Cardiophobia/Health Anxiety
Posted , 30 users are following.
Hello. So I'm really embarrassed about this so I'm just going to go ahead and jump into it. Back in February My boyfriend at the time was coming home from being in Japan for a year. We planned a road trip to Austin & he wanted to smoke marijuana. I'm not a smoker... haven't smoked in years because I just don't have any interest for it, but because I wanted to have fun I agreed. The night before I had some really bad leg cramps & took 10 mg of generic flexeril. They were prescribed to me from when I had a car accident. By no means did I intentionally want to mix drugs. Had I remembered that I took the pill I wouldn't have smoked. So we left that morning & we proceeded to smoke. I watched him roll it up & I didn't look weird or having a weird smell. And it wasn't broken down already. So we smoked it. I only took a few hits & let him have it. I'm not a big smoker. In the beginning I felt normal... I just felt really high. But then I felt stuck... like I was actually sleep but I was aware of everything around me. At one point it felt like I couldn't move. It felt like time was extremely slow. We were going at 80 mph but it felt like we were going 10. I kept looking out the window & then out of the speedometer. It sounded as if the music was really slow (but in reality the song is slow. Ty Dolla $ign - When I See You) Then I felt my heart pounding in my chest but it didn't feel like it was racing, it felt slow & my breathing did too. I started freaking out in my mind thinking that I was dying & that the weed was laced. All I could think about was my daughter & what would happened to her if I left this earth. I remember hitting him & saying that the weed was laced. He told me it wasn't & that I was just really stoned. He asked me if I wanted him to take me to the hospital but I said no because I didn't want to get in trouble. Even though I should have went. He pulled over we got out, we walked around, I breathed in some fresh air, he gave me some water & I was fine. We got back in the car & headed to Austin. I felt normal but I got into the habit of checking my heart rate. Then a few weeks passed & we visited his mom in Dallas. We went to the gym one day & I had to stop working out because I noticed my heart rate jumped up to 123 bpm within a few minutes of brisk walking on a treadmill. My bf said it was normal but I didn't buy it. Later on that night after being in the mall for most of the day I got really bad chest pains. I went to the ER. They did a EKG & chest X-ray & it all came back normal. They just sent me home with Motrin. I was fine for another few weeks. Then the day he left I had another episode in the car... same thing only I wasn't high & it didn't feel like we were moving slow, but the music sounded slow but once again the music was slow in real life. Drake - Shut It Down. I checked my HR and it was at 171 bpm. Went to the ER. They did an EKG, chest X-ray, blood work, and urine test. All came back fine, they chucked it up to anxiety. But from then on I've been having symptoms EVERYDAY! Chest pains, heart palps, rapid heartbeat, headaches, dizziness, blurry vision, you name it I had it! I starting googling... I thought I had POTS. I would notice that my heart rate would jump up when I stood up, took a shower, did chores around the house. I saw a cardiologist... had a holter monitor, stress test, echocardiogram, blood test, ANA test, heart enzyme test, and a tilt table test. At first my doc thought it was SVT and put me on a beta blocker which helped a little but not much. All of my test came back normal besides fast heart rate during the stress test. During the tilt table test I fainted but the doctor said I do not have POTS. I check my heart rate constantly throughout the day, going anywhere is a struggle for me because I'm scared something will happen, I don't exercise, and I avoid places that require lots of walking, I don't go out with friends, and I haven't had sex. It's ruining my life! For the past few months I've been dealing with this certain things have gotten better. I keep thinking that something is seriously wrong with me despite my cardiologist saying that my heart is perfectly fine & that I don't even need the beta blockers. Is this anxiety or did I really mess up something when I took the flexeril & smoked the next morning?
0 likes, 30 replies
diane524 simoneg
Posted
There are some good tips in a book called the 10 Best-Ever Anxiety Management Techniques.
Each time you panic you body makes cortisol and prepares for fight or flight. Exercise helps burn off cortisol. You need to also have internal conversations with yourself and tell yourself thInga like, nothing is wrong with my heart, stop stop etc.
You can also use distractions that cause your,mind to focus on things other than your symptoms. Singing, tv, etc. Also, I have heard putting ice chips under tongue distracts your mind.
Look up CBT for other techniques.
Best if luck xx
simoneg diane524
Posted
Thank you for replying. So you don't think I caused my body any damage?
amandal38 simoneg
Posted
Hello, I too have health anxiety and it is mainly centered arnd my heart. I've been to the ER more times then I would like to admit (pretty sad when they recognize you). I've had numerous ekgs, labs, a stress test, echocardiogram, heart monitor, holter monitor and seen a regular cardiologist and cardiologist that deals with heart rhythm probs. The only thing that keeps me going is that I haven't went down yet. It's a vicious cycle and I hope you start feeling better soon.
vijay_30210 simoneg
Edited
I have the same symptoms as you (always focused on my HR, localized chest pains, left arm mild pains). I would freak out about dying and leaving my wife and kids. I got a EKG, blood work, echo-stress test and they all came back fine. From my experience, given that you have done all the required cardiac tests, you clearly have a severe case of anxiety. You need to fight this by yourself. One way to do it is to start running or whatever cardio you do ( ask your doctor before you start) as this helps in building confidence. Fight this and trust me, you will come out a stronger person. Stay strong and good luck
kristin_92883 simoneg
Posted
Sorry to hear you are going through this. I am going through the same thing. I can't do laundry or vacuum cause it makes my heart rate shoot up. I constantly check my heart rate. Constantly think I am having a heart attack. I have been to the ER more times than I care to admit. I even called the squad. All my heart work up have back normal. All of it. I just had a holter monitor done; waiting on those results. I'm super scared I'm dying of a heart attack and that I need to go to the hospital. It's horrible. I can't do anything with my boys cause I'm scared of my heart rate getting too high and causing a heart attack. I hate this. Right now I have a cold and I can't breathe I feel like so it's making my chest hurt and I'm convinced I'm having a heart attack. Convinced. I hate this and wish there was a way to fix it.
lewis51725 kristin_92883
Posted
Hi Kristen i have just come across your response and i am intrigued to see how you are doing now 3 years on. Everything you said is exactly me right now and i would love to know how you managed to cope with this.
edmond66190 lewis51725
Posted
hi lewis same with me now.Hope you have deal with it.I would appreciate any advice you would give me
murph2179 simoneg
Posted
I have health anxiety centered on my heart as well. my father was only 49 when he required a quadruple bypass surgery in order to prevent an impending heart attack. I take much, much better care of myself than he did since my late 20s, now in my late 30s. cholesterol below 200, ldl in near optimal range, good hdl and triglycerides, etc. i have hypertension, which i am on meds for, but i get heart attack symptoms very, very frequently. they seem to be tied to my GI system, as i constantly belch, and when i do, the symptoms alleviate temporarily. i get some chest pain, but mainly jaw and arm pain, and hot flashy feelings with some sweating, but again, it goes away fairly quickly. i have had 7 ekgs in the last 4 years, 2 in the last 6 weeks, and a stress test last year. all totally fine and normal. resting heart rate is good, when i do any sort of exercise, the rate comes down just as it ought to. wanted another stress test this past week, but my cardiologist saw my ekg results and said "everything on this one is exactly the same as all of the others, including the stress test. we don't need to put you on the treadmill". i had wanted to go on it, just to feel better about the entire thing, but he must have used some sort of mind control, b/c i just accepted it as alright. the symptoms get worse with exercise, but that is probably due to the fact that i am standing up, the gas rises, smashes my diapahragm into the vagus nerve, and voila, symptoms. there is actually a name ofr this, its called Roemheld Syndrome. it is scary as all get out when you are walking around and just have to push thru these scary symptoms all day long. thankfully i am getting an endoscopy done soon and hopefully that can put me on a path to ending this crap b/c i feel like a prisoner in my own body.
rich_31829 murph2179
Posted
melissa97 rich_31829
Posted
rich_31829 melissa97
Posted
edmond66190 rich_31829
Posted
hi melissa I have had the same symptoms and I wanted to know how are you doing?
catherine_00572 simoneg
Posted
Hello everyone, I felt like I was alone but since googling cardiophobia I've found alot of people suffering from the same thing. Since this original post was 2 years ago I would really like to know if any of you have found a solution to this problem. Like all of you I have dread everyday that I will die of a heart attack and like all of you I have had numerous ECG's, blood tests, and echo exams all have come back fine. I have been to the emergency room 4 times all with the same issue and it's becoming so terrible. Whenever I go I have to Google where the nearest hospital is just in case I have to go there. All of my family are refusing to take me to the hospital any more because each time the results are fine. This makes me more anxious. My doctor says my heart is fine and I have a panic disorder. Googling my symptoms was probably the worst thing I could do because this makes me feel more anxious. My family and friends don't understand because they say that the test results are fine but I'm so convinced there is something wrong with my heart and I will die. Like all of you I'm scared to do any excersises, I eat really healthy, I'm an ex smoker and 29 years old with no heart problems in my family. My doctor has signed me off work and everything is so difficult. Have any of you found a way to get over This? Thank you
laura_26368 catherine_00572
Posted
I’ve been dealing with the same exact symptoms/fear for the past month. It all started one night when I got this mysterious sharp pain in the left side of my chest. It lasted maybe 10 seconds. I didn’t think much of it but that night when I went to bed, I started obsessively worrying about it, which started all of my symptoms. My chest began to hurt, heart palpitations, tight chest, shallow breathing, left arm was going numb. I was scared to death to fall asleep for fear I wouldn’t wake up. I recognized this as an anxiety attack and knew it, but my mind had me convinced that I was dying.
Since then, I’m terrified to fall asleep because I think that my heart will give out during the night. I’m still experiencing heart palpitations, tight chest, and am constantly checking my heart rate which is always normal but sometimes runs higher than MY normal.
I went to my doctor and explained my symptoms. I had an EKG done which came back normal. I’ve recently stopped smoking so my doctor thinks it’s anxiety from this. Who knows. All I know is that I l’m DONE living with this anxiety. It’s absolutely horrible. I did ask my doctor to prescribe me Wellbutrin, which is an antidepressant. I was on it years ago for chronic depression and an eating disorder and this medicine stopped my obsessive thoughts and worry. I’m hoping it works this time.
I downloaded an app called “Calm” that teaches you mindfulness and meditation. I use this whenever I’m feeling anxious or feel as though my heart is racing. It teaches you to listen to your body, acknowledge the feeling, then let it go. It also teaches you to focus on the present moment. It helps to calm me down and stop my racing heart. I also tell myself, out loud, that I’m fine and that there’s nothing wrong with me. I especially do this at night in hopes of being able to peacefully fall asleep. It’s slowly getting better.
The mind is so incredibly powerful. Only YOU have control over your mind. You need to be proactive in telling yourself and reassuring yourself that you’re fine. Your mind manifest the symptoms. You will never get better if you continue to convince yourself that you’re unwell. Trust me! I know it’s hard. So hard. But you’ve gotta try. Whenever you feel a symptom, acknowledge it, breathe, and let it go.
I really hope your find relief from your anxiety. Thinking of you!
catherine_00572 laura_26368
Posted
Thank you Laura for your reply. I've had a really awful weekend in regards to this, I spent 6 hours on Saturday sitting outside a hospital in case I had a heart attack, I was meant to go to my friends birthday dinner and was too frightened to leave the bench, eventually I left as a homeless man was harassing me but how crazy is This!!!! I actually feel like I'm loosing my mind and need to keep drawing it back in. I constantly need reassurance from the doctor that there is nothing wrong with my heart. Laura I hope that we are rid of this soon. My doctor has referred me to CBT which apparently really helps, ask your doctor if you can be referred too. I really hope you feel well soon Laura, I really feel so deeply for anyone who's going through this.
laura_26368 catherine_00572
Posted
Oh Catherine I’m so sad to hear how much you are suffering. At this point I think CBT is needed and would be so helpful because it’s clear that this is becoming overwhelming to you. Seeking mental health care is the best solution right now. You need support and someone to walk you through this. I know you feel as though you are going crazy. There’s been a handful of nights filled with me crying, feeling as though I was losing my mind and all control. The medication I began taking 3 days ago is making my symptoms worse, so I have decided to stop taking it and instead lean on my faith. It’s been a solid month of me worrying about my heart, and guess what, I’m still here. The same for you. You are walking and breathing. You are alive. Your heart is working! Let it do it’s job. The heart is not perfect but it’s strong. So strong. Treat it well. Think positively.
I’ll be thinking of you and praying for you as well! If you ever need to talk, I’m here! 💕
catherine_00572 laura_26368
Posted
Thank you so much Laura, that means alot to me. I'm here for you too. All my prayers go out to you and anyone else dealing with this. Hope you have a great day and not let anxiety beat you down.