do I have anxiety?

[recall]

I experience acid reflux, dizziness especially when driving but not when driving local or an ambulance. Palpatations. More fuzzy feeling now im in beta blockers also on beta blockers because my resting bp was 162/106 at all times now a respectable 135/80. Feeling im going to faint or die. Dont like to be left alone with the kids just in case I do colapse. For the first time I was reduced to tears this morning as I could not cope with it. Its stopping me doing things. Please anyone any advice? Oh and I should be starting cbt in 6 weeks time.

[alankay]

Well it very well could be. Do you have a feeling of dread, apprehensiveness, fear, foreboding, "something bad is going to happen", that kind of thing? If so you might be having anxiety. If so there is help out there and a GP might be quicker for help as CBT will take time anyway. He might give you an rx antihistamine(atarax) which helps anxiety or even a benzo to help you calm down until you start CBT. Alankay

[recall]

I feel as tho something bad is going to happen. The heart pain..its a heart attack. The dizzy..im gonna faint or worse. He did say the atenalol im on should help doesnt seem to be. I do emergency frontline work see alot of panic attacks and doent seem like it. I am sitting calmly then bam here comes the dizzy then the palputations. Driving is an issue im avoiding motorways as they make the dizzy worse. Its really starting to take control.

[alankay]

What starts it all(comes first), the bad feeling or the dizziness, etc?
Alankay.

[recall]

Dizziness then fear of passing out then palpitations and so on. Getting neck pain also

[alankay]

Have you had a physical, basic blood work done to rule out anything? If so and cleared I bet anxiety it at work here. Alankay

[recall]

2 trips to a and e blood tests done there ecg 3 times 24hr tape all clear. But still cant help thinking things have changed since then.

[jamus75]

Well if all your physical tests are clear then it would almost have to be anxiety. I go through the same situations. Take today for example, I was sitting at home with my kids watching tv, totally relaxed or so I thought. My brain wasn't though. Out of the blue I started panicking and my pulse was off the flipping charts. Probably 170. My breathing was shallow and fast and I was so jittery that I couldn't even think. I ran to kitchen and swallowed down an Ativan. About 10 min later I was fine just feeling some of the after effects of the adrenaline. At the time I swore it wasn't panic bc I wasn't anxious leading in to it. Anxiety works in the unconscious mind. I thought for sure this one wasn't panic and it was my hearts last hoorah before the end. I'm still here. After numerous tests and ekgs and specialist, I'm told nothing is physically wrong. I've been on Altace for BP for 10 years. I really don't think I need it bc my BP is only up when my anxiety is up. Doc suggested atenolol but I've been hesitant about starting it. It blocks the flow of adrenaline and reduces the force of your heartbeat. Also helps with the skipped beats and the hard palps. Sounds really good to me but scared to start it. I would be willing to bet your symptoms are anxiety related.

[dooges]

Hey Jamus. Great advice there. I know it's anxiety as well... Been there got the test. ;). Lots of different tests actually. I won't go through them all as I'm sure you have or will in the future.

But what if you listened to your own advice and wrote off your latest physical symptom to anxiety as well?

Please don't think I'm trying to be smart.. Far from it. You just have to stop the revolving beast. Worrying about a physical symptom will only lead to another after this one faids.. Unless you can stop.

It's anxiety mate. It won't kill you so why worry.

I just got sick of worrying all the time. Pardon the pun ;) i faced up to the fact the anxiety wasn't goings to kill me and started laughing at it.

It worked !

Now get your hand off the under side of your wrist.

Cheers

Dooges

[CrushAnxiousness]

I can relate to all of this. Had a case where I felt I was going to pass out 2yrs ago. Called 911 went to hospital, all test negative, CAT scan, MRI, the works. Has happened again, 3 times in the last three weeks. It comes from no where, or a deep underlying thought pops into my head and it starts, lightheadedness, heart races, feels like I am going to faint. Happens anywhere, standing at kitchen sink, at work sitting down, etc. Hospital visit again this week, all test negative-all. Even had a procedure performed to check for Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia, this was negative as well.

I have decided to stop cold turkey on coffee, anything with caffeine, eliminate processed sugar. Been on BP medicine for 8 yrs but have recently had it changed with an added beta blocker, hoping this will help.

My story sounds like so many others here, it's frustrating trying to figure out of to eliminate anxiety so I am hopeful that I can be part of of everyone is trying to beat this.

Charlie

[CrushAnxiousness]

.....and it is usually preceded by that tingling, pins and needles, sensation in your legs or arms for me at least.

[recall]

[Thanks yo all it all makes sense. Just want it to go away so i can get on with my life. Hopefully i can be back to normal. QUOTE=CrushAnxiousness;85620]I can relate to all of this. Had a case where I felt I was going to pass out 2yrs ago. Called 911 went to hospital, all test negative, CAT scan, MRI, the works. Has happened again, 3 times in the last three weeks. It comes from no where, or a deep underlying thought pops into my head and it starts, lightheadedness, heart races, feels like I am going to faint. Happens anywhere, standing at kitchen sink, at work sitting down, etc. Hospital visit again this week, all test negative-all. Even had a procedure performed to check for Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia, this was negative as well.

I have decided to stop cold turkey on coffee, anything with caffeine, eliminate processed sugar. Been on BP medicine for 8 yrs but have recently had it changed with an added beta blocker, hoping this will help.

My story sounds like so many others here, it's frustrating trying to figure out of to eliminate anxiety so I am hopeful that I can be part of of everyone is trying to beat this.

Charlie[/QUOTE]

[jamus75]

I can relate to all of this. Had a case where I felt I was going to pass out 2yrs ago. Called 911 went to hospital, all test negative, CAT scan, MRI, the works. Has happened again, 3 times in the last three weeks. It comes from no where, or a deep underlying thought pops into my head and it starts, lightheadedness, heart races, feels like I am going to faint. Happens anywhere, standing at kitchen sink, at work sitting down, etc. Hospital visit again this week, all test negative-all. Even had a procedure performed to check for Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia, this was negative as well.

I have decided to stop cold turkey on coffee, anything with caffeine, eliminate processed sugar. Been on BP medicine for 8 yrs but have recently had it changed with an added beta blocker, hoping this will help.

My story sounds like so many others here, it's frustrating trying to figure out of to eliminate anxiety so I am hopeful that I can be part of of everyone is trying to beat this.

Charlie

Anxious to know about the beta blocker. If it helps

[xxcraigiexx]

I was put on Atenolol last year for palpitations caused by anxiety and it has helped me a lot. I used to get palpitations every ten minutes and now i maybe get two every few weeks.

[jamus75]

I was put on Atenolol last year for palpitations caused by anxiety and it has helped me a lot. I used to get palpitations every ten minutes and now i maybe get two every few weeks.

That's great. Does it help with anxiety and panic at all ?

[xxcraigiexx]

i have noticed a decrease in the severity of my panic attacks