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'Dropping' sensation in chest, has anyone else experienced this?

Posted , 3 users are following.

taylah04604
taylah04604

Hi everyone,

I'm 5 and a half months postpartum, a few days after the birth of my daughter I was readmitted into hospital for what the midwife who was visiting me had thought to be a mini stroke. After days of testing in the hospital it was put down to postnatal preeclampsia. I was discharged from the hospital on blood pressure medication and a heap of referrals to have tests done on my heart. This panicked me, I thought all the testing was done but then they requested more?!

So I've had an ultrasound on the veins in my neck, an ultrasound on the outside of my chest to see my heart (echocardiogram) and an ultrasound to take photos of my heart from the inside (transosophegal ultrasound). All of these tests have come back fine, the cardiologist and my GP have given me the clear.

However, since having these tests done it has given me anxiety about my heart. I have developed health anxiety (or so my doctor says I have). I experience chest, arm and jaw pain (mostly on the left side but sometimes on the right side), tiredness, difficulty breathing, nausea, and a 'dropping' sensation in my chest. It's that feeling you get when you go down a fast, steep drop on a rollercoaster. Some days I don't get it at all, and other days I might have it a few times. Each time it happens I have to gasp for breath, and then I'm fine. Of course it causes more anxiety each time it happens because I fear for that second that my heart is going to stop. Sometimes it will happen when I bend down too... It's very strange and scary.

I was wondering if anyone else has felt the sensation I'm describing, and if so what the outcome was? How did you stop it? What was the diagnosis?

Thanks!

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • lynne82155
    lynne82155 taylah04604

    Posted

    Yes these are classic health anxiety symptoms.

    The fight or flight switch in your brain is broken and it constantly thinks you are in danger when you are not.

    You have to reassure yourself that its not going to harm you.

    Exercise a good diet keep hydrated and meditation all help.

    Distract yourself when an attack happens.

    Consider CBT therapy it teaches you how to control anxiety

    Anxiety sucks but dont let it take over you life

    Stay Strongcry

    • taylah04604
      taylah04604 lynne82155

      Posted

      Hi lynee82155,

      Is it normal for these sensations to happen even when I'm not feeling anxious?

    • lynne82155
      lynne82155 taylah04604

      Posted

      Its really strange I can be laughing at something on the tv and it happens

      There is no rhyme or reason to it

      It really does suckbiggrin

    • taylah04604
      taylah04604 lynne82155

      Posted

      Wow! It's terrifying, it really does feel heart related... How long have you had this feeling?
    • lynne82155
      lynne82155 taylah04604

      Posted

      Ive had depression for 16 years manageable with meds on the whole managed to hold down a jobetc the anxiety only started in December

      I did not believe them when they told me I had anxiety,I

    • lynne82155
      lynne82155 taylah04604

      Posted

      Sorry hit the wrong button there.

      I went to a and e twice had lots of test done and all was ok it wasnt until I came onto forums like this I realised I was not alone and it was psychosimatic.

      I had to resign from work because of it

      I have started CBT which teaches you how to deal with itcool

    • taylah04604
      taylah04604 lynne82155

      Posted

      Oh that's horrible 😔 I'm so sorry... I have also had anxiety since December which is when I was one month postpartum. The thought of something happening to me and not being able to see my daughter grow up or for her to not have her Mum around eats me up inside every day.
    • lynne82155
      lynne82155 taylah04604

      Posted

      It must be really tough having a little one but it should also make you determined to get better.

      They think my meds stopped working I had been on it for 6 yeards for my depression so now Im in the middle of coming of one AD and going onto another its a mess

      I dont think meds alone will help anxiety I think you need therapy to help you learn how to untrain your brain that you are not in danger.

      Having family and friends support it a good thing as wellconfused

    • taylah04604
      taylah04604 lynne82155

      Posted

      It is hard, I have to be strong for her... She makes me so incredibly happy, I am blessed. I wouldn't take back what I have if it meant I couldn't have her. She is worth it 😊

      Oh wow! That is so horrible for you. I hope that things get better for you, I really do. Anxiety is horrible (I've never suffered with depression but I can only imagine how it must make you feel). Mental health is a bitch of a thing!

      I was taking medication prescribed to me by my doctor for about 4 weeks but didn't see any change so I stopped taking. Last week I had my first session with a psychologist and felt a lot better after it. I am going to see her every two weeks. I don't want to become reliant on medication, I want to overcome this on my own!

      My family and friends are amazing support. I hope you have that support too 😊

    • lynne82155
      lynne82155 taylah04604

      Posted

      This forum is excellent for support as well

      Even if you just want to vent

      Take carecool

  • tamme25726
    tamme25726 taylah04604

    Posted

    Hi i have been experiencing this after my dad's death last year up to now, anxiety disorder is real i don't know what else to do i started to go walking to try and clear my mind. It helps some days but I'm still trying to get more knowledge about it and what can i do to get better and stop the anxiety feeling. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it so much. Thank you.

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