Dizziness and heart worries

[Ellishart]

Hi all!

I have to say, this community is wonderful and has provided a comfort to read. I have pretty severe health anxiety these days. I started seeing a therapist this week (and will be going weekly), but spoke to my GP and am weaning off the Zoloft I started 7+ weeks ago, as I have had no relief and lots of unwanted, awful side effects. Poor sleep being the worst...

I'm writing this because my biggest worries over the last few days has been weird sensations in my chest (not always a racing heart, just strange feelings of various sorts) and dizziness that seems to come out of nowhere. Both start a horrible cycle, as the very second I feel either, I go into a panic that makes both worse. I should mention that I am 40, and in the last year, I have had full sets of blood work done twice, urinalysis, abdominal ultrasonography, a chest x-ray, and a cardiac stress test, all with absolutely nothing found. The last time I was in, my doctor said I was the healthiest person he had seen all day.

I guess I'm wondering if this is common and if anyone has any advice for how to prevent these sensations or deal with them.

[masa2333]

Hello. Yes, this is extremely common in people with anxiety. Chest discomfort is usually one of the symptoms we all share, as far as I know! Talk to your therapist to change the meds if Zoloft doesn’t make you better. I’m sure once you find right therapy it well be much better 😊

[Ellishart in reply to masa2333]

Thanks for that! It's the dizziness that's been really upsetting lately. I seem to wake up with it or it comes on suddenly while I'm working. One hint of the dizzy feeling, and I just go into a full panic, heart racing, even more dizzy, etc. I just don't know how to stop it!

[masa2333 in reply to Ellishart]

You are welcome! Dizziness can be really frustrating. Even before I’ve been diagnosed with panic disorder I would always be worried that I’m gonna faint when dizziness occur. But my psychologist reassured me that I will never faint from panic! Although I do have low iron so that could contribute to feeling dizzy and lightheaded too. Make sure you eat enough iron rich foods and healthier diet in general

[AnxietySterling]

Hi, The chest discomfort and dizziness are very common with anxiety... awful but common. I was unable to take zoloft due to side effects also so I take a benzo when need it. I think that anxiety is very tricky... once you get used to a physical symptom another will appear. So you know that you are healthy which is great.. so this only leaves to learn to manage the condition. Staying busy helps a lot and exercising even when you feel you can die. Yoga has helped me some and I do notice that if I am really distracted I do not feel the pains as much. Anxiety makes us concentrate so much in the sensations that they get worse. I hope you find some relief. It is hard but hopefully we can manage. Best wishes.

[Ellishart in reply to AnxietySterling]

Thank you so much for this. It's awful how many different physical symptoms you can identify in your body if you're anxious! One will resolve, only to be replaced by another. I have tried yoga and meditation recently, but am still new to that practice. My hope is that with therapy and calming strategies, I can get beyond the panic!

[AnxietySterling in reply to Ellishart]

I am hoping the same. I did not have luck with the antidepressants they gave me for anxiety (2). Klonopin works great but I cannot take all the time. So I am trying the same.. relaxation, stay busy and yoga (bodyflow) for 6 months now.

[Arlene99]

Hi, I can identify with all that you are saying. The second I feel any flutter/pain I fly right into panic mode. I am trying desperately hard to fight and tell myself 'it's anxiety' and divert my attention on something else. Coming onto this site also gives me hope & encouragement as you realise what a large part of the population actually suffer in the same way.