Another "just curious" and "piece of mind" post

[Jayavyan]

Hi folks,

First let me say how amazed I am by how many of us have or have had worries concerning our hearts!  I'm certainly not glad it's so common...but I am glad I'm far from being the only one, as I've concluded after browsing this site.  It's an immense relief to be able to communicate with everyone.  I had my first-ever panic attack on Monday, and have since been living with a lot of anxiety, and its physical manifestations, which have led to a more-than-likely irrational heart concern. 
Before Monday, it was simple chest pain, and didn't stop me from doing anything.  I went to the doctor, had him look me over and do a blood test (still not sure what exactly is to be found in the blood), and everything was fine (along with the suggestion that it could be anxiety).  Then the shortness of breath set in a few days later, which eventually led to Monday's episode.

Now, the thing is, I've remained fairly rational about it all.  Really, I'm just dealing now with the constant presence of the uncomfortable symptoms, and the occasional, unsettling "What If" thought.  I could be doing better, but I could also be doing a lot worse.  I don't want to make a habit of confirming every single symptom with other people, but I really am curious just how similar my issues are.

For example, I'm noticing that the classic anxiety manifestations slowly build on top of each other.  After a while, a new one appears, I fret over it a little, and then it becomes an accepted part of the day.  Like today, I started in with the dizziness and tingly face for the first time.  It's unsettling, for sure, but some intrinsic piece of me knows it's all pretty standard-issue.

I'm also wondering how many people become more distressed because their chest pain likes to reside on the left side?  I've felt it all across the board, but lately it's taken to the left side, almost like it's mocking me!  Like, it doesn't matter that you can be extremely physically active, and your heart never seems to "give out" like we expect it to, but the fact that there's this little bit of sharpness over there is this major cause for alarm. 

I dunno.  Being fairly new to all this is pretty scary, but I'm noticing a kind of comedy/tragedy thing going, where one minute it's all very distressing, and the next I'm laughing at myself.  Really, I think I'm just trying to understand what's going on with me.  I had no idea the mind/body was so capable of doing this to itself!

Any extra insight, of any kind, would be appreciated.  Thanks for reading!

 

 

[katierose]

Hi there!

I'm glad you found this site so shortly after your first panic attack. It took me...5 years? Up until very recently, I thought I was pretty alone in all of this...some kind of 'freak'. I tried not to talk about it and when I did, I felt as if no one understood, or that everyone thought I was making it up or exaggerating. What a relief to know that others experience similar symptoms. For me, it is comforting because it further confirms that it IS anxiety, and therefore treatable, and non physically harmful. Just knowing that it is anxiety allows me to calm down at least a little bit while experiencing those symptoms.

Nonetheless, I still get paranoid, restless, and fearful of random symptoms or strange feelings in my body. Lately I've been experiencing depersonalization from time to time, which is new for me. I've gone several months without experiencing really any anxiety/panic, but it finds its way back into my life. Right now, I'm working on trying to figure out what exactly triggers its return.

Isn't it so nice to know that other people KNOW what you're going through? All over the world and in your same city (I noticed you live in Portland, I do too). Not that its nice to know that others suffer, but you know what I mean.

Good luck, and keep everyone posted on how things are going. Stay positive and don't be afraid to post any of your questions/concerns here. I have found this site to be extremely helpful.

Katie

[Jayavyan]

Hi Katie, and fellow Portlander!

It is nice knowing others know how you feel.  I think realizing that fact helps you accept your issues for what they are, rather than taking this completely aggressive approach to the problem, thinking you need to destroy anxiety at all costs (which just seems to intensify the problem!).  Knowing others understand takes some of the sting out of it, and at least for me, has made it much more bearable this week than it could've been.

Thanks for the reply!  This is actually my first summer in Portland, and it's surprisingly lovely, isn't it?

[krazeej25]

I find myself taking my pulse constantly.  It is quite irritating.  I am a young, healthy woman (just got bloodwork back from dr, all looks good).  It is hard for me to wrap my head around this, as it came on seemingly from out of nowhere.

I start out at work with a nagging tightness in my chest, then I get the dizziness and tingling in my fingers, I get little twitches, and my hands shake a little.  I feel clumsy and out of control.  I take a Xanax and I feel better for a few hours than I usually have to take another one.  Once I get home, I'm fine.

It's good to have a place where people understand and with whom you can identify.  It makes it a little easier to cope.

Good luck!

[Paul_H]

Hi,

I made a post on here a couple weeks ago that may apply to you both since a common complaint between you is dizziness. By the way, the tingling was on one of my symptoms as well. Almost like there was a "delay" in my sense of touch. Plastic bags felt particularly odd to me. Like the thin fold lock top baggies. Weird, I know. And the pulse checking? Don't even get me started. Like every 30 minutes or so at the height of my anxiety and panic. Anyway, here is a link to my post. It may apply to you, especially if you've had any changes in the way your ears feel or have been acting lately. I hope it helps:

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-panicdisrdr&tid=19637

Thanks for your time.

Paul

 

[Paul_H]

Double post. sorry.
 

[Jasonnp]

I have suffered with anxiety for many years now and also one of my greatest fears is heart related.  I've had some small panic attacks in the past but this Saturday I had by far the worst experience I ever had to the point were we called 911 but by the time they got there I was better, but the feelings were awful.  Weakness, heart racing, cold sweat on face and shoulders, but by the time they got there they said my vitals were fine and there was no reason to take me in.  Now though it seems those symptoms can pop up anytime they want, and every time I feel one I freak out about my heart (I'm a hypo too) and send myself back in that loop, so I know how hard it can be.  I've had my anxiety since I graduated college but that was by far the worst attack I had.

Oh and pulse checking ALL THE TIME!  Mines worse since I can just see my pulse!