finish it. I gave half to my husband. I'm feeling so helpless again. When this all was happening before I would have a racing heartbeat. I haven't had that in forever. Maybe because I'm running more regularly again, but why the increase in PVCs? Why can I feel them now??

I am so sorry you're struggling! It's very upsetting, I know all too well how taking steps back when we thought we were "over it", feels scary and rotten. A big hug to you!

I have to agree with what Cornell had said- as I read through your post, it's very clear you were triggered by the current traumatic situation, hence your current struggles with the anxiety, obsessive thoughts about the palpitations, dying etc.

Triggers can happen anytime & often when we least expect it. It's always a work in progress. You will most definitely get through this rough patch but it's going to require a little homework by you, getting out those coping skills & using them- meditating, deep breathing, praying, treating yourself kindly, being aware of what "stinking thinking" is playing in your mind, etc.

I'm 43 so I understand the confusion of if we're having peri menopause whacky hormones, the heart palps etc. I've been having them for about 2+ weeks right now. I've gotten them off & on my whole life. Unlike you and the others though, I've not been checked out for them. I see my doc regularly. I've just never thought to bring them up bc I've always assumed they were from hormones. Sooooo many people get them but when we have the extra bonus of health anxiety, we are the ones that tend to obsess over them and so begins the snowball affect of looking for them, feeling them, maybe even creating more of them with the worry, etc.

A kind member of our forum told us a while back something awesome a priest friend told him years ago about the fear of dying- without exactly quoting it was something like "you only die once. Dress rehearsing it daily is a waste of time bc dying once is enough." That wasn't the exact quote but it really struck a chord with those of us bc it's true. We only die once so why waste precious time worrying about it. Once IS enough!

I'm sending you healing thoughts. I know you're struggling and I sure have empathy. Please keep talking here as we all understand and will help you during your current rough patch.

Love,
Lisa

The PVCs are non stop today. I woke up at 5 and they started probably around 6. Sometimes they're all in a row and sometimes there will be a little time in between. Either way, I'm feeling them always and it's really scaring me. I took a Xanax and it usually helps, but doesn't seem to be now. I'm just laying in bed crying, even though I'm trying to distract myself with tv. We're supposed to go out with friends tonight, but I don't want to. We actually have a busy day. Flu shots, errands, my son's last soccer game. I'm just afraid I'm going to have a breakdown. I know I'm most likely making it worse, but right now it seems almost impossible to calm myself.

I really appreciate your words. I really do. And I believe what you're saying. But it's so hard to quiet my mind when I keep feeling these. It's never been this bad.

I just want to sleep.

sometimes palpitations are related to side effects of medications ,i used to have terrible ones and as i discontinued my medicines they are "gone".

hormones and medications make huge difference .

be watchful of caffeine too.