Heart that just wont quit

[bridetobe]

once again back to heart issues. I am now 5 months pregnant. My first echo, ekg, and set of heart blood work was about 4 years ago. The dr said everything was fine. My second (and last) was in May of last year.  I was getting married and going on my honeymoon and was completely convinced I would not survive the flight. My cardiologist refused to send me for any further testing but did write me a script for kolonopin. My original symptoms were left arm pain, trouble breathing, dizziness and chest pain. This is almost constant every single day. My family is so tired of me constantly complaining and asking if they think I am dying but I don't know what else to do. My gp seems to think I also need to just relax and take my meds. I also get jaw pain. My mom keeps telling me that I am going to go dr searching until I find someone who will tell me I have something wrong and put me through unnecessary procedures. I cannot accept that this is just anxiety. Should I demand more tests? I was hoping for a nuclear stress test but he said in good conscience he would not put me through it as it was totally unnecessary.  I am terrified of just dying. My grandfather who suffers from horrible agoraphobia and other anxiety issues told me that he hopes he has a heart attack like me when its his time to go so he has a whole two years to finish living. This is going on such a long time of constant problems. I have cut vacations short, missed parties, had way too much to drink on occasions over the past two years just to get through the days. Would a heart attack be this constant? I have heard of early symptoms but never two years of day in and day out problems.

[e77]

Sounds like severe anxiety to me and I assume the doc confirmed it for you.  Couple of things you said, that your grandfather has bad anxiety too.  There's been medical research that shows that anxiety disorders run in families and that genetics play a role which may be affecting you.  Also, I wonder if the hormonal changes during pregnancy can make anxiety worse.  I know how difficult it can be as I struggle with panic disorder and the heart thing is the main trigger for my anxiety, but at some point you have to trust what the doctors have told you.  You want to be careful not to start asking for tests that can put you or your child at risk as the more invasive medical tests are, the more the potential for creating medical problems for the patient rather that solving them.  My daughter is a nurse and she calls it an interventional cascade where too invasive of medical testing can screw up a patient's health rather than help.  I get episodes of panic so I know how scary it gets.  Wishing you the very best.

[myWorldofWorry]

I'm so sorry for all the anxiety you're experiencing. I absolutely know what it's like to be convinced something in particular is wrong, to the point that it almost feels like God himself couldn't convince me otherwise. Like you, I am 5 months pregnant, and I feel like my anxiety is at its peak.

I do not think there is anything wrong with your heart --- not that my saying that will mean anything. But when a cardiologist is actually refusing tests for your well-being, he obviously isn't concerned at all that you have heart problems. I believe you are experiencing symptoms that worry you --- but after two years and a bunch of tests and evaluations, I don't see how it can be your heart.

I just stumbled upon a book on Amazon called "How to Stop Being Your Symptoms and Start Being Yourself." I think I'm going to read it. Maybe it would help you cope w/ your symptoms too.

I was taking Prozac before my pregnancy, and trust me, I want to go back on it as soon as I can! It really does help control the obsessive negative thinking.

[tinam7]

It's a good thing your heart won't quit, but for your baby's sake, please consider ways to relax and enjoy this time. Good suggestions have been given.

You can try your library on anxiety, try meditating, try walking and enjoying the outdoors. Try a therapist who will listen to you and talk to you. Try writing in a journal. Try learning about CBT. We are here to lend support as best we can so you and baby will be happy together.

[bridetobe]

thank you all so much for your supportive helpful words. This place is a blessing!