Heartzexplode
12-10-2006, 08:18 PM
I feel like i suffer from one of the most extreme cases of panic disorder. Every night I feel like i am having a heart attack or going through acute respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms are extreme shortness of breath, elephant on the chest, sweaty, nausea. I have had all of my symptoms checked out by a cardio and i was diagnosed with anxiety which I feel is extremely insulting.
I have discovered that the only thing that really helps me is alcohol in large amounts.
Anyone ever go though this or have any advice, because obviously the medical establishment had stamped me with a big crazy label.
I have discovered that the only thing that really helps me is alcohol in large amounts.
Anyone ever go though this or have any advice, because obviously the medical establishment had stamped me with a big crazy label.
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dollymadison
12-10-2006, 08:29 PM
I think that you should re-think your feelings of insult at the cardiologist's diagnosis. I'm assuming that he/she checked you out from a cardiac standpoint and didn't find anything related to your heart.....?
Most people with anxiety feel certain that there is a physiological cause for their symptoms and don't like it when they are diagnosed with anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety fits into a "mental" health mode and there's a stigma attached to that.
How about taking a deep breath, stepping back and looking at your situation from a "what if" point of view....what if it IS anxiety? How can you help yourself feel better? Maybe a check-up with your primary care physician is a good place to start.
Most people with anxiety feel certain that there is a physiological cause for their symptoms and don't like it when they are diagnosed with anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety fits into a "mental" health mode and there's a stigma attached to that.
How about taking a deep breath, stepping back and looking at your situation from a "what if" point of view....what if it IS anxiety? How can you help yourself feel better? Maybe a check-up with your primary care physician is a good place to start.
Heartzexplode
12-10-2006, 08:36 PM
All cardio causes were ruled out. I saw a gp one time (no insurance) and he got me worried sick mentioning, Venticular tachycardia, MI, and all kinds of crazy sounding terrible drop dead diseases. He wanted me to go to the hospital anytime i felt symptoms which would strap me financhially because of the insurance thing. Obviously I am not having a heart attack every day.
Steve1
12-11-2006, 08:24 AM
First off, You are not "crazy"... You have anxiety... Sometimes we don't want to admit it, but the sooner you do, the better off you will be! Like the Nice Lady in the post above me said, Go see your Dr and have them help you through this!
Peace
Steve
Peace
Steve
seaMich
12-11-2006, 02:48 PM
I also found that alcohol helped me to feel better- it is basically self medicating. That you feel better with drinks in itself is an indicator that it is anxiety. See your Dr about it, they can help you. Try not to take it as insulting, but I know how you feel and it's hard. But once you start to see inprovements working with someone on it- you will just be like 'Oh...it was anxiety'. Good luck!
Jen32
12-11-2006, 05:26 PM
Hey there! Don't feel insulted... I saw many, many doctors... cardiologists, ENTs, neurologists, gps, etc. and each of them told me the SAME thing. Depression/anxiety/panic. I also felt insulted, and I cried about it a lot. I felt like the whole world was against me.
Finally I went to see a therapist. And with time, I finally accepted that indeed I do have anxiety. With that acceptance came healing. Now every time I have a panic attack, I can sit back and roll with it, knowing I'm not having a heart attack. It still feels the same, and is scary... and I sometimes still think it's my heart. But in the back of my mind, I know it's my anxiety, and in the morning, I wake up feeling fine again. Yep, anxiety.
Please don't self-medicate with alcohol. You will only make the problems worse. It may feel good, but it won't make the problem go away... and it will hurt you eventually. Please seek help. See a therapist... many are able to see patients based on income scales. Perhaps they will advise you to take meds, which isn't a bad thing to try either.
I really wish you well. I do know what you're going through. It's tough, and most of us have been where you are. I still go through it very often... and stuggle almost daily. But acceptance is a big part of moving forward.
Praying for you.
Finally I went to see a therapist. And with time, I finally accepted that indeed I do have anxiety. With that acceptance came healing. Now every time I have a panic attack, I can sit back and roll with it, knowing I'm not having a heart attack. It still feels the same, and is scary... and I sometimes still think it's my heart. But in the back of my mind, I know it's my anxiety, and in the morning, I wake up feeling fine again. Yep, anxiety.
Please don't self-medicate with alcohol. You will only make the problems worse. It may feel good, but it won't make the problem go away... and it will hurt you eventually. Please seek help. See a therapist... many are able to see patients based on income scales. Perhaps they will advise you to take meds, which isn't a bad thing to try either.
I really wish you well. I do know what you're going through. It's tough, and most of us have been where you are. I still go through it very often... and stuggle almost daily. But acceptance is a big part of moving forward.
Praying for you.