Struggling with health anxiety and breathlessness
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hello! About 5 months ago I started getting really bad bouts of anxiety where I would obsessively think I had an underlying heart issue. It got to the point where I started to have panic attacks (which I didn't know that's what it was). This fueled my anxiety more making me believe it was my heart.
The panic attacks were so severe that I ended up getting Gastritis. Which wreaked havoc for 3 months furthering my anxiety and panic attacks.
My gastritis is finally healing and I'm trying to get myself back on track to healing mentally and physically but now I'm dealing with breathlessness almost all day most days of the week! It has landed me in the ER where I have had EKG done, chest Xray, and blood work which has ruled out heart conditions. Even a follow up with my primary, where he said there is truly nothing wrong with my heart.
However, the breathlessness is worrying me and I'm going back to that cycle of thinking I have an underlying heart condition or have heart disease.
Can anyone shed some light on whether or not you had breathlessness even with no other anxiety symptoms or no panic attacks? Did it feel like it lasted all day? or come and go?
0 likes, 9 replies
KingReid julie24467
Posted
I've been going through this very thing for years and I still cant get a handle on it sometimes. the whole out of breathe and getting dizzy sends me to panic mode quick. the best thing I've found that helps is going to the psychiatrist. they can show u techniques and breathing ways and medicine for panic attacks if u need it.this is a terrible disease, hope u get a handle on it and i hope u get to feeling better
KingReid
Posted
message me if u have any questions or wanna talk about different experiences u might have and I'll try to help
julie24467 KingReid
Posted
thanks for the reply, it's nice to have someone understand what it's like. this has been really horrible and I feel so alone. no one understands what it's like! I cant just get over it.
I have been trying to better myself however. My doctor put me on Buspirone 10mg 3x a day. I only take it twice though and that seems like it's good enough, but its not fast acting so it's not really helping with the panic attacks. Hopefully once it kicks in that will help with it. I am also looking to see if I can speak with a therapist.
jan34534 julie24467
Posted
julie, breathlessness is the most common symptom of anxiety. It will not hurt you! I know how uncomfortable it feels because I had that happen starting in my 20s along with severe anxiety. your heart is absolutely fine.
The release of adrenaline is the cause of many symptoms of anxiety but like I said it is not going to hurt you.
however, it’s important to manage the breathlessness and learn proper breathing when you have anxiety because that is the key. to getting this under better control.
what I found to be very helpful is listening to some great short breathing meditations found on YouTube.
one is called mindfulness breathing guided meditation 10 minutes.
another one is my favorite because if you learn this you can do it anywhere without anybody even know when you’re doing it. It’s made for panic attacks but the main idea of it is proper breathing.
Search YouTube for something called stop panic attacks now. Then scroll down to find one called don’t panic. It’s in black letters. She guide you through it it’s great. !!
so remember, your heart is fine. The more you worry the more symptoms you’ll have. So take action and learn these great breathing techniques to control your anxiety and breathlessness. Do them often. Stay busy and active so your mind is occupied. I’ve been through this many times and I am in my 60s now so you know none of this hurt me
Get to see a counselor also this helps a lot. They can help you figure out what is causing your anxiety and how to get better control. Take care of yourself ❤
julie24467 jan34534
Posted
Thank you Jan34534! This really does help alot! It's really scary when I can't breath all day long even when I feel pretty calm and am not on the midst of of a panic attack!
I will start looking for those meditation videos to start helping with me breathing!
thank you again!
josh46287 julie24467
Posted
i have the same problem i just cant breath non stop and if i do anything strenuous it gets way worse
lyndsey04371 julie24467
Posted
I'm living with constant breathlessness and mine started in May 2019 after loosing a close friend to cancer. I panic about getting cancer and suffer breathlessness aswell as back and chest pain, I get palpertations and tingling around my mouth it's been going on ages 🙁. I've cut out all caffeine, listen to relaxing asmr to help me fall asleep. I'm only just starting to get good days but I'm still getting more bad than good. This week I'm going to try some exercise and I've bought some cbd oil to try. Had tests but so far everything has come back clear but I'm gonna need more tests to convince me I'm fine! Hate being a burden on the NHS but I'm convinced something is wrong with me 😢
sean011 julie24467
Posted
yea my dr thinks it's anxiety/stress related so she prescribed me an antidepressant
trabbs29 julie24467
Posted
Hi...Sorry you are going through this. I too have been suffering. yes to the constant breathlessness. awful. After about 2 months of this every day all day I have just learned that mine may be because of acid reflux (that I did not know I had). No other symptoms of acid reflux accept the tightness of chest now and then which I thought was because of my anxiety.
I have started a PPI (Prevacaid) on doctors orders 2 days ago and I have been feeling much better. All this time I thought the shortness of breath was my heart or my anxiety (2 doctors told me it was anxiety) ....and it might be acid reflux.
Just a thought.