Anxiety and Stress Forum - Thank God I'm Not Alone!

Mental Health > Anxiety and Stress Forum > Thank God I'm Not Alone!

Learn how doctors clinically diagnose one of twelve kinds of anxiety disorders...and which doctors you should see for an anxiety diagnosis....

Q: Thank God I'm Not Alone!

asked by: zannybuck on July 31st, 2006

New User

I'm 36, a teacher, and seemed to be in pretty good health. I never get really sick and have never had any serious health problems.

About a month ago I was sitting on the couch with my wife and I had a tingling sensation in my left arm. It did not go away as quick as I thought and my mind went to heart attack. I just about went to the er that night, but settled for a call to a nurse. My heart rate was normal and my breathing was normal, I just felt really weird.

I went to the doctor the next day and my blood pressure and heart rate were normal. I did what most of you would probably have done and researched it to death and between my doctor visits and my research I have come to the conclusion that I suffer from anxiety. I have some medication, niravam, that I take on occasion when I am feeling particularly weird and it helps. My problem is that I still feel this sense of impending doom. I constantly think I am going to die or that I have some serious life threatening disease.

I have varying symptoms from chest pains to numbness to a feeling of disconnection to myself. I sometimes think I am going to pass out. I obsess over it. After my doctor checked out my heart, I began to think I had lung cancer, now, hell, I don't know. Everything points to anxiety, but I am not convinced. I just have to say that one of the best things so far has been reading these posts. I feel like it gives me some hope. Thanks to everyone for sharing their feelings and thoughts.

Replies(5)

pereztori10

replied on July 31st, 2006

New User

Re: Thank God I'm Not Alone

I feel a great connection with you. I am 35 and a teacher as well and have experienced the symptoms you described for about 8 years. It has pretty much taken over my life so much so I wonder if i'm just insane. I started experiencing palpitations and numbness in my left arm and it only got worse from there. I went to the er many times when it first started and all test were okay. To make a long story short since then i've had about 15 ekg's, 3 holter monitor test, a stress test, an echo cardiogram, an event monitor test, and a heart ct. You would think by now i'd except that this was anxiety but I just can't. I know what I feel and i'm convinced it's more. Just 2 days ago I saw a new cardiologist who felt that it was the palpitations causing the anxiety not the other way around. I was given a prescription for toporol xl to control the palpitations and had another echo and am scheduled to go back in three weeks. I finally feel like something is being done. In the meantime i've thought of all the other terrible things it could be just as you mentioned about your feeling of impending doom. I've had so many test and all come back clear so what is wrong with me. If you'de like to talk more through e'mail let me know and i'll post my full address. If not at least post an update so I can see how your doing. I hope you resolve this much sooner than me, as I am still working on it 8 years later.

zannybuck

replied on August 1st, 2006

New User

Thank you for posting. I am not sure how to feel sometimes. It is nice to know that I am not the only one, yet to hear so many that have struggled with this for so long is a little disheartening. I feel much better however just knowing that other people have experience this as well. This has only been going on for a little while and I have not run the gamet of tests, I did have a blood test and have seen the doctor 3 times in the past month, everything seems normal. I was wanting to ask you though, does this seem to happen or be worse during the summer time when you are off work? I have a two year old so I stay somewhat busy, but I have a lot of free time obviously and that just gives me time to think. Anyways, thanks again for posting.

pereztori10

replied on August 1st, 2006

New User

Thank God I'm Not Alone

Glad you saw my response. I too am married and have two children 9 and 11 boy and girl. I stay extremely busy during the summer as I also coach cheerleading. The symptoms do not seem any worse during the summer. Sometimes I have symptoms for several months and then there are periods where I have gone months feeling just fine. I so look forward to those times when I feel good. My husband is very supportive as I hope your wife is as well. Like you it sure does feel good to read these messages and know that there are others going through the same thing not that I would wish this on anyone. I try really hard not to let it take over my thoughts. I've researched the topic so much I feel I could write a book on it. I also take zoloft and ativan for the anxiety and they are very effective. Even though I still have symptoms believe me without the medications I probably would not be here today.

MommyandWife

replied on September 9th, 2009

New User

i have been dx with severe anxiety, i shake when i go to bed.. but my body isnt really shaking. i cant explain it. i have been to the ER 4 times and to my Dr. 3 times, everything comes back ok. my jaw is always clenched and my face feels tight!! to me this just isnt right.. i have never been like this! I'm 26,married,2 year old, and i'm just finishing up school as a Medical Assistant. i was perscribed zoloft and ativan. i quit taking the zoloft becasue it made me fell like my heart was going to explode. the ativan helps but wares off quickly, i get really dizzy and fell like i'm going to pass out! do you have any of these symptoms? please feel free to write me, i have been looking for people to chat with abou this. my husband doesnt understand, he just get aggervated that he cant help me!

pereztori10

replied on September 11th, 2009

New User

Dear mommy and Wife I started these posts back in 2006 and was surprised to recieve an email that there was a new post on the subject. I have experience the same exact shaking sensation that you describe as well as the clenched jaw. The shaking was so bad I though I was having a seizure but wasnt moving at all and my jaw is always clenched so tight it gives me headaches. After 11 years of this I am finally reaching a point where I can somewhat deal with it but zoloft and Ativan will be medications I will have to take for the rest of my life. If Zoloft does not work for you there are so many others you can try just dont give up. I may be a long road ahead but you will pull through and I am here for support anytime you need!

Users who thank pereztori10 for this post: MommyandWife

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