heart pounding - Anxiety Message Board

d_walken · 09-10-2003, 08:38 AM

I am constantly feeling my heartbeat. Sometimes it's slow, but pounding other times it is rapid and pounding, but it's always there, constantly. I realize that this is a part of my anxiety, but this is not relived by ativan or xanax. It clears my head but I still can feel it. I was watching TV last night and had the remote on my chest and I could see it rattling with my heartbeat. It's stuff like this that makes me confused as to if I have a problem with something else. Other characteristic is sometimes I can feel it pounding in my upper chest, sometimes in my stomach, left side at different times in the day, has anyone experienced these feelings?

Msbugg · 09-10-2003, 10:44 AM

Yes I have had that pounding too. I could see my shirt moving when I looked down. There was no question in my case this was anxiety and I did start out with Xanax some time ago but as I have posted here before, because of the short life Xanax has in our system, it just doesn't speak to chronic symptoms and chronic anxiety because it doesn't keep a constant level of med in our system. After 6 hours or so, it's pretty much been and gone. It's good for doctor visits, airplane trips, social situations if these are things that are upsetting.

However, when I switched to Valium,almost same chemical makeup as Xanax but it lasts must longer in the system. Because it does, I was able to maintain a dose that was effective but allow me to function as well. Most doctors hand out Xanax without too much problem but not Valium. They like the idea(for them) that Xanax is in and out, a short term med. But if it doesn't help the chronic sufferer of anxiety, what good is it?

Make no mistake, both are highly addictive. Consider switching to something that might be more effective..you need less pills and do not experience the peaks and valleys of Xanax...

d_walken · 09-10-2003, 11:07 AM

What is the equivalent of valium to xanax?

.5 xanax = ? of valium

I have tried the SSRI meds, but have had such adverse side effects I was unable to continue.

wildflowers · 09-10-2003, 11:09 AM

I have experienced this many times. Watching and listening for the heartbeat causes the very thing we are trying to avoid increased adrenalin which effects the heart rate to increase immediately. I stopped watching and listening to my heartbeats and accepted the fact that it was just my heart that was reacting to my fear.

wildflowers · 09-10-2003, 11:10 AM

I have experienced this many times. Watching and listening for the heartbeat causes the very thing we are trying to avoid increased adrenalin which effects the heart rate to increase immediately. I stopped watching and listening to my heartbeats and accepted the fact that it was just my heart that was reacting to my fear.