I dont know anymore whats going on
Posted , 5 users are following.
Last September time I supposedly had a panic attack but up untill then I had never experienced one.
I have had ecgs, chest xray, bloodwork all done and has come back fine. I was put on sertraline 50mg and have progressively increased to 150mg and diazepam 2mg as and when. I have being having chest pains but told it is costrochronditis and to rub ibuprofen gel on my chest. It sometimes feels better but have noticed my left side almost rib area also feels knotted at times and even feel the muscle spasm. I have put about 2 stone since starting the Sertraline but my appetie has increased so I am not sure if this is heart, spleen, lung, anxiety or what anymore
I have being reffered to a cardiologist but I have to wait a few weeks before seeing one. Any ome experienced this?
0 likes, 11 replies
kathy219 TurtleTom
Posted
Hi Tom!
I have never personally experienced the symptoms you describe, however, I do have depression and anxiety and take 100mg of zoloft daily and zanax if needed.
I haven't had a full blown panic attack for many years.
My husband has had chest pain, but all his testing by the cardiologist came back fine. They did mention the source of his pain could also be muscle spasms. Additionally he has COPD and that could also cause some pain.
You didnt mention your age, if there is a family history of heart issues or if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or obesity which are all contributors to being at risk for heart disease. Or if you smoke.
If you are older...40+ or so...and have any of the above it is good you plan to see cardiologist because they could better advise you.
If you are younger with no health issues it may just be the anxiety mimicking heart symptoms.
Either way you are on the right path by seeing the heart doctor.
Best of luck!
TurtleTom kathy219
Posted
hi Kathy, thankyou for replying. I am unsure if what i had was a panic attack and still dont think it was but whatever it was it has stayed with me just not as much. I am sorry to hear about your husband I hope he is dealing with the spasms and COPD. was it the cardiologist who said that or a doctor?
I turned 29 in January which is why it has been such a wait for a cardiologist because my age and no family history of heart problems. Am now coming on 20 stone at 6 foot so my BMI is in the obese range, I have queried this with the doctor as 2 stone of this has been since the sertraline started but all he says is It is my appetite because of the tablets. I have researched and persuaded if this is true it has something to do with insulin because my lifestyle hasn't changed although yes I can eat more but when I am hungry I start thinking I shall be sick and feel worse, I dont want to be on diazepam all the time so tend to avoid them aswell. cholesteral was perfect end of last year (good and bad) and I was a smoker until this attack and then I went cold turkey.
Again since the weight increase my blood pressure has increased to anywhere between 120/80 - 140/105 again I have being doctors and because I am young they say change lifestyle and stop eating as much. they gave amplodipine but my heart rate went up to 120bpm+ and they said stop them its not worth the risk and again work on the diet.
kathy219 TurtleTom
Posted
Mark it was the cardiologist that explained that bc the lungs are so close to heart any pain in that area could be one or the other. Since his nuclear stress test, ekg & other tests were normal they suggested it could be the lungs or muscle strain and to come back if it got worse or persisted. He still gets it occasionally, but not on a regular basis and it has not worsened.
He is a heavy smoker...
Sounds like your only risk factor is the weight, but without any other factors think you'd be good. Both my husband and I border on obese, but he has had more health problems due to his smoking. And in many cases it is long term obesity that can create heart and other problems.
I believe the severe panic attacks I suffered in my 20s & the anxiety that followed for years contributed to my afib bc my heart rate would go all over the place. But my dad had it & the docs never seem able to pinpoint a diagnosis until after you get something...sigh...
You no doubt have many good years ahead of you...just follow thru with cardiologists & keep regular appointments.
My baby brother dropped dead of a sudden heart attack at 53. Was always active & appeared healthy. But turned out he had high blood pressure that caused an enlarged heart that led to the heart attack. He never went to doctor bc he assumed he was healthy. Blood pressure meds could have prevented this...and maybe if he had quit smoking...
mark52722 TurtleTom
Posted
I too have had problems kind of like you. Ekg, blood work, so many test I can't tell you all of them. All DRs say is nothing wrong. I have on and off pain in my lower chest. DRs keep saying its costrochronditis. Im not a DR but i think its not.
Along with dizziness, fatigued, hands red and cold all the time you tell me whats wrong. Maybe side effects of meds idk. Keep pushing the DRs for more test. That's what I am doing now for over a year.
TurtleTom mark52722
Posted
I honestly dont understand, I was fine one day next day had this suppsoed attack and ever since not being myself. I also had the dizziness/brain fog but the sertraline seems to have helped or I am getting better and the sertraline is just a coincedence. Fatigue I am now trying to fight back and do more during the day but then I go bed about midnight and am tossing and turning till about 2am then I go on my phone and am up till 4/5am then sleep for a few hours wake up soaked in sweat (apparently a very common and known side efect of the setraline) I dont get the red and cold hands currently but do have this weird stitch like knotty feeling in my left side just under the breast area and round the side to that area. I thought it was spleen but Dr said if it was ruptured I would be dead by now and if it is enlarged it shoudl be ok still but I am not sure anymore
Star586 TurtleTom
Posted
hi tom i have taken anti depressants in the bask and i also experienced the fluttery feeling in my ribs. i dont thnk its anythn to worry about as i saw a cardiologist at the tym and everythn was ok xxx
mark52722 TurtleTom
Posted
Tom
It took me about 2 weeks after a EKG in the GP office to see a cardiologist. For those 2 weeks I was scared. BTW Im still nervous with every pain.
Went to out patient last night after work. Feeling horrible and arms were tingling. EKG was just fine. The few blood work test they could do were fine also. Dr their said to head to ER even though all test were normal. Been there 3 times in the last 6 months with no help.
Went home and to bed for 9 hours and back to work today feeling still horrible. Keep your head up. Keep going until you have your answer. I know I am trying.
mark52722
Posted
Don't know what happened to reply but keep your head up. Someone has the answer
TurtleTom mark52722
Posted
Its fine I read it, hope your arms are feeling better.
There has to be an underlying problem somewhere but its just finding where or what is wrong that sucks.
I have being waiting about 4 months for a cardiologist still not heard back yet
mark52722 TurtleTom
Posted
Tom
You in UK? I would think that is way too long to wait. Here in the states, I've had to wait a month or more for a specialist but a cardiologist takes a few weeks unless you are in ER and the admit you for test. Yep it sucks
TurtleTom mark52722
Posted
Yes am in the UK, apparently the NHs stipulates 12 weeks maximum for non urgent appointments but my local hospital are currently in breach (their words) and taking up to 20 something weeks.
It is a joke but I guess least I am still alive it cant be too urgent