Confusion of Chest Pains Anxiety to Angina back to Anxiety

[samc0430]

I know there is no definite answer to this question but I just thought I may be able to get some opinions.  
In July 2008 I was diagnosed with 100% blocked artery in my heart which couldn’t be opened during angioplasty.
Shortly after, I developed a Panic Disorder thinking that every sensation in my upper body was me having a Heart Attack.  (My Dad died in front of me from a Heart Attack at age 44 when I was 15).
I was prescribed Ativan and it did calm me down some as the Panic Attack was happening but I eventually was prescribed Zoloft.  When on Zoloft I still had chest pains even though I didn’t feel like I was having a Panic Attack.   It was almost as I couldn’t even acknowledge that I was having Chest Pains.

My Cardiologist would tell me that this blocked artery that I had was so low in my heart that I shouldn’t be getting cardiac pain and that it was all anxiety driven.  So I accepted this and my Psychiatrist agreed.  In Jan 2009 I went to another Cardiologist for a 2nd opinion and he also informed me that this blocked artery shouldn’t give me chest pain and that it was Anxiety.  
I eventually weened off Zoloft because it gave me a side effect under florescent lighting which made me very dizzy at work all day.  Also the weight gain wasn’t good for my heart disease, diabetes etc….

Eventually 3 months later Panic Attacks came back and I was back on Zoloft again.  I weened off 6 months later again as I still felt that this “Chest Pain” had to be cardiac related and I deeply felt that I would just drop to the ground one day when I ignored all my “Chest Pain”  
(example: I would get chest pain walking upstairs or taking out the garbage, doesn’t sound like Anxiety dose it?)
Recently in Jan 2010 I sent my angioplasty films to a top Interventional Cardiologist in NYC.  He called me back and I will never forget the first words out of his mouth.  “You are describing typical Angina pain and you have an artery that is blocked, what kind of nonsense you are being told that this is Anxiety pain?

So recently I had angioplasty with this doctor and I ended up with much further progression of heart disease besides the 100% blocked artery I had also had 3 other arteries with 70-90% blocks.  I recently just had my 4th stent put in.  I don’t have chest pain as I did before but I I am starting to have Panic Attacks again every night thinking I am dying at least 2 times a day.

I can’t go on like this any further as I have been out of work on disability for Agoraphobia w/ Panic Attacks from being diagnosed with Heart Disease.  Many people have already commented to me why President Clinton had stents put in and he is back in Haiti, how come I can’t come back to work?   Anyone who hasn’t suffered from Anxiety or Panic Attacks thinks you can just snap your finger and make it go away.

I am currently on Xanax 2 .50 mg a day and I can feel a tolerance building and I get rebound anxiety as it is wearing off.

I discussed with my Psychiatrist today and I was prescribed Lexapro as I wanted to try something different then Zoloft.  After all this information, here are my questions:
Has anyone had a better experience on Lexapro for Anxiety/ Panic Attacks then Zoloft?
Will I be getting the same types of side effects: (sexual, headaches, dizziness, stomach etc…)?
Should I just go back on Zoloft since that is what I was on before?
Also has anyone successfully taken an SSRI with Plavix?.  (I have to take Plavix for my stents and there is an FDA warning that the mixture of these 2 drugs can cause internal bleeding.)

[mammo]

It sounds like you're doing everything right....good for you!  Don't beat yourself up for the past, especially since you were told that it was anxiety.  Your perseverance paid off, and that's what's important.  I wish you all the best, and take care....

[samc0430]

Thank you for your response.  It is really a nice feeling to see that someone understands.
I have actually been in Therapy seeing both a Psychologist and Psychiatrist since my heart disease diagnosis.  I have actually developed some really good relaxation/meditation techniques and also practiced something called Emotional Freedom Technique which worked really well for me.  
But if this makes any sense, everything worked “too well “and these techniques made me ignore my progressing heart disease for too long.  Just a few months ago I actually used my Emotional Freedom Technique “that I will not feel any chest pain” when I shoveled a foot of snow outside my home.  And I actually didn’t get one chest pain while doing it.  Meanwhile I would get a chest pain walking up my stairs 2 hours later.
The reality was I was outside shoveling snow with 4 severe blockages in my heart.  
(Not too smart was I?)
So at this point I don’t trust anything.  I have always been a “nervous” type person who always had GAD but it never affected my life.  You are correct; the root of my problem is my heart disease and seeing my Dad die from it.  (thinking back when he passed away, the big topic between all friends and family was why didn’t he tell anyone he had pains prior to the day he died) so you can see where I am going with this….I over react to everything.  I am hoping that now that I have my blockages cleared, with the help of an SSRI I can stop obsessing on them getting re-blocked and get my life back on track.  Hopefully I won’t be feeling chest pain during times of extra stress.

[mammo]

As soon as I read that you had a blockage, I knew it wasn't just anxiety.  I'm happy you never stopped searching for answers, probably saved your life. I can understand your anxiety over your heart after watching what happened to your dad. Plus, you knew something was wrong with your own, and not just anxiety.  I have been on both Zoloft and Lexapro with excellent results, but we all respond differently to these types of medications.  Often it is trial and error as to what will work best for you. I would try Effexor because the Zoloft didn't do it for you.  Before taking anything speak with your cardiologist, he would know what you can and cannot take as far as your heart is concerned.  I would think that he and your psy would work together on this. You will only be on Plavix for one year after your last stent, but will need to remain on an aspirin regimen.  So, I would consult with your cardiologist about any medication before taking it. Keep in mind that just because a side effect is listed, does not mean it will happen with you. If one person out of thousands had this reaction while on the two medications, they must list it.  As for how people react to you not being able to return to work, they truly do not understand what you're dealing with.  Anxiety and panic attacks can be debilatating, don't take it personally, they just can't understand until they've walked in your shoes.  Everyone here has, or are still dealing with these issues, so we do understand.  If you haven't been in therapy this is also something to consider.  There is always a root cause for your anxiety and with therapy you can find out what this is, deal with it and move on, often without medication. You've had a lot to deal with, and it may just be all the worry over your heart has created all your anxiety.  In therapy you will learn coping and relaxation techniques as well. There are many wonderful people here who can help support you through all this.  Stay with us as I'm sure others have advice to offer you.  Take care....