Constant Tachcardia and Anxiety

[Mamaof2]

Hello,

New here 🙂 I'm 21 and mother to two beautiful girls. I had a baby 6 weeks ago and contracted an infection I ended up back in hospital with. Since then I've suddenly started suffering with severe anxiety and constant tachycardia. I experience panic attacks throughout the day and wake up with them throughout the night. I have been in and out of hospitals/doctors and they've found nothing wrong with me. I have been referred to a cardiologist but in the mean time I guess I just want to know how you get by every day (I'm in tears every two hours and barely sleep I'm so terrified) and if anyone else is suffering with a contantly tachy heart (110). I am so lost.

[Rhu]

Hi Mamaof2 and welcome ! Congrats on your baby!

Sorry to hear about all those anxiety attacks 😞 Is this the first time you've had panic attacks or have you had anxiety before in the past? My guess is that it's a combination of the stress of the infection and post natal hormone changes. It's quite common for women to have severe mood changes after giving birth. Do you have a counsellor or a psychologist you can talk to to help you through this?

We all have different ways of coping with anxiety; there's no magic formula unfortunately. You could try deep, slow breathing and distraction techniques. Do you have something you enjoy doing like music or drawing? It might help to do something to distract yourself during panic attacks, so you have something else to focus on. For me personally, I manage my anxiety by taking medication prescribed by my GP and listening to music when I feel an anxiety attack coming on. Sometimes I'll stand in front of the mirror and talk to myself and tell myself 'I'm strong, I can get through this.'

And most of all, stay positive. Remind yourself that you're strong and believe that you will get better. I know it can be hard but over time, it will get better. Remember that you're not alone in this and we're here to help you.

Take care of yourself and let us know how it goes with you.

Rhu

[geoff]

hello Mamaof2, congratulations for having two beautiful girls.
I'm sorry for what you are suffering from, but from memory my older brother was having the same problem and suffering from it for over 45 years, or maybe be more, but he has had tests, been in and out of hospital time after time and as silly as it may sound they believe he was infected by a tick in their lastest diagnosis, but a tick couldn't last all of this time and why would it attack him, so in otherwords that's all I can help you with, as he doesn't talk about it.
Many a time doctors haven't been able to give him a proper diagnosis and say that they couldn't find anything wrong with him, but as my Dad was a GP he was always looking for a solution. Geoff.

[Doolhof]

Hi Mamaof2,

Welcome to the community here.

Anxiety and panic attacks are hard to understand but can be managed. Even something as simple as recognising you are about to have a panic attack and doing some deep breathing might help you.

One lady I know who has panic attacks at night has a torch next to her. She will shine the torch around, tell herself there is nothing there to panic her and goes back to sleep. Easier said than done, but it might help.

Music and other distractions are beneficial as already mentioned to you.

Do you have someone you can have to look after your children, even if it is just for an hour, so you can have some time alone to just relax or do something special.

Have a read of the information here on anxiety. You could Google How to overcome Anxiety and see if anything there helps. I try to run Googled info past my Dr to make sure I am on the right track.

Like Rhu mentioned, your hormones may be all over the place right now as well. Have another chat to your Dr and see if a counsellor might help. I have also found that writing stuff down helps.

Wishing you all the best, Mrs. D

[Mamaof2]

Thankyou for your replies 🙂 I don't feel quite so alone anymore x

[Rhu]

It's good to know you're feeling less alone now 🙂 Remember, you're stronger than you know and you can get through this one day at a time.

[Doolhof]

Hi Mamaof2,

Like Rhu has mentioned, it is wonderful you are not feeling so alone anymore.

We are all real people the other side of the screen, I know it isn't the same as connecting face to face with other people, sometimes that is just not possible for one reason or another, so I am very pleased for you that you feel connected here.

Hope you and the girls are well.

Cheers for now from Mrs. D

[Just Sara]

Hi and welcome young Mama;

Reading thru your initial post, it seems you're dealing with some really uncomfortable feelings, especially with the tachycardia. Living with a 110 heart rate would be horrible.

Congratulations on the arrival of your new bub too. It's a shame you've had to deal with all this infection and aftermath stuff instead of enjoying time getting to know your little one.

What I'm thinking, is that it's a matter of the chicken and the egg. What comes first, tachycardia or anxiety or are they experienced together? I'm wondering how much you understand about fight/flight/freeze responses.

If we feel in danger, our brain goes into fight/flight mode and increases adrenaline, heart rate and blood flow to muscles/brain so we can get away or fight for our lives. This is separate from our rational mind and happens unconsciously. In the primal part of our brains, we may perceive there's no point in doing either, so we freeze preparing for an inevitable death. This is seen in the animal kingdom when prey is caught and eaten by a predator.

When I had my son, I went into post natal depression, which was later identified as being due to my mum telling me my whole life I'd never be a good mother. I know this now, but at the time it was just a response without rationale.

I was so frightened; every moment was lived (unconsciously) fearing I'd make a mistake. There were other issues as well from my own childhood which had to be taken into account. Therapy and medication helped to identify my fears, and lessened responses/symptoms.

Sometimes, physical problems can cause our bodies to feel in danger if an infection for instance makes it physically difficult to fight/flee if danger is perceived. If for example, your illness prevented you from saving your baby (or you) from threat, it might be reasonable to experience anxiety/panic.

I'm wondering if you had any issues with your first baby and if those memories are interfering with your current mindset. I suppose what I'm saying, is that if fear of the past returning is subconsciously on your mind, your body may be responding to that...thoughts/memories.

I know this is a long post, but connecting the psychological dots can be a path to the 'why's'.

I wish you and your family well.

Kind thoughts;

Sara

[Mamaof2]

Thanks Sara,

The tachycardia is a constant thing, my resting heart rate instead of being at the 60-100 mark sits at 110. I feel so abnormal all the time because if this.

My heart racing usually sets off my anxiety attacks. While fighting off the infection in hospital, my resting heart rate peaked at 150 resulting in the emergency team coming in and me ultimately being transferred to the cardiac ward. It terrified me.

I never experienced anything with my first baby. Nor have I really experienced anything in the past.

It terrifies me not being able to look after my own kids. I have a feeling that the anxiety may have been a triggered by this Thankyou.

thankyou for your response 🙂

[Doolhof]

Hi Mamaof2,

Hope you are doing okay today. Do you have an appointment scheduled for the Cardiologist? If you are feeling really anxious, can you talk to your Dr about this to gain reassurance and greater understanding of your situation?

Does deep breathing, meditation or anything like that help you to calm down and relax a little? Does that help your heat problem? I know a lady who used to like looking into a candle flame and that helped to calm her down. For some it is running water like a stream or a fountain.

I may be barking up the wrong tree, I am just hoping something helps you through this.

Cheers for now from Mrs. D.