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Heart Health Anxiety
I am a 52 yo Female. 2 months ago, I went for my annual checkup, Dr did an EKG, and needless to say, it was not normal. She called the paramedics, when they arrived, they informed me I had Left Bundle Branch Block. I was in the hospital (first time in my life) for about 5 hours. Cardiologist came down and explained the LBBB to me and said it's something that I really don't have to think about, well I spent weeks researching it, and have finally come to accept that. I had a Stress Test and Resting Echo done and my EF went from 45 resting up to 52, so the Beta Blockers are working. I also was diagnosed with high blood pressure, and have been on numerous meds trying to find one that works for me. The first Beta Blocker was Metoprolol Tartrate, I did fine with that, for some reason Dr changed me to Carvelildol, I was on a daily non stop feeling like I was on a cruise ship. I have since been changed back to Metoprolol ER and Amilipidone. I had anxiety many years back, weaned myself off of Lorazepam and was fine for over 10 years, since this health scare, I am back on the lorezapam and also Lexapro. Every pain I get I'm scared to death I'm having a heart attack. This has hampered my happy life. :( My husband is very supportive, but we do not do the things anymore because I am afraid that I will have a panic attack or heart attack in public and I would be mortified. Simple things like going to a restaurant are difficult. I sit there and am in a constant anxious state. I can't even enjoy my meal because all I am thinking about is getting the heck out of there. Last week, I stained a bunch of shadow boxes and I guess the repetitive motion caused my arm to go out of whack, why couldn't have been the right arm? No, it's the left arm, so there I go again. Even though it's been days and I probably would have had a heart attack, my mind is right there. I try to tell myself you only have HBP your going to be OK, and sometimes it works, but then I think about going out and I freeze again. I know I can kick this myself, but I need some ideas on how to do it. Thanks in advance for any imput. Cheri~~
Best Answer
I hope you do well again on the Prozac. I'm sorry but I had to laugh at your above comment. Brain fog. Ha ha! Yes, many of us know that feeling very well. Hang in there, okay. Hopefully the Prozac will start working very fast and your anxiety will be much better.
The Dr called and switched me to Prozac, I know I have no side effects with that so tomorrow I will start on that! Here's to less anxiety for me!
That's easier said than done when I pulled muscles in both of my shoulders and the pain is radiating all through my upper chest area, but I'm trying not to do anything that will cause any more pain....
shadieeie look i no it easy to say try not think about it becuase that all u can do i go through it every day thinking im going have a heart attack but try keep ur self busy u will get through it because it just anxiety and we will all beat it where better than that
You've been on the Lexapro about 2 weeks you said? I personally would recommend trying to stick it out. Most likely, you're experiencing some increases in your anxiety, that's a pretty common start-up side effect of SSRIs. The good news is, that should be letting up for you any day now. I'm a believer is exhausting all options with one medication before throwing in the towel and starting another. Of course, it's your decision to make, but just something to think about. It would be unfortunate if you stopped the Lexapro if it would have ended up helping you, but there's no way to know that except by giving it ample time.
Ask your doc for a therapy referral. Maybe with the combination of the Klonopin and therapy, you'll be able to get the anxiety a little better under control.
I hope so! Take care!
Ask your doc for a therapy referral. Maybe with the combination of the Klonopin and therapy, you'll be able to get the anxiety a little better under control.
I hope so! Take care!
Thank you for your advice.
Yesterday was an atrocious day for me. My anxiety was so bad, I pulled some muscles in my arms and my whole chest area hurts bad, and my mind goes right to heart attack. My rational side tells me I would have had a heart attack by now, but my irrational side stays focused on Heart Attack, it just screams at me. I am going to call my Dr today and see if I can switch from the Lexapro back to Prozac. I did OK on that before, I'm just not sure if I can take it with Metoprolol ER. I try to have positive thoughts and tell myself daily to be positive, then I get a twinge of pain around my chest area and WHAM, I'm done! I want this to be over. Holidays are coming up and I don't want to be this person who won't leave the house!!
Yesterday was an atrocious day for me. My anxiety was so bad, I pulled some muscles in my arms and my whole chest area hurts bad, and my mind goes right to heart attack. My rational side tells me I would have had a heart attack by now, but my irrational side stays focused on Heart Attack, it just screams at me. I am going to call my Dr today and see if I can switch from the Lexapro back to Prozac. I did OK on that before, I'm just not sure if I can take it with Metoprolol ER. I try to have positive thoughts and tell myself daily to be positive, then I get a twinge of pain around my chest area and WHAM, I'm done! I want this to be over. Holidays are coming up and I don't want to be this person who won't leave the house!!
Hello there! First, there's not a way to change the best answer selection. That happens frequently (accidentally clicking on a selection), especially with the mobile site. Don't worry about it, it's no biggie.
For one, even though you have a history of anxiety, you need to accept that what you went through would cause anxiety in anyone. It was a scary occurrence! Try not to be too hard on yourself, it's normal that your anxiety is higher than usual. It's a lot to digest and adjust to in your life.
The Lexapro can take up to about 8 weeks to really start making a difference in how you feel, possibly even a bit longer being that you're starting on a low dose and working your way up (which I think is the best way to adjust to meds). It's hard to be patient I know, but with some time, hopefully you'll notice some improvements. Until then, just take the Klonopin as prescribed to keep your anxiety controlled.
While Ativan and Klonopin are both benzodiazepines, they actually are quite a bit different. Klonopin is a long acting benzo which works to decrease anxiety levels after building in the blood plasma for a more steady state of calm. For that to happen, Klonopin is best taken regularly, usually twice a day.
Ativan (and Xanax) are shorter acting benzos. Their onset of action is much quicker, which makes them optimal choices as "rescue" meds, taken "as needed", not regularly.
Are you in therapy? That's definitely an important component of anxiety treatment. Give yourself some time, try to be patient and kind to yourself. A few months seems like a lifetime when we want to feel better, but really, it's not long at all.
Hang in there, keep us posted on how you're doing!
For one, even though you have a history of anxiety, you need to accept that what you went through would cause anxiety in anyone. It was a scary occurrence! Try not to be too hard on yourself, it's normal that your anxiety is higher than usual. It's a lot to digest and adjust to in your life.
The Lexapro can take up to about 8 weeks to really start making a difference in how you feel, possibly even a bit longer being that you're starting on a low dose and working your way up (which I think is the best way to adjust to meds). It's hard to be patient I know, but with some time, hopefully you'll notice some improvements. Until then, just take the Klonopin as prescribed to keep your anxiety controlled.
While Ativan and Klonopin are both benzodiazepines, they actually are quite a bit different. Klonopin is a long acting benzo which works to decrease anxiety levels after building in the blood plasma for a more steady state of calm. For that to happen, Klonopin is best taken regularly, usually twice a day.
Ativan (and Xanax) are shorter acting benzos. Their onset of action is much quicker, which makes them optimal choices as "rescue" meds, taken "as needed", not regularly.
Are you in therapy? That's definitely an important component of anxiety treatment. Give yourself some time, try to be patient and kind to yourself. A few months seems like a lifetime when we want to feel better, but really, it's not long at all.
Hang in there, keep us posted on how you're doing!
I was wondering when I would notice a difference with the Lexapro, I hear people have quick response time and other's it takes longer, I must be one of the longers, because I am still jumpy at times. The Lorazepam is pretty quick, but I was on that years ago when I had the anxiety, so I know that works. I'm looking forward to when I do not have to take medicine again and be mostly anxiety free, I hope it's sooner than later! :)
By the way, is there any way to remove that top answer, I clicked on something by accident and there it was, I searched everywhere to change it, but couldn't find anything....
By the way, is there any way to remove that top answer, I clicked on something by accident and there it was, I searched everywhere to change it, but couldn't find anything....
Sorry about that. In your first post it said Lorazepam, which is the same as Ativan. I'm glad your Dr cut your dose of Lexapro back. It's what I take myself and I was started on 20 mgs. Now I only take 5 mgs because other doses felt like they were too much for me. You've been on this med for a short time so give it more time.
Your husband sounds wonderful. It really helps to have such a caring person when you're dealing with anxiety.
Your husband sounds wonderful. It really helps to have such a caring person when you're dealing with anxiety.
Thanks I wish you luck also, I just got back from a mile and a half walk, so I hope I'm on my way to positive thoughts!!!
I'm not on Ativan, I'm on Clonazepam. That works, the Lexapro, I just started about 2 weeks ago, I was on 10 MG a day and the first day I took it, I had my first every panic attack, so I stopped taking it, then talked to my Dr and she said to half dose it till my system got used to it. So I have been on 5MG for about 1 1/2 weeks. I'm good at talking myself down from anxiety, I just wish that I didn't have it at all, which I'm sure everyone on this forum felt the same way. I kicked this before, I will do it again. I spent some time talking to my Husband last night, and he said the minds a powerful thing, and it's easy to talk yourself into whatever you want. He's very good also with distracting me if he sees I'm getting antsy. Today, I am going to be productive, I am going to start walking and getting healthier and try to put my mind in a more positive frame instead of focusing on every little ache I have. :) Good Luck to Me!!
How long have you been on Lexapro and Ativan? I know the Lexapro can take awhile to start working. Some of us start to feel better in a few days and some us feel better in a few weeks.You may also have to have dose increases. This is not uncommon. The Ativan should be working not long after you take one. I wonder if your Dr has you on a high enough dose?
Are you in therapy? If not, I highly recommend it because you can can learn coping skills that will help with your anxiety.
Are you in therapy? If not, I highly recommend it because you can can learn coping skills that will help with your anxiety.
No, Dr said all is good with my heart. My next appointments is in 6 months, this is all anxiety now....
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