Sound like Anxiety?

[Chud55]

Ok, Im 19 years old and overweight, around 2-3 weeks ago, I had a panic attack. Well I think. I started thinking I should go to the gym to loose weight etc And shortly after I started to get Heart palpitation where I was aware of my heart beat. And then, I heard nothing. And obviously I thought of the worst, I thought my heart stopped beating. I got up, felt dizzy, light headed and hard to get my breath back. I couldnt go to sleep because I was constantly trying to hear my heart beat and was having mini panic attacks.

Day after, I went to the doctors to have a check up. They checked my blood pressure and heart beat. Blood pressure was a little high, but the doctor said it was because I was anxious. My heart beat was find too. But for days now I've been feeling weird. Not feeling like myself. Feeling a light pressure in my head sometimes, muscle spasms. I've just been feeling down sometimes and just want to go home (As im in university).

I went to have another check up with another doctor (second opinion maybe) and the results were the same, and he explained anxiety to me etc. But I still feel weird. He didnt put me on medication until I went to see him again. Im constantly trying to listen to my heart beat, especially when Im trying to sleep (although falling to sleep has been rather easy, as I go to bed earlier now as Im tired most days). I didnt go to the hospital for blood work or anything like that as I thought a doctors opinion would be good enough. But I thought I'd post here to get other peoples opinions and experiences to maybe ease myself. I've turned my life around though, drinking more water, going to the gym , and eating less junk food. And apparently ive lost some weight according to my mum haha Anyway sorry for the long post.

Thanks.

[Chud55]

I just had a big chat about it with a guy on this music forum who has anxiety attacks. And Im feeling pretty good to get it out there. Went to the gym today, had a good workout. So im feeling pretty good at the moment.

[mammo]

Anytime....I'm always here.  I agree with you, anxiety is horrible.  You're young, get out there and grab life by the tail!  Don't waste a moment on worrying about this!

[Chud55]

Thanks Mammo, you've been really helpful, and put a bit of me at ease. I hope other people can overcome their anxiety and I dont wish it upon anyone.

[mammo]

This is what anxiety does to us, and it's an irrational, unfounded fear!  If your heart were to stop, you'd never know it...seriously.  A heart attack at 19 is unheard of, so keep telling yourself that it can't happen. This positive feedback will do you a lot of good. I know it's hard, but do your best to not allow this fear to hold you hostage.  Take care.

[Chud55]

I think its just ridicoulus thinking that my heart is gonna suddenly stop. I mean I had a panic attack thinking it stopped. And It didnt. So when I dont notice it now, I obviously think of the worse. When theres no need to worry. And I guess that anxiety right?  What are the chances for my heart just to suddenly stop without any stress?
Yes I know there is a chance I can have a heart attack, but at the age of 19? I doubt that a bit. I just really want to feel better, and feel like myself. Continue with what I did before. Its just pretty hard :/

[Chud55]

Thanks Mammo. I havent been overdoing it at all with the execising and I have been doing it slow. I might go and see a cardiologist, but two doctors told me that its just anxiety. But, two people have said now that I should go and see a cardiologist so I probably should.
Also the second doctor took my BP twice. Once at the start, and then shortly after, but when he did it the second time he told me to relax and close my eyes, and my BP seemed fine. Also Im not feeling down today. I feel a bit better, and as I said, im trying reassure myself that everything is fine and it was Just a panic attack.

[Chud55]

I feel a bit better yes. The thing ive been doing is constantly reassure myself that everything is fine. Get back to reality basically. If I feel anxious I tell myself "Well I had a panic attack 2 weeks ago so its obviously anxiety". Just try reassure yourself, go to the doctors, talk to them. This often helps.

[mammo]

We don't mind long posts, whatever it takes to let us know what is going on is fine, so never worry about that!
I think I would see a cardiologist before assuming it's anxiety.  When we are sedentary and over-weight, we need to be very careful not to over-do it when we start exercising, take it slow.  Did your doctor take your BP again before you left his office?  They normally do because we are often nervous when we first get to the doctors, which will raise our BP, but they usually take it again before you leave to make sure it has gone back down.  I don't think he should just chalk it up to anxiety without making sure it didn't stay up.  I think a good and thorough check-up is needed when you start an exercise routine anyway.
Anxiety can and does present with these types of symptoms, but we need to always rule out other causes first.  If it is anxiety then you need to address this immediately with a psychiatrist, and nip it in the bud.  It may be that therapy is all you need.  It sounds like you also have some depression as well, with feeling down, this often goes along with anxiety. I hope this helps and take care.

[s_e_a_s]

Do u feel loads better now?? What hav u dun 2 get bk normal I always feel lyk this really wierd and not my self could u inbox me anyfin I should I hav severe anxiety and bad panic attacks x

[Chud55]

Also, i was having some pain in my chest, it wasnt really painful, more of a discomfort, and numbness feeling in my chest sometimes. This pain wasnt during my panic attack btw, it just came and went during the week. But It was hard to distinguish where the pain was coming from, either under my rib cage or from my heart.