Having seen many doctors, and been given ecg's and chest x-rays, I've been told that what I'm suffering from is anxiety.

I have strong visible pulsations in my neck, abdomen, and wrists at all times. You can see my neck pulsate right down to the collarbone, and it seems very strong. I can also feel my heart thumping almost all the time.

Can anyone with a history of anxiety relate to this? I don't have panic attacks - it's been suggested I just have a constant low-level anxiety, which is causing increased adrenaline. I just need someone to say that they know where I'm coming from, and have some of the same problems. Everywhere online I look seems to suggest that strong carotid pulsations can suggest various severe heart problems, but my doctors have ruled these out (I have no murmurs suggesting any valve issues.)

Any advice would be appreciated.

yes...I have strong abdominal aorta pulsations...mainly when I'm lying still in bed. I'm very thin skinned and athletic. Not much in the way of body fat over my abs and my neck as well. So yes....my carotid pulses are strong and easily felt. Hope that makes you feel better about them.

I too, suffer from anxiety (and I DO have panic attacks). I also experienced a time where my carotid artery pulsated as well as a stron aortic pulsating in my abdomen. I was convinced I had an aortic aneurysm (as my father had one). If you have been checked out, you are OK. Keep telling yourself that you are OK. Anxiety manifests itself is SO SO many physical sensations. Don't worry, you are not alone.

Thanks so much, luvmydog.

The neck pulsations are the worst. They've been there almost non-stop for two months now, and I'm just hoping they stop sometime.

The constant worry isn't helping!

I now exactly where you're coming from. I don't get panick attacks and don't feel particularly anxious but I also feel the heart thumping in my chest and the pulsing. When my legs are crossed, sometimes my leg jumps in time. I alos get tightness and terrible pressure in the ribs, back and neck, along with all the other symptoms eg - shortness of breath, visual disturbances, dry, bloodshot eyes etc etc. Like you my dosc and a couple fo specialists have rules out any heart disorders but it is still hard to convince yourself of that isn't it? Hope you feel better knowing you're not alone (misery likes company ha, ha).

I think hypervigilance is my main problem (I've become so focused on my body that I notice every little thing and so it becomes magnified - a symptom of too much adrenaline I think).

Hope this helps,
All the best
:)
P.S - Am about to start Zoloft, so I'm hoping that helps.

I agree with Soodle. Go with what your doc prescribes. If you just hark on the possible side effects you could possibly make them up in your head. Just take the meds and if you have any problems let your doc know. I got myself all in a fluster after looking up the side effects from my new drug, plus i had never been on anything besides like stuff for colds and strep throat. So far I've had 0 side effects. Hopefully that will be the case with you.

Yep, hypervigilance is a nightmare.

I notice the pulsing so much more at night. And sometimes when I decide to check my neck for the pulsations, I actually FEEL them getting stronger as I do it.

It's just so difficult to pass by a mirror without checking to see how much my carotids are pumping today. I need to stop it somehow.

It took me two years to stop checking my pulse and looking in the mirror. What most fail to realize is that it's there all the time. The reason you never knew before hand is because you didn't look. Like Soodle said, hypervigilance is a problem. Anxious people, me included, are more tuned in to their body than people that are not.

Dale

I have the same thing it drives me nuts but i was told there is nothing wrong so relax your not alone

Yes, I can relate. I am sitting here now checking my pulse...totally convincing myself I have heart problems. I am in such a state, I have to really focus to take breaths. It is horrible. I haven't been to the doctor in a few years, so I don't have the comfort of knowing it is only anxiety. One minute I think I am getting better, only to feel worse as time goes on. Maybe it is time for me to make an appointment just to get a peace of mind. Oh, I have suffered anxiety for well over 15 years. Wish I could say I have learned to control it better but I haven't. Seems like it is getting worse. Good luck to you and everyone. Man oh man I feel so alone!:dizzy:

I have seen enough doctors to let me know that this is anxiety now.

I still see my neck arteries bounding hard, but I'm starting to be less worried.

"I feel so alone".

I know how bad that feels but you're not alone, even if it's just us weirdos on this board for company you've got sympathetic friends. Do you have a good friend you could confide in and chat when things get you down?:)

Hey Galli and others,

It seems that I have followed you into this forum from the heart forum. I , as you, am still very concerned about the pulsations. so much so that i recently saw my [U]fifth[U] cardiologist. She said that the pulsations are actually a good thing that I see them; that it means that I am young and my heart is working well. She gave me a prescription for Klonopin (which I am hesitantly taking) and Protonox (for acide reflux - which she thinks this is). I have an echo stress test set up for tomorrow, which one would think would allay my concerns if it is normal.

Anyway, it still frustrates me that doctors are so quick to dismiss heart problems as anxiety and/or acid reflux, just because I am young (29 years old). I am not trying to scare anyone else, but I really think that this is tied to a heart problem that no one can yet see. My heart tests keep coming back normal because my heart (unlike that of a 60 year old) can pump harder to make up for its weakness (thus the neck pulsations).



Ross

Ross,

If your echo is fine, please work with me on this board to beat this as an anxiety problem.

I'm sure that's all this is. We're young. Lets enjoy our lives!

G

Galli,

I just had my stress echo yesterday. It was completely normal they said. In fact, they said I was in good shape.

So maybe we should use this board, as you suggested. I am going to not allow myself to go to the heart forum and I will continue to exercise, eat right, etc.

Also, the Klonopin appears to have reduced the pulsations. Maybe it decreases andreline or whatever; it has seemed to help. I was hesistant about taking meds, but it seems to be working with the only noticable side effect being that I am more tired than normal. I will gladly deal with fatigue over this.

Ross

Ross, I just started taking Clonazepam (Klonopin) yesterday and I agree...hard pulsations are gone!!!! This stuff is great! I am also going for an echo and 24-hour heart monitoring next week. I know they will be fine but I want to see it in BLACK AND WHITE!!!!!!

Wonderful news, Ross.

You and me should hang around on these boards and deal with this. Remember, we both have the exact same symptoms, and we're both healthy.

That's a great jumping off point for dealing with our fears!

So glad you got the news you were hoping for!

G