heart rate problemw vs. anxiety

[franceslee]

I'm just looking for answers.......how do you know if u have heart problems or its just anxiety????!  My heart rate will get elevated and it really scares me!!!  My regular heat beat is in the 90s but for the past couple of days my heart rate will increase 110-120 but it seems like after a period of time it will return to normal.  I don't get antithetical symptoms, I feel weird everday so that is not unusual for me.  I don't know if I'm blowing things out of proportion of if there is something I should be concerned about????  Ie there something I can do at home to determine if its just anxiety???   I brought it to my doctor an she seems to always say anxiety, but I feel like she sometimes just puts it off on my anxiety.  I would really like some advice!!

[franceslee]

I'm going to the gp to get checked out, blood work and all and see what his recommendations are.  Plus going to therapy to have someone to talk to that won't judge me.  I went to a cardio doc in 2006 an he said I was fine but I'm beginning to worry again.  I did go get a healthy heart scan this month an they said I had no calcium or plaque build up, I had a perfect score....u thinly that woulda ease my mind but no!  The past couple of days have been kinda ruff on me.  Today when I got up I was ok, went to work an as the day went on I just felt tense, figity and my hands were really sweaty.  I made my self stay at work and ruff it out.  Since ice got home I don't feel as tense but I still just don't feel right......I guess that's why I always think its something more than anxiety.....does that male sensey to u???  Every time I start feeling strange I just want to tom to the Er!!  Thanks for the advice!

[spade22]

I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY what you mean, when you say you have concerns that medications wont work; this is something that has prevented me from seeking treatment for anxiety in the past.

How long were you on Celexa? Sometimes, SSRI's can make a person feel worse before they get better and it can take 2-6 weeks before the positive effects are felt.  Side-effects typically subside after a week or two though, sometimes a little longer. Also finding the correct medication dosage (therapeutic dosage) may take some trial and error and some people may need to try a few different SSRIs before they find the one that is right for them.  You can ask your Dr about Xanax which you can take (if needed) if you do have an increase in panic when initially starting the medication.  

I think the therapist will help you a lot.  Bottom line though, if you can get the anxiety under control you will be able to see the effect on your heart.  The other option is to have a work-up by a cardiologist.  My personal experience, from someone suffering from anxiety, is that its best to get the anxiety treated first because seeing a specialist can sometimes cause even more anxiety (it did for me!)

[franceslee]

Yes my doc is a gp.  I have an appt Tuesday with a therapist, I think getting into counceling will help me out too.  And like u said they specialize more with this.  I'm trying to get on the right path to get myself normal again. But I can't do it on my own!  I like my gp doc but she doesn't like to give out narcotics, which to a point is good.  Again thanks for replying it really helps having people to talk too.

[achillea]

Every single medication, no matter which one, will have side effects, and everyone's--EVERYONE'S--response to drugs is different..  Celexa made me soooo sleepy that I really didn't care one way or the other--but it really took care of anxiety!

Paxil made me jumpy.  I gave it a good try, but called my doc to say that nervousness was really not what I was looking for.  Lexapro (the son of Celexa) took away the flavor of chocolate (!), and I called my shrink to tell him that.  He (being a man) said, "I don't understand; is that good or bad?"  I replied, (on the inside, naturally) 'You ninny; (then out loud) "of course that's bad."  So he switched me to zoloft.  That has turned out to be the magic med for me.

Personally, being a bit drug-phobic (like you), I like to 'sneak up' on the full dose by starting with a low dose of the medication for two weeks and then work my way up.

You might want to try that .  But remember two things:

1.  You need a solid two weeks on the drug for a good trial, for physiologic reasons, and

2.  You MUST be in close communication with your doc during this time.  If he/she has not made this clear, you need a different doc--preferably a genuine, certified shrink, because they are MDs, they have studied the drugs in question and can prescribe, and they know your history.

BTW, your doc's recommendation ofy benadryl makes me suspect he's a GP.   There are MUCH better drugs to help with interim anxiety.  Ask him for Lorazepam.  If he doesn't wanna go for it, see a psychiatrist.

[franceslee]

Did u have lots of side effects with the meds??  I've only tried one which was celexa which made my head feel so strange I went of it. I think that's why I'm nervous about trying another....  My doc told me to take benadryl when my anxiety gets real outta control it relaxes me some.

[achillea]

You have to decide:  Either you go on as you are (and that's not much fun, is it?)--or you try the zoloft.  

It will take two full weeks minimum to see the true effect of your zoloft, usually closer to a month.  If you feel a bit tired or jazzed during that time, report it to your doc.  There are other little meds that can help you over any rough spots while your body adjusts to zoloft.

Your doctor should have asked you to report back within two weeks of starting zoloft, and--assuming you stay with it--you should made have another appointment with him at end of one month on the drug.

We can sympathize with you till the cows come home, but that's about it.  Your doctors have given you sensible advice and a prescription for a medication that I personally have found extremely calming in similar circumstances.  Now it is up to you to take action to help yourself feel better.  

[franceslee]

I'm terrified the meds either won't help or will make the symptoms worse.  I have a script for zoloft, I'm just scared....

[spade22]

Treat the anxiety and see if that helps.

[franceslee]

OK i get what your saing but no need to be so HARSH!!  I am obviously looking for help and reassurance not negativity!  What one person can handle doesnt always mean another can....

[franceslee]

I do have to take otc meds for my stomach quite often.  They have never really said much about my stomach but going to bring it up!  thanks for your advice!!

[franceslee]

I totally get what your saying but i guess for me its hard to deal with!!!  I have any appointment with my doc on Wednesday, are there test or anything you would recommend me getting to easy my mind???  I know he his giong to blood work, my potasium is sometimes low.  thanks for all your help and speaking to me!!

[MichelleP_3811]

I would definitely look into stomach issues.  If you have some sort of acid reflux it can send all sorts of signals to the heart causing it to act up and beat fast.  Take some time to track when you feel the fast rate and flutters.  Is it after a meal, sometimes even up to a half hour after?  If so then take a serious look at your stomach as a possible cause to some of your symptoms.  Maybe try some OTC acid reducers and if that helps go see your doctor to get your stomach evaluated.  Take care.

[is_something_wrong]

That may also be caused by a variety of conditions, and a classic sign of stress and anxiety. I assume you have mentioned to your doctor and I also assume the butterfly wings are not pulse synched (that your heart rate isn't that rapid).

Serious heart problems give symptoms like fainting, severe shortness of breath or severe chest pain. If you don't have any of those, you can and should more or less forget your heart and regard it as any other organ, like the liver or kidneys :)

[franceslee]

I understand what u are saying. I can go so long and not have the problem an then it hits me outta the blue an will b thr for a few days..... I also get a weird feeling in my upper stomach, its hard to explain not painful or constant just weird (butterflies??).  ...

[is_something_wrong]

I know. I've been there (and sometimes I'm still there..)

The problem is - stress, being afraid, anxious, etc. can cause a lot of physican symptoms. Sometimes, a minor (benign) health/heart issue, such as skipped beats, rapid heart rate, etc. is seriously worsened by the factors mentioned above (and often also caused by it).

We are not separated into one mind and one body. They work together - and affect each other. You don't imagine the symptoms, but paying attention to them will just make the problem worse (including finding causes, etc.)

[franceslee]

I guess u could say im afraid that there is something wrong with me and putting it all on anxiety just means its not addressing the real issue, does that make sense???  I guess I'm paranoid!!  Everyday I feel weird and when my heart rate goes up it makes me worse.  I'm terrified to take prescriptions!!  I think my doc is starting to think I'm crazy too.  I just don't know what to do, thinking u have a major health issue is not fun.

[is_something_wrong]

Also, your problems can be caused by eating too large meals on an empty stomach, too much carbs, stimulants, dehydration, low blood pressure, etc. You can ask your doctor if some of those may apply to you.

[is_something_wrong]

There are no heart problems that manifest the way you describe as far as I know. They either manifest with symptoms like chest pain and/or shortness of breath (organic heart diseases) or a heart rate irregular or far higher than you describe (arrhythmias).

That said, there are diseases that aren't heart related that can make your heart rate increase. Thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, to mention a few. But just from the way you write your post, your somewhat elevated resting heart rate and the way you describe your symptoms, it may be a good idea to accept your doctor's answer and work on your anxiety.

Why don't you adress that problem instead? :)