Help!

[KYXOXO]

I have battled anxiety for a while now. I was on Zoloft but was able to come off of it last year and haven't needed it since. Until now.

I've started having issues sleeping. I will feel some pain in my chest, my 'heart' will feel weird (assuming it's actually my heart) and I'll feel like I can't get enough oxygen. I've been to the E.R several times because of this. It'll eventually produce full blown panic attacks. Shaking, crying, the works. I've had so much bloodwork done, CT scans, X-rays, EKGS, and even wore a heart monitor for 24 hours to see if they were just palpitations. Everything comes back fine always.

I do okay during the day now. And I even nap just fine. I hate napping but from where I can't fall asleep at night I'm too exhausted during the day to stay awake. When I lay down I'll feel this emptiness in my chest, my arms usually feel weird. Sometimes they are tingly, sometimes they hurt. I feel like I can't breathe, and have to force myself to deep breathe through my mouth. My doctor doesn't know what's wrong and we are in the long ongoing process of figuring it out. Any advice?! Has this happened to anyone else?!

[KYXOXO]

I also feel very nauseous during it and sometimes have horrible acid reflux.

[Bird-67]

Sounds like bad anxiety and you might have to consider going back on meds.

[blackcat64013]

Hi KYXOXO,

It's the anxiety taking a toll on you physically. It all starts from the sleep issues at night. Sleep is supposed to be restorer of energy and wellbeing. Sleep occurs in 90 minute cycles and works best unbroken.

My psychiatrist has prescribed mirtazapine taken at night because of it's sedating side effects. If Zoloft worked for you during the day previously, you should be able to go straight back to the same dose. By combining the 2 medications, you have the day and the night covered.

If your doctor is not comfortable adding a 2nd medication, ask for a referral to a psychiatrist for specialist medication management.

You might also look at some online anxiety help tips or ask the members here.

A referral to psychologist for talking therapy about your anxiety is also recommended. Talking and meds go together like a hand in the glove.

[Mazer]

It's the acid reflux causing the symptoms, it causes heart palps, breathlessness, nausea, extreme weakness and fatigue and horrible feeling in top of stomach and sweating. I also get horrible taste in mouth with it. I've only just found this out myself after joining an acid reflux page. It can also cause anxiety as it feels horrendous.

Lansoprazole can help, it did me but had to stop as found out i'm intollerant to the ingredients. Since stopping all the symptoms have come back and am also getting elbow pains and pressure/tense face and shoulders and blurred vision which all calmed down when I was on lansoprazole, didn't stop it completely but may have done if I stayed on it longer.

I've tried 5 different anti d's and none stopped the symptoms.

I have silent acid reflux (don't get burning chest just top of stomach)