Anxiety attack nightmare
Posted , 8 users are following.
Evening all...
Firstly, thank you you all. Reading your stories has made me able to cope and feel less alone with what I'm dealing with.
It all started a few weeks ago when I had a heart flutter and it felt as if it was irregular. I then felt dizzy, sweaty and as if I was going to pass out. It felt genuinely like I was going to die...
So I went to the gp the next day and ordered tests immediately. ECG and bloods turned out absolutely fine. But today it happened again... I called emergency services because I had pins and needles and was convinced my heart was going to stop it was so out of rythmm. The paramedics then informed me that I was having an anxiety attack, something I'd never considered.
They said during my panic or anxiety attack they noted my heart rate was 200bpm and spotted a small arythmia. It then disappeared as my panic attack went and they ran a concurrent 5 ecgs which all returned normal. They told me I'd had an anxiety attack, but I struggled to accept a mental condition could alter a heart rhythm and it's regularity!
They didn't take my to hospital as apparently I have a healthy normal heart 50bpm once I was calm...
Is it possible for the anxiety to cause this!?
They've recommend I seek out CBT as I've got an anxiety disorder... Does this help anyone?
This is all so scary, and I'm struggling to accept this, but just need to believe the professionals I suppose.
Thank you all
J
3 likes, 25 replies
marleen85993 Gerrard66
Posted
Hi Gerrard you definitely have all the symptoms of anxiety and ànxiety attacks.I know everyone struggles to accept anxiety can cause so many physical symptoms which are absolutely terrifying.Do not waste your time getting all the tests done.Get to the heart of the matter go to your doctor and get referred for therapy.Try to practice relaxation techniques which you can find on YouTube.Don't Google your symptoms.lf you need to Google use it to find techniques to deal with panic attacks.Also don't fixate on the symptoms try to keep your mind occupied and exercise is also good.Never isolate yourself as a lot of people with anxiety do and it's the worst thing you can do.I hope you get sorted out
Ashley025 Gerrard66
Posted
Hi Gerrard
Yes, Anxiety can cause this. I feel like I'm going to die too, my heart starts racing I feel I need to flee all the time I'm out.
My face turns pale when i get a panic attack my mother told me. CBT therapy can help you. Give it a chance. You won't regret it. I'm glad the story's of everyone here have helped. You are not alone we are battling Anxiety too. Good Luck👍Hope you get better🙏
Gerrard66
Posted
Ahhh thanks guys for listening and prompt responses. I feel like no one really gets it, and I don't know how to speak about it.
Freaked out me out when they said I had an arythmia on my first ECG when the paramedics arrived, but then disappeared when my anxiety attack stops. Just hard to get my head around... But I suppose the gp/hospital/paramedics if they saw anything remotely wrong would've told me and had to be referred to hospital.
It's just I keep thinking how can something so stressful and agonising not be something more serious?!
Do you guys get it out of nowhere? I think I yawned this morning, then that was it, BAM! heart irregular, sweaty, dizzy, pins and needles... Literally felt like it was the end. When I calmed down when the paramedics saw to me I just started crying. I just can't mentally cope with it... Just keep thinking they've missed something? I don't know, the mind is a crazy device!
Ashley025 Gerrard66
Posted
It also happens out of nowhere. I thought it was heart related but nothing comes up in my ECG
I guess its my Anxiety. This happens to me too when I have a panic attack I cry afterwards. I don't know why though.. But after crying I feel relieved. I feel better. If you feel it's heart related check it out with your GP just to make sure it's not something else. We can not rule out symptoms because of our Anxiety. What if it's really something? I understand it's hard to believe Anxiety can cause this but every time I search a symptom I have it says Anxiety can cause this... 
Anxiety symptoms mimic other health conditions. You should still check your symptoms with GP.👍Good Luck
Gerrard66 Ashley025
Posted
Yeah that's true...
I have been to my GP but all ECG and blood are fine... There's no evidence to suggest it's anything other than anxiety. Even today when my heart and emotions were at there very worse, the paramedics have said it's nothing heart related. Just I feel I have to deal with it and accept it, maybe the sooner I do, the sooner the recovery?
Ashley025 Gerrard66
Posted
Yes it's true I guess.. 👍Good Luck with your recovery
marleen85993 Gerrard66
Posted
I have to say l don't know why everyone says it's just ànxiety.In my opinion ànxiety disorders are one of the most debilitating illnesses you can suffer.As well as battling your mind you have to deal with physical symptoms as well.When you think about it logically your brain controls every system in your body and your mind is extremely powerful.
Guest Gerrard66
Posted
marleen85993 Gerrard66
Posted
Gerrard66 marleen85993
Posted
Thanks Marlene for your comments.
Problem is I've been googling everything, I've got anything from afib to a stroke lol... I even know it sounds daft, but it's almost impulsive to check, if that makes sense.
I suppose the reason why it's kind of hard to accept from the paramedics and doctors it's okay is because it literaly happened out of nowhere. Just heart palpitations and then ensues the panic anxiety attacks. I feel really happy with my life!
Then I just keep thinking they've missed something, but I suppose if it was something serious the ECG would of detected it and have been admitted to hospital... Just need to try and have some faith in the hospital services!
marleen85993 Gerrard66
Posted
I know Gerard l think you will see that theme running through all the posts l don't think anyone can believe ànxiety can hit out of the blue with such force when you're happy.Sadly it does.l know it becomes compulsive to Google when you are confused and scared but you will have every illness under the sun.Try to be pro active and use Google to help your anxiety and take back control and on Monday get an appointment with your doctor.
Gerrard66 marleen85993
Posted
marleen85993 Gerrard66
Posted
If you are in the UK there is a long waiting list if in the US l don't know.Go to your doctor and get a referral to see a therapist.If you can afford to go private you would definitely be saw a lot quicker.Make sure you do a bit of research on the therapist before you go to them if you are going private.Make sure they treat panic disorder and ànxiety.
Italia06 Gerrard66
Posted
Gerrard,
I'm happy with my life...i enjoy life quite a bit. With this said I've suffered from generalized anxiety disorder for well over 20 years. my first panic attack happened at the age of 24. not to come off as sadistic, but i laughed in reading through your post. it totally reminded me of my first panic attack and how over the years in reading about others who have suffered, the story is always more or less the same. the panic, obviously, then the subsequent actions such as calling for emergency services. not believe ER or your doctor's results...the numerous ECGs etc... changing doctors because you're not convinced. as mentioned by another here, your brain is the central control unit to your body. of course, it'll manifest physical symptoms; send the body into fight or flight response in an instant.
what you're experiencing unfortunately is all too common. many people experience panic attacks as you're aware. those who've never had one though certainly can't relate. i had no idea what they were until experiencing my first. what really makes it difficult is not seeing the possible triggers in your day to day life.
even with the reassurance here you'll likely remain skeptical...the what ifs...the doubts. you're caught in this health anxiety loop which will only fuel the panic attacks. i'm not going to sugar coat things here for you...my panic attacks became debilitating. i lost 10 lbs in what felt like two days. i had no clue what was going on and was convinced i had something wrong with my heart. i would have pins and needles sensations...felt like ants crawling under my skin. i was so dizzy and off balance because of it i couldn't drive. my doctor offered paxil or CBT and did tell me the paxil would be fast acting. having the deal with the nightmare of panic attacks i definitely wanted a quick and fast solution so opted to take paxil. the paxil stopped the panic attacks immediately it seemed. i took paxil for two years until deciding to quit. over the years i'd feel a panic attack coming on and i'd mentally will it away before getting starting. at that point i realized the doctor was right along with accepting the condition. even prior to starting up the paxil i did take my doctor's diagnosis into consideration and when a panic attack would come on...i'd deal with it. i wouldn't fight it. yes they felt terrible and would exhaust you in a matter of minutes as if you went for a 5 mile job...sweating and all. but i was starting to face them head on. then as mentioned...began taking the paxil.
in retrospect the paxil only masked the underying condition of my lifestyle. limited sleep...OCD tendencies...and generalized anxiety disorder that stemmed from childhood.
my advice Gerrard. don't let denial take over. consider your doctor's advice and try a little introspection...maybe there are stress triggers in your life you're taking for granted. good luck!
jen1978 Gerrard66
Posted
Its important to remember that everybody has heart palpitations or ectopic beats and that they are very common and generally not at all dangerous. Also any emotion can set them off...feeling excited, upset, scared, can all cause your heart to race and alter the rhythm of your heart for a few seconds to a few minutes. When we are anxious or focus on our heartbeat or become obsessed with our hearts and feel we have an underlying heart condition, any palpitation will cause the fight or flight response and our bodies will produce an adrenaline rush which will make our heart beat faster and cause more palpitations. Its a vicious circle that I have lived with for over 20 odd years! I have GAD and panic disorder and often worry that my heart will suddenly stop. Try to relax your mind and have some sort of counselling. Also meditation that you can find on Youtube can be very relaxing. Once your mind is restful you will find your anxiety will lessen and you will have less or no palpitations. I know its difficult to not worry over your heart but the more anxious we are the heightened our symptoms. Good luck x
Gerrard66 jen1978
Posted
Ahh thanks Jen, that's some really great advice there.
Had the palpitations again this morning.... Lasted for about 20 mins this time... But I managed to stay calm as I could and by doing so seemed to stop them as yesterday it was 1hr 30mins in total!
The paramedics spotted sinus arythmia whilst I was having the anxiety attack but disappeared after I'd calmed down.. they said the heart is beating regularly, just speeds up (feels like irs up and down lol!) They confirmed it's all in normal ranges and nothing for concern... Starting to think I cause them! Bloody brain is on overdrive....
jen1978 Gerrard66
Posted
In a way we do cause the palpitations ourselves by being anxious. I know from experience that I can have palpitations after a big meal (very common). I will have a palpitation and because of my anxiety I then have an adrenaline rush and thus more palpitations and worry, then more palpitations. It can go on for just seconds to days! So in a way, although we dont cause the first palpitation, any afterwards is due to our own panic and thought process.
I have cut out caffeine from my diet and try to eat healthier. I also try to drink more water. Oh and try not to use Dr Google.....that makes you ten times worse! x
Gerrard66 jen1978
Posted
Great advice again Jen, i'll try and cut the caffine!
Oh Dr Google is telling me I'm on the verge of death!