MAKE IT GO AWAY

[irish_pride]

CAN ANYBODY HELP ME WITH THESE HEART PALPS!
I'VE HAD ANXIETY FOR YEARS AND I MUST SAY I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK INTO THE OLD DAYS WHEN I WAS'NT GETTING ANY SLEEP AND NEVER LEAVING MY HOUSE.
I DO REMEMBER THE HEART PALPS WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED ANXIETY BUT IT'S BEEN OVER 10YRS AND I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS IS STARTING UP AGAIN
F.Y.I. I JUST WENT TO THE DOCS AND GOT A   C.B.C.  AND HE OF COURSE CHECKED MY BLOOD PRESSURE AND LISTENED TO MY HEART AND ALL THAT AND OF COUSE ANXIETY IS HIS ANSWER TO ALL MY FEARS AND QUESTIONS HE GAVE ME A PRESCRIPTION FOR PAXIL BUT I NEVER GOT IT FILLED I'M THINKING ABOUT GOING AND GETTING SOMETHING THAT WORKS QUICKLY
I'M NOT BIG ON TAKING MEDS IN FACT I HAVE A FEAR OF MEDS BUT I'M WILLING TO DO IT IF IT MEANS I CAN GET SOME SLEEP THANKS FOR LISTENING AND I HOPE ALL OF US HAVE HAPPY THOUGHTS

[barfer]

The interesting thing about GAD or panic disorder is that especially if you have had it for most of your life, you may go through times when it takes a vacation, maybe even for many years and then when you least expect it, it rears its ugly head.  I went through almost 10 years where I thought I was invincible and then bang!, hello, it came back.  Talk about an uninvited guest.  There can be many reasons why this happens, but the bottom line is, it does and it is up to you to figure out the best way to deal with it.  If you first and foremost have anxiety and not depression, you should take a look at what Ryan has to say about benzos. especially Klonopin.  Of course it goes without saying that CBT is very important...so, get proactive and keep your chin up.  You aren't alone in this, we are here to support you and you WILL get beyond this.  Most importantly, being meds phobic is an on-going theme with people like us.  Take a look at all the information that is on this website and try to make an educated guess as to the route you should take.  Read what Ryan wrote to me (Klonopin versus Ativan) and see what you think.  There are many posts to Ryan on the appropriate medication for various symptoms of anxiety.  Take a look at them and don't forget the importance of deep breathing, relaxation tapes and medication.  What you have to remember is, having a full life is the goal.  Sitting in your house medication free is great if you want to be a hermit the rest of your life but if you want to have a full and happy existence, then if it takes a little pill to do that, well you can be sure, I would opt for the pill.  These are just my thoughts.  

[RubyWitch]

Hey Toots,
Heart palps are really scary, aren't they? I know. I use to have them really often, but they've "calmed" down quite a bit. They are such a classic symptom of anxiety, especially if you have a tendency to focus on your heart when your anxious! It's kind of like the old "which came first? The chicken or egg" question. I don't know if my anxiety caused my heart to go into PVCs or if the PVCs caused my panic. Get rid of the anxiety and more than likely the palps will leave with it! But know that almost EVERYONE has the occassional heart palp, and it's OK. It's your hearts way of sort of "resetting" itself. As long as it doesn't last for more than a few minutes and there is no pain, just ignore them. Easier said than done, I know, but if you zero in on it, then your hearts gonna start messing with your head!  
I can't answer why, after 10 years, these would start up again. I'm glad you went to your doctor, but I think, in my humble opinion and for your own peace of mind, you should have your doc refer you to a cardiologist for a really thorough cardio work up. That your doc took blood for a CBC and listened to your heart and took your blood pressure is all well and good, but is far from a good cardio exam. The cardiologist will probably come up with the same DX as your doc did..............anxiety, but at least then you will KNOW your heart is OK and that all those palps and tweaks and twinges are happening because of your anxiety and because your mind is "driving," not YOU.
Once your cardiologist has given you a clean bill of health, which I'm sure he will, I would suggest you look into some therapy for the cause of you anxiety. Like I said, get rid of the anxiety and the palps will soon follow. Doesn't mean you'll never have one again, but the fear factor won't be there.
Take the bull by the horns and regain control. Make the appointment! And be sure and let us know what they say!
We are always here if you need us.
Peace
Greenlydia