Message for Boxerlover227 - Anxiety Message Board

Leela_C · 09-26-2006, 09:15 AM

I was just reading your post that got shut down because it was talking too much about POTS and I wanted to share something with you. At one time, I was convinced I had POTS. I was so convinced that every time I stood up my heart raced. I actually had the tilt table test (and mine was not bad like Niki's - I don't know what they were doing to her) and I passed it. After that, my heart rate stopped going crazy when I stood up. I really think that I was so convinced I had it that I was making my heart rate go up when I stood up. Your heart rate should change some when you go from sitting to standing. POTS is diagnosed if it goes up more than 30bpm and stays there. I have talked to you a lot and I don't think you have this. And even if you do, it isn't life threatening.

My point is, your anxiety over this can really be causing your heart rate fluctuations. I am actually having a bad day myself, but when I saw your post I had to send you a message. Don't get yourself worked up over this. If you really think you have it, get a tilt table test. They aren't that bad. But I really don't think you have it. It is very rare. Plus, I don't think that xanax would help. I think the fact that xanax helps should put your mind at ease some.

I just wanted to tell you that the same thing happened to me and it turns out that I was bringing the symptoms on myself. You and I have a lot of the same stuff going on and know it isn't ALL anxiety, but some of it definitely is. I just felt so bad for you after reading your posts I had to post this. I hope it was enough about anxiety and it can stay open.

I hope you're having a better day today!

miche31 · 09-26-2006, 09:31 AM

I hope you don't mind my commenting here. I am really glad you posted this, I think that our minds can play such tricks on us, it is so hard to separate the real thing. Sometimes the real thing is only anxiety, even though anxiety can actually cause the physical symptoms. I have really bad GAD right now, and have convinced myself that I have every known disease out there. I started the Zoloft last night, and am going to keep at it. I hope that it will work for me, and not have to switch to something else. I hate that there is no one magic pill for us, instead of having to try and see. Anyways, as far as your post you just did, it did help me immensely, and hopefully will help the others. I was one of those that posted in that other post, and it was amazing to see later on how all our anxiety just snowballed with our thoughts. I myself am tired of living in fear and want to get myself better. (I will of course have to tell myself that again tonight when it comes time to take the medicine, but hey, one step at a time, right?) Good luck, Michelle

boxerlover227 · 09-26-2006, 10:10 AM

Hi Leela~

(Big Hug)

You are right after last nights obsession with this I realized that this is not something that happens ALL the time but most! My Anxiety really took over and after symptom checking of course I had it! I had to be reminded by my husband that anxiety and panic disorder can and will cause your hear rate to go crazy like this.. I was just concerned cause I notice that everyone on this board that also suffers from anxiety, doesn't really mention heart rates as fast as mine.. I know I was told over and over again that I have a very hypervigilant personality I am very anxious and always aware of my own body sensations since I had my first panic attack! I know I was over reacting last night, but I truly convinced myself that I had this as done in the past with so many other illness that resemble my symptoms..
I just hate feeling like this all the time, and only wish I could just be me again.. I know the dizziness is so unexplained and that causes me so much more anxiety, which in turn increases the dizziness, so you see I just can't win!!!

I was just having a really bad night after suffering the last few days with vertigo and increased anxiety.. After my husband calmed me down last night and reassured me I was okay, and reading your post today I feel a little better.. Still floaty head feeling though

Not so much on the boat today!!! (LoL) Thanks Leela your a

and wonderful support for me here and on the other boards we speak on every word is appreciated! boxer

boxerlover227 · 09-26-2006, 10:20 AM

Hi Michelle~
I am sorry you are going through the anxiety road as well. I just wanted to say thank you also for commenting on both post! I realized I am not alone in how I feel with this anxiety, when in fact last night I thought I was. I am usually aware that it is just my own mind trying to take over fear and last night that is exactly what happened. I suffer from panic disorder as well and I any little thing can set off the feelings of panic for me. I walk around in panic mode and I know that is where most of these symptoms are coming from.. Sometimes I just fall off track so to speak! I hope your medication can help you over come this monster, but just a word of advice keep talking! That's the best medicine I have found in my years of struggling with this disorder.

Thank You again for all your support as well.. Boxerlover

Leela_C · 09-26-2006, 12:10 PM

Hey ladies!

Michelle - I'm glad my post helped you. Anxiety is a beast! It really does make your mind play tricks on you. And you're right, it is too bad there isn't one pill that will work for us all. Xanax has really been a lifesaver for me, but even that doesn't help sometimes.

Boxer - I'm glad your husband was able to calm you down last night. I just felt so bad after I read those posts because I knew how you were feeling. I'm glad I was able to help some too. You said you tried a beta blocker before and the side effects were horrible. Which one did you try? I have been on inderal and I currently take bisoprolol. I was tired on the inderal, but not on the bisoprolol. The only thing with the bisoprolol is that sometimes my heart rate drops too low and then that causes anxiety too. Maybe you should give the beta blockers another try. My heart rate would go up to 140 before the beta blocker and that is totally exhausting - plus, it fuels the anxiety, which fuels the heart rate and so on. If you can keep your heart rate from going so high it might lessen your anxiety too. My bisoprolol is 5mg and I currently cut it in half and most days I even shave a little off of the half. I am very med sensitive. I took atenolol once and couldn't work for two days because I was on the verge of passing out. Anyway - I just wanted to tell you about my experiences with those in case you decide you want to try one again. I have some posts with CircusSquirrel on this board that we discussed beta blockers if you want to search by my name and try to find those.

I, too, hate feeling like this all of the time. If it's not the dizziness (which I DON'T think is anxiety) then it is my heart, or some pain somewhere, or whatever. But it is always something with me. I would give anything to feel like I did 4 years ago. I guess we just have to work through this. You are always a good support for me too. (Hugs)

Oh yeah - and I wanted to share something else with you. This morning when I woke up I took my pulse before I got out of bed. It was 54. After I got up and took my dogs out I took it again and it was 72. That, I would think, is pretty normal since I got up from sleeping and was moving around. Then, I had a cigarette and took it again and it was 104. Hmmm...sound familiar? I have to quit smoking, I know I do. I have about a pack and half left and maybe that will be it. I'll let you know.

I'm glad you're feeling better today.

LeeAnn