I'm new and need your support

[tonyob]

Hello all, in an age where neighbours bearly even speak to each other, its great to know that 'community' still exists albeit online.
On Saturday, I had to call the paramedics out for the first time  in my life when my heart was racing uncontrollably, I was sweating profusely and was struggling to breath properly. It was very frightning. It's Thursday now and I have not had any more heart racing, but I do seem to have been left with this breathing thing, i feel like I'm not breathing sometimes, I feel like I cannot fill my lungs properly, this is most of the time! I don't have any trouble sleeping though!
I have been to my GP who did blood tests  for thyroid and anemia, both of which came back normal. She did an e.c.g which was ok, now I have to have a 24hr e.c.g on the 22nd.
Does anyone else get these symptoms?
Am I suffering don anxiety or something worse?  Please help!

[tonyob]

Thanks mammo, I will investigate further.
It's incredible how many people suffer from this sort of thing, its nice to know others can truly understand what it feels like.
Nite all.

[mammo]

Anxiety often makes no sense to those of us who suffer from it.  We can see no reason to have it, but we do!  Often it can have a root cause, something traumatic from our past which we never dealt with and have completely forgotten about.  If this is the case it comes back to haunt us as anxiety and/or depression.  Therapy is helpful if this is the cause.  I agree with sgately11 in that I don't think doctors understand how bad panic attacks are, and just how scary they can be.  But just know that is it a normal response coming at the wrong time.  It is our "fight or flight" mode kicking in so we can protect ourselves if in danger.  But we're not in danger, and our body is being flooded with adrenaline and it has nothing to work on, and this results in a panic attack.  Trapped gas is usually a symptom of IBS, talk to your doctor about this.  There are medications to help with the gas. Keep us posted on what you find out!  Take care.

[tonyob]

Thanks guys, I'm just really scared, I'm a healthy 31 year old, non smoker, rarely drink, I like to exercise even though I havent been doing much lately!  I'm happily married, It just doesnt make any sense!
It seems crazy to actually WANT my GP to tell me that I suffer from anxiety!  But It's like you say, simply knowing it won't kill you is a form of therapy itself. At least fate is in your own hands again.  I have been suffering from horrendous trapped wind in my tummy for about 12 months, I wonder if that might have been caused by unknowingly hyper ventilating
I do recall running out of breath talking to customers in the last few months yet I can walk for miles with ease! Like i say, it doesn't make sense!

[sgately11]

I agree with mammo, Everything you mention sounds spot on for anxiety, but it is always best to have a full cardiac workup and blood tests. This way when an attack hits and your thoughts start racing as to all the horrible things it could be, you will now these are irrational thoughts and its "only panic". The funny thing you will learn about panic is this, it is the most severe feeling thing that will never kill you, so the DR's will rarely take you serious, although I imagine if anyone stepped in our world for a day there would be a great effort to cure panic.

[mammo]

Hi. Although anxiety can and does present with these symptoms, it's best to rule out all other causes first.  If all your tests come back okay, then it may be time to look at this as being anxiety and you will need to address it. You have lots of friends here, so talk to us as much and often as you like!  I do wish you all the best and take care.