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Health anxiety

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laura28878
laura28878

Really suffering and struggling with health anxiety regarding my heart. Is anyone going through anything similar? Thanks

12 likes, 184 replies

184 Replies

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  • emma68890
    emma68890 laura28878

    Posted

    Just seen this post was posted 10.minths ago.. but how are you now? For the last 6 months I have been constantly worried about my heart.. I've got eptopic beats so an extra beat in my heart.. which apperently is safe and normal.in a healthy heart.. i have a cardiologist appointment on the 6th I've had these before and they always say live with them.. but I actually can't. I've lost 2 jibs in the last 6 months due to anxiety. I can't stop crying they have tried me on beta blockers to sort them out but it makes them worse! I'm at a witts end what to do sad trying everything I'm not sleeping at night due to my chest constantly banging with the extra beats.. can anyone else relate to this? X
  • granular
    granular laura28878

    Posted

    I've had health anxiety to a lot of things. In reality, I'm completely healthy. Still, on bad days, I'm able to believe that I'm dying, that my heart is going to explode out of my chest, that my hearing is permanently damaged, that I'm going to have a terrible back pain soon, that my knees are going to break in two or any other damage.

    Therefore, I always keep away from all kinds of danger, afraid that I might be hurt.

    You're not alone. I'm glad I'm not alone.

    • emma68890
      emma68890 granular

      Posted

      How come u think u have heart problems? Do u have symptoms?  X
    • Burgess65
      Burgess65 emma68890

      Posted

      completely with you on this one . I had ecg 3rd one and they said I have ectopic beats and nothing to worry about but they are happening constantly . They said try relaxing but I can't imagine anything qu stop them x 
    • granular
      granular emma68890

      Posted

      No, not really. It's usually just very minor and momentary pain in or around my chest. I'm often really stressed out because of my anxiety, which greatly amplifies whatever physical sensation I'm feeling to the point where I think it's something grave.

      My physiotherapist says that it's probably pain somewhere else in my upper body because of tense muscles. It usually is better after a good night's sleep with no conscious over-thinking for ten hours straight.

    • granular
      granular

      Posted

      However, I do thoroughly believe that if I continue to have this much anxiety for 10, 20 or 30 years, I will end up with physical problems. That's one of the reasons why I have treatment now both from a physiotherapist and a psychologist.

      My mum died from cancer last year, and I'm almost certain that about 30 years of stress and night after night with little and low-quality sleep degraded her immune system to a point where it affected her body's ability do defend herself against the cancer. I do not want to end up like that - Dying or in chronic pain from something psychological which can be avoided.

      I'm also really sad that I couldn't help her with her anxiety before she died, but that's another and longer story. Maybe I'll create a thread on it, I don't know. Firstly, I've got to help myself with my own anxiety.

    • lucy04117
      lucy04117 granular

      Posted

      i so agree that stress plays such a huge part in affecting us both short and long term....even if we dont realise it at the time. and i have come to realise that most of my symptoms stem from worry and anxiety.....but thats so hard to believe when it is happening!. 

       

  • christopher06
    christopher06 laura28878

    Posted

    I had gone through it few years back but i overcame it. I realised it is more of practical thing rather then a chemical thing. Jut sort out the things in life on priority basis. Go for medication at leat 10 mins or even with your favroite music just close your eyes and think all good positive things happening. Keep your head cool and calm. simplify all problems troubles in life look for only solution not for blame or regret. And quit smoking and drinking if you are doing and jus make peace withyouself and see the result.
    • lucy04117
      lucy04117 christopher06

      Posted

      Hi christopher....glad you have overcome this...well done. i agree stress plays such a partin this and being able to do what you did helps enourmously.  i think mine started with stress....mostly about the relationship im in and my circumstances and some family problems. i have always been the 'strong' one and could cope with anything...but for some reason this has all gone the opposite for me. crying is the worst thing....bursting into tears at the slightest thingthat goes wrong...and everything seems like a mountain to sort out,,,even the smallest thing. i only joined this today....so glad ifound it but i hope im using it right. i quit smoking 6 months ago...i dont drink coffee and have cut down my tea intake re the caffeine. thanks for your post.

       

  • ugne21
    ugne21 laura28878

    Posted

    Oh my goodness! I'm so glad that somebody actually created this thread. I just feel so terrified - this has been going on for a few weeks now, and all I can think about is either having a breast tumor or some terrible heart illness. I am 15 and I don't want to live my life like this - I'm leaving on a trip soon and usually I'd be so cheery and positive but now I just feel like I'm gonna die. My whole body is aching - my chest, under my chest, my ribs, my back, my armpits, and I've talked to my mom - I did a blood test last week because I had pneumonia and it came out to be completely fine. We also checked my lungs and did and Xray and it was also OK, but I just keep getting these real, sharp pains and I know that it's ridiculous, and I've had these problems before - I'd feel sick for no reason every night and I had to go to a therapist to help me. It's just so terrifying, I can't get it off of my mind, and I also can't stay home alone for too long. I also have iron defficiency and I keep on thinking that this might be something terrible. I need to run all the tests possible to make sure I'm fine, or else I'll die of anxiety, I swear! It's like poison to my mind, and if anything gets just a tad worse, my anxiety worsens it even more, and it's this constant struggle. I want to live carefree!!! I'm so glad that I'm not alone in this though. I just can't deal with myself right now, I have all of these theories of what each pain could mean, and every theory leads to an even worse illness or disease. How to stop this?! How do you find the peace of mind?! I need help, please, I can't do this anymore!
    • dee335
      dee335 ugne21

      Posted

      Hey ugne .... what a coincidence that inam also leaving for a trip in few days and feared the same as you. But since 2-3 days i am recovering of this anxiety. The best way to overcome this is to let it be. Dont fight againstbyour symptoms by guessing various possibilities. Instead let it pass. Remember flight is better option than fight in fight or flight situation that is created by anxiety. We must be like log of woods. Like a log of wood floats on water because it just doesnt tries to do anything to oppose drowning. On the other hand if a man is in water he will float too scientifically if he completely let go his body loose. But we try to drowning and we dont float. Similarly, just loose you body to the symptoms and have a belief in mind that it is nothing serious and will go away with time. This is what is helping me recover. You'll be fine dont worry.
  • caryssa07
    caryssa07 laura28878

    Posted

    Hi. I am also suffering chronic panic attacks. My first attack was just a chest pain and I can't breathe. I was rushed to E.R. With a thought of having a heart attack. Then the doctor said i had hyperventilation. But he asked me to take a thyroid test. It was normal. So i had a follow up check up with a GP. He then told me to take 2d echo to check if i have schemic heart disease. So the result was,  normal with mild tricuspid. A month later, i had another attack. But i know for sure that I was anticipating that i was going to have a panic attack and so it really happened.  2 more attacks before the doctor diagnosed that I have a GERD.  Everytime I was rushed to ER, i always have a normal ECG (50-60 bpm. I am an athlete). But then my latest attack was really frightening that my arms, lips, back, chest and neck went numv with tingling feeling. I thought i was having a stroke. Blood test, ecg were done again and normal result. Still, i am not convinced. I felt  like i still have the chance of havinf heart attack even if i am just 25 and my ecg and echo are normal. So everyday, i struggle but I endure it. Last night, i felt numb again but this time my legs were affected. I TRIED To calm myself but it's not helping. But since it's christmas eve, i dont want to be hospitalized so i just walk outside until the symptoms were gone. Though i overcome it for once, i still want to make sure so i am planning to go back to GP and go back to the first test again. Having all the tests done, i think i will be convinced that i am not in trouble.
    • dee335
      dee335 caryssa07

      Posted

      Hey caryssa... I have had same problem as you. I also had ECG and echo done twice which were fine as per cardiologist but still my mind wasn't convinced. Doubting your docter is wrong and now I am starting to believe it. If doc says you are fine you should trust him over things written on internet. If you believe that getting a test done again will clear your mind then there is nothing better than that as you have found the way to beat anxiety and convince your mind. I would suggest you get the test done as soon as possible and show your report to a cardiologist to clear up you mind with anxiety. All the best and a very happy new year. 
    • lynnmaureen
      lynnmaureen caryssa07

      Posted

      Hyperventilation can cause numb/heavy feelings in your legs, etc. You are probably over breathing. It happened to me, but the doctors didn't explain what was happening to me or what caused it. I think that's what created my cycle of panic attacks; not understanding it was something "simple" and not life threatening. I think some medical professionals get too busy to listen to what's really going on with us and need to become educated

      about panic and anxiety. Send us home with information instead of trying to convince us nothing is wrong. Perhaps explaining what causes our symptoms would keep us from believing we have a terrible disease or heart condition. Hope you're feeling better. 

       

  • PsychTech
    PsychTech laura28878

    Posted

    Hi there. I am a recovering alcoholic/drug addict who has struggled with depression and anxiety since adolescence. I am also a "recovering Catholic". I wish there was a "magic bullet" that would cure me, but alas, it's illegal/immoral/and unhealthy (see above). ONE THING I TRIED THAT WORKED: Relaxation exercises. I know many people will think.....well I don't really know what people are thinking...sorry. Anyways, these relaxation exercises are like this: I lie on my back with a pillow under my head and knees if I want. I begin to breath SLOWLY (5 sec inhale....hold for 2 seconds, then 5 seconds exhale...wait 2 seconds and repeat).

    NOW, this is the good stuff...we are going to retrain our thoughts. Yep, we're going to tell our mind really good stuff! (I recall years of being teased or told I wouldn't amount to much my whole early life. If someone calls me an idiot every day....well, one day I'll (subconsciously) come to believe it. I won't realize it, but subtle changes will manifest..."Why won't anything go my way?" "You hate me...just say it!" We will seal our fate because deep down we know we're not good enough....a loser...less than..That's my experience, anyways.

    SO: When I think of a happy place, a desert island where I'm on the beach is my happy place..yours may be different. I imagine the waves on the beach...the palm trees rustling quietly.ahhhhh....I really imagine it and it's nice.

    Okay, FIRST BREATH (5 sec inhale, breath with my diaphram...looks like a "wave" rolling up from my tummy to my chest) I say to myself, "I am...."

    HOLD breath for two seconds,,,,Let it out (should take 5 sec) saying, "Relaxed".

    So it should go: "I am....relaxed"

                           (inhale...exhale...)

    Do this 3 times. Less than a minute. But, the more you do this, the faster you may feel different..in a good way. We're slowly going to convince our brain that we're relaxed!

    Next time, I do the three "I am.......relaxed" and add three, "My arms and legs........are heavy and warm".

    I worked up to doing each "suggestion" six times each (note:you can substitute your personal suggestions..."My heartbeat is........calm and regular."

    "Every day, in every way.........I am loved by someone"

    Hope you get the picture..This reversed my horrible GERD and most of my anxiety..what a difference!

    Please inquire with your doctor if this method may work for you. I hope it will.

    Even though I am a Healthcare Professional and my first thoughts were, well, cynical. It worked for me.

    Oh! This one really made me feel stupid, "Look into a mirror...really look at yourself.....look into your own eyes, and tell yourself, "I love you". Try that one...wow.

    PS: I don't believe I was put on this Earth to suffer like I have. I don't believe you all are, as well. I have found I have to work at it and sometimes do the opposite of what I am (internally) driven to do.

     

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