I think I'm on the verge of having a full blown panic attack

I haven't been feeling well lately and have been dealing with two deaths, both heart attacks over the past week.
I posted a LONG post on the heart rhythm board last night because I was getting some weird flip flops in my chest.  I'm used to PVC's but this was different.  Anyway, I did a lot of running around on my lunch break and now that I'm back at my desk I have been feeling out of it.  A huge wave of feeling faint came over me for like half a second and it scared me so bad.  My left arrm was hurting and then I felt like my jaw started to hurt.
Now, I DID have a veggie burrito w/green peppers, oninons, cheese sauce......too much stuff to go on.  I have gallbladder issues also.  You know the first thing on my mind was "heart attack."  But I keep telilng myself, it's only anxiety, it's only anxiety.  I just hate feeling like I might faint!  
Help!

[MrGreen]

Two deaths, both from heart attacks, one week. I think that would have a lot people think the slightest twinge in their chest area was a heart attack coming on. It is the way the mind works. Not in a rational way. We wouldn't be thinking ' we have had no history of heart trouble at all in our lives '. We would be more thinking about the two people we knew who had died and that would take over our thoughts. But stop for a second and sit down. Deep breath. No need to rush things. We're not in a hurry. Now we take a long hard look at ourselves. Have we any history of heart trouble? Probably a big no. Is there any reason why all of a sudden we should develope some heart problems? Reality will tell us ' no '.

The week gone by has been hectic. A week like we have never known before. We got no rest at all. It seemed we had to run here, run there. Everything was one big panic in a sense. It was an unreal week. But that was last week. Yes we are dealing with two sad deaths. Probably a lot inside of us that we have to get out. But this week we can slow down a bit. The faster we go the bigger the build up within. The more things will get to us. Till suddenly ' snap '. We reach breaking point. It comes in many forms. Panic attacks are but one form.

What should you do? if you feel you can't deal with things yourself as you maybe could two weeks ago, then a doctor's visit might be in order. You just might need a slight pick me up. Deaths are never nice things. If really close family or friends they can bring us under. So to try and get things under control very early on would be a good idea. Maybe even in the form of some counciling. If you are hurting badly inside. But there always is an answer. No matter how hard the problem may seem.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

yes , take a deep breath am sure itsd from the stress your under. and yes the anxiety will give you different feelings, if you even think about heart it will move to there , i have lots pacs /pvc to and they change all the time, so try and not worry about it , were you having them like this before the deaths think back and i bet you will see when it started after all this happen. were here if you need to talk more.

[Autumnx1003]

If it helps at all, here is a little anecdote about my anxiety.  I was once told that my grandmother (step only---no blood relation) had to be rushed to the ER because her heart starting beating too fast. They said that if she had not gotten to the hospital, she would have died (turns out it was a thyroid problem;  and, no, truth is, according to my doctor, she would likely NOT have died). Since hearing that story, I have become obsessed with my heart beating too fast.  Have I EVER had any previous heart trouble?  No.  Is there any reason to think I have heart trouble?  Nope (I'm fairly young, good health, dont drink or smoke, no family history, etc).  YET....I am terrified that my heart beats too fast...still.  I even went to the ER a few months ago, only to have them test me and tell me that I just have tachycardia induced by anxiety.  I have also had every test under the sun now, only to be told I'm just anxious.  But every day I check my pulse frequently, and I just can't seem to believe that my heart is ok.  

The point of all this...the power of suggestion is very strong, and anxiety can make us feel oh so many feelings---even when our bodies---our hearts--are actually just fine!  I'm actually amazed anymore when I read about all the symptoms people with anxiety suffer.  

If you continue to feel bothersome symptoms, you should certainly see a doctor (better to be safe than sorry).  However, rest assured that it is most likely just anxiety---the symptoms you describe sound like textbook panic.  

Please take care and keep us all posted on how you are doing.  Hang in there---we are right with you, in the battle to defeat this anxiety monster!

Also--I'm sorry to hear about the deaths you have suffered lately, and I pray that God will grant you the strength to endure this hard time :)

Take care!

[iamfaithful]

Thanks so much for the reponses everyone.  I have been feeling better...still a little foggy at times.

I hope everyone has a great week.

[gma2]

If everythig else has been ruled out, feel free to live. You overcame something that really had a grip on you. Kudos to you. Be proud of that. If it should bother you again, maybe try replacing checking your pulse with something else...mind over matter. If you concentrate on one thing, you cannot be thinking about another. Stay well. You are doing just fine.