topic Re: What is wrong with me in Anxiety

What is wrong with me

Lindy77 — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 08:09:44 GMT

I’m struggling so bad. I have been to 3 different doctors and I’ve had ECG’S I’ve worn a 24hr holter monitor which I’m still waiting for the results but all other tests say there’s nothing wrong with my heart yet I swear there is something wrong. I think I’m going crazy… I get heart flutters and palpitations my heart races I get pain in my left arm and I’m my chest I get lightheaded and I swear my heart is just going to stop and this is daily.. but according to the doctors there’s nothing wrong.. I don’t know where to turn next

Re: What is wrong with me

Bob_22 — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 10:08:50 GMT

Hi Lindy77,

Thank you for posting to the forums and for sharing your experience. I'm sorry you are struggling at the moment with heart palpitations and other symptoms.

It is great that you have gone to a range of doctors to investigate your heart to confirm nothing sinister. May I suggest you consult your GP again to potentially consider whether your heart symptoms might be anxiety related. I mention this as it is a common symptom of anxiety and when I used to experience heart symptoms I would also experience tingling/numbness (for me it was my right arm). And like you, I would worry that something is wrong and ended up getting an ECG, echo and holter monitor. After talking to my psychiatrist I learned I was experiencing health anxiety where the fear of poor physical health would cause anxiety and feed back unto itself and amplify the symptom. If you'd like to learn more, I found some interesting resources regarding health anxiety here: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Health-Anxiety

I am also part of another thread where various users have shared a similar experience regarding their heart/chest: https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/heart-anxiety/td-p/542399

I hope you find some of this information helpful. Please keep us updated. In the meantime if you need to talk to anyone, remember you can always talk to one of the counsellors at beyond blue 24/7 via phone or chat by clicking the "immediate support" button at the top right hand corner. 🙂💙

Bob

Re: What is wrong with me

Petal22 — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 12:49:41 GMT

Hi Lindy77,

Im sorry you are feeling this way I understand feeling this way is difficult to endure.

I understand that feeling of thinking we are going crazy because I also thought I was going crazy in a point in my life, my doctor tried to reassure me it was anxiety and it turned out my doctor was correct.

As Bob 22 has mentioned I also suffered with health anxiety I would go to my doctors a lot with symptoms I was experiencing I thought that there was something seriously wrong with me I’d be told I was ok but this wouldn’t stop the obsessing I’d just move onto something else on my body to obsess over.

Throughout my journey I experienced health anxiety and also severe anxiety OCD.

My brain just kept going in this cycle until I received professional help I did a certain therapy to learn how to break this vicious cycle.

Ive now recovered, maybe you could think about seeing your gp and discussing anxiety with them.

A psychologist can also be helpful.

Re: What is wrong with me

Mark Z. — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 21:03:10 GMT

Hi Lindy77,

I'm so sorry for your challenge.

Please wait patiently for the test results. If again everything is normal, maybe it's your mental health. While you're physically healthy, stress, anxiety or depression can make you feel sick. And if the symptom is so strong, you can't wait. Have you ever consider to see a psychologist? Or, it'll be a good idea to have a chat with Beyondblue hotline.

Mark

Re: What is wrong with me

Flop — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 06:15:11 GMT

Hello Lindy77,

I don't experience these sensations myself, they sound extremely uncomfortable and invasive. I had mentioned to my GP that my heart would race of a night when I was trying to sleep and she provided me some medication for that and I've not really experienced that problem since. It is a different issue, but that medication is specifically for regulating the heart beat and is also off branded for anxiety. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to list it so I suggest if this sounds of use to you, ask your GP for more information.

Until then, as others have suggested please try and wait for your results back.

Wishing for the best.

Re: What is wrong with me

Hopskotch22 — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:40:23 GMT

Hey Lindy77

I've just been through EXACTLY what you've described. Thought I was losing my marbles. Heart felt like it was going to explode. Had pins and needles down left arm with twitching in my hand. Felt extremely anxious and sad. Felt completely out of control. Turns out I'm going through menopause. My oestrogen levels were virtually non-existent and testosterone was at the level of someone post menopausal. I'm not suggesting you're at that age (hey, you could be a dude for all I know), but a simple blood test confirmed where I'm at. Now on medicatoin and the difference is mind blowing. Doctor said I could also consider using some medication to control the release of adrenaline in my body and reduce heart going berserk all the time. Haven't got to that stage as don't need it. Thought I was too young for menopause. Turns out I wasn't. Now in a happy place. Sincerely hope you can find yours soon as I know how consuming the former state was. Good luck with it. Would love to hear how you get on. Oh yeah, stay away from caffine and booze. They're just fuel on the proverbial palpitation fire!

Re: What is wrong with me

Lindy77 — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 10:37:06 GMT

hello

thank you for replying. I’m not a dude lol… I’m also 45. I really don’t know what’s going on with me. I hate this. I’m really scared cause I really feel like something is wrong. All tests say nothing is wrong with my heart. I even went to the hospital the other day and again I had an ECG and blood test and it was all fine. I’m so over feeling like this.

Re: What is wrong with me

smallwolf — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 11:44:18 GMT

Hi,

I can imagine this would be very concerning for you when this happens. Perhaps frustration with not knowing. Others have posted good replies and I can only add my experience.

For myself, my heart would get into a racing condition each day around 9am. It turned out this was related to me starting work, checking email, and so .... anxiety related. Work or email was a trigger for me. (My palms would also get sweaty.)

The above is only part of my story. It was not the main reason I started seeing a psychologist.

Thinking out loud... I am curious whether it might be something like this? Not work, but something creating stress and making your heart race you mention. If this is a possibility there are ways to deal with this and if you are interested I could tell you what worked for me?

Re: What is wrong with me

Added — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 23:46:30 GMT

I would be very interested to hear what worked for you if you don't mind.

Re: What is wrong with me

Bob_22 — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 10:16:07 GMT

Hi Lindy77,

I'm so sorry to hear that your tests didn't confirm what you were thought and that you are feeling scared at the moment. As mentioned in my last post, have you considered discussing the possibility of seeing a psychologist with your GP to help with feelings of fear or exhaustion that you might be experiencing?

Hi Added,

In my personal experience, I found breathing exercises helpful but the most helpful thing I found was talking things through with a friend or family member. They usually helped me see things from an objective perspective and after a while I was able to reason through things by myself. Hope that helps!

Bob 💙

Re: What is wrong with me

Added — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 01:12:56 GMT

Thanks so much for your reply Bob... I do breathing and it has definitely helped, but a bit like Lindy when I am stressing and my heart starts doing strange things I feel as if something terrible is about to happen. I am now trying very hard just to accept these feelings instead of fighting against them and that seems to make things a little easier too. I guess it is just a continuing process.

Re: What is wrong with me

Bob_22 — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 09:32:04 GMT

No worries Added! That sounds great. It seems like you are already engaging in something known as mindfulness. If you need any tips or relaxation exercises which might help there are few on this website here: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/staying-well/relaxation-exercises

Hope that helps!

Bob

Re: What is wrong with me

Added — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 12:26:21 GMT

Thanks so much Bob... I will check this out and let you know how I go.

Re: What is wrong with me

therising — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 22:06:57 GMT

Hi Lindy77 and Added

Wondering if a neurologist could be the way to go if there's nothing showing up in relation to the heart. I'll offer a couple of experiences so the neurologist aspect makes more sense:

My mum currently sees a neurologist based on her getting these sudden surges of what feels like anxiety. They come from out of the blue. They're basically harmless brain related glitches. It's like if a glitch or charge happens in a part of her brain that relates to her nervous system, she'll feel her nervous system suddenly 'in charge'
Myself, I'm a gal who used to experience silent migranes (migranes without headaches). Seriously weird stuff. I've stopped getting them. I could tell the parts of my brain impacted by a migrane (the parts that include speech, feeling down left side of my body, cognitive function, nervous system charges etc. Fun times, not.

Not sure why the glitches happen. Perhaps it's a recalibration thing in some cases. Hopskotch22 mentions menopause. The recalibration through peri menopause and menopause, for example, can be intense. So much in the body is changing and the brain and body have to constantly recalibrate until the process is complete.

If it is a 'power surge' kind of thing you're experiencing, for some reason, perhaps the question comes down to what's putting you in (a state of) charge you can actually feel? Chemical sensitivity, environmental or diet? Stress surges? The bad habit of shallow breathing (I'm guilty of myself) can be another factor, which has some seriously interesting side effects worth looking into? The side effects can come down to the body's way of reacting to and coping with shallow breathing. Such a habit can impact every energy system in the body, from the nervous system to the lymphatic system through to the cardiovascular system and muscular system etc.

Hoping you find your answers and they offer great relief❤️

Re: What is wrong with me

Added — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 07:52:33 GMT

Hi Therising

It was so interesting to read your message. Things that happen in the body that are out of the ordinary can be so scary... Good to hear that your strange migraines have stopped and that your Mum is getting help for her surges. I think there is a lot to be said for looking and considering all possible options.

Thanks for posting about your experiences its very helpful.

Re: What is wrong with me

Added — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 03:21:36 GMT

Hi Bob Just thought I would write a quick reply to let you know I've checked out the link and the guided breathing and relaxation is great!! I also found a thread there that lists some positive affirmations... it is so helpful too ... thanks again.

Re: What is wrong with me

Bob_22 — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 04:07:33 GMT

No worries Added!

Thanks for letting me know! Great to hear that you have found some of the exercises helpful. There are also apps available ( I used to use the calm app) but a lot of them are payment required whereas online you can find many of the recordings/techniques for free. Please feel free to share any other helpful strategies you find and thanks again for updating us! 😊💙

Bob