Anxiety???? I am soo scared!!!

[Crewchief67t]

Hi i am a 32 yo male.  Light smoker, non drinker.  I quit drinking caffiene 3 months ago.  

I have had 3 heart attack workups at the ER all normal.  2 other visits they say anxiety.  Had stress test, normal.  Endoscopy found esophogitis.  CT of abdomen and pelvis found diverticulosis.

I have been having sharp stabbing chest pains for almost 3 months now.  usually in same places. but sometimes not.  Have some arm, hand, fingers, upperback, upper and lower abdomen, sometime leg pains and wrist pains.  They usually only last a few seconds.  

Of course these pains have caused some serious attacks!  Called 911 last week from work thinking this was it. Everything checked out fine!  These pains happen every day and last anywhere for a few moments to a couple of hours then all of a sudden they are gone.  They almost always happen when i am sitting down.  I start to feel a little agitated then my heart jumps up to 150 bpm!  

Please help!!!!

[mjbrown]

Based on the results of your medical tests, I think it is safe to trust the doctors that this is anxiety / panic attacks. Read up on the symptoms of panic attacks. I think you will find that they match up with what you are experiencing.  If you want to be totally sure that there is no physiological cause to these symptoms, you can have some blood work to check for thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Anxiety and panic attacks can be treated effectively with therapy, exercise / relaxation techniques, and medication. You should speak to you doctor about coming up with a treatment plan.

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks.  I do have an appointment with a professional in ONE week.  It cant come soon enough.

I have had my thyroid checked and numerous other things.

Thanks,

[Crewchief67t]

Oh i forgot to mention headaches sometimes.  I did have a coronary calcium screening done too.  I scored a 0.

[mjbrown]

Ok. I think it is definitely safe to say that your symptoms are anxiety / panic related. I totally understand what you are going through. I had my first breakdown about 4 years ago, and landed up in the ER convinced I had throat cancer (trouble breathing, felt a lump in my throat, etc). I checked my blood pressure during one of my panic attacks and it was around 155/100. My pulse was in the 140's. Panic can totally make you feel and think that you are dying. Everything turned out to be nothing. I was referred to a psychiatrist and put on prozac and xanax. It took a few weeks, but the panic went away and I stopped obsessing over physical ailments. I was on these meds (and in therapy) for about 3 years. Then I went off the prozac because I didn't think I needed it anymore - and only took the xanax as needed (rarely). Now about 2 months ago, the panic and hypochondria hit me again hardcore. In the course of 3 weeks I was convinced I had a brain tumor, then multiple sclerosis, then jaw cancer, then leukemia - all turned out to be nothing. I'm on lexapro now, and xanax .5mg 3x a day, and things are getting a lot better. I know I have a few more weeks before things totally subside. But you will definitely start getting better soon after beginning treatment. You've practically had every medical test you can have for your symptoms, so just constantly remind yourself that this is panic. I know it is almost impossible to do when you are in that state, but tell yourself STOP anytime your mind starts wandering. Deep breaths and exercise can help. Wear a rubberband around your wrist and snap it if you start obsessing (I just recently started doing this, and it helps).

All the best..

[Crewchief67t]

I am in constant fear of heart attack!  I think i have a new symptom every day.  Sometimes my left arm will hurt then right arm,  then hands, jaw, chest ect.....  I can somewhat control the attacks.  I just try and sit down drink some cold water and then the racing heartbeat will subside in a few mins or so.  I usually only get the pains when i am sitting down.  I know i have some back and neck issues.

I am currently on metoprolol for bp and xanax until i see professional.

Thanks alot!

[Crewchief67t]

I have been to see docs probably 20-30 times in the last 3 months.  One called me a hypocondriac straight up!  Man i was soo mad.  Then i heard some docs talking smack outside the door!  I lost my cool very quick then.

[mjbrown]

I've been there too. I once had an ER doc laugh at me right to my face. Another ER doc said that if I was so convinced I had cancer, then maybe I wanted to have it! They are the worst. They have no compassion, and they don't know much about anxiety / panic disorders. It was a big relief to finally see a therapist and a psychiatrist - people who took me seriously, understood what I was going through, and knew how to help. Hang in there until next week, and don't be afraid to take the xanax. That really helped take the edge off for me. It will take a while for you to really start feeling better, but I'm sure you will feel a lot more hopeful once you are getting the appropriate treatment. I still have to fight the urge to look up symptoms of dreaded diseases online, but things are a lot better and I'm still improving as the days go by. Take it one day at a time, but you definitely won't feel like this forever (or even in a few months from now).

[Crewchief67t]

My wife unplugs the computer if i am looking up stuff.  I am at the point that i wait for her to go to bed just so i can look up stuff on the internet.  The xanax sure does take the edge off. And it is almost instant.

Thank for your help!  My wife has been very supportive and i have a lot of close friends that are also there for me.  I just cant believe this started with some simple stomach pains 3 months ago.  Now look where i am.  

Thanks a million.

[mjbrown]

Yeah.. my first round of this started all because I had a blood blister on the inside of my cheek. I probably bit my cheek while I was sleeping, but after going online and looking at pictures, I was convinced it was cancer. The thing went away in a few days, but it was too late. I moved on to thinking I had some other horrible disease. Unfortunately, anxiety / panic disorders tend to pop up (seemingly out of nowhere) right around our age mid 20's - mid 30's. It's great that your wife and friends are supportive. That is always a big help.

Best of luck with everything!

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks for the support.

If anyone has anymore to add please do so!

Thanks

[Crewchief67t]

I still think it is a heart issue but the docs are pressing anxiety.  Of course i am anxious.  I have been dealing with this **** for over 3 months now.  

Thanks

[JesseZ7]

you think thats all bad witch it is i no how u all feel but im only 17 and iv had anixety for almost 2 years now all got started when i thought my drink got contaminated and i drank it and i started to feel weirdo si i thought i got spiked so i went to the docs and he said no you didnt get spiked you just had an anxiety attack but i wass only 15 and im 17 now and i still got it i shudnt be dealing with this **** excuse me sorry, but its so annoying i worry about the most stupid ****, it really gets on my nerves

[Crewchief67t]

Is this really anxiety????  My docs keep reassuring that it is.  For some reason i still doubt it seriously.  Chest pains have pretty much went away for the most part.  Now i am still having jaw and arm pains.  The pains never radiate though.  

Still scared.

[Crewchief67t]

These pains come and go sooo often i dont know what to do.  I can just be sitting here and bam!!!  Get pains everywhere.

Thanks