hypochondria at its worst

I suffer from anxiety and panic especially from health related issues. When I start to feel anything other than "ok" I start with the pulse check also. You are so not alone. I have been told to control my anxiety when I ask my doctor to many questions also. I am having a bad anxiety day today related to not feeling well and the finger pulse thing is sitting right next to me. i get you. Both you and me really need to try and distract ourselves when we get like this and rely somehow on ourselves for comfort. I have learned, as I have a cardiologist also, that you have to believe the doctors and put your faith in their knowledge and God.

Again you are not alone, I can relate to everything you said. It is a struggle that those around us that do not suffer anxiety can not imagine.

I am here if you want to talk.

Dawn

Hi IHA,

I am sorry you are going through these worries currently.:( I understand how it feels to fear about one's health...and it is discouraging and exhausting.

I too have palpitations...and was told by my doctor that just about everyone with a heart has them.:) However, not everyone feels them...

...and those that do, just shrug them off.

Then there are health anxiety sufferers like us...who take worrying about physical sensations to a whole new level! We tend to go on high alert about these things, right?

I have discovered something interesting with the palpitations I perceive feeling, and stomach issues. I too thought I was having more palps than I actually was. GERD/reflux... can feel like a PVC/palp...but it is actually gas moving around...and is easily confused since the stomach and the heart are in such close proximity.

So, you may actually be having stomach/gas/excess acid issues (common with anxiety!) rather than all the PVC's you might think...

As far as the health anxiety goes, what is your current treatment regimen? Are you seeing a therapist, or using self help for recovery?

S.C.

Scaredy Cat,
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
I actually don't feel them without checking my pulse. People tell me to stop checking but I can't help it. I want to know if I am having an episode or not. It's stupid, but it's so hard to think that I could be having a billion and not knowing. I hate when I don't know things, even if what it is scares me.

I had a question about the GERD/acid reflux. You said that a sensation of a palp could be gas. Since I only feel the PVCs when I'm checking my pulse, is it possible that the skipped beat sensation feeling could be gas related? I'd understand that being the case if I felt the PVCs without putting my fingers to my neck, but could it still be that? I'm pretty sure I have acid reflux though. For the past couple months (which is also when I was diagnosed with PVCs), a lot of times when I eat I get an acid taste in my mouth and I burp constantly. Tonight my stomach hurts really bad and I took some tums. I went to the pharmacy tonight and picked up Prilosec for acid reflex/heart burn relief so I really really hope it helps! I'm taking it in the morning since that is was the directions say to do. Hopefully my PVCs will lessen if I get this indigestion thing in control. Kind of pisses me off how the cardiologist didn't suggest to do anything to try to make them disappear. I'm still really upset that she cut me off to see her. If I die from this before I see the new dr, she could prob get sued for malpractice. Im having all these new symptoms and now have noone to talk to until early May. :( I just have a fear that when Im having a PVC episode that it is going to kill me... I want to be reassured that its not

As far as psy treatment, I have been seeing psys for about 10 years and I have been on so many different medications. I was on Prozac for anxiety which seemed to work pretty well (I think it was that med), I've been on so many, its hard to remember which one. I did get tremors on that med though. :/ My psy is way too expensive and she hasn't been helping lately. I am going on a trip tomorrow for a friends wedding. When I get back I am going to look into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I also just started working with a Naturopathic Dr who will get me on some supplements and help with a diet plan. I think I have a lot of toxins in my body from being a pretty heavy drinker for 10 years.

Anyways, Im off to bed. Its really late and I have to get up soon. I will email soon about the religious stuff.

Good night

Post Edited (ihateanxiety) : 4/6/2016 1:15:38 AM (GMT-6)

IHA,

Good to hear that you are starting treatment for the reflux. I do think that once you get that managed, that your palps/PVC issue is going to decrease!

In answer to your feeling the skips in your pulse...yes, this is still likely GERD related. I have had both perceived palps and real ones do to stomach issues. In other words, even if all the PVC'S that you feel are true ones...their root cause is likely digestive (gas/bloating pushes up into the chest causing a benign/temporary disruption of rhythm)...so this is not indicative of a cardio problem!

I can really encourage you to look into the CBT that you are considering! You can work specifically on your health/cardio related worries.

Finally, yes...I have woken up with panic/symptoms/dizziness...just awful! :( I am sorry this happened. Use your positive mantras and relaxation coping skills as much as possible to bring down your overall anxiety levels to avoid this undesirable experience.

I hope you have a wonderful trip to your friend's wedding! May it be fun and anxiety free!

Keep us updated on your progress okay?

S.C.

Yeah...the 'What-If' questions are troublesome, I know. ..

...but 'What-If' your cardiologist is right (and she is!)...and there is nothing to worry about? ;)

Work your coping skills...keep those positive mantras going on repeat...

(My personal favorite is: "I am okay, this is just anxiety causing these symptoms.")

...and go have a great time celebrating your friend's wedding!

S.C.