Convinced I'm going to have a heart attack!

[Fairyrocker]

More or less every night for the last 4 to 5 months I spend my time panicking over having a heart attack. So much so that I don't want to go for a drink with friends or am to scared to play football with my 9 year old son! I have had an ECG which came back fine, but my head is telling me : how could they possibly know this after 2 mins when mainly my problems are at night time. My heart feels like it's racing so fast, I then get dizzy and feel sick with pains in my shoulders. I try telling myself that I'm fine but deep down I'm still thinking this is it, ill keep my phone near by for an ambulance. It's driving me insane. Would do anything to feel normal again!!

[boawoman]

Been in that same place many times. Scary as heck ... the fear takes over and we feel PANIC. What is so annoying is WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AT NIGHT when I am tired and want to sleep. I have found that if I read for a while my mind stops focusing on that fear. Watching TV does not help....it just seems to bother me more. But reading or listening to meditation tapes, water sounds, healing bowl music is just great ... those things will help so much. Experiment with things and find what works best for you. So funny - I keep my phone next to the bed "just in case" too.....never had to use it. But it brings comfort - so do it. And be kind to yourself. You are not alone in this. Many people have the same issue. Keep posting - there are a lot of folks out there that can offer suggestions and good advice. And if you don't have a doctor that you like or trust, find one. Ask people you know if they would recommend their doctor ... just so you have someone that you can see if, and when, you need to. I found a great doc ... tough as nails but straight forward and never wastes my time. I am very grateful for that ... hang in there.

[Fairyrocker in reply to boawoman]

Thanks for your reply. It's such a massive relief to know I'm not the only one I went to my doctor today, he is fitting me with a 24 hour ECG. All my bloods were fine. In my head I know I'm not going to have a heart attack, but irrational thinking takes over. Wish I could just chill like all my friends. Hopefully the 24 hour ECG will give me peace. Although I have a funny feeling it won't last long!

[boawoman in reply to Fairyrocker]

You are being intelligent and proactive by going to the doctor and eliminating issues. That is a great start...you are fighting back. Once you have those results keep reminding yourself that you are okay. Treat yourself the way you would treat someone else going through the fear. Reassure yourself, be patient with yourself and believe in yourself. You may still get anxious and worried - that is okay. Acknowledge it and go back to doing something else. Keep posting ... you are going to have some great successes and positive moments. Share them ... we all need to hear of those moments. You are not alone.

[Fairyrocker in reply to boawoman]

Wow! Thankyou so much for that reply. It genuinely just made a difference to my day! Ill defo keep posting. Hope I can do the same for you sometime