Aa
Does it ever get better????
Ok so for the past 2 mths I have been suffering with chest pain on the left mostly and pain in the arm and numbness and tingling in the arm. Of course I thought I was having a heart attack or a stroke and ran straight the ER (3) times now. I have had 3 EKGS and all kinds of blood work and my doctor doesn't think it is cardiac related. He said that my EKGs look better than his. He started me on Prozac which last for 2 weeks and then I had new symptons of racing heart. He changed me to Celexa and again 2 weeks later the racing heart came back. As of Wed. he changed me to Zoloft. I really hope that in 2 weeks the racing heartbeat doesn't come back. I am having to take my vacation next week to try and cope with these pains and whatever else is going on with me. I just started this new job in Aug. 2012 and I am hoping that it is not the cause of my problem, however, this didn't start until I was 2mths into the new job. I just want my normal life back!!! I am a single mom of a very active 3 yr old boy and I need to be healthy to take care of him. He needs me more than anything and there has been times I haven't even been able to take care of him. I have to go and stay with family when I feel these attacks coming on. Can anyone tell me this will get better??? I feel so hopeless. :(
You need to face reality not look for a distraction.
Your doc told you there is no heart problem and you are not a doctor, so stop fantasizing that your twitching chest muscle that makes a minor ouch is your heart fighting through a painful wound.
The fact you have read through the posts and see you are not alone in fighting your doc's diagnosis should make you think twice about why you would need meds to calm you down. Nothing is wrong with you physically nor is it wrong with the others whose anxiety is making chest pains so face it and be happy.
Your doc told you there is no heart problem and you are not a doctor, so stop fantasizing that your twitching chest muscle that makes a minor ouch is your heart fighting through a painful wound.
The fact you have read through the posts and see you are not alone in fighting your doc's diagnosis should make you think twice about why you would need meds to calm you down. Nothing is wrong with you physically nor is it wrong with the others whose anxiety is making chest pains so face it and be happy.
I have been reading some posts on the anxiety forum and I see that I am not alone. I am going to make an appointment to see a therapist and hopefully the meds will do their job. I will keep you posted about my situation. As bad as I hate it for anyone to have to go through this, it is nice to know that I am not alone. I have never in my 32 yrs experienced anything like this and all I keep telling my family and doctor is that I WANT TO BE NORMAL AGAIN!! I have the chest pains every day and of course that leads my mind to think I am having a heart attack. When that happens of course the panic sets in and my arm goes numb I get lightheaded. It literally feels like I am shaking from the inside out. Do you have any distractions that help? If so please share.
"The solution is to accept the doctor's diagnosis and live happily."
Ahhhh, if it were so easy. That's exactly why the anxiety forum is always so busy...because it's not just as simple as accepting something. The mind doesn't allow it....that's what anxiety IS after all...worrying about something...even if that something is irrational.
The real key to getting anxiety under control is a management plan that includes a collaborative effort from your family doctor, to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic anxiety, and a mental health team that may include a psychiatrist (especially if meds will be involved) and a therapist.
CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy is a great treatment modality for anxiety. It teaches a person how to undo that anxious cycle of thinking, so that a person CAN finally come to a point of acceptance that indeed there is nothing wrong. That takes time.
You definitely need to give the Zoloft some time to work...it could take up to 6 weeks (or more) before obvious improvements are noted, and sometimes you will feel a little worse before you feel better. Have you had any kind of therapy? While meds are very helpful in managing the symptoms, therapy will teach you valuable coping mechanisms you will use for a lifetime.
It's important to try to be as patient as possible...as it definitely can take some time, and some work, to get your anxiety to a much more manageable level. Please keep us updated!
Ahhhh, if it were so easy. That's exactly why the anxiety forum is always so busy...because it's not just as simple as accepting something. The mind doesn't allow it....that's what anxiety IS after all...worrying about something...even if that something is irrational.
The real key to getting anxiety under control is a management plan that includes a collaborative effort from your family doctor, to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic anxiety, and a mental health team that may include a psychiatrist (especially if meds will be involved) and a therapist.
CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy is a great treatment modality for anxiety. It teaches a person how to undo that anxious cycle of thinking, so that a person CAN finally come to a point of acceptance that indeed there is nothing wrong. That takes time.
You definitely need to give the Zoloft some time to work...it could take up to 6 weeks (or more) before obvious improvements are noted, and sometimes you will feel a little worse before you feel better. Have you had any kind of therapy? While meds are very helpful in managing the symptoms, therapy will teach you valuable coping mechanisms you will use for a lifetime.
It's important to try to be as patient as possible...as it definitely can take some time, and some work, to get your anxiety to a much more manageable level. Please keep us updated!
I didn't even notice you have been to the ER 3 times. There is obviously no physical problem, just an emotional one that plays tricks on your physical body.
To resolve the problem, you really have to stop and think about why you are convinced you have something the doctors keep telling you does not exist.
To resolve the problem, you really have to stop and think about why you are convinced you have something the doctors keep telling you does not exist.
If you read this thread and other similar in the anxiety forum, you will see you are not alone with chest pains when you are anxious. The pains are fed by anxiety in a vicious circle which seems weird unless you have experienced the problem. The solution is to accept the doctor's diagnosis and live happily.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/Been-to-a-bunch-of-doctors-for-my-symptoms/show/1872593
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/Been-to-a-bunch-of-doctors-for-my-symptoms/show/1872593
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
