Just breath my ass

[Amatrick7039]

I have been to the e.r in the last month too many times to count. Most recent visit was last night I cant breath it feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest driving me crazy then I gasp for air. Of course there's nothing wrong with me gives me Ativan and sends me home. So frustrating when I can feel it but they just tell me it anxiety. And if it is really just anxiety I'm so over feeling like this every day. How do you deal with all this everyday???

[FearIsALiar]

I had this happen when I went to the ER as well.. I suffer from health anxiety so I always think every physical symptom I get in my body is going to kill me.. it’s awful I hate how anxiety causes physical symptoms. I understand your frustration

[Amatrick7039 in reply to FearIsALiar]

I have not yet been seen by a psychiatrist I've been on a waiting list so I dont know much just about what I read and here about in here. I have a tooth ache and im dying its crazy how just the littlest thing makes me freak out. Im just so scared of death nothing calms me down except ativan.

[FearIsALiar in reply to Amatrick7039]

Could you find another psychiatrist? I’m sure some others waiting lists aren’t that long.

Take some deep breaths! Breath in ... exhale through pursed lips.

You will be okay. You have our support. Agora gave you some great advice below. We know what it’s like! Keep us updated. We care xx

[Agora1]

Amatrick, isn't it interesting in how Ativan takes care of the symptoms that bring us

to the ER If it didn't, they wouldn't be able to release us. The thing is that it's a short

term fix and nothing more. I see your question if it is really just anxiety. As long as their

is doubt in your mind, anxiety will continue to play it's game with you.

Think of Anxiety as an entity that likes to see you fearful. It gets it's kicks from that.

But why should it have that power over us? Anxiety is not a person, it's a thought. A

lying one at that. Talking back to this thought (out loud) can sometimes scare it away.

It jars the mind for that moment and backs off. Once you see that you can have control

over it, it will become easier.

Putting yourself in the right state of mind everyday is important. Not with a pill but with

some new tools you will have to discover that work for you. I have Meditation and Breathing the perfect substitute to get me through any type of stress. We all need to have

something other than medication to work in combination with our mind.

Eventually, you will be able to do it w/o meds and even w/o therapy (if you wish)

Getting in control of one's life takes practice, dedication and perseverance. Nothing comes easy in life. But the benefit of winning over Anxiety is a lifetime achievement. xx

[Lazy_dog_lover]

Wow. That sounds really irritating and frustrating to see that people don't believe you.

There have been whole TV series about people who persist and keep fighting for care until they find just the right doctor to look at things differently.

Have you seen a cardiologist or endocrinologist while NOT in one of the pain episodes?

Anyone in your family history have heart issues?

Do they do EKG and blood work when you go in?

Do you journal about what was happening before it set in so they can look for patterns? Foods, stress, people, sleep patterns, medicines, activities...ect.?

I have had a few episodes where my chest hurt so bad, I thought it was a heart attack. The first was when I was 28. It was pure stress. My grandparents (dad's mom and dad and mom's mom) great uncle, uncle, dad, cousin, and sister all have/had heart trouble.

I left a high stress profession (teaching) because of the stress and how it impacted my mental health.

Keep fighting. You know your body. Rule out everything and see what is left...I think that is like Sherlock Holmes.

[Amatrick7039 in reply to Lazy_dog_lover]

Thank you

[Amatrick7039 in reply to Lazy_dog_lover]

Heart monitor, Mri, CT scan, d-dimer, thyroid, tons of blood work. Eye test physical therapy for vertigo, Ear nose throat (ENT). they've told me I've been tested for everything.

[Lazy_dog_lover in reply to Amatrick7039]

For the most part, were these done while having a flare up? ER docs are not trained for diagnosis of the unusual stuff. That would be the cardiologist or endocrinologist.

What about the other questions?

[Amatrick7039 in reply to Lazy_dog_lover]

My doctor is sending me to a G.I doctor to check my stomach. I've done a stress test years ago and it came out fine.

[Lazy_dog_lover in reply to Amatrick7039]

A lot can change in a few years. EKG/ECC, blood tests, ultrasounds, etc.

[Lazy_dog_lover in reply to Amatrick7039]

Ask to see a cardiologist while you are not having a flare up. I just found out my grandfather had a heart valve problem that mimicked a heart attack, so,nothing showed in the bloodwork. I think they do ultrasound for that.

Did they ever use the word angina? Did they ever do a stress test?

Ativan is lorazepam. I had taken that for years for anxiety. If you don’t know your trigger, then a prescription to see if frequency reduces might be worth a try.

[Hidden]

I definitely understand this and have been going through the same thing. I would go to the ER cause I couldn't breathe. I have done that twice and I have been to several different doctors who say I am okay. I get the feeling like you can't draw breath. For me it feels like my lungs wont expand anymore. And I can't get in anymore air. Sometimes it's so bad that I have to stop talking because I run out of air when normally speaking. It's horrible I know. Some things that help me in the moment is you have to recognize the thought process you have going on. I know this is much easier said than done but it does help. When you realize you are telling yourself you can't breathe you are going to die it helps to slow the panic a bit. The second point is if you are anything like me you will try to take deep breathes every couple of seconds and end up hyperventilating. So to help with this do your best to breathe normally for a few minutes, then try to take a deep breath. That has helped me both calm down and not hyperventilate. The last thing is to try pursed lip breathing, medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Hope this helps and if nothing else know you are not alone in going through this everyday.