Anxiety - Ectopic Beats

[Dahrol]

I got health anxiety close to 3 months ago, due to the death of a friend, and started having hypochondriac-like obsessions because of my slight risk factor of dying of a heart attack like she did.

After having anxiety for three months, I'm now learning, that my risk for a heart attack or cardiac event is EXTREMELY low. But it seems like it's too late.

The worst symptom of this anxiety are these ectopic beats/palpitations/pvcs which drive my off the deep end. They make me toss and turn and prevent me from relaxing, because that's when I get them the most.

Generic Alphrazolam seemed to help them somewhat, but I don't want to be dependent on a benzo to stay calm, because they're highly addictive. The doctor put me on a 0.5mg dose, and it's extended release. I'm apprehensive about taking it, although I was given a 0.5mg dose of regular Xanax by the ER, and didn't find myself craving it.

I just want the palps to go away. The anxiety would be so much more manageable if I didn't have them. It's not a fast or slow heart rate. It just feels like my heart is being squeezed for like 3 seconds, then a strong beat afterwards.

Been tested, no heart problems, and everything is normal. I didn't have any of these symptoms before I got anxiety, so how do I make them go away?

I'm seeing a therapist, but it seems like it's not quite helping yet with the symptoms.

I'm petrified that I'll be stuck like this forever, and will have to rely in medication to "cope" with it. I just want my normal life back.

Everyone is so pessimistic.

Help me, please!!

Tell me how I can conquer these symptoms. The SYMPTOMS.

[Dahrol]

I'm down to 369, so I'm workin on it.

But will losing weight and exercising, help me to get rid of my heart palpitations?

[mammo]

Exercise is very good for anxiety, and the less anxiety you have the less apt you are to have this problem. You don't need a personal trainer or gym to get in shape, just start by walking.  Increase how far your walk on a regular basis, and it doesn't have to be fast.
Eat several small meals a day instead of 3 big ones, watch your carbs and sugar intake. You may have been using food to comfort yourself all these years and losing your friend really blew your anxiety up!  It's probably been there all along.  Because you are so young you can turn everything around, and not end up with heart disease or diabetes when older.  Do this in honor of your friend, she would not only be very happy for you, she would be proud!  Journal your feelings and thoughts, this is very therapeutic and acts as a form of release for you. Take it one day at a time, don't think about how much weight you need to lose, concentrate on the day you're in.  Otherwise it becomes very overwhelming for you.  When you want something to eat, ask yourself if you are hungry or just want to eat something, we often use boredom as a reason to eat.  Hopefully, by getting busy with doing this, your anxiety will ease and so will your symptoms. Also, do things you are passionate about, so you aren't able to think about this so much, keep yourself busy emotionally and physically.  I am so sorry about your friend, but she was much older and it all caught up with her.  Turn this around now, and live a happier healthier life.  We're all rooting for you, and wish you all the best.  Make getting healthy a tribute to your friend, she would want this for YOU!  Take care.

  

[RubyWitch]

To answer your question, losing the weight and exercising will definitely help with the anxiety and many of it's symptoms, but if it will specifically stop you from having palps, only a cardilogist can answer that.
GL

  

[Dahrol]

I need a way past these palpitations. They hinder me from doing anything. They cause me to be a nervous wreck 24/7 because of how strong and painful they are.

They are absolutely the worst symptom of ALL of this, and they have ruined my life, because i cannot lie down or sit without them flaring up.

I need help with that above all.

[RubyWitch]

In all our correspondence, you have NEVER said that you experience pain when you have palpitations! Palp's, PVC's and PAC's should not hurt. You need to talk to your doctor and see if he wants to refer you to a cardiologist for further testing!

You say you need a way past these palpitations and I say you need to make absolutely sure that palpitations are what you're actually dealing with.
Greenlydia

[mammo]

Medication is the only thing at this point to control them, IF anxiety is indeed what is causing them.  None of us like having to take medications, but sometimes there is no alternatives, and this may be where you are. Anxiety is like any other medical condition that requires daily medication to control the symptoms.  We often get too caught up in feeling because it's a mental condition that we should be able to control it on our own, but we often can't.