Anxiety craziness...again.

[tanns]

As a brief background, I had an out of the blue panic attack a year and a half ago.  Since this time (mainly because I thought the panic attack was a heart attack) I have developed anxiety which is getting worse, which is weird because I believe 90% of the time (except when that irrational feeling starts) that my heart is fine.

I have always  thought that my physical chest discomfort has always preceded the anxiety.  Today at the store, I was turning down an aisle and felt that "pass out" feeling.  Just from nowhere.  I tried to ignore it and it happened again.  My heart rate stayed normal, my breathing was normal but something felt soooo off in my head.  Now at home I have to be careful not to turn to quickly and I keep swallowing alot to keep from getting sick.  

I don't have periods where it comes and goes.  I have it every day just sometimes I manage it better than others and some days I can't think rationally out of the anxiety at all.  I can function, I have to, I have kids but I feel crappy and scared.   I am active daily, I eat well and take good vitamins...always have.  Nothing has changed in my routine except this anxiety craziness.  It isn't letting up.

I guess my question is that if there is no trigger to the anxiety, can it be "cured" or go away.  Because I would think that almost 2 years after the initial attack and a good cardio workup with a clean bill of health at Mayo that I could go on my merry way.  And I really think it is getting worse.

[greatnessemf]

What r ur symptoms

[chadry]

Oh how I feel your anguish. I cannot even remember how many times I went to the er with a tight feeling in  my chest only to be told over and over there is nothing wrong. Do you have any problems with your back. Maybe when you get this feeling you can try some stretching or soemthing of that nature it might help release those muscles. Certain back conditions can give you chest wall discomfort.thank goodness when I started all my problems I had a fantasic family doc. He ran every test he could on me and everything always came back ok. I was constantly in his office with attacks. He used to let me just lie down there for awhile until i felt better. just being there used to make me feel calmer. So when you say you sit outside the er i can relate to that.He gave me relaxation tapes that I listened too and it took awhile for me to master them but  they worked. I learned how to divert my mind when the feelings came over me. It does not work all the time but for the most of them it helps. One of them started at your feet and you worked your way up your body. When you master this one by the time you get to your shoulders you feel like you are floating because your body is so relaxed. Another one that helped me when I was not able to do the other was to count backwards from 100 very slowly but each number you picture in your head as if you are writing on a chalkboard. Nice and slow and take your breaths in between the numbers. There were many times that I had to start over at 100 until I was calming down Believe it or not that is how I got through my labor pains with  my kids.
When i was getting all the tests done i was hoping they would kind something that would explain what was happening to me but then again i was scared they would find something. Rejoice in the fact that you are ok . Anxiety stinks but it is treatable. Take the medication if you need it. Learn some form of relaxation. Find what works for you. There are going to be good days and bad days. There can even be good years.I myself found that giving into the feeling and letting it take complete control turned me into a mess. When the feelings start to come on you know what they are and you have to kind of go with the flow. It goes away alot quicker. The fight or flight feeling.It is easier said than done.Try to take you mind elsewhere. If going to the er and sitting makes you feel better for now so be it but also try and find some relaxation techniqiues where eventually you can stay home and achieve the same results. I truly feel for you and if there is anything that I can help you with just give me a holler here on the board. Hoping for better days for you.
Chadry

[JBLAY]

Thanks for your post . I feel blessed to find this information so early in my diagnosis of an "Anxiety Disorder" I was having muscle spasms in my chest over my heart area for weeks, which obviously bothered me and made me ask the question, "Am I having heart problems" . Until two weeks ago I was laying in bed almost a sleep when all of a sudden I got clammy, then drenched in sweat. I grabbed my chest because It felt extremly tight and my left shuolder and arm went numb. I also got a burning sensation in in my shoulder next to my colar bone. Of course I thought it the last moments of my life and my wife rushed me to the emergency room. I was admitted overnight and EKG's, blood work and stress test came back negative. I was released from the hospital feeling very good and infact went to the gym the same night and did an hour of cardio. I went two days without having any muscle spasms or any other issues. Then on the third day I had another severe attack. This time I didn't rush to the ER. Instead I layed very still in bed and tried to relax and breath calmly. I did start to feel better but the tightness in my chest upper left never left. I went to the ER and parked in the parking lot where I could be closer to help if I needed it I stayed there until 4:00am and then drove home. In the last 8 days I have had many tests done and passed them all. Gallbladder, acid reflux, ulcers, EKG's, Enzymes, Stress tests. I have seen 3 doctors and they are all throwing the "Anxiety" word around. I am willing to try anything so I started on Lexapro today and I have been taking Xanax once a day for 5 days. Today was the first day I missed in five days and sure enough I have had crazy symptoms all day. Chest tightness, pressure feeling in my head that feels like I am wearing a hat. Then while I was driving home it escalated to the point that I called 911 to find out where the closest hospital was. Chest really tight, short of breath and numbess in shoulders, back and parts of my face. I parked in the parking lot of the ER again and rested until the syptoms finally went away after an hour. I still feel like more test need to be done, but I felt better when I took the Xanax when I got home. I am starting to buy into the Panic Disorder theory. What do you think?

[socket]

Speak to your doctor and have them prescribe you some SSRI's such as Luvox which has the least amount of side effects. For some people anxiety and panic can be an expression of an underlying depression which can manifest as anxiety. Some people with depression manifest with low mood where others can manifest an agitated mood by way of anxiety/Panic. SSRI's are safe and only inhibit the reuptake of seritonin which will allow you to feel less anxious. Also find a good therapist who can help you with some cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Have a read of the book  by "Dr David Burns - Feeling Good  the New Mood Therapy" which explains this simply.
Stevyn

[chadry]

My first panic attack happened out of the blue 23 years ago. I got so bad that I could barely leave the house. I would try and go to the store and have to leave a cart of food. It took a long time but I had to learn relaxation techniques. The hardest thing to do is not to give into the feeling. I still get these attacks every now and then especially when I am out of my comfort zone, which is home. I hate to be alone. So many feelings go through my head at times. Dizzy out of focus and then I panic. The other day we went to the boardwalk in Atlantic City. I was so happy to go.As soon as I walked up the incline it made my heart race a little I started to get the panic feeling. Then I got the full head feeling like I was going to pass out. People walking around me made it worse. I made my family sit down with  me. They kept asking what was wrong with me because I was fine a few minutes ago. I had to just sit there and tell myself to calm down I was not going to freak out and drop dead and that if anything was going to happen to me my family was there with me. They do not really understand this because they do not suffer. Needless to say. I made it through the day trip. i refused to take anything for years because I did not want to be dependant on any medication on top of it. I fear is medicine. I have a hard time taking anything and putting it in my body if i do not know how I will react. This is bad because I have back and neck herniations. The doctors have been trying to give me all minds of drugs and I will not take them. I do take a half of a Xanax now at bedtime to relax me and help me to get a little sleep before my back starts. I find i can go a long time without an attack but they still come out of nowhere.This disorder really sucks. It can really destroy your life. I know this. My best wishes are with everyone because I have lived it for a long long time. There are good days ahead and there are bad days. The hard thing is not to obsess on anything that feels wierd in your body. I am still working on that. Every little thing and you think you are going to die. Wish I had this forum years ago when I thought I was the only one in the world who had all of these things going on. I hate what this can do to your life.
Good luck and try and remain calm (the hardest thing in the world to do) Relax (reguar breathing)if you can and I always found if I could concentrate on something else while this was going on I would get out of it much faster. Read anything at the time. Out loud if you have too. anything that takes your mind away from your body sensations. It is harder than it sounds and it takes a lot of practice.
Good luck
Chadry

[tanns]

Thanks again for the replies and well wishes.

I am having such a hard time with the anxiety thing.  I do not have a trigger.  Nothing.  I don't know why, if my heart has checked out okay, I am still having physical chest pains and this relentless craziness in my head.  I would love to figure this all out and get on with it.  

Best to all.  And thanks again, it really helps to try and work this all out with people who understand how it feels.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

am reading claire weeks hope and help for your nerves its great and has helped me a lot. i do not worry over health, but this year my mom got really sick and because of her i went down hill with anxiety it took me out, but after 9 weeks am back to myself i did have to get meds which i took klonopin for a few weeks it really helped me out. i sont get anxiety but every 3 years it seems now i know when i get it i will start on klonopin and hope to be back to myself in a few weeks . i wish you lots luck and yes it can go away i know been there .

[zen11]

It doesn't matter how much you get worked up by a doc, you yourself must trust the results and tell yourself you are healthy.  You are doing great with your diet, but anxiety just doesn't magically go away because you had a very extensive workup. (It helps though) I used to have a full blown panic attack atleast every other day back in Feb 06' to only one full blown in the last 14 months due to positive self talk, phobic  exposure, some counseling, patience, renewed sense of self purpose among other positive things.  I recommend you pick up the Anxiety and Phobia workbook by Edmond J Bourne.  It is a very holistic guide to recovering from anxiety.  It is the best!  He also has recommended readings at the end of every chapter if you want to research further beyond him.

Remember ...nothing is perfect and that is ok.  You don't have to feel great to be in good to great health.  I still have some weird anxious twinges (body symptoms) that come and go.  The important thing is they mean way less than they ever did and don't trigger any bad episodes

It is a tough road, but it will make you a better and stronger person, once you realize what is fueling the anxiety in your ill advised thoughts and actions about anxiety.

You will get better and good luck!

[tanns]

Thanks to both of you for responding.  I think sometimes I can almost believe it is "only" anxiety but then I have such real and frightening physical symptoms and it throws my whole thought process out the door.  On the manageable days, I can tell myself the next time I feel a physical pain I will not allow it to scare me.  I feel pretty good about that.  Then, it happens and I don't have a chance to think that way, the thought process goes straight to fear.  It really is disturbing and I've had about enough!!!

Suzi-q, are you finding that the Linden Method is or will be beneficial to you?  I remember someone posting that it wasn't so effective for health anxiety.  Are you finding that to be the case?  Also, are you enjoying the summer.  I remember reading that you were a little nervous about the summer.  I hope it has been well for you.   Good luck with the Linden Method, I look forward to reading about your SUCCESS!!!!

Raine, Hey, how are you?  I hope the doc next week is open to the Klonopin.  It is so ironic that I am so OPPOSED to medication and my regular doc knows this so the ONE time I am willing and ready to try something, no go.  AGH!!!   I'll be writing you back this evening!  

Both of you, have a great day!

[Raine9]

Hey t,

I'm so sorry you are having such a bad time.  I actually just sent you an email, so you were in my thoughts.   suzi-q offers some good advice.  I think that anxiety can really ravage the body and make us feel like ****.  I don't like taking meds but when I do take the occasional Klonopin, I do feel like a totally different person.  I hope that you can get a script next week and maybe that'll help.  I hope writing the post helped a bit also.  It'll pass, just hang in there.  I know you're tired of these symptoms and probably don't care to hear people telling you  that it'll be okay.  You just want these symptoms gone and your life back.  For now, just focus on all the blessings in your life.  I know it's hard but I believe you can do it.  

Take care my friend.

[suzi-q]

you are suffering from anxiety.  There doesn't have to be a trigger.  From what I have learned from the Linden Method is that you have to face this head on and change your thought pattern.  You need to divert your thoughts when you feel this way and not think about the symptoms.  I know that it is much easier said than done.  Try using visualization tapes to help you relax.  You need to change your anxiety threshold back to normal and by relaxing and divertion you can "cure" your anxiety.  Now this is what I have been reading and trying to practice....Not there yet, but trying like hell to get there!