Anxiety Now!

[robbeth]

I am no stranger to anxiety that's for sure, but it's always nice to have other people who also have anxiety listen and remind me I am not crazy.
I get a lot of skipped heart beats which from what I read is normal.  I have had 2 stress echos in the past 4 years and both were fine.  I have good labs, as far as cholesterol and no cardiac enzymes.  
My last anxiety attack was almost 2 years ago.  I had been on Lexapro and quit taking it about 6 months ago.  Had Xanax for the immediate help, but have been out of those for about 6 months also.  Anyway, to make a long story short, I was at a volleyball game tonight and had a run of skipped heart beats and it caused me to go into panic mode.  I always get a tingling sensation up and down my spine when I have an attack and it was there.  Now I am trying not to go into complete panic since I have no medication.  I really don't like the Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac meds, I just need a Xanax occasionally.  I by no means abuse them, my dr. only gives me 10 at a time and they lasted over a year.  I also fear that my blood pressure is running high as the last time I was at the doc it was running 140/90.  I plan on trying to get in to the dr. tomorrow to see if I can get some Xanax, but till then, I guess I have no choice but to PANIC!!!
Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.  Not being alone in this helps tremedously!!

[Cherie762]

Good for you your being very proactive, glad you got drs ok to exercise, that will help with your anxiety also, look out world !!!! Good luck Rob--you can do it

[robbeth]

Thank you both for your reassurance.  It's exactly what I need.  I went to the dr. and my blood pressure was 130/83... better than it has been.  She put me on Effexor XR..... kinda of freaked out about starting it because some of the side effects mimic my anxiety.  But I guess it's worth a try.  I just really hate coming off of those things..... the anxiety then it terrible.  I am overweight because I gained about 30 lbs on Lexapro (even though the dr.'s say it doesnt cause weight gain).  I have already been cleared to go to the gym, so I guess that's my next step.... not only will that make me healthier but it's also time for myself.... which is something I am terrible about doing.

Again, thank you for your care.

Hope all is well with both of you.

[Cherie762]

140/90 is stage 1 high blood pressure . just one number lower in both  and you would be in the high end of normal range. Skipped heart beats can be normal, they can also be a symptom.

Your doing an excellent job controlling your anxiety, alot of people feel relieved just knowing they have a few anti- anxiety meds " just in case" and it sounds like this is your case.
I am glad your going to your doctor, when you get the tingling up and down your spind, does it extend to your fingers, toes or nose???

Do you know any relaxation or deep breathing techniques?

a few tips to lower bp just a bit, if your overweight try losing a few lbs, there is contraversy on this but try lowering you salt intake, also 1/2 hr exercis 3x a wek helps too.
Do not start any new exercise plan with these symptoms with out first consulting your doctor.  Look into the heart   forums  on MH that may help you to...sounds like you are doing alot right   high five to you !!!!!

[nana902]

Try not to panic!!!  I think you are really doing a good job trying to keep under control, and I also think that if you don't have to take Paxil or Lexapro that's great.  I would think that your doctor would be OK with just giving you Xanax for when you need them.

It seems we all understand what you are going through and you are going to be OK.  Anxiety is really hard to live with but it can be done and you are going to do fine.  Hang in there......Nana