Anxiety, IBS, Heart pounding

  I am a 43/F who has smoked for 25 years.  I quit 1 1/2 years ago.  I mention this because shortly after quitting, I found that I couldn't relax, felt winded when walking across the room (never felt this way until I quit!)  At the same time that I quit smoking, I started a medical billing service and now 2 years into it I am experiencing these symptoms.  Rapid heart rate (resting 108) and I sometimes can hear my heart beat in my head/ears, very hard to fall asleep (i usually end up taking benadryl)   I've had diarrhea for 3 months (after thinking that this may be stress related I have tried to relax more and it has helped with that problem.)  I shake alot, especially my hands, my legs are weak...I feel like I'm falling apart but can't smoke because luckely I can't stand the smell!
  I bill for 3 psychiatrists, but don't feel comfortable talking to any of them about this.  (I also can cry at the drop of a hat.)  I also started to take a higher estrogen birth control pill 2 months ago and that has helped the crying episodes a great deal.
  Thanks for any suggestions

[HFHSM.D. - DE]

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Dear P. Fergason;
First of all, congratulations for being able to quit smoking successfully!
The symptoms that you have described could be seen in a variety of medical conditions that would be best evaluated by your Primary Care Physician at this point.  I doubt that this is a result of withdrawal from nicotine.  You did not mention whether you drink alcohol or not because these symptoms can also be seen in alcohol withdrawal.
Certain forms of depression and anxiety can also present in this fashion.  Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand.  This is why you also need to monitor your mood and if it starts to affect your daily activites, to get an appointment with a mental health professional.
Having said this, I would like to emphasize the importance of a good medical work-up as a first step and if your physician doesn't find anything abnormal, then you could proceed with the next step which is with a mental health professional.
I hope this information was helpful to you.  It is however for general education purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute a professional medical advice.
Keywords:  Anxiety/Depression/Nicotine