New Here

Hi,

I am new to this site, stumbled upon in searching differences between heart attacks and panic attacks. Long story short a few months ago I experienced a sharp intense pain in my chest, which was followed by cold sweats and dizziness. Went to the ER blood work was fine, EKG was fine. Followed up with my primary and had a holter monitor (sp?), stress test and blood work all normal.

I still am having these issues with chest pain, occasional dizziness, fluttering in my chest, trouble breathing. I am a mom of 3 and constantly afraid I am going to die. I hate being alone with them because I am so afraid something is going to happen and they are going to witness it.

I have struggled with depression in my teenage years, but this feeling is new. Primary care doctor prescribed me Lorazepam as needed, and to be honest I am not sure its even helping. Every time I experience an episode its when I am not doing anything stressful. As an example, I took my son to a movie over the weekend and we were sitting there watching the movie and all of a sudden I got the fluttery heart feeling, and started to have breathing issues and started getting nervous something was wrong.

I don't even know what to think anymore but living like this is awful.

Hi LBT
I am sorry you are suffering with this at the present time..
On a positive note to the physical symptoms you are suffering .. You did the right thing by getting your self checked out , it must have been very scary for you... At least all the results were clear and your non anxious state knows and understands this.
However when anxiety or panic attack comes with it ... It really makes things harder to understand and it becomes so real and scary , I have been there and the anxiety plays tricks with the mind and the rest you know.

Did you mention to your doctor about your fears now as maybe they could have suggested talking health with a professional.Is this something that is possible?
Also there is a resource center at the top of this page and that can be invaluable in helping you through these anxious times.It has tips and links to different coping skills which you may find beneficial.

I hope you find some respite in this and you will get support and encouragement from this HW site.. You will be suprised how many people struggle with this but there is help and support and you will get through it....
Just be gentle on your self and know you are not alone.

Sending love and encouragement.

Hi LBT Mom, and welcome to the forum!

Sometimes anxiety/panic manifests itself in ways that mimic other scary illnesses and disasters. You are completely not alone in this.

You did the right thing by seeing a doctor and confirming that nothing was physiologically abnormal, even though the mental stuff is incredibly tough.

Definitely check out our resources section and try some of those coping techniques-- they really work .

Welcome to the forum! We all share this "fun" affliction called anxiety and collectively know a lot and very happy to help out!

Sounds like the physical symptoms are causing you a lot of worry. I also have dealt with them with my anxiety and they can be very uncomfortable.

I read a book called "Hope and Help for your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes. She devotes the whole first several chapters to how your nervous system works and what we "worried well" individuals as she calls it, experience. What's nice is she discusses all the physical manifestations of anxiety and what it can, and more importantly, cannot do. For example, a few years ago when my anxiety was through the roof, I was incredibly dizzy. This scared me a lot but funny thing is that I never passed out or fell down because of it. Realizing that the horrible dizziness feeling, and a few other symptoms, were my anxiety, helped me cognitively cope.

I've also been on Lexapro for a few years and it's been a big help. I did need Klonopin (benzo) early on as a rescue med until the Lexapro got dialed in, but now things are much better. Even when I have anxiety occasionally these days, it's minor compared to what it was.

Hang in there!

One more thing, one of the triggers for me is heartburn / GERD. I've read this can be a trigger for some. Heartburn can cause sharp pains in your chest that can be quite unsettling. The reason I know this in my case is what a period of anxiety hits, and I take Nexium to calm the stomach acid, my anxiety and related physical symptoms vanish. I stumbled on this a few years ago when I went to the doc with some dull stomach pain that wouldn't go away. He put me on Nexium for a little while and that's when I started connecting the dots.

Might be something to consider when talking with your doc.