Anxiety/fear of heart attack....

[Deleted member 4644]

I had a panic attack a month ago, and since then I have had bouts of anxiety and lingering fears of a "weak heart" (this is pretty common for anxiety sufferers I guess).

I'm going to start therapy and have a full physical soon to help ease my fears, but has anyone ever felt similar or have any experience dealing with anxiety?

These feelings come at a time when I am not working or in school (for a few months) so I think I have too much time to just sit and think and worry for one thing....

 

[43st]

Just stress... I went through something similar during my last 3-6 months of college. I was a bit freaked about finding work, moving, etc. After I got a job and started working everything started to clear up. Medication just attempts to hide the effects, it doesn't fix the problem.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

What were your symptoms and how did it clear up?

 

[43st]

Shallow breathing, panic attacks, feeling of not enough oxigen, tight chest, also a bit of paranoia about dying and no one finding me. Generally really stupid and irrational stuff but I couldn't help but feel it. I went through several years in short term contract work so that didn't help my stress level much. I ended up getting over 10k in an inheritance so I quit my job to figure things out. During that time I weened myself off the panic meds, got a real 9-5 job, and I've been fine ever since.

Some are better at stress than others. I didn't fit well with the contract work... I was always worried about healthcare and finding work again.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: Thera
Shallow breathing, panic attacks, feeling of not enough oxigen, tight chest, also a bit of paranoia about dying and no one finding me. Generally really stupid and irrational stuff but I couldn't help but feel it. I went through several years in short term contract work so that didn't help my stress level much. I ended up getting over 10k in an inheritance so I quit my job to figure things out. During that time I weened myself off the panic meds, got a real 9-5 job, and I've been fine ever since.

Some are better at stress than others. I didn't fit well with the contract work... I was always worried about healthcare and finding work again.

How did you ween yourself off the panic attacks? Just by experiencing a few and getting though them?

 

[BoomerD]

FVCK STRESS! It can't get to you if you don't let it! WHY are you so afraid? What has set this off? maybe some therapy and Prozac will help get to the root cause of your insecurity...Just ask Tony S...😉

 

[Rage187]

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: Thera
Shallow breathing, panic attacks, feeling of not enough oxigen, tight chest, also a bit of paranoia about dying and no one finding me. Generally really stupid and irrational stuff but I couldn't help but feel it. I went through several years in short term contract work so that didn't help my stress level much. I ended up getting over 10k in an inheritance so I quit my job to figure things out. During that time I weened myself off the panic meds, got a real 9-5 job, and I've been fine ever since.

Some are better at stress than others. I didn't fit well with the contract work... I was always worried about healthcare and finding work again.

How did you ween yourself off the panic attacks? Just by experiencing a few and getting though them?

he weened himself off of the meds.

 

[43st]

I weened myself off of Paxil and Prozac, which was perscribed to me to counter the panic attacks, etc. But it didn't really help in the long term, other than give me the shakes when I didn't have it.

Just remove the stress and you'll be fine. I took 6 months off work to figure things out, then found a steady job.

 

[kogase]

I have a fear of heart attacks too, that's why I've started sprinting.

 

[DAGTA]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
I had a panic attack a month ago, and since then I have had bouts of anxiety and lingering fears of a "weak heart" (this is pretty common for anxiety sufferers I guess).

I'm going to start therapy and have a full physical soon to help ease my fears, but has anyone ever felt similar or have any experience dealing with anxiety?

These feelings come at a time when I am not working or in school (for a few months) so I think I have too much time to just sit and think and worry for one thing....

Yes, fear of heart attack is one of the most common things people with anxiety and panic attacks suffer.

I had an anxiety problem for a few years. Turned out to be linked to my thyroid. I wasn't eating enough Iodine and my thyroid was getting off balance. I started eating kelp supplements (for the Iodine) and my anxiety dissappeared very quickly. I now eat the supplement every day and have been fine for two years.

I wish you the best in figuring it out and getting it fixed! 🙂

 

[TBone48]

Originally posted by: Thera
Shallow breathing, panic attacks, feeling of not enough oxigen, tight chest, also a bit of paranoia about dying and no one finding me. Generally really stupid and irrational stuff but I couldn't help but feel it. I went through several years in short term contract work so that didn't help my stress level much. I ended up getting over 10k in an inheritance so I quit my job to figure things out. During that time I weened myself off the panic meds, got a real 9-5 job, and I've been fine ever since.

Some are better at stress than others. I didn't fit well with the contract work... I was always worried about healthcare and finding work again.

I had the EXACT same thing happen to me repeatedly a few years ago. Heart disease runs in my family and I was freaking, thinking I was going to die. I went to a cardiologist who did an echo-cardiogram and a treadmill stress test. I also wore a 24 hour event monitor to record any "episodes". When everything was evaluated, it was determined I am overly sensitive to caffiene and stress makes everything worse. Once I knew the causes, I was able to calm myself down when I felt one coming on, and it's been over 5 years since I've had any attacks.

Get yourself checked out to make sure there isn't a heart problem. If by therapy you mean psychological, that's probably a good idea and should help. Good luck!

 

[BobDaMenkey]

You're stressing yourself out over something, and that's what's causing the panic attacks. Figure out what you're stressing over alot, and solve that problem, and the rest of the problems will go away.

I used to get nasty virtigo while I was with my ex(an hour or more where I couldn't move or the entire world would just spin on me). It just so happened they went along with her being a huge drama queen about stuff, and then cheating on me. Haven't had the world spin on me since we broke up. Not quite the same, but a stress related problem.

 

[Paulson]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
I had a panic attack a month ago, and since then I have had bouts of anxiety and lingering fears of a "weak heart" (this is pretty common for anxiety sufferers I guess).

I'm going to start therapy and have a full physical soon to help ease my fears, but has anyone ever felt similar or have any experience dealing with anxiety?

These feelings come at a time when I am not working or in school (for a few months) so I think I have too much time to just sit and think and worry for one thing....

Eh I've had the very same thing. I've had many panic attacks throughout my life (i'm only 20) and it's scary as hell.

I've also went to the doctor because I've had chest pain for a long time, sometimes it's sharp, sometimes it's dull and lasts for hours. Thought something was wrong with my heart but nothing was. Stress usually triggers it as well. I don't however take any medication for it because I can usually control it.

 

[Albatross]

BOO!







😛

 

[Vic]

You're suffering from panic disorder likely caused by stress and depression. An irrational health concern is the most common fear that causes the panic attacks, with heart concerns at the top of that list as the adrenaline rush from the panic usually causes palpitations, cheat pains, dizziness, nausea, etc. Go see a doctor to get yourself checked out to make yourself feel better about your overall physical health (believe them when they tell you nothing is wrong with you no matter how much your fear will cause you to not want to believe them) and to get started on treatment for your anxiety.

Professional medical help and counseling with anti-depressants and anti-anxieties are a good way to get you started on improvement, but the most important thing you can do is change the negative thought patterns that spiraled you down into this condition to begin with. I also strongly recommend lifestyle changes, strong self-discipline, a rigorous healthy diet, and a regular strenuous exercise routine.

I speak from personal experience. Anxiety can only control your life if you let it. Right now I am sure it feels like the worst thing that has ever happened to you, but you can make this the best thing that has ever happened to you. That is how I look back on my anxiety attacks.

 

[TBone48]

Originally posted by: Vic
You're suffering from panic disorder likely caused by stress and depression. An irrational health concern is the most common fear that causes the panic attacks, with heart concerns at the top of that list as the adrenaline rush from the panic usually causes palpitations, cheat pains, dizziness, nausea, etc. Go see a doctor to get yourself checked out to make yourself feel better about your overall physical health (believe them when they tell you nothing is wrong with you no matter how much your fear will cause you to not want to believe them) and to get started on treatment for your anxiety.

Professional medical help and counseling with anti-depressants and anti-anxieties are a good way to get you started on improvement, but the most important thing you can do is change the negative thought patterns that spiraled you down into this condition to begin with. I also strongly recommend lifestyle changes, strong self-discipline, a rigorous healthy diet, and a regular strenuous exercise routine.

I speak from personal experience. Anxiety can only control your life if you let it. Right now I am sure it feels like the worst thing that has ever happened to you, but you can make this the best thing that has ever happened to you. That is how I look back on my anxiety attacks.

Bolded for emphasis; this is absolutely true. It's worked for me for 5+ years now.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I really appreciate the replies to this thread. I am going to get myself checked out by a doc, and I hope I can move on from there.

Thanks 🙂

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
I had a panic attack a month ago, and since then I have had bouts of anxiety and lingering fears of a "weak heart" (this is pretty common for anxiety sufferers I guess).

I'm going to start therapy and have a full physical soon to help ease my fears, but has anyone ever felt similar or have any experience dealing with anxiety?

These feelings come at a time when I am not working or in school (for a few months) so I think I have too much time to just sit and think and worry for one thing....

I know what you mean.. My father died of heart attack just three days after he turned 35. Well, I will be 35 next year, so it freaks me out a little. I did have a physical recently as well as heart evaluation and so far it looks good. But I do know the fear.