Help.. Illness or Anxiety had anyone felt like this..

Hi,

I am wondering if this is Anxiety or if it possibly could be. It all started 7 weeks ago I was walking out of a gym talking and started having a panic attack. I felt dizzy for a week or so after which got better. I then started getting chest pains and inflammation in my eyes. I was diagnosed with Pericarditis which has since went down (not feeling any pain) However I am still feeling very unwell, and when I walked out of work the other day I had another attack of dizziness which felt like I was going to faint. My breathing did not increase but my heart was racing. and again now I feel dizzy/offbalance immediately after this episode and have had another 'Dizzy' Episode happen again today. I have had an many ECG's, Chest Xray and standard blood tests all comming back normal.

Can anyone help me, I want my life back.

[qtpie1135]

Hello Cheel, I am sorry that you are having so many problems! But you are not alone, I have had all the test too and they can never find an exact cause for my symptoms of chest pressure, pain, rapid heart rate elevated blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, ect.

I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks for many years now, and even though I always feel like I am dying or having a heart attack, I never do, thank God! But it still scares me each time I have had an attack, and I have been to the ER many times!

I am currently taking klonopin and a beta blocker and it helps some, but I still have some panic attacks.

I hope that you can fine something that will help you! Are you taking any medication? Breathing exercise helps me some, and finding ways to distract myself, some times getting up and moving around will help me!

Best wishes to you! Please keep us posted! I hope you feel better soon!

[mammo]

Since all other causes have been ruled out, it's time to see a psychiatrist and address this as anxiety.  In my non-medical opinion I feel your anxiety is a result of what happened with your attack of Pericarditis.  This was a very traumatic experience for you and subconsciously you may be fearing another "attack" and this is what is fueling your anxiety.  With therapy you will learn how to address this and move forward anxiety free. Know that panic attacks are scary but won't hurt you.....the less you think about them the better.....and remaining as calm as possible when you feel it coming on will help.  Anxiety can control our lives, so the sooner you seek help the better. You know what's causing it, now all you have to do is learn how to take back your control, and you can do this.  Hope this helps and best wishes!

[Cheel0809]

Thanks for your reply's they have been very helpful. I am not on any medication. Since I was dizzy I have now been diagnosed with Labyrinthitis which is causing the off balance dizziness.

I also have nasal congestion and my left under eyelid is inflamed. I don't know if these symptoms are caused by anxiety but it defiantly has made me anxious which previously I never once. I can only think it has been caused by the amount of stimulants I used to use e.g. so much coffee everyday + pre workout drinks for the gym and then some redbull, I didn't realise until this how reliant I had become on stimulants, even on a night out I would drink Vodka + Everydrink!

At the moment I am trying to work out if these symptoms (Shortness of breath, dizziness ect) Have been caused by the anxiety or if they are making it worse. I know I am now anxious because when I focus on certain things I tend not to notice the short of breath, but that doesn't explain the inflammation. I will have a look at breathing excises to see if this can help.

Thanks for your reply's they have helped me alot. I hope you are both doing well!