Anxiety or Heart? How do I know?

[Epoch_Zero]

Ashley,

Thank you for this response. I’m beginning to get myself really psyched out and worried. I’ve been one paxil for a while now - but I’ve had chest tightness, upper back / neck pain, intermittent shortness of breath, racing heart from small activities, heat flashes, and intermittent excessive sweating. I feel like I shouldn’t be getting these symptoms from anxiety while on an SSRI. I think the fact that I’m taking medicine but still symptomatic is making me even more nervous, worried, and... we’ll... anxious. I’m terrified of heart failure or the risk of having a sudden heart attack. I’m about to turn 36.... I shouldn’t be worrying about this stuff. I just really thought the Paxil would give me relief from physical symptoms. So far... it seems ineffective... despite having some good days or collections of days here or there. I see my psychiatrist next friday - and I have an appointment with my cardiologist on oct 1... but I’m nervous that it’s too far away.

I’m so tired of being unsure. I just wise I could know for sure “it’s anxiety” or “it’s your heart.” The doubt and fear is maddening, discouraging, and exhausting.

I thought I'd throw in my two cents...
I've had some form of anxiety all my life, been on many meds, but only recently have been having panic attacks. I didn't know how terrible they were and thought anxiety and panic attacks were the same thing before I had a genuine panic attack. I did not know what was happening and thought I was having a heart attack (my dad died of one). I called 911, went to the ER, etc. Before that I had no idea our body could make you feel that way without anything being wrong.

I was still convinced it was my heart. So I had a few EKGs at my PCP, they all came back normal although they showed Tachycardia when my heart was racing (over 100bpm)... which I believe is normal in that state. Then I got a cardiologist appointment, had a stress test, more EKGs, and a chest echo. They even gave me one of those stick-on holters to wear for three days and I was to log my feelings during it. They all came back normal.

This is weird, since I grew up playing baseball, skateboarding, doing taekwondo, and playing ice hockey. You'd think I'd have enough evidence in my head to get past this fear that it's my heart. But no - just this past sunday I had a panic attack and couldn't get my focus off of my heart. I obessively track my heart rate with my fitbit, and carry Xanax with me to take if I feel like one is coming on. And this is after several doctors and one cardiologist told me I was fine.

The thoughts are powerful. It's very hard to deal with. My dad's sudden death from one keeps coming up in the back of my head as a possibility, and my brain latches onto those thoughts each time instead of the obvious, which is that it's just a panic attack, I've been through it before, and I know this is only temporary. But the thoughts persist.

It's hard to deal with - I go to a therapist and would suggest if this impacts your life any further then you should as well, if you are able. There are many of us out here that know exactly how you feel, and you're not alone in it.

 

[Danaaa07]

Ashley,

Thank you for this response. I’m beginning to get myself really psyched out and worried. I’ve been one paxil for a while now - but I’ve had chest tightness, upper back / neck pain, intermittent shortness of breath, racing heart from small activities, heat flashes, and intermittent excessive sweating. I feel like I shouldn’t be getting these symptoms from anxiety while on an SSRI. I think the fact that I’m taking medicine but still symptomatic is making me even more nervous, worried, and... we’ll... anxious. I’m terrified of heart failure or the risk of having a sudden heart attack. I’m about to turn 36.... I shouldn’t be worrying about this stuff. I just really thought the Paxil would give me relief from physical symptoms. So far... it seems ineffective... despite having some good days or collections of days here or there. I see my psychiatrist next friday - and I have an appointment with my cardiologist on oct 1... but I’m nervous that it’s too far away.

I’m so tired of being unsure. I just wise I could know for sure “it’s anxiety” or “it’s your heart.” The doubt and fear is maddening, discouraging, and exhausting.

Did you ever see the cardiologist? I as well am having your symptoms and just started Paxil.

 

[Jgriffin]

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. : (

Your list sounds just like mine. I just don't understand. I won't be stressed but then my body responds like yours does

 

[Danaaa07]

Your list sounds just like mine. I just don't understand. I won't be stressed but then my body responds like yours does

These are my symptoms to a T I also just started Paxil today is only my second day but anxiety has almost always given me these symptoms as well as IBS like symptoms when I’m really anxious as well

 

[Maully]

im 22 and dealing with possible ectopic beats and such, went today and got an ekg and my heart rythm was exactly the same as all the other times. my ectopic beats feel like a thud in my chest following a skipped beat, very scary but apparently not dangerous

 

[Maully]

im 22 and dealing with possible ectopic beats and such, went today and got an ekg and my heart rythm was exactly the same as all the other times. my ectopic beats feel like a thud in my chest following a skipped beat, very scary but apparently not dangerous

I too deal with heart anxiety and this time having irregular beats and all has scared me sooo damn much