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Feeling Helpless - Need Help So Bad

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Hi, I am a 22 year old female and for the past week I have been having difficulties breathing like I just can't get enough air. Then I started having some chest discomfort which lead me to the emergency room last saturday. My oxygen levels and blood pressure were fine. As was my bloodwork and ct scan. They attributed it to anxiety and told me to see my family doctor. On tuesday I went to my doctor and she gave me and ekg which was fine and she said I had a healthy heart. That eased my mind for about one day until I started feeling miserable again. Now I have dull aching pain in my arms, shoulders, and legs and still find it very hard to breathe. She put me on lexapro but it keeps me up at night and I am scared to take it. I am convinced I am going to have a heart attack and I am ruining my life. I started a new job 3 months ago and have already missed over 2 weeks of work. I missed thurday and friday of this week as well because I was so scared that I was going to start feeling misreable again. Can this really be anxiety and lasting this long for no apparent reason? Also, my boyfriend broke up with me yesterday and I am feeling hopeless. I dont want to leave my bedroom and I keep crying. I try telling friends and family members but no one understands. I just want to stop feeling this way!
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replied October 8th, 2006
Hi! I'm so so sorry to hear that you have been feeling this way, and I truly hope that what I have to say will give you some hope and consolation. When I read your forum I instantly knew the exact way that you feel. I understand everything you've just said. I'm not quite as old as you, im actually fifteen, but dont worry about this advice coming from a 'teenager', because no matter how old you are its the same feeling, and I totally know where your coming from, and what your going through. I have had 'anxiety disorder' for almost three years now. I may not have a job, but the same problems that youve had with anxiety interupting your job, I have had with school. In the eighth and ninth grade combined, I missed almost five months of school. I may not have lost a boyfriend, but I lost a lot of friends because I was so nervous and stuff I never did anything with them anymore, and I was not myself. Your symptoms though, are some of the exact symptoms I have. I hate that feeling like I cant breathe, that feeling where you try to take a deep breath and you cannot to save your life. The heart pains, they way it feels like it might beat out of your chest. Every time you try to take a deep breath, it seems like your chest just gets tighter, like you dont have any oxygen left, and are desperatly trying to just get a deep breath of air, I understand that. And, when you do finally get that deep breath, its shortlived and you feel like your having a heart attack again. I too, am on meds that have given me weird side effects as well as made me even more anxious that the med would give me more symptoms, or cause me to have a heart attack of something weird, and up and die. Well, your not alone, and you will be fine. More than anything I feel for you when it comes to people not understanding u. Heres the thing, when it comes to anxiety you dont understand unless youve felt it. My parents will say just dont let it bother you, or why cant you just get over it? I know it sucks a lot but for me, having someone tell me I will be fine can be consoling. There is so much more I can say, but I shouldnt make this too long. If you want more info and stuff I would love to talk some more, just reply to this message, and ill keep checking to see if you do. Do deep breathing, I know its weird but seriously, in thru ur nose five seconds, out your mouth for seven seconds, try to relax, close your eyes, and clear your mind. Next time u have a panic attack, deep breath, try to rationalize, and know that you will be find.
I hope to here from u soon, and I hope u will be feeling better.
Just remember it wont kill you and u will be fine.
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replied February 6th, 2007
Anxiety describes any feeling of worry or dread, usually about events that might potentially happen. Some anxiety about stressful events is normal. However, in some people, anxiety interferes with the ability to function. Some people who think they are anxious may actually be depressed. Because of all these factors, it is important for people who are anxious to seek expert medical care. Natural therapies can be one part of the approach to helping relieve mild to moderate anxiety.

Dr balch's nutritional team has created a formula designed to help control moderate anxiety and stabilize the mood. Powerful components have been added to address nervous system health and maintain normal stress levels. -htp, passionflower extract, gaba, inositol and niacin have been shown to have a calming effect on the mind. Calcium citrate, magnesium and valerian extract may help to relax the nervous system. Take valerian extract 30 minutes before bedtime. Vitamin b complex 50 are essential brain vitamins. Pantothenic acid and vitamin b6 have stress relieving properties. Ashwagandha extract is2 traditionally used to balance stress hormones and reduce tension. Chamomile extract is a well known traditional remedy for stress and anxiety. Oat straw is believed to be a restorative nerve tonic. St. John's wort extract has been shown to restore emotional stability.

Do not take these statements as medical advice. If you think you may be in need of treatment, please contact a healthcare professional.
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