Ghost anxiety. Is this possible?

[Nitsuj242]

Is it possible to have severe symptoms of anxiety like chest pressure in the middle of your chest, be short of breath, fast heart rate , the whole nine yards yet not actually realize or really feel like you are in fact anxious? This is so weird I won't be doing anything that should cause anxiety...i'll be focusing on something i'm doing then BAM chest pressure,chest pain, stomach pain, left arm pain, terror then I feel out of nowhere that i'm going to black out or die! I have to say it makes it harder for me to not think something is wrong when all of a sudden out of the blue I feel so much awful crap hit me.=/  Any light shed on this would be greatly valued and appreciated.Somebody? Anybody? Thank you.

[Nitsuj242]

Thank you nursegirl. It seems that both of these meds are not doing much of anything to help. Wow, you really nailed it right on. I heard as well that the hydroxyzine is just an antihistamine to. As you mention it I am prescribed zoloft but it seems to have stopped working. I just get more side effects then help from it like digestive problems. =/ I probably shouldn't have but I actually got myself off of it.So maybe lexapro?  What about wellbutrin? Yes, I see what you mean. I think that is what he is trying to do with the hydroxyzine...he said to use it for now until the buspar kicks in. They just don't seem to be kicking in or doing anything. =/ About xanax, I wanted to try that as well but he doesn't like it and told me it is addictive; that he doesn't want to create any new problems for me. Kinda bums me out because I honestly don't care if it's addictive or not because I heard it works..as that is what matters most to me. I will ask him about atavan. That one sounds good to from what i've heard. Thank you both so much for your advice and for taking the time to try to help me out. :) :) :) Hope you all have a great easter.

[remar]

I agree with Nursegirl. Many of the SSRI's help both depression and anxiety. It can take a little while for them to start working so having an anti anxiety med for panic attacks would be a good idea.

[nursegirl6572]

I'm not a big fan of Buspar for anxiety treatment, even though some people have had success with it.  And the hydroxizine is the same as taking a Benadryl.  

I would ask about an SSRI antidepressant (like Zoloft, Lexapro), with maybe a short term course of an "as needed" benzodiazepine, like Xanax or ativan (until the SSRI started being effective).  That's a more typical "front line" approach to treating anxiety with meds.  Discuss that with your doctor.

Hang in there, glad to hear you're in therapy.  That will be very helpful!

[Nitsuj242]

Hey there, thank you all so very much for your responses to this post. Yes this has been very scary. I'll also get all the symptoms of anxiety like the chest pressure and pains with out even feeling anxious or realizing that I might be anxious. It's very weird. Yes this is true. I've had tests and everything has been fine so far. Yes I agree. Now that you mention it this is the route i'm taking: Started Buspar(which doesn't seem to be doing jack) =/ Also on hydroxyzine which doesn't seem to be doing crap either. =/ Just started therapy which seems to be VERY promising as she seems really good and has a very direct approach which I like...plus she is very nice. :) :) :) Thank you all again for your responses; would anybody recommend any other anxiety meds instead of the Buspar and hydroxyzine? Is atavan good? These meds he put me on are seriously not making any difference. =/

[remar]

Great advice as always Nursegirl.
Yes, the panic attacks are scary when they just come of of the blue. Sometimes I can feel them coming on a little ahead of time.
No, you are not alone at all. So many people have anxiety disorders. It took me 5 years to finally be diagnosed with anxiety. I had no idea what was going on, just that I thought I was all alone and going crazy.
Nursegirl is so right about therapy. Like she said, you may want to see a Psychiatrist first for a diagnosis. You need to know why your having the anxiety and address it.

[nursegirl6572]

What you describe sounds like a textbook panic attack.  One characteristic of a panic attack is that they DO come out of nowhere, which makes them so scary!

You've obviously ruled out any medical cause with several trips to your doctor, what kind of help have you sought to address the anxiety?  Have you been evaluated by a psychiatrist?  Medications?  Tried therapy?

If you haven't tried anything yet, that's your next step.  Panic and anxiety are very manageable with the proper professional care.  There are a lot of treatment options out there, which a psychiatrist can discuss with you after you have been assessed and given a proper diagnosis.

Keep us in the loop!  We know what you're going through, you are in the company of millions just like you!

[Nitsuj242]

Yes, i think you're right. I'm so glad to hear you don't have it that bad. It is so awful I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. How're you doing? Yes you are to right! It does help to know i'm not alone. Before finding this site I thought I was the only one and my parents also made me feel like I was just a nut job. =/ I'm so thankful for all of your help and answers. God bless you all. :)

[remar]

It's the health anxiety. I don't have that much but, know what you're talking about. It does help to know you're not alone and other people can relate.

[Nitsuj242]

P.S. Does any one else ever also feel strange like something is wrong in your head and body plus get feelings that you may drop dead for some unknown reason? This is also something I get alot. It's so weird having the symptoms of anxiety or a panic attack yet not actually feeling anxious. =/

[Nitsuj242]

Thank you both for your replying. @ Remar;yes this is scary but it's nice to know i'm not alone. @ Nat87 Hey nat you are not alone. I wake up with anxiety and chest pains quite often. =/  Yes it is hard to accept it's only anxiety. I've been to the Dr. so many times thinking there was some undiagnosed illness and even that doesn't help to much. I always think they missed something. =/

[nat87]

Yeah i thought it was weird at first aswell. I even feel anxious when waking up sometimes for no reason at all. still find it hard to get my head around the fact that this is anxiety...i always think i have an illness that is going to kill me and i guess i scare myself every single day.

[remar]

Yes, I have had this happen so many times. Panic attacks can just come out of the blue and it's so scary. Most of us that have anxiety have been through this. You are not alone.