Please calm me down!

Ok gang....for some reason I can't seem to calm down. I literally feel like I'm having a heart attack. I feel discomfort in my chest, pain in my left jaw and arm. I'm seriously trying to calm down, but can't. I keep taking my blood pressure. My last reading was 133/88. Anxiety is taking over my life and ruining it!!

[Hardluck]

Watch a Bob Ross video on YouTube. Or take a benzodiazepine. or maybe do both. Bob Ross was an American artist who had a TV program for 20 plus years teaching people how to paint. Very relaxing!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to Hardluck]

Thanks Hardluck!

[Teerings3]

How are you feeling now?

[Hidden in reply to Teerings3]

Hi Teerings3. I'm feeling better today. I woke up with a little anxiety but it's not nearly as bad as it was yesterday. Thank you for asking. I just want all of this to stop!!

[susieanna]

why are you taking your blood pressure all the time? How old are you? Have you been diagnosed with any heart problems? Stop taking your blood pressure unless you have been told to keep an eye on it. If, you have any heart issues call 999/911; if you have anxiety disorder and have a 5mg valium, take one only; get back to your gp/doc to discuss this more.

[Hidden in reply to susieanna]

Hi Susienna. I take my blood pressure all the time just to make sure it's normal. And you're right....I know...I know...I shouldn't take it as often as I do. But I can't help it. And what makes it worse, is if my blood pressure is slightly elevated, I totally freak out!! My doctor prescribed me blood pressure medicine but said that she honestly doesn't think I have high blood pressure. She thinks its elevated due to my anxiety. I've had EKG's done and a stress test and everything has come back normal. My concern is that I don't want to attribute my symptoms to anxiety and ignore something that could be more serious. I'll try my best to calm the heck down.

[susieanna in reply to Hidden]

Yes, i do understand how hard this must be for you; i used to check my pulse, but it just makes things worse; my late mum never wanted her blood pressure taken at all; she had a phobia! but if it had to be taken cos of her phobia it would rocket. I know what you mean; im always thinking something is wrong with me! and sometimes we are correct; but we need to get things in perspective; im still smoking and middle aged (like an idiot re smoking), and i have high cholesterol; im just starting to eat healthier foods now, but struggling re the smoking; anyway, so i think to myself, well, i could be a candidate for a heart attack for instance! So, my priority is to stick with the healthier eating, stop smoking; however, if you are young, dont smoke, eat healthy, it would be unlikely to be something major like a heart attack. However, i do know really when its the panick attack; but so hard to get the feeling out of your head that its not something worse! Try to keep yourself busy; do a realxing hobby/ walking/ gentle swimming; why not start by cutting down on the amount of times you are taking your blood pressure? Make it a gradual thing; even hide the machine! get a family member to keep hold of it and reduce. But, the mere thought of doing it (cos you think there is something wrong) may well show an increase when you take it; so its really best to cut back with an aim to stop altogether; just get regular check ups at the doctor; i remember going to my doctor and telling him i wanted a health check up; ecg, etc etc, he said the NHS wont do it without symptoms! At least things have calmed down for you for today! Anxiety is so horrible!

[Hidden in reply to susieanna]

Thank you.I may need to have my boyfriend hide the blood pressure machine from me. Then I'll get mad when I want to check it and he doesn't give it to me 😄. I don't smoke but I drink occasionally. I hope you get better with your smoking. It's soooo bad for you. Let's make a pact....I'll cut down on my blood pressure readings and you cut down on smoking...deal? 😄

[susieanna in reply to Hidden]

Deal! Xx😊

[Chocolisk]

Hope you're ok now hun. Get some camomile tea and add hot chocolate to it, it kinda works for me. Your pain in your chest and arm are symptoms that I have also and are well scary. Talk to your doctor about propranolol tablets, they may help too. Take care hun xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Chocolisk]

Thanks Chocolisk. I did drink some hot decaffeinated tea last night and took a Xanax. These symptoms are unbelievably scary!! I just don't want to attribute all of my symptoms to anxiety and ignore something that may be serious.

[nickie420me]

I have been having these symptoms on and off for a few months now! I know how scary it is. I wish I could tell you something that helps but I haven't found it yet!

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

Thanks nickie420me. Yes, these symptoms are super scary. I've had anxiety for years, but for some reason, it has increased over the past few months. I lost my job in November 2015 so I'm sure that is adding to the stress which is causing the anxiety. I just want to be my old self again. I've been doing acupuncture and taking chinese herbs. I'm still having anxiety so I guess I'll either keep doing it or try something else.

[nickie420me in reply to Hidden]

I've had health anxiety for a few years but the last few months is the first time I've had any heart related scares, it's always been " this must be cancer"!! I went to the ER and had EKGs and a stress test which they said was fine. As my husband put it "You haven't been having intermittent heart problems for 2 months"

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

nickie420me your husband is right. But I'm so paranoid about my health now. My mom died of pancreatic cancer in 2014. I feel like she ignored her symptoms and by the time they found out what was going, it was too late. I don't want that to happen to me. If I could go to the doctor everyday, I would. Ok...thats a bit excessive, but everytime I feel a pain, I either want to go to my doctor or I'll self diagnose myself online. UGH...I have to stop!

[nickie420me in reply to Hidden]

I'm sorry about your mom. But I could've written everything you just said! I do exactly what you said about self diagnosing and wanting to go to the doctor every time I feel a pain! I also have said many times to my husband I don't want to ignore symptoms until it's too late!

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

You totally understand me.

[nickie420me in reply to Hidden]

I'm a habitual googler! My husband says I've read enough now that I could be a cardiologist. Haha.

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

I LIVE on the internet diagnosing myself. My boyfriend will sometimes hide my laptop from me or take it off my lap. You and I could both be internet doctors!! I've been a hypochondriac. And I hate to say it, but I agree. I seriously need to take a chill pill.

[nickie420me in reply to Hidden]

These symptoms are by far the scariest that I've ever had. The chest, left arm, shoulder and jaw?! It's exactly what it says about heart problems!! Except a lot of the areas I'm having pain hurt to press on. But now when I walk around doing something I'm like Wait, am I short of breath?! But I'm not!

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

Yep...me to. I have pain in my jaw and left arm. I sometimes feel dizzy just walking around in my house. Then I am COMPLETELY overcome with fear. I hate driving alone. I hate being alone in my own home. I was working out 3-4 days a week. Now I'm afraid to go work out.

[nickie420me in reply to Hidden]

I hate driving alone and being alone now too!! I'll feel completely fine and then I think something in makes me think "I haven't felt the pains in a while" then BAM. Or I'll feel fine then get one of the pains and then I'm in a panic! The pains are even scarier when they happen at the same time. Sometimes it feels like someone is ripping out my upper left arm

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

OH MY GOSH!!! That is me. I can get on the interstate and I'm rolling along just fine. Then I'll think...WOW...I don't feel any symptoms then just like clock work...there they are. I have to immediately get off of the interstate. Driving in Dallas, TX can be quite stressful. It's crazy how we have the exact same symptoms. Its so good to know that I'm not crazy and I'm not alone. Imagine the two of us in the car together!! It would be chaotic!

[nickie420me in reply to Hidden]

How long have you been having the "heart symptoms"? I've had SO many EKGs, blood work and then the stress test at the ER. As soon as I got on the treadmill for the test my heart rate went almost immediately up to 160! But afterwards they said "Every looks normal" They said there was no need to follow up with a cardiologist! But they didn't give me any other advice/suggestions to help!

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

I've always had shortness of breath but the tightness started within the past 2 years as well as the elevated blood pressure. I've EKG's and a stress test. In fact, during my stress test, the tech said...you must work out because your heart is very strong. I've been poked and prodded and everything comes back normal. I need to see a psychiatrist.

[nickie420me in reply to Hidden]

And the arm and jaw pain is something you experience every day? That's what I tell myself...If this was heart related it would've escalated by now being that it's been going on for 2 months

[susieanna in reply to Hidden]

Someone once told me hypochondria is an illness in itself.

[susieanna in reply to nickie420me]

Hahaha! Yes, we become experts!

[Hidden in reply to susieanna]

I guess hypochondria would be considered a mental illness. And yes, we are the experts on anxiety. And we need to stop diagnosing ourselves and leave that up to the doctors. But sometimes, I don't think they know what they are doing. And we pay them SO much money.

[susieanna in reply to Hidden]

Being in the UK, we don't pay re NHS. We are lucky but the NHS is in crisis.

[Teerings3 in reply to Hidden]

We all do 😔. I have had to release control, and still have to daily. I have to put my faith in a my God, and my belief that when it is time, it is time and if it isn't it won't be. It is difficult and I get scared, but I have had several close call and made it through. I remind myself that each day is a blessing to be alive and to stop wasting my precious time worrying about when that time is up. I love life and want to choose to live it to the fullest everyday.

[susieanna in reply to Teerings3]

Good for you and yes, try to enjoy what we can from life, make the most of what we have, what short time we have here. x

[susieanna in reply to Hidden]

i always self diagnose! I know we shouldn't though!

[susieanna in reply to Hidden]

You ever tried shiatsu massage? I cant afford it; but its very relaxing and even can put you to sleep!

[nickie420me in reply to susieanna]

I got a massage a few weeks ago and afterwards the masseuse told me my muscles were extremely tight

[Hidden in reply to susieanna]

I have gotten massages to help me relax. But never a shiatsu massage. My massage therapist is so good, I feel drunk when I get off the table. I think I'll make me an appointment.

[susieanna in reply to Hidden]

i only ever had shiatsu once; and i fell asleep; the most relaxing thing i have ever had.

[nickie420me]

Are these pains your having constant?

[Hidden in reply to nickie420me]

They are on and off.