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Feeling horrible today

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Posted 1/19/2015 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
After a night of very little sleep due to my heart anxiety I feel horrible today. I'm nauseous, my chest hurts, my hands and feet keep breaking out into cold sweats, and I can't seem to stop burping. However the burping seems to relieve some of the pressure in my chest.

I just can't seen to get past this. You would think that 3 EKG's, bloodwork, and a chest x-ray would be enough to convince me I'm not having a heart attack or have heart problem. I'm so tired of feeling this way. I have an appointment with a doctor tomorrow.

Sorry I just had to get that off my chest.
Posted 1/19/2015 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Lisa,

I've been burping for like three months now! It goes go away when I occupy myself, but for the most part, it just kind of stays around. I know it is just another annoying symptom of anxiety and will eventually go away.

Hope you can catch a nap today. Anxiwty and no sleep is not a good combo.
Posted 1/19/2015 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have also experienced the same feelings. I can't get past the feeling that something is wrong with my heart even though EKGs, blood work and 2 stress tests have proven otherwise. I think part of it is my mom had to have a stent put in in her mid 50s and I'm scared to death I'll have a problem too. I feel like I should go to my doctor...again... but am scared to death plus can't afford it.
Posted 1/19/2015 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa,

Sorry to hear about your bad night.:( It is really hard to lose sleep over health anxiety fears...and just makes things harder to cope with the next day...

Have you checked out our self help material for health anxiety in our Resources here? It is really great, and can be found at the top.of the main page.

Tomorrow hopefully you can discus treatment options with your doctor if you've not already done so? Also discussing the possibility of GERD might be a good idea, due to the symptoms you describe. (GERD symptoms can be mistaken for heart issues.)

Let us know how it goes, okay? We are here in support!

S.C.
Posted 1/19/2015 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Scaredy Cat. I have been reading the resources and even downloaded one of the books on overcoming health anxiety. It's been a great help.

I will discuss the possibility of GERD with my doctor tomorrow. She was leaning towards that the last time I was there. I have a feeling I'll need to get an endoscopy after my appt tomorrow. I'll keep you posted though!
Posted 1/19/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
are you sure you don't have anxiety combined with something else? It could be affecting your body's health in some way. mental tends to transfer to real. just sayin'
Posted 1/19/2015 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
...no I am willing to bet it is simply anxiety and possibly GERD symptoms.

Our stressors over the long haul are not healthy of course...

...but they do not manifest in the form of our fears coming true.

S.C.
Posted 1/19/2015 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
I agree. Given that half my family has acid reflux, I'm betting that and anxiety are my problems. My acid reflux set off my anxiety which is causing some of my problems. I had a long talk with my mom today about it. Helped me feel a little better.
Posted 1/20/2015 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you're feeling better :)
Posted 1/21/2015 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Well saw my doctor yesterday. She's referred me to gastroenterologist. Have an appointment with them on Monday. Meanwhile the burping has gotten worse. I feel pressure build up in my chest and shoulders burping about 10 to 20 times (lol) relieves it some. So far I've been doing better at keep my anxiety levels down. :)
Posted 1/21/2015 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Lisa,

Glad to hear that you are getting things checked out...and that your anxiety has been managable! :) Great job!

Keep up the good work, as you continue to seek your answers for the stomach issue.

One thought...have you paid attention to your breathing or practiced slow, deep breathing techniques? I ask because many people with anxiety tend to 'gulp air' through anxious breathing habits...thus the bloating and burping.

You may not even be aware that you are doing it, and breathing exercises could help. It certainly can't hurt to try! We have instructions for them in our Resources.:)

Let us know how it is going soon.

S.C.
Posted 1/21/2015 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with SC. I'm pretty sure that's where my burping comes from. I'm a terrible breather. And it goes away when I am really occupied with something. But when it first started a couple months ago, I just burped all the time.

Good luck at the doctor!!
Posted 1/24/2015 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I just now got to reply. I'll have to look into the breathing exercises. I think that might be part of my problem. For the last few days I've been dealing with burping, chest pains (often relieved by burping), and on and off pain in my left shoulder/arm. My heart fears are back in place. Though I keep telling myself that after three days of this if it was my heart something would have happened by now I can't seem to break the cycle.

I've started reading Carole Weekes' "Hope and Help For Your Nerves" and applying some of her techniques. So far today I've had no chest pains and the arm pain has been limited.
Posted 1/25/2015 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
I deal with excessive burping and chest pain all the time. Mine is gerd/reflux. If you burp and that eases the chest pain, most likely it's not cardiac. Just speaking from my experience. I am not a doc. I freak out about it too, but my husband reminds me of what my doc said. Hope you feel better soon!
Posted 1/25/2015 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reassurance! Doing a little better today. I went for a walk this morning which helped a little though I was nervous the entire time. I have my first appt with a GI doctor tomorrow morning so hopefully they can help get the reflux under control. :-)
Posted 1/25/2015 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
L.,

Yeah! Good job on pushing through and getting some good anxiety relieving exercise!

Let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow!

S.C.
Posted 1/25/2015 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
I hope your appointment goes well :)
Posted 1/26/2015 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Just an update for everyone. I went to GI specialist today and they've increased my Prevacid to 30mg. I have an endscopy scheduled for February 24. I had mentioned the left side shoulder pain and she didn't seem to be concerned but said if the endscopy didn't show anything she would refer me to cardiologist just to be sure. So that's where I stand right now.
Posted 1/26/2015 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a good plan:)...

...and you sound at peace with it...that's great.:)

We will keep you in support as you await your upcoming tests!

S.C.
Posted 1/26/2015 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you are taking a pro-active stance...perhaps they will find what is really bothering you.
Hugs, Reepin
Posted 1/26/2015 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Reepin! :)

I've been better today Scaredy Cat. :)

I don't know if it's because my left arm hasn't hurt as much today and is finally responding to Motrin or if it's because the recent thing at work I've been dreading has finally happened but I'm not as anxious today.

My coworker had her baby yesterday. :) I have to pick up the slack while she's out which has been causing a huge amount of stress. But now that she's out and I know what I'm responsible for I feel a little better. :)

Thanks for the support! I'll keep everyone updated once I've had my test!
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