New to this site and New to ANXIETY! Need a little advice.

[stateman]

Hello all,

I am new to this site as I am looking for some support and answers from people who have the same thoughts and experiences. I don't mean for this read to be long and boring but I want to get all this out.

My Anxiety started about 6 months ago. I was on a golf course and felt my throat getting a little tight. Then I felt warm, my chest got tight and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I thought I was having an allergic reaction so I quickly ran to my golf bag and grabbed some benadryl (kids liquid). Within about 45 seconds I could take a deep breath (I know the meds wouldn't work that fast and if it was serious that small amount wouldn't have worked at all). For the rest of the afternoon I sat in the clubhouse feeling a little tired from the medication.

Since then my Anxiety has ramped up. I now realize that I experienced a panic attack (or so I think). I have about 3 or 4 since and they kind of felt the same except now I feel like I am having a heart attack and out of breath. They eventually pass as panic attacks do.

I have gone to my doctor and he said that before we go the mental route lets rule out anything physical. So I have had blood work done, 3 EKG's, chest x-ray and a stress Test all within the past 3 months. I was also sent to an allergist where they did the back test and I came back as negative to everything (I have never had an allergy in the past except 1 bee sting, so the negative was not surprising). I didn't believe and was convinced I was allergic to nuts. So I asked to do an oral challenge. I sat in the allergists office eating peanut butter for 2 hours and nothing. Still couldn't believe it, so I bought a can one day and ate them in the lobby of the doctors office and again, nothing.

My stress test came back normal, but now the activities that I used to love like hockey, biking and even sex I can't enjoy. The moment my heart rate goes up, which it should with all those, I think there is something wrong and panic. I am a healthy 34 year old male that doesn't smoke and am not overweight. My blood numbers are great and blood pressure is normal. I also used to play hockey every week and stay fairly active.

So why, oh why can I not believe any of these doctors when they tell me nothing is wrong. I am currently seeing a shrink and take zoloft and xanax to keep things in check. I just feel that if I could get past the fact that there is nothing wrong I could get on with my life.

Does anyone have any insight on believing the doctors and tests, any wisdom or just comments that might help. I never realized how powerful the mind is and how it can control your life until it started happening to me.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[MTBR]

Hey bro,
                 Fellow golfer and cyclist here....welcome to the wonderful world of Anxiety and Panic!! My symptoms didnt really ramp up until I hit 39. I had always had glimpses of anxiety but chalked it up to outside influences like the breakup of a relationship etc...3 years ago I began having these emotional episodes where I would cry for no apparent reason. I have a lot of theories as to why this has happened, but for now I'll keep it short. It culminated with severe Tinnitus in my left ear and a TOTAL meltdown Panc Attack! I recovered nicely (still have Tinnitus) and went 3 years with no problems...until last month when my fingers and toes started twitching for no reason. Hello ALS and MS paranoia! I am doling better, but it's still a struggle.

Here's what I know:

Anxiety is scary
You're not alone
There are more people than you know with this
Exercise is good....no matter how bad you feel...get up and do it.
Nutrition is important
Emotional support is imperative
Education is key and this website is a great resource for truths about anxiety.
Everything happens for a reason...there are no accidents.
And lastly....Golf is a hard game.

I think anxiety hits us men in a different way...we have huge egos and different ways of viewing the world and our place in it. It's no easier or harder than for a woman, but different I think.

Feel free to PM me ANYTIME if you need to talk man.....you'll get through this...stay strong.

MTBR

[ginnybean]

My first panic attack struck me 5 months ago.  It was very much like you described.  I thought I was having a severe allergic reaction, I called my sister to bring me benadryl and perhaps drive me to the ER.  My throat felt like it was swelling shut, my heart was pounding and I turned bright red.

I didn't realize it was a panic attack until I had another one. My second one did bring me to the ER certain it was a heart attack!  I had an EKG and bloodwork both normal. Followed up with my Dr. More tests, more normal results.  These normal results should have eased my mind, they didn't.  I then became convinced I was losing my mind.

I was reluctant to take meds but, am on Zoloft and am working with a therapist and hoping I  can learn to manage anxiety.

I am 39 and a female.  I do believe it may affect men and women differently. 

I am glad to have found this site as this is a frightening thing to live with.

[Jlo1019]

Hello!

Although I'm not male,  I wanted to respond and say I'm sorry you are struggling. Anxiety is never bias, it can hit anyone/anytime. 

My first major bout was 7+ years ago and it ebbs and flows. My anxiety is health based and comes on stronger with life stressors.  Ive learner a lot of ways to manage the fear, not to say it still doesn't knock me over sometimes. Its a work in process ;)

Thank goodness you are healthy! That's wonderful news, so keep that in mind too. As much as you can :)
 
I agree with previous poster,  exercise and healthy eating is key. My anxiety is sensitive to sugar and caffeine too. I try to limit those.

[Jlo1019]

Oops posted before I was done. Regardless,  take care of yourself and hopefully this site helps you. When my anxiety was at its worst,  a site like this helped a lot. I hope it does for you as well. It helps you feel not so.alone.

[e77]

I think it's hard to believe the docs because we're wrestling with our survival instinct, the fight/flight response, and when it flares it's intense and feels real.  We get sensitized to this powerful instinct, unpleasant and scary to even the toughest of people.  I get these false alarms off and on and it's always frightening when it happens.  Hang in there.  Anxiety zone members have wealth of knowledge and experience that is very helpful.

[stateman]

Thanks for all the responses so far. I have tired different things like scanning my allergy test results into my phone so I can look at them when I need to and say "I am not allergic to anything".

Yesterday when I got home I was kind of frustrated with myself so I just decided to grab a handful of peanuts, eat them and then try to distract myself by playing legos with my kids. And as usual nothing happened because I have no allergies. lol.

If you have any tips or tricks to keep your brain in check please let me know. Still won't eat them at work. I think its because at home I have a safety net of my allergist and an ER being about 400 yards away.

[MTBR]

If you have any tips or tricks to keep your brain in check please let me know.

Get back into your hobbies...that's how I beat anxiety 3 years ago when I got Tinnitus. Stay busy, get involved in anything your passionate about.  Keep your mind occupied as much as possible.

MTBR

[sterri]

I've experienced panic attacks - very uncomfortable and scary. However, I got to a point where I knew they would always end, and I could afford to somewhat ignore them - in other words, just go about my business and not obsess. Interestingly enough, this is when they began to lessen in severity. You've done the right thing in making sure you don't have any physical health issues. I don't know about keeping your brain in check - sometimes panic and anxiety can come from a subconscious place that's hard to control. Trying to avoid the panic can cause you to avoid activities you associate with panic, and that's not a good thing. For me, I'm better off accepting the discomfort and continuing on with my day.