I’m a 21 year old man, diagnosed anxiety and depression, hypothyroidism and folate deficiency. I’m obese at 315lbs, 6ft 2. Never smoked.
So I’ve posted a few times here, I know it’s probably not the place I belong but just wanted some advice here.
Like I don’t understand how I can believe there is something wrong with my heart at this point, I’ve had about 30 ECGs now. All normal. A heart echo last year. All normal. Heart trops done when at A+E. never above 4 so perfectly great.
Despite all this I get chest tightness, heaviness, most days, I feel exhausted, and out of breathe over simple exercise. Whether this is to do with me being unfit or my other medical conditions I just don’t know and the doctors are at a point with I’ve had these tests done to show nothing is wrong.
however my thinking is that I have early conarary artery disease and I’ve got plaque that’s built up now and is causing these problems, however only a couple tests show this and they cost a fortune to get done and the NHS won’t do them to a 21 year old especially after all the other negative tests. So I feel I’m just sitting here waiting to drop dead from this soon.
On the other fronts I’m eating a lot healthier and slowly loosing weight, but just struggle with exercise as feel exhausted from doing it and scared to do it in case it causes plaque to rupture leading to a clot.
Mental health wise I’m doing therapy to try help but I just feel this is all real and I have CAD or something that will lead a heart attack soon.
I just wanted peoples thoughts on what could be going on, maybe I need more tests. I just don’t know.
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Dshadzz07
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hi, you are suffering from bad anxiety! You’ve had all the tests several times and they are clear so take that as a positive.
Let’s be brutally honest here, you’ve said you are overweight obese and unfit. This is why you are breathless. Get your priorities right and get eating better and start exercising. Yes you will be out of breath because you are so unfit. That’s the reality!! This doesn’t mean you’ve got heart problems or plaque build up etc. This just means you are overweight as you’ve told us and unfit as you’ve told us. Unfortunately we can’t look for excuses yet what we/you can do is act on your current situation. So start eating better, cut out processed foods and cakes etc. Exercise - start of slowly. Go for walks everyday you will lose weight by eating healthy and walking. Then when you feel better you can start to up your exercise. Remember we all get out of breath exercising and again this doesn’t mean we have heart problems or lung problems etc
You are probably in a spiral. Concerns about what is very likely a non existent heart health condition probably brought about by body weight causes you to worry, become anxious and then you are likely to comfort eat which increases your body weight, and then the cycle starts again. I suggest the solution to your problems is to lose weight, and stick with it, and to initially seek professional help on your anxiety issues. As the weight falls away you will find you look and feel better and the need for counselling will likely diminish with it, and that will make you feel more positive about yourself.
Hello
I am so sorry my post obviously got to you even though you only joined 2 days ago unless you are a returning member that has been on here before and come back but either way you did not have to read it you could have passed it by or even put your opinion on my post rather than on someone else's that is asking for help
I am wrong to in replying to you on here but as you were obviously talking about me I felt I should answer you and hope the poster will also accept my apologies as this is about them and not me or my post
I hope you have a lovely day x
Hello
First I will apologise for replying to another member on your post as this is about you and no one else as you have wrote it I hope you will accept my apologies
You know that you are overweight and well done making a start trying to lose some and you also know you have not been active but again well done trying to make a start in making this change but it is never easy when we need to make these changes and I know we have spoken before and your reasons for not wanting to see a Doctor but you will get out of breath and deep down I think if you take away your fear and anxiety you know it is your weight and lack of exercise making you feel out of breath but your Doctor can help support you and doing this in a controlled way and monitoring you
I feel you would benefit from been referred to a dietician so they can really help you to lose weight in a controlled way and I also think either giving you links to exercises that are suited for your needs as I have a feeling you will not want to join any exercise classes at this stage would really get you of to a good start and when you start to do these things then your fear and anxiety will lessen as again deep down you know that been overweight eventually could put to much strain on your body
For now though all your results are coming back fine regarding your heart but that fear and anxiety you are struggling with which I wish I could take away from you will only get better if you lose weight , exercise face the fear and do it anyway you only have to do it once and speak with your Doctor and let them get you the support you need
Until you do you will have this anxiety which you know how much that is making you suffer which is no way to live and especially when there will be people out there ready to support and help you
I really do hope that you will take this step and make an appointment you are young at 21 and there is a life waiting for you to enjoy don't let these fears of asking for help stop such wonderful things waiting out there for you
I wish you all the best of luck and I hope next time you post you will be telling us that you have got the help you need and how well you are doing x
Thank you again, honestly with the guy above I understand his point on things and I do need to get better but anxiety doesn’t go away in its own which is shit ofc.
You’ve been great responding before and I appreciate it, I just wish I didn’t have the now innate belief that there is something wrong like I have clogged arteries, or I’m going to have a heart attack. I can’t explain the breathlessness from doing simple things or SOB maybe it’s because I’m this weight and have been lazy. Idk just scared.
I’ve been considering a dietitian for a while tbf and need to push with it tbh.
Have you tried Weightwatchers or similar online and then you can have an app on phone and even doing some basic moves even around the house you can build up your exercise scores and also keep tab of the food. But remember if you buy it and its 'bad' food you are allowing it in the house. However I have various autoimmune issues and now being looked at for heart and lung related issues and I found this helped me enormously as I have limits on what I can do exercise wise and this got me doing more than I thought I could. PLUS it gave me a record of what was going in me and what I was doing physically. It really might be the thing to help. They also have classes and therapy moments so possibly a way to move forward from your home.
I lost 3 stone which my consultant sid would be hard going as on steroids etc and I did it by use of the app.
The mind is a very complex part of the body and I always say mine has a sensible side and then a side that is full of anxiety and that anxiety side wins every time
I know you are intelligent and somewhere in that mind you know at this stage that those arteries are fine but the other part of your mind knows that you are overweight , knows you don't do exercise and your words not mine but you are lazy and you also know deep down all those things eventually could lead to those arteries getting clogged up and that you need support and help to get you on track to prevent this happening in the future but that part of your mind that is anxious is taking over keeping you full of fear and holding you back from doing what you need to be doing and you have to dig deep here and tell it to shut up because you are taking action and going to make sure this is not going to happen
I do wish so much that you would please contact your Doctor get help from a diatrican and an exercise plan because I know once you start losing weight your breathing will get better you will feel better , you will have more confidence and that anxiety will fade in the background and disappear
You can do this make that first move and talk with those that can support you in a safe controlled way x
Maybe try cutting down portion size I did that to help my brother loose weight I'm his full time carer and he lost 5 stone in a year so it is possible.
The truth is unless you do something to bring your weight down it will be a self fulfilling prophesy.
I know this is something you are aware of from reading your posts.
I am interested to know what is 'slowly losing weight' mean? I should think you would/could lose at least 7 lb a week if you have changed your eating habits and maybe take a walk daily.
You are in a bit of a vicious cycle, in that your weight probably causes the breathlessness and exhaustion.
You have had the tests done which show things are okay (for now) that being the case take the opportunity of losing weight, gradually exercise more then see if the symptoms continue, I'd like to think you'll see an improvement, if not then your weight cannot be used as an excuse by the professionals.
Apparently sitting is the new smoking so you need to be moving about more not 'sitting here waiting to drop dead'.
Believe it or not at 21 years old, you have the chance to turn the tide in your favour, none of us have a magic wand and can give you the answers you want.
I don't know if you have ever seen Dr Phil, he is an American TV psychologist, now everyone has their thoughts about what advice he gives, but many years ago I heard him say about your life 'it's your boat, you row it'. That really stuck with me, your life, your career, your health is yours and you really should control it. Obviously there are things about our health we can't control but there are many things we can.
In many ways I envy you, at 21 you have the chance to turn it all around, I wish you all the best whichever path you choose.
Thank You, I really appreciate the response, I understand I’m 21 I’ve had all these tests done but like I just can’t shake what cause theses feeling in my chest other than my heart or clogged arteries despite being 21. I know have a chance to change my life around but I just fear exercising and such so much. I hate it ik trying my best to change this mindset.
Maybe stop trying to label it as 'exercise', go for a walk or a swim. I'll never be a runner or like going to the gym, doing something is better than nothing but you don't have to label it.
Well spotted on the time frame, makes you think doesn't it!!;
All I can add is well done for starting to loose weight and some exercise. From my experience anxiety is real. I don't have answers to it as iam still trying to get to some normality. I have to admit I need to loose a few pounds to get me not my recommended body weight. BMI. However I suppose I was lucky that when I went to A and E they done a ct scan of my lungs. An ecg. Blood tests and an echo the echo found my problem. Your echos as you say are clear. I don't know if you have had a ct scan of the chest ,? Just a thought. Any way anxiety will cause weird feelings which can then cause this massive spiral of thoughts and pain. I am still coming to terms with my issue. Iam trying to loose weight and I go to gym every other day. But I am struggling to find a solution to the anxiety. And the old stiff upper lip does not work. Some one did say empathy from others. But it's hard to get empathy. Hope you keep striving forward.
To be clear many people offer support out of sympathy thinking they are being empathic. They rarely are. There is a flaw in HealthUnlocked that tags posts as popular. This initial post will be one. And yet again it's because some people flock to virtue signal their misguided or poor attempts at empathy. This post was on the face of it is about asking for help. Some have offered examples of help. There is by the way a legitimate school of therapy characterised as 'tough love' . ( A .Ellis) Stepping in the shoes of someone to show empathy is only the starting point for a helpful response. (C Rogers) On its own it's pointless and unprofessional. It is likely to reinforce the negative as much as any harsh sounding 'truths'. (Seligman)People struggling need hope and the experience of others who have turned themselves around with or without the help of the medical professionals. You have to engage in that process to succeed. This forum works best when it's upbeat and offering experience of turning things around or managing a condition. Pity dressed up as sympathy is a deceit. It doesn't work well for people trying to practise their counselling skills.
And finally, having self confessed disabling anxiety is not in itself a qualification for an empathic response to someone experiencing anxiety. Your shoes are not their shoes.
I too, would like to understand why someone who is repeatedly removed from the forum returns to do as you say below.
"So, apart from trying to intentionally create more discord on the forum, having just joined the same day a previous poster was removed, your point is what, exactly?"
Yeh i agree, you are suffering bad health aniexity. Your heart probably is struggling with the extra workload and it may decline in the near future. But they have done 30 ecgs which is more than i have had done in my lifetime and i have full blown heart failure. So its very unlikely they have missed something. (not impossible but unlikely).
For your health and fitness i would clamp down on your diet and stop snacking etc. Eating good is not just eating a piece of fruit each day. Its eating a diet full of fruit and veg all day everyday. Maybe have a cheat day once a week where you allow a pizza night or something.
Dont join a gym yet ( unless you have the confidence to go by yourself and workout, otherwise its a waste of money) start off slow. Baby steps.
Get out walking!! Walk walk walk. Get a dog if need be. Do it late at night when no one can see you. Get out there. Do it. Start with 10 steps then 100, then 1000 then up to 10000 and more! Then start jogging. Try the couch to 5k jog app. Watch the weight drop off you. Drink water, not fizzy crap. Drink teas. Herbal.... Green tea!! Green tea cuts through cholesterol like a hot knife through butter! 4 cups per day with honey. Mmmm. Its so good!
Start right now. The aniexity is that bad because its warning you now that your health needs to improve. That something is wrong and right now its your weight and state of mind. Best cure for depression, aniexity, weight problems = diet and exercise!
just so people can read this and understand most of the weight I gained was from my diagnosis of hypothyroidism in 2021, I gained 50kg in 6 months for reasons that made no sense until they found my thyroid was completely underactive meaning my metabolism was shot. However don’t get me wrong this has caused the anxiety and lead to more weight gain, then the health anxiety about my weight. I think people need to understand a story more that just perceive I’m lazy, hypothyroidism makes me tired.
I am really sorry that your reaching out for support has been met, in some cases, with judgemental, harsh responses without regard to your other very relevant health problems. These responses lack kindness and compassion.
For all of those who have responded with inappropriate 'tough love ' comments please do look up the many important functions of the hormone thyroxine.
Has your Endocrinologist been able to get a better balance of your thyroxine?
Your lack of thyroxine may also be playing a part in how you are feeling and your mental well being.
Do you know about the HU group for people living with Thyroid problems ?
Thank you, yes I’m apart of that group, it was a lot to take in due to the fact it’s rare for a young man to have hypothyroidism. I’m currently just under my GP for it, and take 100mg thyroxine daily, I have a very strange thyroid tho as they’ve put as it continuously goes up and down giving me symptoms on and off. So it’s trying to the find the right amount of medication for me.
I’m going to ask tbh as it’s so out of whack. Thank you.
Hello
I doubt we have spoken before but I have read your reply and it saddened me so much
Some not all but heart attacks for example can be hereditary and run in families as my Doctor says it is in the genes
Things that can be hereditary can also be anxiety , depression they also can be part of your genes regretfully which again my family has a history of that to so much so my Mum was only 5 when she had a nervous breakdown as they called it back then her Dad also had one later in life , my Dads Uncle ended up in a secure Hospital as they did back then and never came back out , My Uncle had a heart attack and died partly due to having several breakdowns or that is what the Doctors said my Dad had heart attacks and Bypasses he suffered with anxiety are you getting the picture at all here ?
Then I came along and as a young child I had anxiety that no matter what help I have sought how hard I have tried and do it just seems to be a part of me as well as heart attacks seems to be a pattern that says I picked up the genes from my family history maybe ?
My Surgeon told me 50% was due to genes I had had heart attacks and needed Bypasses and 50% was the heightened anxiety that seemed to be in my families history
I wake up having panic attacks , I observe people that don't suffer and wished I could be them , I have helped wreck my health due to anxiety , I have gone down every route to get help
Can you sit there and say along with my family history of anxiety and what happened that we ALL just did not want the help or to be cured and that we are responsible ?
How can you judge anxiety if you have never suffered with it and have an opinion it is like someone telling someone what childbirth is like that has never had a baby !
Do you honestly believe we enjoy living in constant pain because it is pain every single day trying to deal with it and no operation will this away if only I would be the first in the cue asking for it !
Why do people commit suicide because they were irresponsible I doubt it very much
Shall we say those with anorexia bring it on themselves I doubt it
Spend a day walking in my shoes and see how you feel about anxiety then I have a feeling you will soon give them me back !
And to all of us with anxiety that it has helped to cause health issues it all comes down to we have not taken or tried to take responsibility
If it was that easy anxiety would not exist !
Don't think of a career change if you work and been a Samaritan or Counsellor please !
Hello, I don’t know if my post will help, and it’s just my experience. This time last year I was 6 months post heart bypass surgery. The physical recovery was relatively good, however at that time I was living with nausea every day, my only respite was sleep. I had lost over 12 kilos in weight was not eating and was consequently admitted to hospital due to being so frail. I was in hospital for 2 weeks had numerous tests which found nothing., apart from a small bile duct stone which was not causing such severe symptoms. The Consultant wanted to send me home, but I refused due to my continued nausea and sickness I was existing on nutritious drinks and not eating. I had already been to A and E at least 6 times. In the end I said to the consultant ‘if you think this illness is in my mind, please refer me to someone who can help me’. Eventually I saw a psychologist who to be honest I think saved my life. He explained to me my symptoms were absolutely real, everything, the sickness, nausea, pain and suffering were my mind which was in trauma since my heart attack. Basically I was suffering from PTSD. If anyone had told me that my mind could be that powerful I would never have believed them. I have since had counselling, medication and am now eating normally. I think like me you have had various tests so the next thing is to understand what is happening in your mind for you to experience such suffering.
I am not sure if this helps, but believe me NO ONE has the right to judge you, as our very own BeKind, sadly leaving this forum has said. ‘Walk in my shoes’ . Take good care and I sincerely hope you find the help and support to get better. Judi
I have a 30 year son who also suffers health anxiety, he starts googling ever time he feels anything out of the ordinary. It has become an obsession looking for a reason that will reassure him what is going on is not serious. The problem is so many malfunctions of the body share similar symptoms. He always needs to talk to someone when he is in a spiral. I try to keep reminding him that if he googles enough he can convince himself he's pregnant. I also remind him that if a NEW symptom persists for a couple of weeks than yes go get checked. He, like yourself, has had many tests that confirm he is healthy yet he, like yourself, fears they are missing something. I would suggest you speak to your primary care doctor and put your anxiety on the table and don't stop until you get counselling on managing your mental health in a healthy manner, as what you are doing now is causing you harm. I am sorry you are suffering. One day at a time keep working on losing weight I promise you will start to feel better.
thank you for this, I know in the long run losing weight will lead to a better health outcome for me and help with fear control of my heart to an extent. I hope your son is doing ok, it’s a hard struggle, issue is new symptoms feel like old ones and I get confused vise versa. Also with my constant change in medication too, it’s hard to know what to believe is effecting me.
Another way to look at diet is to internalize the reality that you alone have the power to impact your health, for the good or the bad, for today and all of your tommorrow s. Look forward to the day when you feel great.
Hey everyone, I didn’t really expect such a response to my post and some of you have been greatly helpful with suggesting about help for anxiety as clearly that’s driving it and not a clear heart problem.
I didn’t ask for sympathy and empathy but I knew that’d come with the post of course, and for people that have an understanding of how anxiety is and how chronic it can be again I appreciate people realising that.
On the front of my weight that has been commented on, again like I feel people disregarding my other conditions to just assume I’ve caused this myself. I’m part to blame and other stuff is too and all I want to do is try and be better for myself.
As some of you have also said you guys have had actual heart conditions or currently having them and need support also. I just sit here so scared that a heart attack or my arteries are clogged but I don’t understand why I believe this at 21 and with all the tests. Like I said they literally can’t run any more bar maybe a stress test, I’m just fearing the worst for myself and that this will manifest into reality soon.
Do you guys think something could be wrong despite the many doctors and tests or this all just my head, weight and other conditions taking a factor on me?
You obviously need help from somewhere. None of us are qualified to say whether anything is actually wrong but please do try and get some help with getting fitter, losing some weight and your anxiety. Is there nothing your GP practice can help with, years ago I met with a Counsellor through mine, I has to pay for it though, and it helped me massively.Hope you get some help
I would hazard a guess that after all the checks, you do not have any detectable issue . This brings it to looking as though it is the stress/fear/anxiety issues that are playing havoc with your mental health and could eventually impact your physical health.
The suggestions above about seeking mental health help seem sound and sensible and also about seeking dietary and exercise advice and support to kick start a healthier version of you so that you feel less unfit and uncomfortable in yourself. These things should help rebalance you so that you can cope in life without the feelings of fear and dread about your health.
You are very young and have a lot of life ahead, try to enjoy it by getting yourself helped now so you are mentally and physically strong -the repeat loop worrying is producing a spiral of anxiety and negative thoughts.
Good luck.
Hi @Dshadzz07, The replies to this post have been turned off following a breach of the community guidelines in some of the replies. If you found anything discussed in the replies helpful, you reach out to individual members via the private chat function found at the top of the page.
You haven't caused any issues whatsoever, it's how members react to posts/comments that are the issue. You are perfectly entitled to post about your health questions
I don't think anyone who has offered you any genuine opinion or guidance by way of support however expressed has been 'indifferent' or they would not have bothered to post. There have, however, been a few arguably unwanted posts. But most comments directly aimed at yourself have been made in good faith, and I hope you consider them all, and decide what to do in your own best interests. The rest of what has been said about what is acceptable or not to post is merely incidental to your situation and an unfortunate diversion, and should not detract from the genuine advice you have been given, in whatever form it came.
I used to think my breathless was getting alot worse which in a way it was but I try to keep more fit I do soooo much walking which can be great for your physical and mental health. I can only imagine how you must feel knowing everything is fine but still feeling not right if it's going to give you peace of mind go and get a thorough check up at doctors. Sometimes anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms very similar to heart symptoms I know from way to much experience it's annoying when you do have heart issues and feel like something terrible is happening only to realise later it was probably stress and anxiety causing havoc with your mind so your definitely not alone there. Hope you can get some answers on why you keep feeling like this best wishes and take care 😉
I notice that you have hypothyroidism and Folate Deficiency.Just to make forum members aware whom may not have knowledge of these issues , both can cause difficulty in losing weight , breathlessness and increase heart related symptoms , mental health issues and cause feelings of physical feelings of Anxiety with no apparent cause because of their effect on the autonomic nervous system.
Tests rarely show any evidence of Autonomic Nervous system dysfunction because it is a fault in brain body messaging and how it effects involuntary body functions (rest, digestion, heart rate , temperature , circulation) rather than a set of symptoms that show up in tests.
Folate Deficiency can be serious , and a long with Vitamin B12 Deficiency it can cause a loss of efficiency in heart function and breathing difficulty, cause insulin imbalance and cause people to lose muscle strength , muscle mass on arms and legs , and produces fat distribution to unusual places like around the back , front of stomach , chest and face. This can happen at any age , and to at any weight , take it from someone whom was 8st 5 and 5ft 8 when these symptoms occurred and whom put on 1 and a half stone in weight in six weeks with no change in my healthy diet because of B 12 deficiency anaemia.
The Folate deficiency can also make your thyroid dysfunction worse because it is required for good thyroid function , and because it reduces how well your absorb medications , supplements and nutrients from food.
It also causes chest pain and severe Fatigue.
Have you also been checked for Vitamin B 12 deficiency?
Have you had your iron / Ferritin and Vitamin D levels checked with blood tests?
If not , you should request these.
Your GP should have put you on Folate supplements but a B12 supplement will also help , although you should get the B12 blood test done before you start taking it.
If your Folate isn't increasing with supplements and food changes you may need to get higher doses or the Folate given to you in a different form.
If you are low in B12 and this also doesn't improve with supplements and diet changes you may need B12 injections long term.
Increasing the types of foods containing Vitamin B 12, Folates and protein , and reducing processed foods and refined sugar to occasional treats will also help. Cut out artificial sweetener in anything , it also effects your insulin balance and kidney function. Plus , diet drinks increase your appetite and promote snacking , try water instead.
Exercise wise , don't try to do long sessions or heavy weights while you still have issues with palpitations and breathlessness. Walk , use an exercise bike , recumbent bike , try swimming or exercises in water to reduce the strain on your joints but increase muscle strengthening.
Try low impact exercises like Tai chi , Pilates and Qui Gong that help the Mind as well as the body. Drink water before , during and after exercise to help breathing and reduce palpitations. Work within your comfort zone and only add more exercise time or more distance in tiny amounts when what you do feels too easy , this allows you to consistently exercise each day , which is better than yoyoing between hard exercise then soreness and days of recovery.
Hope things improve soon.
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Heart CT Scan - eye opening experience 
Possible pericarditis 
Heart flutters and thuds 
