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Cardiophobia/Health Anxiety

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simoneg
simoneg

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

30 Replies

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  • matt45001
    matt45001 simoneg

    Posted

    Hi.  I unfortunately have and currently go through the same thing.  Two years ago, I smoked a joint and had a terrible reaction.  Was convinced my throat was closing and that I was dying.  A few weeks later, and I started getting physical symptoms from anxiety.  Thought I had stroke, then heart attack, you name it.  I would constantly check my heart rate and would go to the ER constantly and wanted my blood pressure measured all of the time.  It does get better.  See a psychatrist and see about meds that can help get your brain chemicals under control.  Also, look into cognitive behavioral therapy which can also help.  I felt great for 2 years with minimum symptoms and no more heart rate checking, but a few weeks ago started up again.  It’s a process,  but you will feel better.
  • dana01526
    dana01526 simoneg

    Posted

    This sounds like depersonalization/derealization which is caused by extreme anxiety. This happend to me a decade ago from smoking marijuana I freaked out. Everything was slow and it felt like I was flashing in and out of life... ended up in the middle of the street in the rain. From that day on I suffere from GAD but I also have a heart problem and Health anxiety! So I do take a beta blocker. I am sorry you are feeling like s**t but it does get better and will. If I can make it through embarrassing to say over 100 ambulance rides to none in 10 years you can too. Best of health and good luck on your journey.

  • dana01526
    dana01526 simoneg

    Posted

    Here’s a coping mechanism for health anxiety and CBT. When you ask yourself these questions in your head say. WHAT IF it happend. Stop thinking it might. Switch your thought process. If it happend ( ok well I’m next to a hospital they will take care of me) What if I had a heart attack right now? (Someone would call a ambulance and the doctors would do everything to save your Life
  • jadelillian
    jadelillian simoneg

    Posted

    omg this sounds like my story. i smoked weed for the first time had a bad reaction with a massive panick attack. i was fine for 3 weeks then boom more anxiety attacks, since then constant heart palipitatios especially in the mornings, ive had 25 ecgs 3 lots of blood test, urine test, poo test, and 2 chest x-rays all witch is normal. and a thyroid test. x im waiting for my 24hr ecg in 4 days time. i also noticed that my heart rate would dramatically increased when standing up and do everyday things. i also avoid places where i have to walk for a extended period of time. x dr google told me I have a heart problem like it would do and now im freaking out about having a problem with my heart at the age of 19. i was always active and now i do nothing as im in constant fear. its not a nice way to live.x i would like to speak to you in further depth if i can so if possible reply back to me x thankyou.

  • bbdanielle
    bbdanielle simoneg

    Edited

    all i can say is Same. SAME. if i bend down to tie my shoe, then get up my heart gets to beating as if i worked out. after showers same thing.

  • ashleigh05198
    ashleigh05198 simoneg

    Posted

    hi everybody, dont know if anybody will see this but i think im suffering the same?? it started in december time, i was sleeping and i woke up and my heart was beating really fast, ever since then i have felt like there is something wrong with me heart attack, cancer, heart disease you name it:( it got really bad in december i couldnt sleep because every time i nearly fell asleep my heart would beat so fast and wake me up i had about a week of no sleep, i was having an ache feeling in my chest, being sick, feeling like my heart was beating too fast and sometimes missing a beat, i then finally had a ambulance out within 20 minutes i had ecg, temp, pulse and blood pressure done and he didnt see anything wrong and said that im probably suffering from anxiety/panic attacks, i then felt fine for a couple of hours, and then when it was time for bed and it started all over again, i was constantly crying, not sleeping, googling all minutes of the day( im sure you all know what i mean) and all of the other symptoms i described above i was convieneced there was something wrong with me and they just havent checked me properly, 2 more trips up to the hospital, everything can back fine both times was told about anxiety and to see my gp, since it has got better because i thohvht to myself it it was anything else i would of ended up back in hospital by now, it mainly all links back to when im trying to lay down, relax on the sofa im constantly focuing on my breathing as i feel like my heart is going to give up if i stop. im currently layed on the sofa with an achey feeling in my chest trying not to wake my partner i just cant help feeling like theres something wrong with me 😦 im only 22 and i haveno

    • sarah47101
      sarah47101 ashleigh05198

      Posted

      hi, im 23 and i am the exact same, every minute of the day i spend on google trying to find answers to why im feeling like this.. i cant concentrate on anything! im constantly dizzy. i have a dropping/sinking feeling in my body, im thinking i have a heart problem, a brain problem and just something in my body! ive had 3 ECG's, blood tests, chest xray and they all came back perfect!

      feel free to message me whenever you like as i know what you are going through x

    • MILAO
      MILAO ashleigh05198

      Posted

      I have this exact thing too! Every time I begin to drift off I jolt awake heart racing and panicking and freaking out! This goes on for a good hour before I can fall asleep. I then wake up again during the night heart pounding and confused! It happens to me when my anxiety is very severe. I had it last year for months before it went away after I began taking Sertraline. I have decided to go back on them again because I cannot deal with this. The technical term is called "Hypnic Jerk" and it is nothing related to a heart condition. It is basically nocturnal panic attacks

  • synaesthAsia
    synaesthAsia simoneg

    Edited

    I am sorry you are feeling this way simoneg. I too have severe health anxiety centered around my heart...

    What marijuana does to your body is that is lowers your blood pressure and as a result of that your heart rate increases to compensate for reduced blood flow. It is a very normal effect. Everyone gets it but not everybody notices it. I understand how this triggered your health anxiety. Isn t it weird how one incident can have such lasting effects on us?

    You also need to understand that your heart rate constantly changes throughout the day. Thoughts, emotions, memories all can cause your pulse to spike. It s absolutely normal. Doing activities that raise your heart rate is good for you. You may feel anxious but believe me, your heart is a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly. Socialising is good for you so try to go out with your friends, laugh, have fun and try to distract yourself. Us anxious people tend to be in our heads too much.

    And above all, trust the doctors. They would know if there was an abnormality.

    I hope you find peace and calmness soon.

  • lewis51725
    lewis51725 simoneg

    Posted

    Could i ask how everyone is doing now as it has been a couple of years since this post was created. Id like to know how you was able to cope with this awful illness, and maybe it may help myself and others who have recently developed this condition.

  • edmond66190
    edmond66190 simoneg

    Posted

    I am dealing with this problem too.Iam a 19 year old boy.When I was a kid my grandparents use to have heart issues and I heard them every time saying stuff about heart problems.i had the first ecg when I was like 6-7.and since then I had left side pain but the doctor always said it is muscular.i never got worried about it because I got used to it.when i was 17-18 I had tachycardia and my doctor gave me a small prescription and said it is normal to your age,but I was afraid because they would last for about an hour.9 months past and I had my first panic attack and developed anxiety since then.now after 6 month dealing with anxiety and panic disorder I still am afraid of dying from heart attack and can't sleep at night.Iam suffering a lot.i feel like I am in prison.can you guys give me some advice.I also had several ecg and a holter about 3 weeks ago and the other analyses and they were all ok.i had psychological appointments too to help me with anxiety but they can't reduce my frightening about heart issues.Sorry about my English and please help me.

    • nick01820
      nick01820 edmond66190

      Posted

      Hey Edmond, very sorry to hear you're working through cardiophobia but hopefully seeing from this thread that you are not alone in dealing with this very terrible, exhausting illness helps a little. I cant tell you exactly what treatment will work for you, but i can tell you what has worked to ease my health anxiety in the past and what i am currently using to address my newest phobia related to my heart: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The therapy sessions take time, it is expensive, but it is the only thing that worked for me (and actually helped me with mental issues even outside my health anxiety).

      What youre going through is the worst. The days wasted just sitting in a panic worrying about your heart. Experiencing very real physical symptoms caused by your brain. Not being able to explain to others how real it feels and how crushing the anxiety is. Feeling like youre disappointing those around you, or missing out on life. It sucks. We know. But from someone who has gone through it, trust me this mental illness is treatable and life does get better. Look into therapy and books on CBT. Stay strong and remember you're not alone.

  • sara22200
    sara22200 simoneg

    Posted

    hello,

    i am 35 yrs old .I had those cardiophobia problem started 2 yrs ago.i was having heart palpitations during a night two yrs ago .i thought i almost had heart attack.evennthough next day i went to doctor who did ekg etc..i wasnt convinced and i had anxiety that i may get heart attack any movement. all through the day i think i am getting heart attack next min,that thought races my heart beat..i try to divert myself

    to avoid those thoughts.somdays are good somedays are bad.I dont have a good life because of this fear.I had multiple ekgs in last 2 yrs.i am afraid to get pregnant and i had miscarriage in last month.my life is living hell.please help me how to deal with this problem

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