POTS OR ANXIETY?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Basically I have convinced myself that I have Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. It feels like my heart is racing upon standing or when I do minimal exertion. I know that I have anxiety & also panic attacks. But why does my heart rate jump from sitting to standing. It can go from 67 to 110. I've had multiple test done & even had a tilt table test where I blacked out or at least it felt like I did. But my cardiologist said that it wasn't POTS or OI, but it was vasovagal syncope. I have never passed out before in my life so that was a SCARY feeling (I had these sane symptoms before the test so I don't think that caused it) he said that my heart rate slowed down too quickly and I fainted but I came right back. I'm scared to stand up now, especially for a long time. Thank God I have a desk job, but I'm also a makeup artist but when I have clients I sit down & do their makeup. I'm scared to exercise, or take long walks, I don't even go out. I'm scared I'm going to stand up & faint even though my cardiologist said if it's never happened before it most likely won't unless I'm tilted again. Can this be POTS? Or can your mind really trick you into thinking you actually have an illness. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!
0 likes, 5 replies
anxietysite123 simoneg
Posted
I have this. I'm terrified to even go down the steps in fear my heart will race and lead to a heart attack. I have sinus tachychardia, which everyone does.. Have you been checked by a doctor? I would say it's most likely anxiety. It can also happen if you're dehydrated. Number one way to tell is higher HR upon standing. You won't die. Talk to your doctor to calm and relax!
anxietysite123 simoneg
Posted
Sorry I missed an enormous chunk of this article as my phone went out for a minute.. If you've been checked by a doctor, you're absolutely fine.. You know what you have, you know what you don't have.. That happens sometimes with blacking out, your heartrate can raise and drop upon standing, sitting, moving, everything.. Sounds like Maybe situational anxiety.. You're expecting it to happen so it's more likely to happen. Don't be scared to excersise. As long as your cardiologist says it's ok, then force yourself to get out and walk. Otherwise you will be stuck in this anxiety attack forever. He knows best, you have to believe him if he said it isn't pots.
simoneg anxietysite123
Posted
It's just hard to believe that anxiety can cause my heart to race like that when I stand up. It doesn't happen everytime I stand up, but for the most part it will especially when I'm thinking about it which is almost always. But I am going to CBT right now (which isn't helping much) and they prescribed me lexapro 10mg and xanax 0.25mg which I am too scared to take. I just want my life back.
Frootlooped simoneg
Posted
simoneg, I am basically going through the same thing. I am going through withdrawl for 6 months .I have had aniexty for 20 yrs. I also am having similar exsperiences. My heart heart is in 60-90's whilet resting.When I get up an walk through the house it easily goes to 125 to 169. My target heart rate fir my age is 170. If I try to exert myself in any form it does this.I'm afraid I'm gonna have a heart attack. I don't go out I don't drive because I am afraid because my heart rate goes up really fast. I tried beta blockers but due to my bp I can't take them and when I did I my vest hurt worser. I do have anietxy but I do not take anythong for it at the moment. I cannot take depression meds because they make me feel nuts. I do get scared that I'm gonna have a heart attack everyday.I've had all these test: 1.T.T never fainted it was (negative)2.EKG3.ECG4.STRESS TEST5.HEART HOLITAR 6.HEART EVENT MONITOR7.ECHO TEST. (ALL GOOD) My Cardiologist was concerned about my high heart rate she told me I needed to take the Beta Blocker and if it help then it was heart related I did take it for a week it made me worse my chest hurt down my arms I felt like I was going to die. At this point I just don't know what I'm gonna do.I deff.think I may need some form of couseling abd maybe meds. I don't know what kind to take. I know that I cannot continue to live like this
. Im glad I found someone that can relate to what I'm going through bit not that your going through it because it's sheer hell. I hope that you get better . But your not alone there are others who are going through the same.Lots of Luck to you and I hope that you can break the cicle of fear that grips your life as it grips mine.sorry that this post was so long.Prayers for a speedy Recovery 
lisalisa67 simoneg
Posted
Put in half of the energy into researching "anxiety disorder" as you have in laboring hours over finding a terminal illness and see if that helps you. This is an anxiety disorder and mixed in with ocd and needs outside help. You shouldnt accept that you have to live like this anymore. A psychiatrist, a doctor but see someone for this. Ailments can co exist with oanic attacks.
It is very important to understand panic attacks, vaso vagel syncopy, are NOT pre cursors to a terminal illness. Go take a visit to the terminally ill wards you see although some have anxiety they arent in the panic mode you are in.