High heart rate

[EmiJones]

Hello! I've suffered anxiety problems for 5 years. My anxiety is specifically geared around medical related things. I'm the kind of person that gets really anxious at the thought of seeing a doctor, taking medications, having side effects, and feeling ill in general. I've gotten used to it and has managed to get a lot better with it. The problem is this, starting about a week and a half ago, I had a sinus infection that gave me fevers. I went in and was prescribed antibiotics. When I went in, they said my heart rate was 135. It went up and down for a few days as my fevers would come and go. After a few days, it went away. I only took one dose of the antibiotic due to side effects. After it had gone away, all I really felt was arm pain, back pain, and chest discomfort. Then a few days went back and my heart rate was back to 130. All of this is at rest. Sitting or laying down. I decided the pain in my arm was too much and took tums, hoping it was heart burn. It went away, and my heart rate went down. I've taken 3 doses of tums and my rate has stayed down and my pain is gone. I decided to try skipping a dose today thinking the problem would have subsided by now. I went into urgent care to ask them about heart burn issues and if it was what could be causing it. Because they read anxiety on my information, they were quick to make the entire appointment about my anxiety problems. I told the doctor that the only reason I've been an anxious mess is because I don't feel well and can't mentally rest until it's gone. I hoped to get answers, but they sent me home with nothing but "talk to a therapist" my anxiety has never made my heart rate this high. Another thing that I've noticed recently is that I've gained a good 3 pounds and that's usually impossible for me. I have high metabolism and seeing that I broke 100 was shocking for how I normally am. I've also been a tad more sensitive to heat in general. The point is, I'm uncomfortable. And until I feel comfortable again, i won't be able to put my mind at rest. Going to doctors is a ridiculously stressfully situation for me. So far, I'm trying to work better on my diet. I don't eat well. I skip meals, eat them late, ect. What should I do?

[Paxiled]

Temperature changes are definitely something that can happen with anxiety, but they can also happen from medication, especially antidepressants.  I just wanted to add, Tums is basically a form of calcium that the body doesn't absorb very well.  It's not something you want to take often, but if it got rid of your symptoms it's possible it's a sign you're lacking electrolytes, or your balance of calcium and magnesium is off.  Given you say you don't eat well, I'm guessing you don't eat a bunch of green leafy vegetables, which gives a good balance of magnesium and calcium.  At any rate, it's something to think about.  You might also try instead of the Tums taking some probiotic from the refrigerated section of your best health food store.  It could be the antibiotic, even in the short time you took it, caused a die-off of beneficial organisms and this has affected your digestion.  Last thought:  so many people on here seem to know their heart rate.  Why?  You don't have any reason to suspect a heart problem given your medical attention found nothing wrong, and even if you did, do you think before you got anxious about things you would have done this?  These things fluctuate naturally and focusing on them too much isn't going to help any.  But I don't think this is OCD, so don't let that cause you more anxiety.  I have it, and you don't describe that.

[specialmom]

Hi there.  Anxiety can cause lots of physical changes in our body.  It does elevate and change our body temperature due to vasoconstriction.  People gain and loose weight with anxiety due to eating disturbance related to anxiety (as changes in eating are a common sign of anxiety).  However, you speak of an untreated infection as well in which you didn't take the prescribed medication to fight that.  Fevers and such are a sign of infection (well, fever is your bodies way of trying to fight it).  

All I can say is that I think you would really benefit from ongoing treatment for anxiety.  I am glad that you are getting better at times but in general, your fear takes control at times that YOU need to be in control.  Making rational decisions like taking a prescribed antibiotic.  Your brief anxiety and heart rate going up at a doctor is manageable but constantly checking hr and stopping medication and tailspinning is not.  Chronic care of your anxiety makes much more sense to me.  Fear of seeing a doctor and taking medication makes that hard though, I know.  :>)  But if you can get over that initial start up of talking to a therapist, seeing a doctor and possibly taking medication for your anxiety that is something along the lines of a selective serotonin medication, you may find you have a much more peaceful life where you aren't doing the circle dance of fear, heart rate up, more fear, etc.  YOU can be in control, not your anxiety.  good luck to you and I'm here to help any time.  :>)  

[specialmom]

One other thought.  Has anyone ever talked to you about obsessive compulsive disorder which falls under the umbrella of anxiety?  From the manner in which you write and how you talk about your actions when anxious, this comes to mind and again, this is treatable and something you can try to overcome if you are diagnosed with it.  Definitely something to speak to your doctor about.  Most people really think about the compulsion part of ocd but the obsessive thoughts are just as intrusive and just as much a problem.  good luck

[AnxiousNoMore]

Anxiety doesn't make you hotter or gain weight. I think people lose weight  worrying instead. It plays tricks on you which makes many physically healthy people go to the Er thinking they might have a heart issue, because they get so worried from sweating, and various chest pains which are from tensing up too much when worrying. It is not easy to believe nothing is wrong when you feel the above issues mean something could be wrong with your heart.

It seems the urgent care people couldn't find anything wrong, so likely it is just anxiety playing tricks with you. It happens to many people, so you are not alone. Think about what they told you and see if you can find a way to relax knowing there is nothing really wrong with you. If that doesn't work then I suggest reading a book on anxiety solutions and therapy, because it is something that lots of people have resolved - although some just can't get rid of the worry ever.