Tacycardia and Anxiety

[Ducklingmomma]

I have always had a problem with anxiety.  It seems like my entire adult life, I always feel somewhat in a perpetual panic.  About a year ago, the tachycardia got so bad that I went to my doctor and he prescribed Celexa which seemed to help a bit. I went off my Celexa 40 mg about 6 months ago (not smart I know) because I was trying to see if I could handle the anxiety other ways, by reducing stress in my life.  A few weeks ago, I became acutely ill will a very bad sinus infection and bronchitis with ear infection.  I am on antibiotics now with improvement, but the recovery has been slow.  The tachycardia has come back in full force.  It was so bad last night that I had to go to the ER.  They did an EKG which was normal and told me they felt the problem was anxiety.  I was given IV Lorazepam and my symptoms improved. The doctor gave me a prescription for Lorazepam PO twice daily as needed.  

I seriously felt like I was going to die.  I am going to talk to my PCP about a beta blocker to reduce my heart rate, which is about 90 at rest. I also want to start an excercise regimen to help deal with the stress.  Is there anything else I can be doing?  It is so miserable living with severe anxiety issues, and I am really trying to have a normal life.  

[Gina2Westies]

Have you heard of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)?  Many of POTS symtpoms are similar to anxiety.  POTS can be diagnosed using a Tilt Table Test.

You might want to check this out
http://knol.google.com/k/blair-grubb/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/z0Lsji-N/oPFBfQ#

[astou]

I know anxiety is hard thing to deal with especially when stressed so I recommend that you try to go see a therapist. It really helps. I had a bad case of anxiety/ panic order about 8 weeks ago, I started seeing a therapist soon after and I tell you I feel so much better and I am not on med and I am so thnkful for that and depends on what you belief in , I also pray a lot way more than I ever did and I am not stopping. Because it is part of my healing process.but sum it up go get your life back, life is beautiful without anxiety.