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
aga02916 Gerrard66
Posted
Hiya , of course its normal. When we having panic attack it feels like we going to die, people often mistake it with heart attack as symptoms are so similar. Heart palpitations, feeling dizzy, sweaty, tight chest, pin and needles, muscle weakness, problems with breathing and swallowing . But you have to remember panic attack cant kill you its a response for the long term exposure to stress. You are not alone with this and we all going thru the same thing. I know its horrible but what helped me a lot was accepting that I have anxiety and its only a feeling and it cant hurt me. I used to fight oanic attacks which led me to make it worse and they lasted longer. Now I just let go. I was on medications but they only made things worse but we are all diffirent. What can help you manage it and its proven are CBT, listening to meditations on youtube, mindfulness. Visit your doctor and see what options you have. Also book called At last a life by Paul David.
Gerrard66 aga02916
Posted
Hey,
I'm back at the GP tonight, to see if I can get a referral or something or maybe some meds? I'm keen to try and resolve the palpitations and anxiety naturally, not sure if this is always entirely possible!
Alice7092 Gerrard66
Posted
Hi,
Arrhythmia recently caused me to have a panic attack, I know that it's really scary, one second it's beating really fast, and another you can't feel it at all and it's really terrifying. I think it's important to remember that anxiety causes symptoms that make you feel like your dying, (as awful as it sounds) and that your heart beats much faster as a result of the adrenaline released from your brain. Also slight arrhythmia is harmless, obviously if one second you heart is really fast then slow 24/7 go see a gp, but don't forgot to make sure your not just having anxious thoughts which cause your heart to get faster. Overall you definitely have just got symptoms of anxiety, and whenever you might get arrhythmia again, just wait it out and breath deeply, and when it's gone reassure yourself by feeling the pulse on your neck (something I didn't do which led to my panic attack) thanks,
Alice
Gerrard66 Alice7092
Posted
Hey Alice,
Thanks for your comments, really helpful and quite scary how alike our stories are!
Did your heart palpitations start out of nowhere? And we're they the first sign of an attack? I'll just be walking along them BAM! Heart flutters as you said, very quick then I think Its stopped! Then panic ensues and then I'm in this cycle where the anxiety and palps feed off each other but just making everything worse!
clare26208 Gerrard66
Posted
Suddenly started with panic attacks about 6 weeks ago.Absolutely awful. Never understood just how bad this can be.The physical stuff freaks me out. The one scaring me the most is chest pain and the rapid heartbeat , palpitations.I didn't even know I was feeling anxious. So unreasonable.Though looking at my life I have been under loads stress and changes including the death of my mum recently.Also if always had a bit of anxiety that I prob thought normal. Hoping the drug gp has prescribed works fast !Good luck to you, It's life changing for me at moment.I'm hoping being on here helps me cope.
Gerrard66 clare26208
Posted
Hey Clare,
Thanks for your comments, and I'm really sorry to hear about your mum, that's absolutely terrible news.
Same as you, it's the heart stuff that freaks me out. Just comes on and takes over then Im in the midst of an anxiety attack. What drug did the GP prescribe? I don't really know what to ask for, or how to deal with it!
clare26208 Gerrard66
Posted
Hi. Thank you. I thought I was coping very well with all until this sneaked up on me. If dealt with a lot over last few years and seemed ok, a bit numb really. Always coped, always felt strong and could find a way round problems. Seem to be in a cycle of them( anxiety and panic attacks) at moment.I have been given sertralin 50mg but only on day 5 so early days. A few weeks ago on holiday abroad, ended up in hosp there as thought heart or asthma, Dr put me on sedatives once quickly confirmed I'm healthy. They enabled me to enjoy the rest of the holiday but not on them now! They did help a lot but app not the way forward!Just had horrible few days with these attacks but had a few hours last night where I think I could feel the new drug kicking in - sertrline and felt reassured . Until some worries over my dog caused another round of panic. I seem so sensitive and over reactive, nerves are shot.At first like you I couldn't believe anxiety, was sure Drs missing something and ECG shows - mild changes, but do not worry. (!?)I'm pretty active and I enjoy running which am finding hard at moment.
Omg. It's horrific isn't it, I think I was so ignorant to this in people in the past. I didn't appreciate how bad the physical symptoms are. Today, walking our dog with my grown up son in the nice sunshine and trying to distract myself has helped me calm a bit again for now. Managed to have a sleep for couple hours, iv been struggling. My chest is aching still from all the stress ! Which is scary so round and round we go. Got to beat this thing! I hope you feel better soon!