Anxiety?! Really dry cough!

Thanks bob I will make a list and mention it to my GP I'm there after the new year. It's amazing how anxiety can manifest itself isn't it it bewilders me sometimes makes me think that there's is something wrong with me?

Awful isn't t I don't know wether it's all in my head or if it's all just "fake feelings" I can defiantly feel it though yeah I have the constant chest pressure to it like you said there it comes in waves sometimes I feel it strong sometimes I don't it's a weird feeling just feels like my chest is full to the brim with something I to have had a few tests done I've in had countless physicals and 2 ecgs all said which were fine and my lungs listend to which were clear they said going to push them for a X-ray though when I'm back, Yeah I'm currently on mitrazpine and propanolol beta blocker which helps I guess but sometimes I just don't feel there working at all probs just all in my head again lol.

Did you feel like this prior to taking propanolol?

 

Yeah basically, make me feel abit better but not much I just notice all the Symtoms I've said above are always there.

Yup! It's awful. It's no way to live... for me it came on gradually. I do have asthma so my feelings are similar to that so I assumed that's what was going on. It would come and go. I'd take my inhaler it would go away and I'd forget about it.. then it started to come on continuously. Obviously the first suspicion was my asthma is not in control but when I saw my doctor AND a lung specialist my lungs were completely fine. However, my pulse was very high as well as my blood pressure.

I will tell you (if you haven't read my post yet) that one day on top of my chest symptoms I got heartburn very badly that would not go away. I was then treated for possible GERD because that can mimic the chest pressure and cough symptoms. I started the meds for that and it did help for a bit, but then it all came back recently so I'm not even sure if it's acid reflux related or not. Do you get heartburn? Do you have a good diet? Might be something to look into for you as well.

Yeah it truely is no way to live im constantly focusing on my breathing to see if I can feel the pressure on my chest or I'm focusing on my heart one of the 2, Do yo feel anything helps at all with it I to have an inhaler I have not got asthma I only feel the doctor give me it to shut me up it helps abit like. You mentioned you got tested there I've had 2 ecgs if there was anything wrong with my heart do you think it would of picked it up just im convinces they have missed something sounds mad I i know lol. Yeah I am on medication for my heart burn of the doctor to I get that really bad I woundnt say my diet is good but I woudnt say it was bad either I drink smotthies and go for a jog a day to help with my anxiety.

I too have been focusing on my breathing and heart. I also constantly worry that something is wrong with my heart despite my good test results. I'm sure doctors have listened to your heart as well on top of your ekg's. So despite worrying I would rely on the doctors telling you that your heart is okay. How are you sleeping? Do you feel comfortable when you lay down? Does it get worse when you move around? Does the pressure feeling move into different parts of your chest or stay in the same spot?

I find the inhalers worked at first when my symptoms came on gradually, but then stopped working for me. I haven't found much relief except when I started the antiacud meds, it was still there but not as bad. Then it came back to how it was before I started the meds. Sometimes I feel a bit of relief if I'm really focused on something like a good movie, but as soon as I change position or get up it comes back, so that has also left me to believe it's my heart too despite my good tests, but it also happens at rest and I'm in my own head 24/7.

Yeah same here I've just read what you read there and your describing me in a nutshell here I to live In my own head im constantly thinking what ifs and overthinking things constantly, I focus on my breathing everyday aswell as my heart I feel every beat it makes where's before I had these panic attacks my breathing was on auto pilot where's as now I notice it ALOT more. Mmmm I would say I sleep okay though at least 2 3 times a week just as I'm falling asleep I sort of shock myself awake feels like my heart stopped for a sencond or 2 sounds mad I know, plus I have also woke in the middle of the night a few times gasping for air to.

With me the Chest thing just Stays in the same spot like right in the middle of my chest just feels all heavy and tight and feels as if there is something lodged in there and I'm breathing around it sort of thing it's a weird weird feeling like you said there if I'm focused on something for a little while I will forget about it. I used to feel like I had to catch my breath all the time to I used to have to catch it at least every 2 3 mins just to make sure I could breath I get this pulling sort of feeling in the middle of my chest to that makes me want to catch my breath but my therapist has told me to stop doing this because I'm just adding fuel to the fire. But I stop doing it and it catches on its own I can't win lol

I can't believe you just told me what happens to you while you sleep. The same exact thing has been happening to me! Not every night but now and then I'll start to drift off and quickly wake up in panic gasping for air. Or sometimes I'll be dead asleep and then I'll jolt up in bed from an extreme panic attack, my heart races, I'm breathing heavy, I'm disoriented and confused for moment. This happened to me last night actually.

Today I seem to be coughing a lot, but unlike you I feel my constant chest pressure moves around a bit in my chest. Sometimes it's high sometimes it's low or right in the middle..

Are you married or have a bed partner? I ask because maybe they can monitor how you breath when you sleep? I've read things about sleep apnia that can cause symptoms like ours while we sleep. Or maybe this is all really is just effects from anxiety. I wish I had answers. Please know you're not alone. In fact, you are the first person I've talked to that is experiencing the same exact symptoms as myself. If I find any relief I'll let you know, and hope you'll do the same!

Oh I forgot to add I'm constantly catching my breath. It's like a scratch that needs to be itched. I get the feeling that I NEED to take in a big breath to get relief. I've also read and been told that when we are anxious our breathing changes. We hyperventilate taking in too much oxygen which can give you physical symptoms because your body is deprived from carbon dioxide. When we are in a constant anxious state we rewire our brain to breath in faster (fight or flight).

Yeah that happens to me at least 2 3 times a week I will shock myself awake gasping for air it scares me when it happens to me I immediately think " heart attack" which makes me panic more i get the chest pain to which is mainly on my left hand side, I mentioned it to my doctor and he said that's it all due to panic I got diagnosed with panic disorder in April this year.

You mentioned coughing there I cough most days ( feels like I have something stuck in my throat) forgot to mention that to lol.

No I'm not married and don't have a partner we split this year we were together 10 year I think the split and the stress of it has contributed to all of this somehow.

Like you mentioned there I've also read about sleep apnia been can cause some of these Symtoms when we are dropping of to sleep but I try not to google things anymore as it makes me a lot worse than a am if yah get me lol.

It could be all the effects from anxiety it just a bewilders me how anxiety can cause all this without there been a physical cause causing it lingering in the background it's a powerful thing anxiety isn't it u wish I had some answers to like I say just really gets me how anxiety can present it self all physical I though it was just in our heads if you get my meaning.

Your are to the closest person I've talked to on here with exactly the same Symtoms as I have.

Yes course I will we will keep each other informed feel free to PM me anytime to talk, ask questions anything you need!🙂

I to am like that trying to catch my breath all the time and you are right it is like a really annoying itch that needs scratching to hit the nail on the head ther! Do you do any breathing exercises or anything I forgot to ask you? Do you find that your breath will catch on its own to without you meaning to do it? This happens to me all the time I'm trying not to catch my breath but then it will catch on its own soooo annoying!!

I do sometimes practice shallow breathing because I know I hyperventilate a lot. I start huffing and puffing especially when my chest pressure gets severe. I do find my breathing just comes normally on its own especially when I'm distracted. I also cough a lot. Some days more than others but the last couple days I've been coughing up a storm. The cough comes directly from the chest pressure and it almost feels scratchy? It's so hard to explain. I never cough anything up though.

I've dealt with anxiety, depression, panic attacks for more than half my life. I've had a lot of ups and downs throughout my life, but never has it manifested itself this badly. I can say with honesty I have been extremely stressed out since I've had my second child 15 months ago. My husband works 80 plus hours a week, I'm a stay at home mom so I'm mostly raising our two kids alone, I have found myself feeling very overwhelmed most days since I had my second. I'm always feeling rushed and always in a hurry to get things done even though I have no where to go! Just doing daily tasks would get me feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I think it finally caught up to me. I also believe I might be suffering from OCD a little bit because I found myself obsessed with keeping the house clean. I had a daily routine on cleaning and if it didn't get done I'd start feeling anxious about it.. i really didn't realize this wasn't rational thinking until recently.. I'm not saying this is in fact why my symptoms are the way the are, but it certainly is quite the coincidence.

You mention ending a long term relationship. Is this when all your symptoms started? When you look back on it do you recall bad behavioral habits or anxiety?

Yeah apparently it's ment to be good for anxiety I practice mindfulness meditation 3 times a day 10 minutes just slows your breathing right down so I'm not huffing and puffing trying to catch my breath all the time.

You mentioned you cough a lot there that's where my coughing comes from the chest pressure/tightness I've got it into my head that it will clear it and make it better but it never does in fact it makes it worse I think and I also never ever cough anything up its so dry.

Ahh okay sounds like you had it most of your life but manifested it self again ever since your second child it's good that you have your kids to keep you busy and take your mind of things a little with looking after them.

Yeah OCD me and my horrible friend it is can never hardly get a night sleep everything had got to be perfect for when I go to bed I'm constant checking Windows are locked etc up and down all night checking things then I'll finally fall asleep I've always been a anxious person but I think these panic attacks have just accelerated things with me and took it to a whole new level I just want to feel "normal" again I always think back to when I was normal and had no Symtoms at all and had a normal life.

When my Symtoms started i was going to bereavement counselling my 3 year old son passed away on 1 February 2015, me and my ex partner split up 3-4 month after his passing I know I shouldn't really say this on a open forum but I want you to get a little glimpse of what things are like if you get me, anyway this was April 2016 I was going to bereavement counselling and i had a big massive panic attack beforehand I didn't know what was happening at the time my hands went sort of blue and tingling numb feelings went starte to the doctor and I've had all these crazy Symtoms to deal with everyday since that horrible day in April. I havnt felt the same since.

First off let me give you my deepest condolences. That is absolutely horrible I'm so so sorry.

As far as symptoms go my coughing is all over the place. Sometimes I cough so much for long periods and sometimes it subsides quite a bit, but it's always there just like the chest pressure.

You mentioned your throat feels like something is stuck there? That happened to me for 2 straight weeks on top of everything I've been going through, but I realized that was anxiety and went away so quickly, but then came back today so that's fun. I haven't been able to eat much since all this started. I've lost 13 pounds in 8 weeks.

Also, you mentioned you have acid reflux. Have you had an endoscopy done? I'm scheduled for one in a couple weeks im hoping it shows something to why I feel this way, but since I'm on meds for that I feel like they should be working. However, these symptoms do coencide with GERD. GERD can also be triggered by stress and anxiety. You are aware that you have acid reflux so perhaps it's possible it's flaring up from the stress and anxiety that you felt from your first panic attack. Just a thought. If anything if might be worth having an endoscopy done just to see.

Now, I want to be delicate here, but you do see all this has happened to you since the passing of your son. That cannot be a coincidence. I didn't realize you had gone through all that. To me I think wow no wonder he's going through all this. If you've had tests done and they all come out normal it would seem to me you are 100% suffering from anxiety. The reason we don't get better is because we obsess with our symptoms, we get in our own heads. "What is happening to me" "is it my heart" "what if I die without warning because they are missing something" it's horrible. We our symptoms from anxiety and have anxiety from our symptoms it's a vicious cycle! I totally understand what a struggle it is. Is therapy helping at all? Your meds do they help? Remember it's not one size fits all, you may have to adjust your meds if they aren't.

I have my good days and bad days to be fair Christmas ain't the same anymore birthdays and everything.

Same here my coughing is really bad to I go through a bottle of cough mixture a week nearly (a small bottle) I'm constantly sucking cough sweets.

Yeah it constant feels like there's something lodged at the back of my throat and something right in the middle of my chest that I feel like I'm breathing round but I havnt had a chest X Ray yet I'm going to push my doctor for one just to be on the safe side I think and just for reassurance I know I'm feeding the fire but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Wow 13 pounds in 2 weeks I can't decide wether that is good or bad for you lol.

Yeah I have acid reflux to and I'm on tablets for it and is that test you mentioned there is it where you get the camera up your nose and down your throat I think? I might be wrong like.

I'm at my docs after the new year to discuss a few things with him I'll mention a endoscopy and a chest X-ray have you had any chest X-rays and did that show anything?

Yeah my therapist has also mentioned what you have just mentioned there that all of this had happened after the passing of my son which in anyone's eyes is a traumatic expierience I'm only a 26 year old lad and I have been trough a hell of a lot.

You have hit the nail on the head again I'm constantly thinking about my heart and " what if they have missed something" or what if I collapse and die but surely my 2 ecgs would of showed something right? The only thing that gets me if I havnt had a chest X-ray and a echo test I feel if I get those two tests done and get the all clear I can accept this as anxiety and all these crazy Symtoms that come with if if you get me? I've recently took up jogging to and I'm constantly thinking while I'm jogging I hope I don't collapse and die with this heart thing going on and this breathing thing.

In 8 weeks sorry**

Haha yes I lost that much weight in 8 weeks. I mean I'm not over weight I was 150 pounds and im 5'7. Now I'm at about 135-138 which was my weight before I had my second child. I suppose it's nice dropping that weight, but it's kind of concerning I dropped that much in that amount of time. I haven't been able to eat a whole lot. I kind of struggle with eating. My stomach can't handle too much food and I find it almost uncomfortable to swallow. Another reason why I'm having an endoscopy done, but it also might be in my head.. an endoscopy is a procedure where the stick a thin tube that has a camera attached to it down your throat into your esphogus.. to be honest I'm dreading it but I'll be heavily sedated. From what I've been told you don't even know it's happening to you. They'll be able to tell me right then and there if there is a problem. Personally I would suggest you have it done knowing you suffer from acid reflux.

I have had a chest X-ray done. That was actually my first test. It was all clear though. It doesn't hurt to ask your doctor to have one done just to ease your mind. I feel like your doctor should let you decide what tests you want done. My dr is the opposite (well I have a nurse practitioner) she is overly cautious and has me getting tested for everything! Oh btw not sure if this will ease your mind or not but I read one of the most common symptoms with coughing and the heart is congestive heart failure. The coughing happens because the heart can't pump properly and the blood backs into the lungs. Don't freak out because if that were your cass not only would the ekg show something, but a stethoscope would surely pick up fluid in your lungs. Plus to be honest I've had pneumonia before where my right lung was filled with fluid. I was very very ill. It did sort of feel like the pressure I have now but much worse. If you had fluid in your lungs I assure you that you wouldn't be able to jog or barley walk without feeling like you're gonna collapse. That is how I found out.

So to answer your question about the two ekg's ive also had those done twice, an echogram, chest X-ray and even a CAT Scan! I STILL question if it's my heart. So even if you get those tests done and they come out normal then there is no guarantee you'll feel better.. However, it doesn't hurt to have them run those tests. It's not like they are invasive tests so if you want them done tell your doctor.

Also, I'm not that much older than you I'm 32. We are both fairly young so if you think about it it's not as likely for us to be going through heart problems compared to someone who is older. Obviously I'm not saying it can't happen it's just less likely. I'm pretty healthy, before all this happened I worked out at the gym 4 days a week. I haven't gone hardly at all because I feel so crappy. I just want my life back!

Yeah like you said there I suppose it's nice fot you to be at the same weight before your second child always healthy for the body to be a nice weight I suppose I've always being the same weight a thing skinny awld me lol

I'm okay with my appetite I suppose my eyes are to big for my belly at times I have one meal and a smotthie and just a snack here the only thing that happens with me is sometimes around about 15 20 mins after I eat I can feel my food comming back up my throat and it actually come back into my mouth sometimes like big lumps from nowhere (disgusting I know) feels like it is stuck in my throat, to be honest I didn't exactly live a healthy lifestyle before all this I smoked a lot drank on the weekend and smoked the naughty stuff for a fair few years to (will never do any of that again) was just my coping mechanism really with what happend.

Now I wish our doctors were like that over here, I'm assuming your from America? the way you said "EKG"? we say ECG over here lol I really feel you have got to really push the doctors for tests not unless they have a hunch that somethings is wrong with you I feel that doctors are to quick to diagnose anxiety rather than rule out anything more sinister first here.

I'm going to have to ask my doctor for more testing on myself I think just to be absoulutly certain I'm three just do after new year so I will put a few questions to him and ask for a chest X-ray and endoscopy.

Can the doctor tell if anything is wrong with your heart just by listening to it by the way? Just when I got my 2 ECGs done I had to really push for them and they just kept saying we can't hear any noises etc so no need for ecgs just you mentioned there about the heart and having fluid in your lungs when I was suggesting about having a ECG a few month back my doctor was just saying "I'll have a listen to your lungs and your heart and if all sounds fine no need for further testing" but I eventually got 2 out of him and were fine.

I've had countless physical off them I'm there every 3-4 weeks for my sick notes of them and I always get one done.

I do a lot of reassurance seeking by the way if you have noticed lol

Hi, yes I'm from America! Where are you from? I didn't realize ekg and ecg were the same thing. If anything I think it's wise for you to get an endoscopy done. If you experience that with food coming back up into your mouth you could be dealing with some acid reflux issues. Your esphogus could be swollen and irritated from the acid. I know you're don't like searching your symptoms but take a look at symptoms for gerd. People have mistaken gerd for heart problems. The endoscopy will show if there is damage to your esophagus, if you have ulcers things like that.

To answer your question yes doctors can absolutely tell if something is wrong with your heart just by listening to it. In fact, I have a friend who's daughter (poor little thing) who was rushed to the hospital because her doctor could hear something was very wrong with her heart. She had an echogram done and turns out one of her valves wasn't working properly. All you listening they could tell something was wrong. I'm sure there are some cases with the heart that wouldn't be picked up by a stethoscope, but that's where the heart tests come into play.

Nothing wrong with wanting reassurance. I'm the same exact way. I'm laying here now typing this and feeling the heaviness in my chest thinking to myself "ugh i hope I'm okay". Then I have to yell at myself for having those thoughts! It's a rollercoaster. Does it feel worse, better or the same when you lay down?

Here is something I found on a medical website about GERD.

"GERD can indeed cause lung problems and tightness in the chest. Also, GERD can cause many symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and even swallowing difficulties. Many of these create a perception of chest pain. Many people have a mixture of typical symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation along with lung issues such as chronic coughing, hoarseness, and constant throat clearing. The first thing for you to consider is proper testing to be sure GERD is indeed present. As we see over and over again, reported symptoms alone are not enough. At a minimum, you should consider endoscopy along with a pH study."

Hi again I snoozed off last night I was knackered.

I'm for the U.K. England where the weather ain't to good lol

Yes you's pronounce it ekg there over here we say ECG like Tamato tomato really.

I experience it nearly all the time when my food comes back up awful feeling plus I always feel like ther is something in my throat that I can't cought up so annoying and really really dry cough.

Yes I looked into all the Symtoms of G.E.R.D when you posted that paragraph I had a little look into it I am going to have to mention it to my doctor and see what he says about it I normally go in with a list for him anyway lol like I say I find it really hard to get tested for things over here I feel as though if you are fine on paper then you are fine to the doctors I also feel they are to quick to diagnose anxiety rather than look into other cause to.

Aww sorry to hear that's about your friends daughter bless her.

That's reassuring for me that they can hear things theatre wrong with your heart I've had my heart listend to countless of time last so that eases my mind a little because im always convinced that they are missing something.

I would say it doesn't change for me when in laying down standing or sitting down I just notice that it is there 24/7.

Like you said in a earlier post I forget about it the odd time when I'm focused on something do you feel it changes when your laying down or anything?

Oh you're from the U.K! Why are your doctors so hesitant about you getting these tests? Does it have to do with your health insurances over there? It's weird to me that you have to push your doctor to get tests done knowing you haven't been feeling well for so long. I agree that doctors are too quick to say it's anxiety. I feel like they diagnose that if they can't find another cause..

I haven't been In touch with my doctor the last few weeks because I was waiting to see how the endoscopy procedure results come out. I obviously don't want there to be anything bad going on, but I hope it shows something because I'm so done feeling like this.

In your case I would almost really think you are suffering from gerd (I think they call it gord in the UK though?). If you have food come up all the time you definitely should have an endoscopy done. That is not supposed to happen so frequently. You must mention that to your doctor. Based on your symptoms I bet this could be your problem. Plus stress and anxiety make gerd or gord even worse. So if you're anxious and stressed all the time it's not going to get much better. Changing to a healthier diet can help. However I changed my diet completely and I haven't seen a difference. Do you still smoke? Do you drink?

I always feel my symptoms. Always. I never get relief from it. The most relief I get is if I'm sitting quietly focused on something else, but it's always there. Sometimes my heart races for no reason or when I'm just walking around. Not always though. It's hard not to think it's your heart, but I've had so many tests and I'm not dizzy or faint which tends to be a sign of the heart. All I can do is hope the endoscopy procedure is my answer if not I'll talk to my doctor again.

Yeah I'm from the U.K.

Well i think to be honest what the situation is with me and what I've been through they pass it off as anxiety whereas as all my Symtoms feel sooo real and really physical my doctor and therapist often tell me to stop looking for answers or a physical cause and just accept it as all anxiety but u find it bewildering that anxiety can cause all this I juts can't get my head round it.

Same here I'm done with it I wake up in the morning and the first things that is in my mind is "can I feel my Symtoms" "can I breath okay" "is my chest right this morning" like you said there I never fell I get any relief from it just when I forget about it the odd time like when I'm focused on something which is very rare because I have this derealization aswell which makes it hard for me to focus.

Nooo I havnt smoked in nearly a year I was a big smoker but I would find it impossible to smoke now with this breathing thing lol I'll never smoke again. I havnt drank since May this year either it just used to make my anxiety worse it would be like a hangover times 50 and your still lot even close.

You mentioned dizzyness and feeling faint I feel like that most days like nauseous especially after I have done my jog I go really dizzy I've only been doing it about 6 weeks like so could just be out of shape a little well I know I am.

Yeah my therapist suggest I change my diet I haven changed it and like you said there I don't really feeling much benefit of it.

I meen ive felt like this since April I'm sure if it was my heart I'm sure I woudnt be here would I plus my Symtoms would of got worse right?

That's what my doctor tells me anyway if it was my heart I would know about it just hard to believe them I guess.

Have you been feeling like this literally every single day since April? I've only had my symptoms since early November and it all came on gradually.. it's been consistent since mid November.

I can see the correlation between what you have been through and your symptoms. I understand why they are focusing on that. However, like I said stress and anxiety can either cause Gerd or make it worse. How long have you been suffering from your acid reflux?

Are you experiencing dizziness all the time or mainly when you're feeling anxious? I've read acid reflux can cause dizziness, but so can anxiety. When you're in the middle of an panic attack you will experience rapid heart beat, not being able to breath, chest tightness, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, disoriented like you're not in true reality. I've suffered many panic attacks over the years. They're awful.

I feel like if this were indeed your heart then yes, you would be feeling worse and they would have detected an abnormality by now if that were the case.

I know how hard the struggle is. I'm in rough shape myself. I haven't been wanting to be alone with the kids because I fear if something happens to me then what will they do? I have young children. I know I shouldn't think that way, but it's hard not to when you feel so physically awful. I got out of the shower and my heart races the chest pressure gets more intense and I think this is it. It's so bad. I can't believe you have been dealing with this since April. I can't even imagine. I'm suffering so much it puts a strain on my family. My poor husband. He's been good but I know he gets frustrated with me with my lack of living life. I don't want to do much because I feel so lousy. I don't have energy to do anything and to be honest I'm afraid to do anything because it sometimes makes my symptoms worse. This is no way to live.

Sorry for my slow reply I got sidetracked lol

Yes I've been feeling like this everyday since them two panic attacks in April ( I thought they were heart attacks at the time) Anyway when they were happening I went to my doctor one was before bearevement counselling so I went straight there checked my blood pressure and heart rate which was 150s just sat down, can they tell by your blood pressure at the time if it was heart attack just it was a bit high I seem to remember them saying? Sounds mad all this I know but heyyy hoo.

I'm at my wits end as you can probably tell.

Wow November you are lucky in a way I would live to feel my normal self again I often find myself sat there day dreaming in the day time with my brain thinking back to when I was "normal". And all the normal thins I done without overthinking every little thing and every situation.

You said there anxiety can cause herd I've been told that to its unbelievable what anxiety can cause my therapist has told me loads of stories from what other people have been through but in just having a hard time believing it all without there been I physical cause because half the time I literally feel physical from it if you get me do you feel like that?

I can see and understand your situation about not been able to be feel like you can be alone with your children that must feel terrible for you I feel for you there.

I feel dizzy at least about 2 4 days of the week my Symtoms are my 3 main one anyway are shortness of breath which is really terrifying at times chest really tight to along with that, Derealization looks and feel like there is a a piece of glass in front of my vision as mad as that sounds and these heart flutters/palpitations which are also terrifying. I have loads of others to but they my main ones do what's your main Symtoms?

I'm like that to I feel like my life has stalled a lot after these attacks I've became really miserable with life I feel as though as if it is passing me by day by day week by week I used to be really sociable but like you mentioned there I feel so lousy and if I do push myself to do something my Symtoms get worse.

It's good that you have got good family around you though and that your husband is also understanding about your situation to.

By the way if some words or sentances don't make sense it's this phone and spellchecker lol

I completely can relate to being at your wits end... I feel the same way. This whole ordeal has taken a huge toll on me and my family. My husband gets frustrated with me and I don't blame him. He's does see how much I'm suffering though. He knows this is more than just not feeling well. It's awful how symptoms of not feeling well take over your whole life. I'm not sleeping or eating well so I have lack of energy. I don't want to do anything honestly.

I too understand how you feel when people tell you it's anxiety, but you doubt them. Despite all my tests I doubt it too. The physical symptoms are so real and when it's at it's worst it's hard not to think something is seriously wrong.

Your symptoms sound awful! My only symptoms are constant chest tightness and cough, and sometimes fast heart beat and a very strong heartbeat where I can feel it in my chest. The derralization sounds terrifying! I have to say though that sounds like an anxiety symptom. I really urge you to push for an endoscopy though. Maybe it will show something maybe it won't but I feel like that should be a start for you. My procedure is in a couple weeks I'm eager to know what they find. At the same time I'm actually worried they won't find anything because that means it's probably stress and anxiety!

Feeling this way is certainly no way to live. Im definitely not living my life. I'm just prettt much existing. It's horrible. I get it. It's a sad, frustrating ordeal and you'd give anything to feel normal again!

I feel at my wits end everyday and I feel as though everyday is now just a chore were as before i used to love life and be sociable where as now my exessive thinking and panic thoughts have completly took over my life.

Sounds like you have got good family around you and that your husband is understanding although I can see where he is comming from feeling frustrated but sounds like he is trying to understand your situation but I feel there are no words to describe this constant state of panic that down of us are in. I just wish there was a switch to make this all go away because sometimes I literally feel physically ill from all this.

I have loads of Symtoms the heart flutters are terrifying I can feel my heartbeat in my throat sometimes and the derealization to like a piece of glass infront my vision I been told the derealization is also like a protective cloak sort of thing that the body naturally puts around us when we are feeling panicky just some people feel panicky everyday.

Yea your right I to have been told the derealization is a anxiety symptom but it is so terrifying at times it's hard to believe that it can be axiety.

Yea I am going to push my doctor for a endoscopy just to be on the safe side sometimes I dress meals to with my food comming back up but I'm also on anti acids medication to to help that but I don't feel it does any good half the time to be fair.

I hope your procedure goes all well for you in sure it will all be fine🙂

I do have a good husband and he does the best he can to help me, but there's only so much he can do. I'm glad I have him by my side though.

I'm literally physically ill from whatever is going on. I can relate with you on that. I really believe something is going on with my esophagus from acid reflux because my chest pressure moves up and down with the chronic cough of course. I'm on pills too and I started about 4 weeks ago and they helped slightly at first, but everything is back to where it was.. my gastrologist said they should be working by now if it is acid reflux.. honestly I just don't know anymore. I'm not denying my anxiety because it's surely there, but I can't shake this feeling there is something more going on which I'm sure my stress and anxiety is making it worse.

Glad you're going to talk to your doctor about getting the procedure done because who knows that could be the cause of your cough and chest pressure as well.

How are dealing with the derealization? Do you get that often? How long does it last? Do you feel disoriented when it happens like you're not in reality, or is it more of a hallucination? I feel for you on that. That's gotta be tough. Anxiety is a wretched sinister condition.

Have you ever been advised to eat little and often in order to prevent food regurgitating. This simple procedure may help in reducing your levels of anxiety around eating.

I hope you feel better soon. It looks like your dr has everything in hand.

Happy New Year xx

Yeah it's always good to have a good partner and family around you to help you through these thought times.

Yeah I feel physically ill from all this to I feel like I never really hardly etc any relief from it either unjustbgrtvthe odd time were I think to myself I havnt though if my Symtoms anxiety is a vicious cycle it feeds of it self.

Same here I'm with you on that one I to can't shake the feeling that there is something else going on other than anxiety or if there isn't something else and it all is just a anxiety I didn't realise it could make you feel so ill from it everyday.

Yeah I'm definatly doing to talk to my doctor to sometimes when I cough To I can taste blood the odd time to I mentioned that to him before I he said no need to be worried only be worried if I'm actually coughing up amouts of blood.

Another thing aswell when I'm jogging I'll jog for around ten mins and then stop again for around 2 minds then start again sometimes I stop I get a strong taster of blood to a don't know weather that should be alarming but I've googled it and it basically said it can be normal for people who are out of shape a little it said but it just all adds to my anxiety and it feeds of things like that to.

Sounds disgusting but when you belch sometimes can you taste blood?

Hi Eileen I have never been advised to eat less or a thing they just prescribed me anti acid tablets which I take for my acid intake one on the morning which helps a little I guess.

Thanks for your advice and happy new year to you to!

Can I suggest that next time you taste blood that you spit the saliva out into a tissue. If blood is present it will show up as either red or a pinky colour.

When you brush your teeth do your gums bleed orhurt at all?

May be a good idea to see your dentist to see if you have a dental problem that may be causing these signs and symtoms. It is worth a try as you are so worried.

Luke I meant to eat little BUT OFTEN. Not less food . It is also important to make sure that you do not eat anything at all for at least three hours before going to bed and that you sleep with several pillows to prop you up.

Which tablets have you been prescribed for your reflux?

You may consider asking your dr if it is okay to take antacids in between. If he says it is okay then he may possibly prescribe one and tell you to take it three times a day BEFORE meals and another dose before bedtime.There are loads of diets, advice and tips about reflux online.

​This may help to reassure you as you have already been diagnosed with it and knowing more about how it can affect one can help to reassure you.

Yeah I have been doing that it mainly happens when I have finished my little jog and I can taste it at the back of my throat really bad I done it yesterday spit my salvia out on a hanky and there was nothing there just salvia, but I've got it into my head that I'm bleeding inside somewhere and am really fearful.

I'm taking lanszrapole of something like that it called I take one tablet of it a day in the morning.

No I don't really bleed from the gums when I brush my teeth.

It's just worrying me mad and my anxiety is just a amplifying it👎

It is very reassuring that you do not have any blood in your sputum and/or saliva. 

​I just recalled that some years ago I knew someone  who had this problem and guess what?  It turned out that he has a sinus problem   and when he coughed the mucus produced by the sinus problem tasted metallic like blood from the congested mucous!!

​A common cold can also cause this .

Anyway he is still here!

I agree with  you that your anxiety is amplying this.

I think his dr told him to drink plentyof fluids, non alcoholic of coursde.

Keep strong.

 

Okay well that is very strange because I too get the taste of blood in my mouth.. not always but happens from time to time. I've never actually seen blood when I spit though? It doesn't happen from coughing just randomly happens. I never really thought much of it to be honest.

I'm not really sure what that means. If that is just a conisdence or if you and I are suffering from the same thing. I have to say though my chest pressure moves up and down and today I have a horrible soar throat. I did have a barium swallow done which is when you drink this chalky white liquid and the take X-rays of your esophagus while drinking it. That came our perfectly normal. However the endoscopy is a more accurate test of the esophagus because they can see it with the camera. It will be interesting to see what they find.. now I'm getting nervous it's something more serious despite all my tests!

It never ends!

Yeah it's a awful taste it tastes sometimes I can Taste it strong and other times i can just taste it to a minimum but either way it is really worrying me. Like you said there I can taste it but I have never seen it when I spit my Phelgm out I've never seen it.

It could be possible that me and you are suffering from the same thing either way I just can't get my head around all Thus it's so baffling to me I meen why am I feeling like this.

Talking about cheat pressure I can feel mine tonight now you come to mention it.

To be hineat unjust can't wait to get to my doctors to mentions all this to

Him and see what he says chances are he will probs pass it all of as anxiety again like they always do but how can they be so sure is what get me with ought doing any tests to rule out any thing first? Your lucky you have got a nurse practitioner that's what you to get you tested for everything half the time I feel like our doctors over here are that strapped for time and that stretched they can't wait to get you in and out.

Your certainly right it never ends!!

Yeah I don't so at least that is one less thing to worry about u mentioned it to my doc and he said as long as your not coughing it up it fine. Which baffles me but I can taste it so bad.

Yeah I have been off alcohol o fair while now like it just amplifies my anxiety.

Yes I'll try and keep strong!

Why is your doctor so unwilling to let you get these tests done? How are your health insurances there? Does it cost them money or something? I don't understand why they wouldn't let you get done with what you ask. I understand the timing of your symptoms def coincide with everything you've been through, but if you've been suffering so long despite being on meds and seeing a therapist you would think they would at least test you for other things just to rule it out. How awful for you. I feel like your doctor should agree for you to get the endoscopy done if not for your other symptoms at least for the frequent regurgitation. Tell him or her you want to get it done and you're not taking no for an answer. You've been unwell for too long and that you appreciate his or her opionion this is just anxiety you'd feel better getting that test done which may ease your anxiety once you get results.

Nobody should have to suffer like this for that long. It's almost been a year. What a waste of time out of your life! Even if you do all these tests and they come back normal at least you will have that reassurance which may help your anxiety, or maybe it won't because we tend to say well what if it's this instead lol.

I read that the metallic taste or taste of blood could be due to the followwing benign conditions. Cough, sore throat, sinus infection, asthma.

Luke it is very reassuring that you are not actually coughing up any blood.

 

LUKE

I am so sorry to hear about your son.

I underststand aboutthishorrible taste you are experiencing but it will clear uphonestly. I am just the same when things go wrong I just go topieces. I never used to. Anyway I undrstand that the taste is due to deposits in the sputum and is a common sign and symptom of a sinus infection, or a cough or cold or of asthma. It is due to congestion of the chest and thick sputum it will clear . You may just need a decongestant but your dr should really make those decisions.

?Please try to listen to some music or distract yourself with anything. These Christmas holidays don't help either and can be torture for some!

?

I don't really know to be fair think theyvake one look at my history in my computer and just come out with some garbage of along the lines of " when we are anxious out mind and thoughts tend to feel like this" or something like that but like you have said there I feel like I need to have these tests done just to ease my anxiety if you get me and just to basically put my mind at rest because

Some times I feel like I am fighting a losing battle with all this going on.

We don't have any health insurance a it all free on our Nhs not u less you go private and pay private doctored to do your tests for you which basically is to expensive.

You put it in a nutshell there they might be nothing wrong with me and it might be all anxiety but like you have just a said I would rather get all these tests done just to be in the safe side I meen for instance the amout of times I have been down my GPS complaining of shortness of breath and chest pressure you would think they would give me a X-ray straight away, Now if that was say a 50 year old complaing of the same Symtoms they would immediately Oder chest X-ray heart tests etc where's as me and my agen(26) they just say I'm fit and well and is all anxiety but like I've said my Symtoms are that severe and strong sometimes i beg to differ.

I'm 100% going tonpushnthem for this tests especially with my food coming back up frequently again I have mentioned this to and they just gave me tablets but like unsaid this is also so severe at times I feel it can't be anxiety.

It's driving me mad!

Thanks for your condolences Eileen it's been a tough coupe of year for me.

I hope it does clear up for me it scares the life outbid me like unsay it mainly happens when I have stopped my little 10 minute jog and and I can really taste it bad feels like there is a loads of it stuck somewhere and I can't cough it up there probably isn't but that's the way it feels anyway.

I do try and listenin to music but i don't feel it helps to be fair I also practice mindfullness mediation 3 times a day to to help slow my breathing because I always breath to fast to and can't catch my breath.

You are right in the sense that if you were 50 years old that they would be more concerned and have you're heart and lungs tested. I agree with you there. I understand that they're are risk factors with each patient based on age, medical history etc, but I feel one can never be too careful. For example when my symptoms first started my dr was concerned about possible blood clot in the lungs. I had no swelling in the legs, I'm active so it was unlikely for me to have that. The only factor the put me at risk was being on oral contraceptives. I had a d-dimer blood test done which shows if your blood is thickened which gives you a greater risk to form a blood clot. Well this test came out negative, but they still had me do a cat scan to make sure there wasn't one because that's a matter of life and death. Obviously Im not trying to say you need certain tests done or you could die because really it's been so long I'm sure that's not the case. However, I just feel like doctors should have more of a heart for their patients. That's horrible. Have you thought of switching doctors? Maybe you could find someone who is willing to listen to your concerns.

Also, I wanted to ask you do you notice if your symptoms worsen after you eat at all? Did your acid reflux begin right after you developed your anxiety or have you always Had it?

It's totally right over here i feel like you have to really push for tests over here or have got to be at deaths door to get them done.

Exactly like you have just said there one can be braver to careful I would rather them be safe than sorry.

That's what my doctors always check for when I go complaing of my heart they check for sweeping on the legs that can be from the heart fluid or something? Anyway I don't have it just the chest pressure constant.

I have thought of switching doctors but to be honest over here you don't have really a certain doctor that is availlable you just really see who ever is free in our GPS office that what no meen in have had so many physicals by different GPS and all say lungs five and heart sounds fine so they all say nothing to worry about which should be good right? As I have had physicals performed by at least 5 different doctors at my GPS so they must if heart something with my heart of lungs if that was the case? Reassurance seeking again but heyyy hoo I hate all this I would live for to be normal again but I took it all for granted!

I wouldnt of said my Symtoms worse after eating I can notice the chest pressure more sometimes I dread eating to because I just know 20 mins after eating I can feel my food comming back up again into my mouth which makes me thing there is something wrong with my eseoouhogous I don't know how to spell gat by the way lol also when I belch I can Taste blood too if that something to be wary about this an happen when i wake in the morning and i belch and I can taste blood??

Luke Are you taking VitaminD at all? Too much can cause a metallic taste. If youare taing it then perhaps you could ask your dr tocheck the ebels.

I suffer from anxiety and I have reflux disease . I think this  reflux is also affecting you.

Anxiety is a horrible condition but we are all here to help each other.

​I find breathing exercises helpful. 

Things are certainly different where you are. I guess that's because it's all free. Over here we are required to have health insurance or we get penalized. We pay a monthly fee for our health insurance, but it doesn't cover everything so we still get medical bills. I have one primary doctor, but see specialists for certain conditions like for my asthma, thyroid and acid reflux. My gastrologist will be performing my endoscopy. She's wonderful I feel safe with her despite my fears of having the procedure.

Honestly, I feel if you have had that many doctors check you over with your lungs and heart I wouldn't think that is the culprit. Based on how our symptoms are so similar if it's not anxiety I feel like it must have something to do with the acid reflux. (At least the chest pressure and cough). These last few days I have really been focusing on my symptoms, sometimes I feel like food comes up to my throat and I get a choking sensation. The cough and chest pressure are always there but ranges in severity. I'm having trouble eating because sometimes it feels uncomfortable, I also burp a lot. I will be very surprised if when I have my endoscopy done that they find nothing. I'm having my procedure done next Tuesday I'll let you know how it goes. When do you meet with your doctor next?

Yeah they are very different over here like I say I feel like as soon as we are in our GPS office i sometimes get the feeling as if they are thinking ohh noo Luke again what he complaining of this time I have been down that many times looking for answers as to why I eel like this everyday, we are allowed ten minutes with out doctor over here in our GPS office then try sort of politely break of conversation to usher us out but like you say there I'm sure if it was anything seriously wrong with me it would of got gradually worse it something else would of cropped up symptom wise.

Like you say there I feel as if it's one of the two either anxiety or bad acid reflux but I've also been told by people in here that anxiety can cause bad acid reflux is amazing how anxiety can affect our body.

Same here I'm constantly fixing in my Symtoms and I feel the more you focus on the Symtoms you have honestly it just makes them ten times worse that's why I started jogging I've been told that a exercise is brilliant for anxiety and if you stick to a certain routines of exercise then anxiety and it Symtoms tend to dissapaer anyway I havnt been exercising that's long so hopefully I feel a difference soon.

Yes let me know how it goes I'm sure it will all be fine for you and go well🙂

I'm at my GPS this Friday I've already written down some things to discuss with him so I will let you know what he says to me and how it goes to.

Hi Claire No I'm not taking vitamin d but in drinking smothies so I imagine it will have it in somewhere lol

Okay i will ask my doctor anyway just to be in the safeside and what is ebels?

Yes your right anxiety is truely horrible i though it was just all in hour head mostly and not present itself all physical like it does.

Levels.

I have sent you a link to GERD and the effects on the respiratory system. I empathise with you as I have GERD myself.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2714564/

Luke I sent you a link togerd and respiratory conditions but it has gone to mod.

I googled GERD and the link to respiratory conditions.

Yes, acid reflux can absolutely be caused from stress and anxiety. I think that's what my problem is. I have never had any issues with acid reflux except during both my pregnancies which is common. Other than that I've never experienced issues with it until recently. Ever since I had my second child 15 months ago I found myself getting more stressed and anxious. I think I felt like everything always had to be perfect and I needed to be in control. Obviously bringing in another child into the world changes your life, but I easily got overwhelmed. As time went on things certainly got easier, but I found myself getting stressed about managing my time and struggling with some OCD. I believe that my acid reflux stems from all of that.

Exercise is wondering for anxiety. I used to struggle with panic attacks many years ago. It was bad. I started exercising and they diminished. I still get one here and there, but nothing like I used to. Now I'm just suffering from anxiety which isn't any better, but my anxiety stems from not feeling well, and I'm sure I'm not feeling well because of stress. Sooo it really is a vicious cycle.

Hopefully your appt goes well on Friday! I hope your doctor listens to you and lets you get the endoscopy done!

Dee I totally agree with you.

xx