Need some encouragement : )

[maverick77]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and believe I am having problems with anxiety again. I say again because I had panic attacks my freshman year of college. I would have a feeling like and adrenaline rush for no reason, and trouble sleeping. After worrying that I might be dying or have some serious medical problem, i went into a depression. It was hard for me to get joy out of things that would normally make me happy. After my doctor gave me an exam, to rule out other things he gave me a prescription for Prozac, which I was reluctant to take, due to some of the bad press it was getting at the time. I was on it for about a year or more and it brought me out of my depression and helped my get a grip on my anxiety. That was eleven years ago... I am now thirty and have some different symptoms. For about two years I have occasionally noticed a skip or double beat in my heart. It didn't really concern me until about two months ago when they became more and more frequent. Started at maybe one a day, and no more than that, now I can experience a dozen on a bad day. I went to a local doctor who did an EKG and nothing really concerned him and he ordered a Holter monitor so we could pinpoint the episodes. He told me to keep a track of symptoms. I see him again in a few weeks. After looking back at my life over the past 2 1/2 years there has been alot going on in my life. I got married 3 1/2 years ago, bought a house about the time this all started and I have been working on our house , my wife has had 2 surgeries for endometriosis, we are trying to start a family, other major conflicts between other family members that don't really directly involve me but does change things from the way they used to be (hard feeling between others....I am a peace keeper). Looking inward on myself I can actually see how things that shouldn't matter bother me. I have snappy at my wife even though I love her more than I could imagine. I feel like I can't relax sometimes and I have tightness in by back muscles often. I'm sure there are other things, but I won't make this any longer than it is. Would love to hear from other with similar experiences.

[setler]

Well I am college student right now, and my anxiety started my sophomore year, so I understand where you are coming from there.

I am not married yet though, sorry >_<

Are you seeking therapy?

Best wishes.

[chanel07]

Welcome, I hope that we can help you here.

[dave1979]

Hey,the muscle tightness in you back could be the cause of the snappy attitude.Try google searching SYNERGISTIC KINESIOLOGY. Read up on it and see if you can relate it to that,,,,,its worth looking into.

[gtrsolo1]

Man, I get the upper back tightness all the time. I understand. From what I've learned through therapy sessions, visits to the doctor, is that a ton of these things we think are physical problems really are anxiety symptoms. My main symptoms are the muscle tension/weakness, sometimes it's hard to take a deep breath, and I can feel pretty claustrophobic. But I think that knowing these symptoms are anxiety-related in a weird way made them easier to cope with.

The thing with me, and it sounds like you're experiencing it now too, is there's a lot of change happening in my life, and decisions to make. I'm looking to buy a house, and all the variables that go into that are just mindboggling to me. Also, I'm entering the dating world again, but with a lot of heartache leftover from a breakup with someone I thought was my 'soulmate' (whatever THAT means, haha). Job/money issues added on to that, and it's overwhelming.

I had the irregular heartbeat thing too -- premature atrial contraction -- and my doctor said it's very common in healthy people. It's good you're looking into that; just wanted to let you know you're not alone in that symptom and that chances are good that you're OK. It's a DEFINITE anxiety symptom.

It sounds as if you have a great relationship with your wife, and I hope starting a family works out for you. I don't know if you pray, but my prayers are with ya, man. I know how tough anxiety issues can be, but I also know they're controllable and beatable.

-Andy

[isis2383]

Have you had an echocardiograph (ultra sound of the heart) or a stress test? I had these done and found out I had mitral valve prolapse which causes flutters and palpitations. It is most common in women but not out ruled by men. It also can cause anxiety symptoms. This may be something to discuss with your doc. I too have extra beats on occassion (noted with a holter monitor) and my cardiologist wasnt too concerned... My symptoms werent matching up to be a heart related issue. Have you thought about going back on meds or maybe seeing a psychotherapist to work on your anxiety? Changes in diet have been known to help as well. Sounds like you have had alot of stress in your life recently I cant imagine that to be helping your situation.

As for muscle tightness depression and stress can cause those symptoms as well. In my last physical my doc tried massaging my shoulders and back and I winced in pain. Immediately she asked how I sleep at night and I told her I have insomnia... She asked me why and I told her my mind is always racing and so on... She told me that depression and anxiety can affect your body in many ways. If you are really concerned about your back pain a physical wouldnt hurt... Either way I wish you the best and hope you start feeling better soon.

[maverick77]

Thanks for the replies. Haven't been on here in a while, but i went to my doctor last week to get the results of my holtor monitor. He said I had episodes of PVCs and PACs, but my heart was OK. I discussed my axiety with him and he felt like it could be a contributor if not the cause. He gave me a prescription for Zoloft which I have been on for 5 days. I tried taking the full 50 mg....but I woke up with unbelievable nausea, the worst I have ever felt. So I cut them to 12.5 mg and will try that for a while and maybe ramp up if I don't feel any change. Just knowing my heart is OK makes me feel alot better. I can definitely tell that stressfull times and when I am tired is when they occur most often. As far as Mitral valve prolapse goes, how is that diagnosed? Only with an echo?

[maverick77]

Just wanted to post an update on my condition and maybe it will give hope to others out there. I have been taking Zoloft now for 16 days. I have been taking 12.5 mgs. In the last 5 days I have not noticed a single PVC. I have not been worrying about things as much and have forced myself to forget about the PVCs, and to clear my mind anytime I think about them. This is hard after having them several times a day for the past 4 or 5 months. It used to the first thing to pop in my mind when I woke up in the morning. The thought of "Am I going to have them today?" I believe this just causes more stress on your mind and body therefore contributing to the PVCs. I will be praying for all of you out there with anxiety and anxiety related health issues. Keep thinking positive people. We can all overcome this, although we feel helpless at times. : )

[Johan]

Hi Guys

Im new here and have only recently been diagnosed with GAD (after suffering for 2 Years).

Im 21, w male from South Africa. I don't know how anyone can cope with this dissorder. It's scary, irritating, tiring...etc etc

I realy envy everyone that is coping with anxiety on a daily basis. Im just realy scared at the moment - mainly cause my Blood Pressure was high with my last Dr visit. However I suppose that if the Dr does not see the need to put me on meds for it, it shouldn't bother me all that much.

Has anyone else experienced this? Well I look forward to getting to know everone here, and thank God for finally having someone to talk to who understands what I'm going through.

Thanks

Johan

[ron111]

Hey johan,

I've been suffering from this as well. Not really GAD, but stress for a little over a year off and on. My situation is a little different. I actually enjoyed stress to an extent in the past because it allowed me to concentrate harder on the task at hand. Now, it really bothers me. For the past 6 months all I can think about is my bp when I get nervous. I went to the doctors and it was high because of my anxiety. But its always been great in the past. I am really struggling to get these thoughts out of my head. However, another poster here said that he has been suffering from GAD for 9 years and he never developed high bp. What i'm trying to get through my head is that bp is a very compliated subject and i should not try to figure it out for myself since i'm not a doctor. I was really struggling with anxiety, but lately i have been doing better with it but not great. I dont really have the attacks anymore which is nice. I'm in the same boat as you. Hopefully we can get through this.

[Johan]

Hey Ron111

Thanks for your reply. I'm actualy feeling much better since the time I posted my response. It may be due to the fact that I met someone new, and things are going realy well.

It's strange how taking your mind off the problem can actualy ease the "pain".

Good luck guys...we can do it.

Johan