Anxiety or Heart? How do I know?

[RemyAnonymous]

Hi all. I’m new to this community, but I need help and I feel like no one in my life understands what I’m going through.

I’m a 36 year old husband and new father who has been struggling with hypochondria, anxiety, and panic attack’s since 2016. Severity comes and goes.

For the past week I’ve been stressing over some new symptoms that have popped up. Full disclosure, ive started taking Paxil about 10 days ago - and I’m not sure if this has any relation to that. Also, I’ve seen my regular doctor about a month ago (who gave me a clean bill of health) and my cardiologist a year ago (also said everything checked out).

This week - for the first time in my struggles with anxiety- I’ve had the following two symptoms:

- when I lay down to sleep at night, I suddenly feel like I’m having trouble breathing.

- clammy / sweaty hands and feet. (Which I never have)

Both of these are related to heart issues and I’m freaking myself out. Has anyone had these symptoms related to anxiety?

The other symptoms I consistently have (on and off) are:

- heart palpitations
- chest tightness
- light headed / dizziness
- constant fear that my death is imminent
- fear of any new sensations or perceived symptoms
- trouble focusing
- back aches / muscle pain
- burping / yawning
- indigestion
- occasional depression

Help. : (

 

[ScaredNWorried]

Hi Remy I have struggled with aniexty for a year after a health related incident. Before that I always felt fine and if I didn’t it was easy to brush off. Now all the symptoms you have I have on a regular basis. Especially at night. I believe they are all aniexty related at least for me as I have been to the doctors often and everything is in check. When my aniexty was at its peak I felt like my heart was racing, had palpitations, and right arm pain. I thought I was having a heart attack constantly, I couldn’t go on so I bought a fitness watch. This little watch has saved me so much grief and worry. Sometimes I feel like my heart is exploding and my heart rate is at 59! When I see this I immediately calm down. And when I feel like I’m literally dying I use my heart rate to help. I doubt someone dying would have such a low and normal heart rate. I don’t know if you own a fitness tracker and I know they can be a bit of splurge but this helped me immensely. Maybe give it a try and most company’s offer a window of return so you could always just try it and see if it helps, if it doesn’t then no harm done, but the piece of mind really helps me.

 

[Rayj80]

Oh yes sir this is anxiety!!! Have had panic disorder since I was 18. Everytime I'm having a panic attack its definitely "my heart" I have had extensive testing done not refuse to believe it. I'm one of my episodes lately and started on zoloft which also caused some crappy side effects like anxiety. My advise is stay off the internet medical sites and stick with the paxil.

 

[RemyAnonymous]

Hi Remy I have struggled with aniexty for a year after a health related incident. Before that I always felt fine and if I didn’t it was easy to brush off. Now all the symptoms you have I have on a regular basis. Especially at night. I believe they are all aniexty related at least for me as I have been to the doctors often and everything is in check. When my aniexty was at its peak I felt like my heart was racing, had palpitations, and right arm pain. I thought I was having a heart attack constantly, I couldn’t go on so I bought a fitness watch. This little watch has saved me so much grief and worry. Sometimes I feel like my heart is exploding and my heart rate is at 59! When I see this I immediately calm down. And when I feel like I’m literally dying I use my heart rate to help. I doubt someone dying would have such a low and normal heart rate. I don’t know if you own a fitness tracker and I know they can be a bit of splurge but this helped me immensely. Maybe give it a try and most company’s offer a window of return so you could always just try it and see if it helps, if it doesn’t then no harm done, but the piece of mind really helps me.

Thank you so much for the note. I’ve been thinking about the heart rate monitor, but I’m torn. I feel like I’m already hyper aware when my heart beat picks up - and it always freaks me out. I worry that if I get a monitor, I’ll be watching it constantly - and any uptick would send me into a tailspin.

Just today, I quickly jogged up the stairs from the basement to take my dog out and was immediately aware that my heart was beating quickly. This lead me to have a surge of heat into my face and ears and I broke out in sweats. That reaction freaked me out even more, because I can never tell if it’s from anxiety or from my heart. As you can tell (and surely related) I really struggle with this. Im becoming afraid of anything that gets my heart rate up - and that’s having a negative impact on my marriage (if you catch my underlying meaning). Being this afraid is terrible - but regardless of how much I tell myself that I’m healthy and being ridiculous - I can’t shake the underlying fear and doubt.

The struggle continues.

 

[ScaredNWorried]

I totally get that, I got into a spot where all I wanted to do was sit on the couch, it felt safe. I used to run and go out a ton but even going to store made me so anxious I felt like my heart was pounding and I would just drop. I never thought of a fitness tracker until one day I was out with a friend and I told her I needed to leave. She knows about my aniexty and when I said “my heart is pounding out of my chest!”, she told me to put her watch on. I did and once it registered she told me my heart rate was lower then hers. I ended up staying out and having a really great day! When I first got my watch it did cause a little panic and I did look at it every two seconds, but now that I know my body from having it for so long it does make me feel so much better. If I go for a run I know how long it takes for my heart rate to go down, I know when I have a few drinks my heart rate is a little higher the next day, and ect. All this freaked me out before I knew my body but now that I do it’s super comforting and like I said before I still get palpitations and feel like my heart is racing and it’s not at all. Now when I go out and I think omg I’m going to pass out, just seeing the numbers that I know for my body are normal literally knocks my aniexty off the board. You can always just try it for a week and if you hate it and it makes you more anxious return it. I also have a Apple Watch which has a 1 minute breath session and I occasionally have panic attacks which drives my heart rate through the roof, that really helps to bring it down, but ultimately do what makes you comfortable! I really hope you can find something that helps you and I’m here if you ever want to talk. I know what’s to like to have aniexty start to push your relationships away and wish you all the best in happiness and health!

 

[Brooke/beldam]

Thank you so much for the note. I’ve been thinking about the heart rate monitor, but I’m torn. I feel like I’m already hyper aware when my heart beat picks up - and it always freaks me out. I worry that if I get a monitor, I’ll be watching it constantly - and any uptick would send me into a tailspin.

Just today, I quickly jogged up the stairs from the basement to take my dog out and was immediately aware that my heart was beating quickly. This lead me to have a surge of heat into my face and ears and I broke out in sweats. That reaction freaked me out even more, because I can never tell if it’s from anxiety or from my heart. As you can tell (and surely related) I really struggle with this. Im becoming afraid of anything that gets my heart rate up - and that’s having a negative impact on my marriage (if you catch my underlying meaning). Being this afraid is terrible - but regardless of how much I tell myself that I’m healthy and being ridiculous - I can’t shake the underlying fear and doubt.

The struggle continues.

I too have this! It’s so frustrating and I’ve also thought about getting something to monitor my heart rate. My heart related anxiety has been so bad lately that I’m actually having an echocardiogram done Friday morning to check and see if anything has been missed by the million ekgs I’ve had done regularly and 24 hour holster monitor. It’s midnight where I live and I was half way asleep when I jolted awake and felt like I couldn’t breathe for no reason.

 

[RemyAnonymous]

I too have this! It’s so frustrating and I’ve also thought about getting something to monitor my heart rate. My heart related anxiety has been so bad lately that I’m actually having an echocardiogram done Friday morning to check and see if anything has been missed by the million ekgs I’ve had done regularly and 24 hour holster monitor. It’s midnight where I live and I was half way asleep when I jolted awake and felt like I couldn’t breathe for no reason.

Brooke -

This 100% describes my own experience - and seeing that someone else is going through the same thing actually makes me feel a lot better.

Last year - when things were especially rough with my anxiety, I had multiple ekgs, an echocardiogram, a stress test, and a 7 day / 24 hour heart monitor. Everything came out normal - despite my feeling otherwise. It’s amazing how the mind can trick the body like this.

I’ve also woken up suddenly with a panic attack - feeling I can’t breath. Nighttime is probably the worst time for my anxiety. Some nights, my eyes will start getting heavy, but my anxiety and fear will shock me awake - with sudden thoughts that if I fall asleep, I won’t wake up he next day. It sucks - because when I’m not feeling anxiety or panic - I LOVE sleeping!! Lol

 

[brtmdo]

sometimes we can learn to notice when our fear is in our mind and not real. physical illnesses just happen. mind based symptoms usually have a "what if" thought attached to them. such as "this could be a heart attack" or "i might be having a stroke". an affirmation to keep repeating at times like this is "if i have to be sick okay, but I'll be damned if I'm going to think myself into sickness" (the more emphasis on damned the better lol)

 

[Xhemal Leka]

Hi all. I’m new to this community, but I need help and I feel like no one in my life understands what I’m going through.

I’m a 36 year old husband and new father who has been struggling with hypochondria, anxiety, and panic attack’s since 2016. Severity comes and goes.

For the past week I’ve been stressing over some new symptoms that have popped up. Full disclosure, ive started taking Paxil about 10 days ago - and I’m not sure if this has any relation to that. Also, I’ve seen my regular doctor about a month ago (who gave me a clean bill of health) and my cardiologist a year ago (also said everything checked out).

This week - for the first time in my struggles with anxiety- I’ve had the following two symptoms:

- when I lay down to sleep at night, I suddenly feel like I’m having trouble breathing.

- clammy / sweaty hands and feet. (Which I never have)

Both of these are related to heart issues and I’m freaking myself out. Has anyone had these symptoms related to anxiety?

The other symptoms I consistently have (on and off) are:

- heart palpitations
- chest tightness
- light headed / dizziness
- constant fear that my death is imminent
- fear of any new sensations or perceived symptoms
- trouble focusing
- back aches / muscle pain
- burping / yawning
- indigestion
- occasional depression

Help. : (

I too have the same bodily sensations. This is a scary thing to live with especially when they come constantly. I have been reading this book called DARE by Barry Mcdonagh. This is helping me overcome these symptoms but still need to read more and more.

 

[brtmdo]

I too have the same bodily sensations. This is a scary thing to live with especially when they come constantly. I have been reading this book called DARE by Barry Mcdonagh. This is helping me overcome these symptoms but still need to read more and more.

paxil is a very effective but it needs several weeks to become fully effective. And the dosage may need to be increased. because your anxiety is strong i would ask your dr to add one of the benzodiazepines until your symptoms subside

 

[Xhemal Leka]

Are you currently on paxil? if so how is it working for you? Any side affects? And how often do you take it?
Im afraid to start with the medication

 

[Pab0879]

I have the same feeling with the breathing. Its almost as if I am holding my breath or wake myself up as if I am not breathing. I realize this is more prominent when I have something triggering it whether or not I can pinpoint it directly.

 

[Brooke/beldam]

Brooke -

This 100% describes my own experience - and seeing that someone else is going through the same thing actually makes me feel a lot better.

Last year - when things were especially rough with my anxiety, I had multiple ekgs, an echocardiogram, a stress test, and a 7 day / 24 hour heart monitor. Everything came out normal - despite my feeling otherwise. It’s amazing how the mind can trick the body like this.

I’ve also woken up suddenly with a panic attack - feeling I can’t breath. Nighttime is probably the worst time for my anxiety. Some nights, my eyes will start getting heavy, but my anxiety and fear will shock me awake - with sudden thoughts that if I fall asleep, I won’t wake up he next day. It sucks - because when I’m not feeling anxiety or panic - I LOVE sleeping!! Lol

Tomorrow is the day! Is it weird that I’m worried about what they’ll find on the echocardiogram?? Today my heart has felt like it’s beating too slow,too calm? Like what sense does that make?! Nights are also bad for me,especially the nights my fiancé works overtime and doesn’t get home til 4 am. It’s like I’m afraid to go to sleep without him here because I’m scared I’ll quit breathing or my heart will do something wild and our little boy will be alone until he gets home. It’s awful and I’m hoping tomorrow I can get some answers even though I’m scared. The cardiologist wanted me to go ahead and have the ultrasound done at the hospital before I go to see him the 28th. Fingers and toes crossed everything is fine. How’ve you been feeling?

 

[brtmdo]

i have such empathy for you guys. when you have time you might want to look into hypochondria as a type of obsessive compulsive disorder. i have general anxiety so my obsessive thoughts can focus on any subject. relief is not found in resolving the obsession but in learning how to short circuit the ocd cycle. cognitive behavior therapy has proven to be very effective at helping individuals break free from the misery of hypochondria and other forms of obsessive disorders. i wish peace for myself and for you

 

[Meganck]

Thank you so much for the note. I’ve been thinking about the heart rate monitor, but I’m torn. I feel like I’m already hyper aware when my heart beat picks up - and it always freaks me out. I worry that if I get a monitor, I’ll be watching it constantly - and any uptick would send me into a tailspin.

Just today, I quickly jogged up the stairs from the basement to take my dog out and was immediately aware that my heart was beating quickly. This lead me to have a surge of heat into my face and ears and I broke out in sweats. That reaction freaked me out even more, because I can never tell if it’s from anxiety or from my heart. As you can tell (and surely related) I really struggle with this. Im becoming afraid of anything that gets my heart rate up - and that’s having a negative impact on my marriage (if you catch my underlying meaning). Being this afraid is terrible - but regardless of how much I tell myself that I’m healthy and being ridiculous - I can’t shake the underlying fear and doubt.

The struggle continues.

Hi Remy,
I am reading this feeling like I could've written it myself. I would stay away from the pulse monitor because like you said you're going to become obsessed with it. I did. I find myself checking my pulse all day long. In the beginning I would even get freaked out if it was normal. Lol. The longer you are on your medication the less you will think about it. It does get better.

 

[Kdc]

Thank you so much for the note. I’ve been thinking about the heart rate monitor, but I’m torn. I feel like I’m already hyper aware when my heart beat picks up - and it always freaks me out. I worry that if I get a monitor, I’ll be watching it constantly - and any uptick would send me into a tailspin.

Just today, I quickly jogged up the stairs from the basement to take my dog out and was immediately aware that my heart was beating quickly. This lead me to have a surge of heat into my face and ears and I broke out in sweats. That reaction freaked me out even more, because I can never tell if it’s from anxiety or from my heart. As you can tell (and surely related) I really struggle with this. Im becoming afraid of anything that gets my heart rate up - and that’s having a negative impact on my marriage (if you catch my underlying meaning). Being this afraid is terrible - but regardless of how much I tell myself that I’m healthy and being ridiculous - I can’t shake the underlying fear and doubt.

The struggle continues.

if you got a clean bill of health, leave the monitors, etc alone. Also, don't Google anything. This is only feeding your anxiety.

 

[RemyAnonymous]

Tomorrow is the day! Is it weird that I’m worried about what they’ll find on the echocardiogram?? Today my heart has felt like it’s beating too slow,too calm? Like what sense does that make?! Nights are also bad for me,especially the nights my fiancé works overtime and doesn’t get home til 4 am. It’s like I’m afraid to go to sleep without him here because I’m scared I’ll quit breathing or my heart will do something wild and our little boy will be alone until he gets home. It’s awful and I’m hoping tomorrow I can get some answers even though I’m scared. The cardiologist wanted me to go ahead and have the ultrasound done at the hospital before I go to see him the 28th. Fingers and toes crossed everything is fine. How’ve you been feeling?

Brooke - I hope everything works out for you. I’m confident that it will. I get the whole fear of something happening while you’re alone. I sometimes stay up after my wife goes to sleep and play video games in our basement late into the night. When I’m in the midst of an anxiety episode - I will have thoughts like “if something happens to me down here, she won’t be able to help me. She won’t find me till the morning.” It’s terrifying. I do my best to combat those fearful thoughts with more rational ones, but the mental combat is exhausting.

Good news is that I’ve had a great week. I’ve been taking an SSRI (Paxil) for 3 weeks now and I think I’m finally getting the benefits. I’m not completely symptom or anxiety free, but I can reason away my fears and panic much easier than before.

Hope all goes well for you. Try to keep your spirits up. Remember that the doctors are there to help. If there’s something wrong, they’ll find it and help you with it. If they don’t (which is more likely) then TRUST their conclusions. I have issues doubting my doctors and it leads me down some dark anxious paths sometimes. You’re going to be ok. In the mean time, keep posting. Writing out my feelings and fears had helped me immensely.

Hang in there. You’re going to be ok,

 

[RemyAnonymous]

Are you currently on paxil? if so how is it working for you? Any side affects? And how often do you take it?
Im afraid to start with the medication

I was also very hesitant to start medication - and he first week on it was brutal - but now that I’m 3 weeks in, I feel like I’m beginning to reap the benefits. I’m on Paxil, which is an SSRI, but I may talk to my doctor about transitioning to Prozac (which is easier to come off of when I’m ready to transition off in a year). In general though, I have found the medication has really helped. You just have to be ready to muscle through the first week or two of anxiety misery.

 

[RemyAnonymous]

Well - I woke up on the doubt train again this morning - anxious about my heart heath. Convinced that the aches I’m feeling in my arm and the weird feeling in my ankles are from my have an undiagnosed weak heart. I KNOW thats not true... but it doesn’t seem to matter. Anxiety exists outside of reason. ((Sigh)) well.... here goes another day. Doing my best to hang in.

 

[Rinka]

That’s true you can’t reason with anxiety.
Have you checked for trapped nerves? The Ischias nerve can exhibit such symptoms, if it’s trapped or inflamed.