jamai36
10-13-2016, 11:35 PM
Hello! Looking for some advice as I am in a pretty dire place.
I have had anxiety for most of my life on and off - pain attacks and some extended periods of general anxiety that lasted months as a teenager/young adult. Since then very little.. the odd panic attack but not too much else.
About a year ago I started working out heavily - in July or so I started feeling very lightheaded while working out and began feeling chest pain - and not just my pecs - my chest. My abs and close to where my heart is. It was at this time clearly related to working out, specifically my chest. I didn't want to lose everything so I toned it down and continued going. Then one night while walking home - I started feeling sharp chest pain attached to my breathing as well as tingling/pain in my left arm. It felt like a heart attack. I calmly went home and was driven straight to the hospital. By this point I was also having a severe panic attack and I had lost feeling/control of most of my body. Doctors gave me ativan and I calmed down and all was well. ECG checked out fine.
A one off anxiety attack I thought. I continued as is for a week and then went to a party and uncharacteristically did cocaine. Something I have not done in awhile. I didn't do that much and didn't feel that high. People were upset that it was mostly fake and the night toned down and people went to bed. I felt the same. I was hungry so I decided to get food and upon leaving, BANG! Massive panic attack again.
This time was worse as I had drug fears to feed it (even though looking back they were likely based on nothing) - went to the hospital in an ambulance and even more extensive testing was done - once again conclusion was the same - you are fine. After two GP opinions, they came to:
#1 - Probably anxiety, unsure - unlikely to be heart related - take anti-anxiety meds.
#2 - Probably due to a chest injury/condition that is not heart related but in conjunction with an anxiety disorder results in heart attack-like symptoms on a daily basis - just wait it out.
From this day on nothing was the same again. Every single day without fail, from Aug 8 to today Oct 13 I have had daily anxiety issues. Ranging from mild to severe but never one day without again. I do not live a relaxing life. I am a stay at home dad with three children, all young. My work day starts at 7 and doesn't typically end until 10 with a couple hours of break in between here and there.
My days look like this:
Daytime - a bit of chest/left arm/abdominal pain, typically tied to stress but not always + mini panic bouts here and there
Nighttime - 100% anxiety, every night. It usually creeps up around 6-7 and peaks around midnight. Symptoms include: Chest pain, heart palpitations (skipping/stopping/irregular heartbeat sensation), left arm pain/tingling, headaches, abdominal pain/upset stomach, shaking uncontrollably, difficulty swallowing, inability to deal with stress and everything else that comes with uncontrollable anxiety.
For two+ months now :<
Various strategies:
Quit Smoking - A big one. I have never been a heavy smoker (two packs/week) but early on I was CONVINCED that smoking was causing a lot of the problems. Through various methods I managed to quit for almost two weeks.. to feel worse than ever. I have currently had one every couple of days for a week now after suffering a nervous breakdown. My line of thought is - quit smoking and things will be objectively easier. This is true in a sense but also completely false because quitting is MORE stressful than not quitting - even if you count the day-to-day benefits to the body. I have to quit fully to reap the real benefits, but that's really hard when I am having daily panic attacks.
Go on meds - Originally doctor gave me ativan for the first two months, which obviously worked - but it is ativan. You need an exit strategy. He will not prescribe anymore so I have now been taking gravol to deal with panic attacks if required (not all nights require it) The only medication my doctor could think of to treat anxiety is citalopram. I have been on citalopram and I know that for the first week or two the drug actually CAUSES anxiety. I have the prescription but I am weary to take a 1-2 week plunge with a stimulant making my situation even more difficult. Does anyone know another drug? Maybe not an SSRI?
Breathing/Meditation/Psychiatrist - I do practice breathing and try to practice meditation when possible but it is something I don't do often enough. I have not seen a psychiatrist yet but I have seen one in the past for anxiety and was simply told to practice breathing/meditation or go on medication. I know that.
Stress Reduction - Easy in theory, almost impossible in practice. This is one I try really hard to work on. Day-to-day, moment-to-moment it is really hard. A house to upkeep, three children to manage - even though this is clearly the biggest cause it is also the one I feel I have the least control over. Take deep breaths, try not to get too upset over things while still engaging them - don't hold in stress/anger too long but don't let it out too quickly or you are always negative. It's tough :<
Sorry my essay has been long. If anyone bothered to read it all thank you so much :) Really I want to know what anyone thinks I should do next as things seem to be getting only worse over time and I feel like I am drowning in anxiety. See another doctor? Demand a different drug? Make a large change in my daily life (if possible)? I just don't know but I do know that tomorrow will bring another nightmare. Thanks to all who read!
I have had anxiety for most of my life on and off - pain attacks and some extended periods of general anxiety that lasted months as a teenager/young adult. Since then very little.. the odd panic attack but not too much else.
About a year ago I started working out heavily - in July or so I started feeling very lightheaded while working out and began feeling chest pain - and not just my pecs - my chest. My abs and close to where my heart is. It was at this time clearly related to working out, specifically my chest. I didn't want to lose everything so I toned it down and continued going. Then one night while walking home - I started feeling sharp chest pain attached to my breathing as well as tingling/pain in my left arm. It felt like a heart attack. I calmly went home and was driven straight to the hospital. By this point I was also having a severe panic attack and I had lost feeling/control of most of my body. Doctors gave me ativan and I calmed down and all was well. ECG checked out fine.
A one off anxiety attack I thought. I continued as is for a week and then went to a party and uncharacteristically did cocaine. Something I have not done in awhile. I didn't do that much and didn't feel that high. People were upset that it was mostly fake and the night toned down and people went to bed. I felt the same. I was hungry so I decided to get food and upon leaving, BANG! Massive panic attack again.
This time was worse as I had drug fears to feed it (even though looking back they were likely based on nothing) - went to the hospital in an ambulance and even more extensive testing was done - once again conclusion was the same - you are fine. After two GP opinions, they came to:
#1 - Probably anxiety, unsure - unlikely to be heart related - take anti-anxiety meds.
#2 - Probably due to a chest injury/condition that is not heart related but in conjunction with an anxiety disorder results in heart attack-like symptoms on a daily basis - just wait it out.
From this day on nothing was the same again. Every single day without fail, from Aug 8 to today Oct 13 I have had daily anxiety issues. Ranging from mild to severe but never one day without again. I do not live a relaxing life. I am a stay at home dad with three children, all young. My work day starts at 7 and doesn't typically end until 10 with a couple hours of break in between here and there.
My days look like this:
Daytime - a bit of chest/left arm/abdominal pain, typically tied to stress but not always + mini panic bouts here and there
Nighttime - 100% anxiety, every night. It usually creeps up around 6-7 and peaks around midnight. Symptoms include: Chest pain, heart palpitations (skipping/stopping/irregular heartbeat sensation), left arm pain/tingling, headaches, abdominal pain/upset stomach, shaking uncontrollably, difficulty swallowing, inability to deal with stress and everything else that comes with uncontrollable anxiety.
For two+ months now :<
Various strategies:
Quit Smoking - A big one. I have never been a heavy smoker (two packs/week) but early on I was CONVINCED that smoking was causing a lot of the problems. Through various methods I managed to quit for almost two weeks.. to feel worse than ever. I have currently had one every couple of days for a week now after suffering a nervous breakdown. My line of thought is - quit smoking and things will be objectively easier. This is true in a sense but also completely false because quitting is MORE stressful than not quitting - even if you count the day-to-day benefits to the body. I have to quit fully to reap the real benefits, but that's really hard when I am having daily panic attacks.
Go on meds - Originally doctor gave me ativan for the first two months, which obviously worked - but it is ativan. You need an exit strategy. He will not prescribe anymore so I have now been taking gravol to deal with panic attacks if required (not all nights require it) The only medication my doctor could think of to treat anxiety is citalopram. I have been on citalopram and I know that for the first week or two the drug actually CAUSES anxiety. I have the prescription but I am weary to take a 1-2 week plunge with a stimulant making my situation even more difficult. Does anyone know another drug? Maybe not an SSRI?
Breathing/Meditation/Psychiatrist - I do practice breathing and try to practice meditation when possible but it is something I don't do often enough. I have not seen a psychiatrist yet but I have seen one in the past for anxiety and was simply told to practice breathing/meditation or go on medication. I know that.
Stress Reduction - Easy in theory, almost impossible in practice. This is one I try really hard to work on. Day-to-day, moment-to-moment it is really hard. A house to upkeep, three children to manage - even though this is clearly the biggest cause it is also the one I feel I have the least control over. Take deep breaths, try not to get too upset over things while still engaging them - don't hold in stress/anger too long but don't let it out too quickly or you are always negative. It's tough :<
Sorry my essay has been long. If anyone bothered to read it all thank you so much :) Really I want to know what anyone thinks I should do next as things seem to be getting only worse over time and I feel like I am drowning in anxiety. See another doctor? Demand a different drug? Make a large change in my daily life (if possible)? I just don't know but I do know that tomorrow will bring another nightmare. Thanks to all who read!