Becoming hard to live with this

[Friends31]

Hi I have been suffering from bad heart palpitations since December they get better then they don’t and I have developed extreme anxiety because of it. I had the biggest dip in my life where I was given diazepam to help control panic attacks but it made me suicidal but I managed to stay strong and get off that and turned to herbal medicine and was seeing a herbalist to help. My main issue has always been heart palpitations and I have now tried everything and I am fed up and tired, scared, exhausted and don’t know what to do. I have spent so much money I don’t have to help fix this without medication because I am so scared of side effects. Spent nearly £400 on an osteopath who said it was a mechanical problem but the palps have not gone, spent nearly £200 plus on the herbalist stuff and vitamins, tried magnesium glycinate and taurate to no affect either. I am a mother of 2 but I don’t want to mother just now. I want somone to be home with my 24/7 I am that scared. What do I do? I am falling weaker every day..

[LurkingGrue]

Hello there, I'm really sorry to hear about this. I too suffer occasional heart palpitations seemingly out of nowhere, for about the last 22 years, and this too has caused me great anxiety in the past, leading to full blown panic attacks. It's not fun. Been down the rabbit hole of the medications (propanolol) to control the palpitations, some of which actually increased anxiety. Spent a lot of time with both a gastroenterologist and a cardiologist to try and work out what was going on, but I spent quite a bit of my 20s depressed. Now I've hit 40, I've somewhat come to terms with the occasional heart palps, and they don't cause me the anxiety they once did. I can recognise the triggers and try to avoid them.

Do you have medical professionals you can trust to turn to? Have you had regular engagement with GPs? Anxiety is a terrible thing, and for me it causes chest & muscle pain, which gives every indication of having a heart attack - combined with palps this is a very bad thing, and makes the anxiety so much worse. Unfortunately I've gotten used to it over the years, but it still affects me sometimes. Had a full blown panic attack on a plane a few years ago - chest pains, arm pains, sweats and racing heart rate - really horrible, and it's left me terrified of flying.

Do you have a feel for what triggers your heart palps? Consultants eventually concluded that mine were caused by gastric problems stimulating the vagus nerve, and firing the receptors in the heart and causing PAF - Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Started taking medication for gastric reflux 15 years ago, changed a few times since then as they become less effective with time - Omeprazole, Lanzoprazole, now Esomeprazole. It keeps it in check, but I still need to be careful about what I eat.

You are not alone, and it isn't a hopeless diagnosis. It may be worth seeking out counselling to help deal with the anxiety, in addition to medical professionals for the physical symptoms. I have sought both counselling and a hypnotherapist to help me cope with the anxiety, which made a big difference to my life.

[b1b1b1]

Try to see a very good cardiologist at a major medical center. Have tests so that you know exactly what is going on and whether or not there is a physical problem, or if it is entirely due to anxiety. If there is an abnormality or any type of actual heart problem, get it treated. Many, maybe even most, heart problems do have treatments which can cause significant improvements. After diagnosis and treatment, plan on seeing a cardiologist every 4-6 months for ongoing monitoring and treatment.

If, on the other hand, there is no physical problem, just knowing this may help eliminate the problem.

[lovetodance2018]

Thank you for reaching out and sharing. I am sorry you are struggling with palpitations, anxiety, and depression. Heart palpatations can happen too from our thoughts. Have you tried working with a therapist?For me I have been able to work on breathing techniques to help my anxiety and changing my thoughts. When we changes our thoughts we actually not only help ourselves mentally but also physically. Also, medication can sometimes increase palpatations.

These four techniques have helped me with calming down and getting peace. It is important that we do mental hygeine to keep our mind and body healthy. Just like we do with our teeth.

1) Healing comes from the inside out. It starts with letting go of the things of the past, forgiving and changing our focus and behavior. Becoming aware of what you need through self-care and personal nourishment. Take time for yourself - you are worth it. Like taking walks, baths, massages, mani/pedi/, listening to uplifting music/sermons and anything that makes you feel refreshed and renewed.

2) The 557 breathing technique is take 5 deep breaths in while thinking good thoughts about yourself like I matter, I am special, I am strong and then hold the breaths for the count of 7 focusing on those words about yourself, then let out the breath slowly for 5 seconds letting go of any anxious, self-defeating, unhealthy thoughts. I do this one to three times a sitting.

3)The gratitude journal is writing down something good every morning and night something that went well in the day, or something I appreciate about myself. Taking our focus off of the physcial concerns, anxiety and depression and focusing on positive uplifting things really helps. What you think is what you believe. So thinking uplifting things you believe those things but the reverse is true - thinking negative self-defeating things, you will believe those.

4) Emotional Freedom Tapping - bit.ly/3AVYNiX You use pressure points to tap on those points while you repeat positive uplifting things to yourself.)

I will be praying for you. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat. Hugs and God Bless

[lovetodance2018]

How are you doing this week? I have been praying for you. Hugs

[Friends31 in reply to lovetodance2018]

Hi sorry I never replied to you back then. I am back on these forums because my palpitations are back I hd a good few months of them gone life was normal again but it’s not anymore and I am scared and feeling the exact I was when I wrote this original post! How are you?