Desperate for help

[AnxietyA]

Please be patient as I explain this story. I am desperate for someone to convince me that what I am feeling is OK.  I have been on a low level of anti anxiety meds for ten years.  I have an extreme fear of having a heart attack.  About ten months ago I started having neck, shoulder, and back pain on the left side.  My doc said it was a nerve or muscular.  I insisted on an EKG which was normal.  I worked used into such a tizzy that I started having palpitations.  24 hour holter monitor showed nothing wrong, just am absurd about of palpitations.  Since then I have had numerous doctor visits.   I started having chest pains, shortness of breath, seeing spots,  extreme fatigue.  I was determined that it was my heart.  The doctor has reassured me dozens of times that my heart is fine. I had another EKG about two months ago, which was normal.  I had bloodwork done last week. Everything is normal.  I still have aches in my back, neck, shoulder, arm, chest, fingers, hand...all on the left side.  Again, my doctor insists that it is nothing cardiac.   Last fall I had a few weeks where I felt short of breath, and the feeling has recently returned.   I am not a fan of talking to therapists, which is what my doctor believes that I need to do.  She has also stressed the importance of excercise and yoga to release my anxiety. I am constantly worried about my heart.  I probably check my pulse a dozen times per day.  Does anyone else have similar feelings?   How do I get these physical symptoms to stop?  How do I convince myself that's doctor is correct, and that my heart is fine?  

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome!

I agree with Paxiled.  At some point, you have to try addressing the anxiety, otherwise you will stay trapped in this "what if" cycle.  And, the actual act of seeking reassurance with medical tests will only feed your anxiety in the end.  It becomes a NEED, and it will decrease your anxiety temporarily, only for it to return, often times worse than when it started.

I recommend giving therapy a shot, specifically CBT if you can find a good therapist.  What you need to do to effectively manage your anxiety is to learn how to STOP the cycle of what if thinking, and learn new ways to cope, and new ways to react to the symptoms when they occur.

Best of luck to you, keep us posted!

[Paxiled]

Seems like the doctor keeps suggesting you learn to relax and you keep refusing.  What's a fan of talking to therapists?  Are you a fan of medication?  No, you try things that might help.  Have you looked into CBT?  Less talk, more of you doing.