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TRIGGER TOPIC! Irrational Thinking....I hope

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Posted 6/8/2015 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Something with my heart has been bothering me for weeks. Really since I was on the beta blocker and then switched to Zoloft. I feel not pressure, but pressure and I feel the beats so much and they are so much slower than they ever have been and it feels really not right.

I have an appointment with my cardiologist next week, but I can't help but be afraid that something serious is going to happen to me before that appointment, or once we have the appointment, they'll find something. Specifically a mass of some kind pressing near my heart. I've gotten this in my head because a girl I went to school with had Cancer and a large tumor was found near her heart. Mind you, she had a bunch of symptoms that I do not have....I guess my health anxiety is a little out of control right now.

Also, random fact....since starting zoloft, I focus much less attention on when I'll have the next big panic attack and much more on my health anxiety. Weird.

Can anyone help pull me off the crazy ledge that I'm on?
Posted 6/8/2015 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Beta blockers are primarily used as blood pressure medications, if I remember correctly.

I used them very briefly and noticed my heart rate felt a lot slower, but they didn't do much for me, anxiety wise
Posted 6/8/2015 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
NC,

I was on it to help slow my heart rate down a little, but I've been off of it for over a month, so I don't think it should still be impacting me? I guess that's a question for my cardiologist.
Posted 6/8/2015 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Park, GET OFF THAT LEDGE!!!!!!!! Your heart is just fine, you are healthy, active, and have no symptoms of something major. So get off the ledge!!! I am sorry your HA has reared it's ugly head to more active, that means you need to be more active in using your coping skills.

You are fine, I promise :)
Posted 6/8/2015 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
AL,

I'm so sure that you're right, but this weird feeling in my chest is stopping me from believing it. I've tried Tums for heartburn and that didn't help. It's just this weird pressure/slow beat thing and it has me completely freaked out.
Posted 6/8/2015 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
When do you see your therapist next?
Posted 6/8/2015 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Friday. Not soon enough. :-(
Posted 6/8/2015 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, ya that isn't as soon as I was hoping. I am sorry your HA seems to be getting the best of you, I know it isn't easy to live with the fears that HA brings, I do the same thing as you so know you are not alone.

But I promise you are going to be okay, try to watch a mindfulness video, or play with your son, do something to take your mind off it.
Posted 6/9/2015 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
P.,

How is your gastro situation currently?

When GERD acts up...and it can be 'silent', so.it is sneaky at times...

...this can cause pressure and changes (simply perceived) at times with our HR.

Try to put it out of your mind until your appointment and you have definitive answers...cause right now, you just have that nasty anxiety trying to start a rumor!

If you are not treating for reflux at the moment...maybe start doing so again?

S.C.
Posted 6/9/2015 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
S.C.,

I have been a little belchy lately....I haven't been doing anything for reflux for quite some time. That could be it....

I've been allowing my mind to go to worst case type scenarios (heart attack), however, I've been feeling this way for weeks so it's virtually impossible that I would be having a heart attack, right?

Wow...I haven't been this bad in awhile...could you repost for me some of the Health Anxiety coping tools? I'm on my phone which makes it difficult to search for them and I've never actually used the ones specific to health anxiety before. I don't think.
Posted 6/9/2015 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Megan,

When I feel something is up with my heart, I now just attribute it to anxiety because I've had multiple EKGs done. That rationale has gotten me through what would otherwise be seen as some scary times.
Posted 6/9/2015 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Here you go Park, Hope they help :)

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

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

Helping health Anxiety

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

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf
Posted 6/9/2015 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
Park, i use to do this several times a day, just so you will know you are not alone, finally I guess i just got
tired of it, i had the fullness and palps just a few minutes ago tave it about 15 seconds of my time, heck
at least it's still beating, Your ok and all this will pass, Mindfulness will help you break the fear that somethings wrong, Peace

Larry ***
Posted 6/9/2015 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
John,

I had an EKG done a few months ago when I had a physical. Logical me knows better, but logical me seems to be on vacation at the moment. The thing is, something is different. It could be a heart burn type thing, or maybe a side effect from the Zoloft, but I am positive that something is different. I knew it a few weeks ago and that's why I scheduled the cardiologist appointment. Something is goofy; I just don't know what.

AL,

Thank you! I'll have a look at these when I put my son to bed and try and get things under control.

Larry,

I need to take your advice more often, as it is always sound and reasonable. Unfortunately my head is just not being reasonable right now. I'm sure it's nothing as serious as I'm imagining it to be, but something does feel off.

Sigh.
Posted 6/9/2015 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Megan,

I hear you. Have you checked the side-effects of Zoloft?
Posted 6/9/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
John,

I have. A slowed heart rate is actually a side effect. It falls under less common, but it's there either way.

I did email my GP about it and he wasn't too familiar with that as a side effect, but he said even if that is happening, as long as I'm not feeling dizzy or lightheaded, it should be harmless.

I'll definitely feel better once I see my cardiologist though. It's been a couple years since I've had any major tests and I'd at least like a check up and for him to hear my concerns.
Posted 6/9/2015 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Megan,

Hey, nothing wrong with covering your bases. I'm no expert in anything, but if your left arm is good and you are not having crushing chest pain, Johnny says relax. Just about everything is treatable.

Read my Van Wilder quote. Remember our FB conversation about our eyes. Have I steered you wrong yet?

You're not truly living. So many good things are passing you by. Most of what we worry about never happens.

It's all easier said than done and it frustrates me that we have to work harder for "normalcy", but I think it takes a lot of courage to open up like we do. Take some solace in that.
Posted 6/9/2015 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
John,

You have yet to steer me wrong and you are right. I am not truly living.

I've actually read your quote a few times today. It resonated with me quite well.

I'll feel better after my doctors appointment but I need to not dwell on it for the next week. It's summer. Or something close to it and I need to enjoy it.
Posted 6/9/2015 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Megan,

Is there anything you can do for yourself for 21 days as to make it habit? It can be as simple or complex as you want.
Posted 6/9/2015 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
You mean to start a hobby or something?
Posted 6/9/2015 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Anything. Go out of your way to be kind to someone in person. Walk. Twerk. idk.

"Free your mind and the rest will follow." - En Vogue
Posted 6/9/2015 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Ha! Ok.
Posted 6/9/2015 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Wait, what did I miss, Park is twerking? LOL
Posted 6/9/2015 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
I suggested she twerk. 😁
Posted 6/9/2015 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
21 straight days of twerking.
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