Has anyone had this?

[joy14 11]

I have posted here on my heart fears, heat anxiety and mostly my anxiety is about my heart - feeling my pulse if I walk fast, or walk stairs etc it then triggers panic for me, but only when I fall into this vicious cycle. When I am not having anxiety I do those things with no problems, but if I get stressed over a period of time, I start to feel every little sensation, every heartbeat it seems, so then I start focusing on my heart and my pulse. This morning my heart rate went up...and I could feel the panic coming out there in the middle of the parking lot! I  am currently back in this cycle. It has been so humid here that I have had the feelings of "what if I don't get enough air?" I get so anxious in heat and humidity but that is nature! I can't avoid it all the time. I have to walk my daughter into school and coming out I have to walk back to the car and I have had to stop lots of times because my mind starts racing with thoughts of not getting air. It is so crazy! I look at my car and see the distance left to get there and I panic! My son is with me each morning because I drop him off afterwards so I try to act ok but he knows now of my issues. I feel so bad that my children can see my anxiety. Why is this affecting me in this way?? 

Does anyone deal with this crazy, very odd kind of anxiety with their heart? I just don't think anyone has this. I feel so alone & silly. It is bad. 

 

[Worry2much 22]

@joy14 

I can not  relate to the heart fears but I had similar situations where I felt dizzy and thought I was going to faint and I felt the need to get to my car so I would be somewhere safe if I did. This happened several times and not once did I ever actually pass out. It was all just scary feelings and nothing more. 

next time you  feel like you you can't get air immediately try to Distract yourself. You can try calling a friend or start a conversation with your son and before you know it you'll be at your car. 

I too feel alone with my current fear .. Hang in there!

 

[moneakers 3]

I am actually going through this right now! Usually my fears are centered on feeling dizzy and off balance, but lately I've been really worrried about my heart. It's been fairly slow lying down 48 to 50s (and I'm not a trained athlete) but will go up to like 150 just going up the stairs! It could just be that I'm anxious and then doing any sort of exercise shoots it up more. Also last week on my drive into work I noticed some tightness in my chest and I felt like I was having a hard time getting a breath. It would come and go (seems like when I'm not focused on it it would mostly go away- surprise surprise) but I freaked myself out last Friday and went to the ER. EKG, chest x ray and ddimer all clear. I have a cardiology appointment on Friday. I really do think it's just anxiety but when I feel the symptom and start thinking about it it can be hard to stop. I am working really hard to just try to notice my thoughts and feelings and not get caught up in them... but it's difficult and a process. You aren't alone!

[joy14 11]

1 hour ago, moneakers said:

I am actually going through this right now! Usually my fears are centered on feeling dizzy and off balance, but lately I've been really worrried about my heart. It's been fairly slow lying down 48 to 50s (and I'm not a trained athlete) but will go up to like 150 just going up the stairs! It could just be that I'm anxious and then doing any sort of exercise shoots it up more. Also last week on my drive into work I noticed some tightness in my chest and I felt like I was having a hard time getting a breath. It would come and go (seems like when I'm not focused on it it would mostly go away- surprise surprise) but I freaked myself out last Friday and went to the ER. EKG, chest x ray and ddimer all clear. I have a cardiology appointment on Friday. I really do think it's just anxiety but when I feel the symptom and start thinking about it it can be hard to stop. I am working really hard to just try to notice my thoughts and feelings and not get caught up in them... but it's difficult and a process. You aren't alone!

Hey! Oh I am so glad I am not alone. Mine has shot up pretty high sometimes when I go upstairs, and funny thing is, it doesn't happen every single time I go up a flight of stairs. For instance, we have stairs here at home and I go up and no problems most times but if I actually think about my heart or my pulse before I go up I can get a very high pulse rate! I am noticing a high pulse after climbing stairs at my daughter and son's schools. I am already anxious thinking, "what if I have a panic attack at this school or after walking the stairs," and once I think that it just starts beating faster. I feel fine when it is increased like that but just the fast pulse makes me wonder how it could just speed up like that. That thought of me going back to the cardiologist even makes me nervous but that is where I will find answers! See...I am awful. I have so many chest xrays and ekgs and bloodwork over the years so I know it is anxiety and plus I have had so many close friends and family pass away and I think all of that has gotten me anxious all over again because I was fine for a few years. Glad you were fine at the ER and all was well! I bet they told you that it was all anxiety, right? I have had the chest feelings also before where I felt like I couldn't breathe etc. It is all anxiety!  I have been there SO many times. You are more than likely anxious, as I am when going up the stairs and exercise makes it shoot up even more. That happened to me at the gym several years ago also. I was on the bike and was fine. I looked down and saw my heart rate and went into straight panic mode then I started hyperventilating! It was terrible. I hopped off that bike so fast and started pacing the floor. I think my main problem is that once I had the panic attacks hit so bad, and my heart rate was so high, it has just terrified me so badly that I notice my heart and think about it often and when I do some increased cardio or something and it goes up as normal, I immediately send myself into panic mode. HOW  CAN I STOP THIS?? UGH!!

Thanks for your reply! We will get through this!

[moneakers 3]

3 hours ago, joy14 said:

Hey! Oh I am so glad I am not alone. Mine has shot up pretty high sometimes when I go upstairs, and funny thing is, it doesn't happen every single time I go up a flight of stairs. For instance, we have stairs here at home and I go up and no problems most times but if I actually think about my heart or my pulse before I go up I can get a very high pulse rate! I am noticing a high pulse after climbing stairs at my daughter and son's schools. I am already anxious thinking, "what if I have a panic attack at this school or after walking the stairs," and once I think that it just starts beating faster. I feel fine when it is increased like that but just the fast pulse makes me wonder how it could just speed up like that. That thought of me going back to the cardiologist even makes me nervous but that is where I will find answers! See...I am awful. I have so many chest xrays and ekgs and bloodwork over the years so I know it is anxiety and plus I have had so many close friends and family pass away and I think all of that has gotten me anxious all over again because I was fine for a few years. Glad you were fine at the ER and all was well! I bet they told you that it was all anxiety, right? I have had the chest feelings also before where I felt like I couldn't breathe etc. It is all anxiety!  I have been there SO many times. You are more than likely anxious, as I am when going up the stairs and exercise makes it shoot up even more. That happened to me at the gym several years ago also. I was on the bike and was fine. I looked down and saw my heart rate and went into straight panic mode then I started hyperventilating! It was terrible. I hopped off that bike so fast and started pacing the floor. I think my main problem is that once I had the panic attacks hit so bad, and my heart rate was so high, it has just terrified me so badly that I notice my heart and think about it often and when I do some increased cardio or something and it goes up as normal, I immediately send myself into panic mode. HOW  CAN I STOP THIS?? UGH!!

Thanks for your reply! We will get through this!

I totally get that. The power of suggestion... it is so powerful! Sometimes I actually am sort of 'thinking' about a symptom or maybe checking or looking for it and it legitimately isn't there... so then it confuses me. Are my thoughts bringing on symptoms or is this real? What's real and what's not? Honestly I think sometimes I do get symptom that's real but it's how quickly the mind gets caught up in it that causes the escalation. And once I'm in that spot it's hard to let the thought and subsequently the symptom go. I'm listening to this book on audible right now called "Loving what is". It's really powerful and I can only listen to a little at a time, but it's all about recognizing that what's happening isn't causing the suffering, it's your thoughts about what's happening that's causing the suffering. It's about learning to inquire about your thoughts and you have to practice as she calls it doing "the work." She has a website called thework.com. I'm working through this right now- one of my best friends recommended it so we'll see how it goes! I am going to therapy as well but I think we need to use lots of different techniques to overcome this. There is no magic pill (although I know meds can help ?). 

[joy14 11]

On ‎10‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 8:37 PM, moneakers said:

I totally get that. The power of suggestion... it is so powerful! Sometimes I actually am sort of 'thinking' about a symptom or maybe checking or looking for it and it legitimately isn't there... so then it confuses me. Are my thoughts bringing on symptoms or is this real? What's real and what's not? Honestly I think sometimes I do get symptom that's real but it's how quickly the mind gets caught up in it that causes the escalation. And once I'm in that spot it's hard to let the thought and subsequently the symptom go. I'm listening to this book on audible right now called "Loving what is". It's really powerful and I can only listen to a little at a time, but it's all about recognizing that what's happening isn't causing the suffering, it's your thoughts about what's happening that's causing the suffering. It's about learning to inquire about your thoughts and you have to practice as she calls it doing "the work." She has a website called thework.com. I'm working through this right now- one of my best friends recommended it so we'll see how it goes! I am going to therapy as well but I think we need to use lots of different techniques to overcome this. There is no magic pill (although I know meds can help ?). 

Sorry for the late reply. I didn't receive a notification about this reply.

That sounds like what my husband says. He says my mind is constantly racing with thoughts and I start having symptoms and it gets into a vicious cycle. I try hard to not even think this way and it seems to just happen. That sounds like a good audio book. I have a book called, "Panic To Power" and it really helped me get through this awful panic cycle many years ago. I still have that book and looks like I will need to read it again. I'll check the website out that you listed. You are right, there is no magic pill for this. I know that firsthand because I was on meds back in 2003 until about 2005 and the meds helped but I fell back in the cycle and had to start meds again in 2009 but they didn't seem to do me any good that time around. I tried several different ones and even tried adjusting the dosages (per my doctor's request) but they didn't work and I couldn't take the new meds I tried. I knew at that point that I had to fight this thing and I had no choice since meds weren't even working. Do you know that I just started praying and getting my mind right and more positive and I was out of that cycle. I am trying to do that same thing now. Meds can help though, not knocking them at all.  Thanks for your reply!

[moneakers 3]

1 hour ago, joy14 said:

Sorry for the late reply. I didn't receive a notification about this reply.

That sounds like what my husband says. He says my mind is constantly racing with thoughts and I start having symptoms and it gets into a vicious cycle. I try hard to not even think this way and it seems to just happen. That sounds like a good audio book. I have a book called, "Panic To Power" and it really helped me get through this awful panic cycle many years ago. I still have that book and looks like I will need to read it again. I'll check the website out that you listed. You are right, there is no magic pill for this. I know that firsthand because I was on meds back in 2003 until about 2005 and the meds helped but I fell back in the cycle and had to start meds again in 2009 but they didn't seem to do me any good that time around. I tried several different ones and even tried adjusting the dosages (per my doctor's request) but they didn't work and I couldn't take the new meds I tried. I knew at that point that I had to fight this thing and I had no choice since meds weren't even working. Do you know that I just started praying and getting my mind right and more positive and I was out of that cycle. I am trying to do that same thing now. Meds can help though, not knocking them at all.  Thanks for your reply!

Oh no worries! It's funny you mention the meds. I was on some a few years ago and they helped make my anxiety more manageable. They kinda stopped working after a year or so but I wasn't on a very high dose and never really went up. I've decided I'm going to go back on them because I'm 4 months postpartum and I think with the hormonal changes I just can't seem to get over this hump (and my anxiety is just really intense and it's hard to focus and enjoy my daughter).  I'm hoping they work again because it's just been so rough these past few months. Counseling, reading, meditation and yoga do help but it's hard to find time to do them with a new baby and it's also hard to motivate myself to do them when I just don't feel like myself and am so anxious all the time. I really hope the meds will take the edge off so I can take care of myself better.

 

[joy14 11]

On ‎10‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 12:48 PM, Worry2much said:

@joy14 

I can not  relate to the heart fears but I had similar situations where I felt dizzy and thought I was going to faint and I felt the need to get to my car so I would be somewhere safe if I did. This happened several times and not once did I ever actually pass out. It was all just scary feelings and nothing more. 

next time you  feel like you you can't get air immediately try to Distract yourself. You can try calling a friend or start a conversation with your son and before you know it you'll be at your car. 

I too feel alone with my current fear .. Hang in there!

 

Hi! You know what? I did that the past few days and made it back to the car. Wednesday was rough. I actually stood there about 10 feet from my car feeling like I couldn't make it and I just kept saying, yes I can, yes I can. My son kept talking to me and I did get there. I could feel my heart racing just a bit but nothing major. I just calmed right down once I got back to to the car. This is interfering with my life so much. If I am panicking while walking, how in the world will I do anything?? I am so emotional now and feeling like a loser. I feel like I am just letting everyone down. I am stronger than this. My faith in God is strong and I just don't know why I keep getting into these low places with anxiety. I tell myself nothing is wrong with my heart but why do I have it this bad? I'm sorry I am just rambling. Trying to understand this. I know you haven't had the heart stuff and please be thankful!! It is so scary!

[joy14 11]

On ‎10‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 8:37 PM, moneakers said:

I totally get that. The power of suggestion... it is so powerful! Sometimes I actually am sort of 'thinking' about a symptom or maybe checking or looking for it and it legitimately isn't there... so then it confuses me. Are my thoughts bringing on symptoms or is this real? What's real and what's not? Honestly I think sometimes I do get symptom that's real but it's how quickly the mind gets caught up in it that causes the escalation. And once I'm in that spot it's hard to let the thought and subsequently the symptom go. I'm listening to this book on audible right now called "Loving what is". It's really powerful and I can only listen to a little at a time, but it's all about recognizing that what's happening isn't causing the suffering, it's your thoughts about what's happening that's causing the suffering. It's about learning to inquire about your thoughts and you have to practice as she calls it doing "the work." She has a website called thework.com. I'm working through this right now- one of my best friends recommended it so we'll see how it goes! I am going to therapy as well but I think we need to use lots of different tecHihniques to overcome this. There is no magic pill (although I know meds can help ?). 

Yeah, I do a lot of thinking and "what if" scenarios in my head and I know that is not good. I have been doing so well for a few years and had none of that going on. I would get anxious at times but I could shut it off so fast that it wasn't ever causing any interruptions in my life. I am just at square one now..like back to where I was 10 years ago almost. I am frustrated. I am not on meds and haven't need any in several years so why would this just hit me this bad all of a sudden? That book sounds nice that you are listening to. I have a book that I got several years ago when I had the worst panic and anxiety going on and it is entitled,"Panic To Power." It sounds like I need to refer back to that book. I will check the website out that you listed above. There is no magic pill, you are so right because years ago I was on meds and they quit working for me after 2 years. I never could adjust the dosages and never could take any other med either so I was forced to get my mind better and I did. I prayed so much and read my bible and just tried to speak positive affirmations and do you know I got BETTER!! I know it is in our minds. All of this is a mind thing but we can get through this. Thank you for your reply. Nice having someone to chat with.

[Worry2much 22]

@joy14 anxiety interferes with my life lately as well. But the more we give into it the stronger it will get. Keep getting to your car, don't let it stop you. The more times you can walk and ignore the feeling the easier it should get. 

I do know how you are feeling bc of when I felt dizzy . It would always happen in public places like a mall but eventually it passed and it hasn't happened  since.  What you are going through will pass too. 

 

 

[joy14 11]

@moneakers Congrats on your baby!! I know that is so exciting. My kids are 5 & 12 now and I miss them being babies  

I can relate with the meds not working anymore also. I was on very very low dosages of meds because I am super sensitive so it didn't take much for me but I only took a 1/4 pill of valium which was 2 mg for anxiety when needed and Lexapro for depression and it was 5mg but after a few years it quit working so my doc tried increasing my dosage but it was too much for me, made me shake etc, I even tried 6mg, 7.5 mg etc just to add a little more to the dosage but they were all too much for me, so I was in a bind. I even tried other meds that my doctor thought she would try but they were too much for me, made me sick or more anxious. I gave up and just took nothing. I learned how to train my mind to think positive and did lots of daily affirmations and confessions daily and prayed a lot! It really got me through. I am so sad because I really thought that part of my life was done with, and that I would never revisit that part again. It seems like I am just in a place where I will need help getting out, like with doctors, and that is dreadful to me.  I am embarrassed that I keep having this. I guess this is really anxiety disorder huh?

[joy14 11]

6 minutes ago, Worry2much said:

@joy14 anxiety interferes with my life lately as well. But the more we give into it the stronger it will get. Keep getting to your car, don't let it stop you. The more times you can walk and ignore the feeling the easier it should get. 

I do know how you are feeling bc of when I felt dizzy . It would always happen in public places like a mall but eventually it passed and it hasn't happened  since.  What you are going through will pass too. 

 

 

Thank you so much! You are right, I have to keep going anyway and not stop. I have no choice because I take her to school so I have to walk her in etc. I will conquer this!! Just like when you get dizzy, you ignore it and nothing happens. So true. My back is SO tense! Very very tense and tight, I can tell that I have been anxious.

[Worry2much 22]

@moneakers

congrats on the new baby! I think hormones and the lack of sleep that comes along with a new baby can bring on anxiety . I know it's hard to find time for yourself but maybe you can try a mommy and me class. And what helps me feel more like myself is to put some music on that I love and I get motivated to do whatever again.