My update and a few more questions...

[xstalkrx]

22 year old male.  Some may remember me.  Some may not.

6 months ago I used cocaine while drinking alcohol.  I did this about 15 times over the course of the year.  However, the last time I did it, I went to bed after use, woke up the next morning and my pulse jumped up to 120.  It remained elevated for about 6 hours.  Called paramedics to my house.  They did a checkup on me and told me I was ok.

Couple of days later my pulse jumped up to 120 again randomly.  No drug use.  I freaked out and went to the ER.  They did blood work and EKG and said I was having palpitations.

This random pulse spike would happen from time to time.  I finally went to the cardiologist convinced I had heart problems.  Echocardiogram was normal.  One of his nurses suggested I might have "health anxiety".

I went to one of those "in and out clinics" and the doctor gave me a trial of lexapro.  The internet community suggested that was the complete opposite of what I needed.

How do I go about finding a quality psychiatrist in the DFW, TX area?  What kind of medication should I stay away from?  I have been drug free for 6 months now...excess alcohol seems to make my condition worse for a few days.  The pulse spikings have stopped...and have been stopped ever since the cardiologist said my heart was fine.

I lift weights...do tons of cardio...I'm in great shape.  But my mind is tense.  I can feel the pulse in my chest...not where my heart is...but just under my left pectoral muscle...almost in my abdomen.  This heartbeat awareness and hypersensitivity is killing me.  It invades my thoughts....its uncomfortable.

[gma2]

Does your college have a clinic? It's quite possible, if it does, that they would be able to give you the resources for the help you need. That is what they do best typically. Also, if you have a regular doctor, maybe start there with getting some names and then whittle it down to closest location, cost, and if they do a sliding fee where you can pay what you can pay and still go.

Just a couple of suggestions.
Kind regards

[xstalkrx]

I guess I will just have to wait until I get a "real world" job.  I'm in college in order to accomplish that.  Maybe I can get some health insurance then and finally get therapy.  Until then....*sigh*.

I'm 22 and I also worry that this is aging me faster.

I don't know where to turn to for financial help.  At college, I know I make too much money to be considered for financial aid.

[Ian2008]

I know how it feels for your heart to be racing and you don'tknow why. Very scary. Although it seems so, a pulse rate of 120 is not all that high. I just had a baby, and during my pregnancy, my pulse always lingered arounf 100-110 (resting). You did mention that you work out alot, so for you that may be really high. Honestly, psychatrists and medication can be very expensive. I don't know where you live, but can you get assistance from the state? Thats a start. For now it seems you are on the right track.

[xstalkrx]

I never took the lexapro.  how much are psychiatry visits and meds?  I wait tables and go to college...I have bills and stuff...and no medical insurance...can i afford this?