heart palpatations

I am 25 and have an anxiety disorder and have had it for over 12 years. Recently I have come under alot of stress and have found myself compulively checking my pulse to see if I have a racing heart or palpataions. I had an episode about 2 years ago in which my heart rate got up to 170 during a panic attack. I got checked out by the doctor and they assured me that it is all panic related and nothing to worry about. When I am not under alot of stress my heart rate is around 72-80. I guess my question is how can I feel better about this symptom? everytime I feel it I think I am going to die right then and there and it actually makes my heart race faster. I am currently on Prozac 20mg on my way up to 40 mg and have ativan PRN. But I feel as though nothing is working to relieve my constant state of anxiety. Do you have any recommendations? And should I possibly have a hormone/thyroid test done to see if that may the cause of some of this anxiety. Thanks for your help.

[moonflower13]

*hugs*I've fortunately never had a panic attack, but I've heard and read a lot about it. It's interesting that you mentioned hormone or thyroid problems as a possible source, my therapist said to me only the other day that he's sometimes sent patients by doctors who are nervous all the time but have a physical not psychological problem. I think it would be interesting for you to have a physical health check, just to make sure and know exactly where the problem comes from.

If the problem is psychological, one thing I've read that helps with panic attacks is knowing that's what they are, and that they're an anxiety problem and they don't mean we're going to die. Maybe some specific anti-anxiety medication could help, you might want to ask your doctor; but, on the long run, I think it's best to see a therapist and see what is causing this state of anxiety that you're living in. Medication helps -and it can help A LOT- for a while, but I personally think we're supposed to get rid of it sooner or later and cope with anxiety on our own, and the only way to do that is getting help.

Good luck and I hope things get better.

[kalmkidd]

moon i honestly think when shes saying panic attack shes speaking of a anxiety attack which is kinda the same feeling. what you need to do is STOP checking it and wory about it. i actually got a copy of my EKG so whenever i feel my hearts not right i look how perfect it is and realize that its all in my head. unfortanitly you have to find your own tool to cope with it but it wont hurt to see if mine will work for you. good luck best thing to do under stress is stay calm and post on here.

[Embulbeeanne]

So what is the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack? I know what generalized anxiety is, and
i know hat a panic attack is...I thought panic attacks are like way worse...Like you don't just feel jumpy, it's like you go in to a mania and go litterally nuts and think you are dying..am I right?

[kalmkidd]

basically panic attacks are sever attacks where u just feel like your gonna die, and go into manic states like u said correctly. but most of it to me is generalized anxiety disorder causing  the manic state of them. the reason there broken into sub names is because some people suffer from No anxiety at all and maybe once in a month, week, yr or 10yrs just have a out of the blue panic attack while those with anxiety have them as often as daily or hourly.

[Embulbeeanne]

aahhh! good to know. I have both I guess. thanks for explaining

[lost_myself]

Hey there ..I missed your post yesterday ..sorry ..the heart was one of my biggest problems ..I too was up in the 150 170 range too often...I hate pills basically take nothing other than 1/2 a valium every 2 or 3 weeks for my anxiety..However after  8 trips to the ER and trips to a heart clinic I finally agreed with the heart specialist to try meds ..beta blockers to be exact..i take metoprolol..your heart races because of an overload of catechclomines.....primarily adreneline..beta blockers block the receptor sites ...lower your blood pressure and control your heart rate with almost zero side effects...with my heart being better controlled I have been able to overcome almost all of the other symptoms i was experincing on my own......Merry Christmas God Bless