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Breathing

Hi all

Before I start my post I just wanted to say that this has nothing to do with alcohol!!!

Ive not been out drinking for a week and a bit now which is good.

Its been a tough week with symoptoms, my heart been very fluttery and im getting this burning pain in my chest, dont think its cardiac related because it doesnt get worse with exercise and seems to be made worse when i cough.

The worst symptom i have this week is what i believe to be apena, ill just be sitting down and then my breath is taken away for a split second. No other symptoms. Its like i go to breath and theres no air in my lungs? Is this an anxiety thing? Am i thinking to much about my breathing? Also i have noticed that my pulse has been higher recently seems to be at around 80 at rest. After football last night it stayed at 100 for a couple of hours after i stopped playing?

Hope everyone is doing well?
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Avatar universal
I was 20/21 years old when the anxiety/panic attacks started for me.  Like you, I thought it was my heart and convinced I was going to die.  I'm now 38 years old.  Years of this.  i understand you at 11 months because I think the first 2 years were the hardest to deal with the anxiety.  You learn techniques and get the right meds.  Since you are young and active and you have had your heart checked out, time to change your mind set.  When the fluttering starts and the anxiety attack starts to elevate, instead of your mind going to a bad place, remember healthy hearts don't just stop.  Even though it feels that way.  It won't happen!!!  Trust me on this.  Talk yourself down.  Say to yourself "This is a panic attack, my heart has checked out fine.  It's anxiety and I need to breathe and calm down my mind from thinking the worse."  Unfortunately for all of us, what goes on in our minds during a panic attack just elevates the physical feelings.  Counting helps.  Count from 1 to 10 over and over.  Each time you get to 10, you will be calmer, then calmer at 9 and so on.  The counting aloud keeps your mind from overthinking and also helps regulate your breathing.  I know it sounds simple but works for me and I learned it from my mom.

I started young like you.  I was active, in college with great grades and loved to party.  With anxiety/panic disorder unfortunately the heavy drinking with friends has to end.  Took me years to realize a night out will make the next day a nightmare.  Not the typical hangover.  Not for people like us.  Constant heart flutters and anxiety attacks.

Good luck to you.  The good news is that you are going to live.  The bad news is that you will live with this disorder.  The other good news is, you can learn to manage it.  It won't always be perfect, but it will get better than the state you are in now.  11 months seems like a long time.  That's only because it's so new to you.  Hang in there
Helpful - 0
280418 tn?1306325910
You are overthinking it.  When you focus on your body symptoms (which are symptoms of anxiety) you just make it worse.  I have had heart palps for 17 years now, thought I was going to die for about 10 years - never happened!  And I DO have a family history of heart disease and fatal heart attacks.  I had stress tests, echos, holters, 30 day event monitors, you name it - I had it!  My heart palpitated and did weird things 365 days a year and all the different cardios I have been to have been impressed at "what a healthy heart" I have.  I finally got over it and just decided it is my anxiety and it seems to have gotten much less frequent - or maybe I just don't pay attention now.  I do have chest pain as I am writing this, but I am going through a stressful period.  Where do you think the phrase "broken heart"  came from?  It's because stress causes your heart to hurt:)  As long as you are getting your medical evals and they are fine, then try to let it be.  I completely understand - because I MADE them do all kinds of heart exams etc.for years - all normal.  You'll live through Christmas buddy - driving in your car is the most dangerous thing you are doing right now.
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Avatar universal
Jon,

are you getting any professional help for the anxiety?  Counseling and medication are two avenues that you may find helpful and can help you get your life back on track.  Anxiety very rarely goes away on its own - sometimes you need help to deal with it.

You have to try not to worry about the heart flutters - you have had a full cardiac workup and the doctor said you were in the clear.  Heart flutters (PVC's, PAC's) are very common - everyone suffers from them but only some people "notice" them.  I have personally felt hundreds within a day so you are "lucky" to only feel a couple a day.
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Avatar universal
Everything is bothering me. I just dont want this anymore. Tomorrow will be 11 months since it started, before it all started they worst thing that i ever thought of in terms of health was catching a cold but now i spend everyday thinking its my last. My heart flutters two or three times a day now! When it used to be two or three times a week. I hope my heart is healthy, i have no family history of heart problems and my holter test was clear but i still think my heart is going to go into a dangerous rhythm like v fib or a fib. I just hope i live till xmas
Helpful - 0
154765 tn?1237247944
bip
I had the same thing a few years ago. My heart rate was always up. I couldnt breathe abd ny heart was racibg.  I went to a cardiologist and had a full work up. He said it was anxiety making me feel this way......I think you are anxious and your thinking and you  dont relize it. Im that way I dont relize it either.  Try breathing excercise.  I have a high heart rate and Im still here.  
Is anything bothering you?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yeah i wore i holter moniter for a week which came back normal. My Dr isnt worried, my family isnt worried, it seems like im the only one who is.

Whats pac?
Helpful - 0
212161 tn?1599427282
jon10, yes that can be anxiety, it your thinking about your heart and breathing it can make worse and sometimes when your not thinking about it your mind is and you just dont know it . have you had a complet work-up with your dr. my heart flutters a lot when am having pac, it does it for weeks at a time every min, so maybe you have pac,have you ever wore a heart montor . and yes anxiety can make your heart rate to go up thats one of the things it does. please be check out good if you have not been, if so and dr says nothing but anxiety try and relax when it starts happening get up and do something take your mind off of it , or it could be from not drinking maybe your body having with draws. take care and have a great weekend.
Helpful - 0
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