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slightly unusual problem? well maybe

Posted , 6 users are following.

Want2work
Want2work

Hi I am a 40 year old male from the north of england,

my problem is this,around 2 year ago i had symtoms of an anxiety attack but it left a feeling of a lump at the top left of my chest, So i went to doctors who said it sounded like an anxiety attack but because of the lump feeling it left behind refered me to a cardiologist and after a lot of tests i ended up having an angiogram which showed that i had a 90% blockage of one of my arteries,But it was decided that because  of location of blockege that medication rather than stent was the way to treat me ,So now i take beta blockers statins and various other tablets,i had stopped smoking 3 months previous to this attack started to eat healthy foods and dropped 4 stone in weight .About 9 months ago i had a routine appointement with cardiologist and he upped dosage of one of my tablets nicorandil .

Then around 3 months after that appointement so around 6 months ago i started to get dropped beats and a little arrythmia and a feeling  i can only describe as butterflies flying in my chest  and would get an adrenaline surge starting from my legs and rapidly moving up my boddy, the first time this happened i was on a holliday in northumberland so i took myself off to a&e who gave me an ECG and other tests and they all came back as fine for my heart condition and said it was anxiety, But since then these attacks have become more frequent resulting in me actually reducing my hours at work i have visited my GP on a few occasions (he must think im some kind of hypocondriac) but he did precribe a low dossage of diazapam 2mg,

In the main these tablets do help and calm me down and stop me from thinking about it so much but at the moment i feel that this is now starting to take over my life its constantly on my mind and i am thinking/waiting for the next attack to start although it feels like it never actualy leaves me but is just under the surface ,The logical part of my brian tells me that when i take my diazapan and they take symtoms away what the docs are saying is correct, but there is like a devil on my shoulder telling me they are wrong and with all the symtoms showing on the left side of my body it has to be the problems with my heart (i mean even a bit of trapped wind can set it off) its getting to the point where i would rather be asleep than be awake so i dont have to deal with these issues (obv this is isnt good for a non healthy heart) i have four great children and a beutiful and undertstanding wife but i honestly feel i am at breaking point

on a side note i was back to doctors last week and the doctor advised that i should stop taking my nicorandil as these can cause addrenalin surges but i am loath to do so without speaking with my cardiologist because i have read in places that these tablets can be as good if not better than stents,

Sorry about the length of my first post but just needed to get it of my chest

regards

stressed out Ian

 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • denise35212
    denise35212 Want2work

    Posted

    Hi Ian,

    Read everyones comments, good advice and help.  I know how you feel, I'm sitting here typing and I can see my heartbeat in my chest, it's racing and I'm sweating.  I need to go back to the Docs (maybe to amend my medication).

    I was made redundant last year, the job centre does not seem to understand my condition.  My panic attacks and anxiety are getting worse.  I was at the job centre today and the lady asked if I carry about a brown paper bag in case I hyperventilate, and how long do I think anxiety/panic attacks will last - my god, how ignorant!!!.

    • totallytiffy1
      totallytiffy1 denise35212

      Posted

      Omg what goes around comes around. I had a nurse years ago suggest I carry a paper bag in my purse for same reason as you stated since I was really having rough time, you know I did do that and never even needed it and it was more like a security blanket for me but after a long time I felt I could toss it away. But its not a funny joke. Your job center person was ignorant and she doesn't realize that this could be her as anxiety happens unexpectedly out of nowhere throwing your entire life off track. Wow let it go and consider the source. I myself am looking for job. I feel better working.😊
    • lyn26217
      lyn26217 totallytiffy1

      Posted

      Greetings from Canada: I was a nurse for 22yrs & let me tell you there r the good, the bad & the ugly in every profession. I nursed in many different areas  (ER/Cardio/Stroke/Surgery/General Medicine)  so with experience like mine I knew what it was like to nurse someone with anxiety , knew through education about anxiety, but, until u have experienced it , it is totally different. I had a bad situation happen to me which has left me with anxiety/panic attacks. I take mess daily , relaxation breathing techniques, and took a class for BMT (Behaviour Modification Therapy).  I never went anywhere without my cell or paper bag (not even the bath room) in fear of an attack and possibly in need of calling in an ambulance. They were unbearable! Of course depression sometimes climbs on, which it did for me.  Now I have things pretty much in check.  I still have an anxiety type personality (which I didn't be for ) but haven't had (knock on wood!) had a major panic attack in quite awhile now.  I can actually leave my cell on the table when I go to the bathroom and no longer carry a brown bag.  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ,I believe was significant help for me .  Teaches you techniques to use (no  brown bags but breathing techniques would come into play there) understand triggers and exposure therapy for some situations.  Also helps u focus on the future and not the past.  Ask your doctor if there is such programs in your area.  Personally- (speaking to the gentleman with the heart condition)I wouldn't go off my Cardio tabs until speaking with your cardiologist.  They specialize in that. Even if he tells u the same thing your doctor did, at least you heard if from the horses mouth (sort of speak)  and he know you are doing so.  Sometime a GP Doc will tell you one thing and the specialist isn't even aware.

      I may have responded to 2 different posts and don't know which was the original and which the reply. Lol.  Sorry but I do wish you well.  

      As we Canadians say....

      Take care eh!  Let us know how you make out.

  • gillian20097
    gillian20097 Want2work

    Posted

    Hello Ian.

    What you are describing are very common symptoms of anxiety. Many people fear that these symptoms are something more and I can very much appreciate your worries bearing in mind that you have had issues with your arteries.

    Please feel safe in the knowledge that there is no way in this world that it could be anything else. The tests have been done and because of your past,them tests would of been rigorous just to ensure that there wasn't anything wrong. They cannot afford to make a mistake or miss something with you.

    I know how worrying it can be and normally you could probably shrug these touts away but anxiety has a way of clinging to and distorting our thoughts and worst fears.

    We are here if you need support and reassurance xx

  • Want2work
    Want2work

    Posted

    Thanks for the replies,But I must admit to feeling a little guilty reading other peoples posts,

    and taking heart from the fact they are going through these issues but it does give me the sence that because they are going through similar issues as me that these things are not just a health issue you have to go through alone.

    as is with me 

    regards

    Ian

    • sally52255
      sally52255 Want2work

      Posted

      Hi Ian, just a bit of reassurance for you, I started with anxiety about 3 years ago with the same symptoms the rush of adrenaline from my feet to my chest . The trouble is that feeling stays with you for a while, keeps under the surface like you say. But the more you think about it the more you will have . I have learned to occupy myself with things that i have to do and setting up hobbies. Its hard but you will get there it just takes time . Don't be hard on yourself,

      . Regards Sally

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