For six months now, I've been going through a living nightmare. I don't know what to do anymore and I don't know where to turn. Last December, I got nauseated one day and vomited after dinner. I didn't think to much about it, but during the night it felt like my heart wasn't beating anymore and it took my breath away. I thought I was having a heart attack and I was shaking and vomiting like crazy. I went to the ER but they said it was an anxiety attack. I didn't think too much about it but they gave me a two day monitor and didn't find anything. From that day on, my symptoms have gotten worse and have increased. I have been to the ER 6 times in the past 6 months and I have seen a cardiologist, neurologist, in the process of seeing a gastro person, a massage therapist, counseling, and my primary care doctor. All tests done have come back negative. My tests include:
1. An echocardiogram of my heart
2. 30 day heart monitor
3. Multiple blood tests
4. Spinal tap
5. EKG's
6. Urine samples
7. MRI, MRA, and CT of head
Here are a list of my symptoms:
1. Heart palpitations
2. Sudden onset of weird feeling like almost being dead
3. Dizzy
4. Fatigue
5. Bowel issues
6. Excessive gas
7. Burining in my torso
8. Tightness and fullness in upper abdomin
9. Head pressure
10. Sharp pains in head
11. More bruising
12. Sharp pain in my jaw but doesn't hurt when I move it around
13. Feels like blood isn't flowing in my arms and sometimes legs
14. Nausea and vomiting (a lot)
15. Random weak pulse
16. Back pain
17. Hypnotic jerks when I sleep
I am so worried there is something wrong with my heart and that I am going to die. I am a 21 year old female who goes to college. My life isn't that stressful I think. I have replayed every moment up until this time when this started happening and I cannot figure out what could cause this that would make it anxiety related. I need help. I am begging for an answer. I can't live like this.
These attacks come the worst at random times even when I am out having fun. Is there anyone out there that has gone through this. I know I can't possibly be the only one. I am begging for a sigh of relief...
I would just like to emphasize how much I don't believe this isn't anxiety, but everyone else tells me it is. I cry almost every day because this illness has taken over my life.
Have you been to a therapist or psychologist?
I only say that cause those sound exactly like my symptoms and when I went to a therapist (find one that's understanding) I was told it was anxiety and there are many forms and it can cause physical symptoms and sensations and when treated (doesn't have to be my any medication) those symptoms will decrease in severity and your life will be beautiful again it'll take time but it will be better I think you need to see someone like a therapist and I think you'll see how much your life improves I've been where you are
I have been to counseling, but maybe I haven't found the right person? These symptoms are so real and so frightening I am convinced that there actually is something wrong. It was hard talking to a counselor because we could never find a reason it would be anxiety or at least something anxiety related that would cause all these things to be so severe. The only thing that gives me hope is that no doctor can find anything and all tests don't point out anything.
If you don't friend your current counselor comforting find another one because once you find one that works it helps trust me what you have is anxiety specifically health anxiety (I'm no professional) but if your read up on health anxiety and anxiety in general you'll see similarities I've had what you have it's the anxiety I promise you and once you find someone who can help you then you gotta trust them and I know that's hard but trust is the bridge out your going to be ok
But can it cause this much pain and all these physical symptoms? I feel like because they are this bad, it has to be something like a serious life threatening disease...
I know people often mix up heart issues with anxiety, so I worry the doctors are getting it wrong...
If you've had that many tests and seen that many doctors and nothing has turned up wrong trust me it's anxiety I've travelled that route
Hi just read post. You poor thing. Christopher's given you some great advice. You sound just like me .my anxiety started years ago. Had all those tests,normal but i.e. as so anxious I wouldn't believe it wasn't something more serious and why I could have anxiety even if I was feeling relatielyvok. Bad days , my hearts racing, heads telling me all kinds, shake, and tension in back head neck and jaw and more. Horrid illness . Do agree see a coucillor, mine wasn't great so found another . Talking helps. So glad you reached out and posted here. I hid mine for too long ( didn't want people to think just calm down or pull yourself together. Only people with anxiety understand. talk here anytime , people can really reassure you. Fall when you feel anxious ,takes mind off manicthoughts . Hope this helps . Gone on a bit , talkbanytime❤️
Meant call( talk)?when you feel anxious ❤️
I hear you Alex! I have almost the same symptoms you have plus weight loss but water weight if you know what I mean, (edema) , I too have been to doctors and done so many tests, I am about to seek 2nd opinion from another cardiologist to rule out heart failure. All docs say anxiety can mimic all kinds of diseases but I know how I felt before all this happened and I know how bad I feel now, it can't all be anxiety because before I was leading a regular life and now I am consumed with what if the doctors have misdiagnosed me? In all actuality they are human and do make mistakes but I know my body better than anyone else...keep pushing for answers as when you don't fit a particular easy to diagnose illness they all cry "anxiety "....I don't think so!
Thank you for writing back! It sounds the most scary and difficult thing I have ever faced. I can't believe I was fine one day and the next, I have Thisbe nightmare of an illness consuming my body. But I will definitely keep talking and posing on here! I am glad to hear that I am not alone in this. I will also try to find a new counselor!
Yeah I just don't know what to think anymore. I have a hard time believing though that they made that many mistakes...
If it was something serious like heart failure, wouldn't they have caught something that significant?
I just don't know. I am scared that this might kill me.
Stay strong there's a whole community here when you need us
not sure how you wouldn't be diagnosed if your doctor's have run all these tests.
all the symptoms you've listed are typical of severe anxiety...even the vomiting. i've had episodes of waking up out of a dead sleep at 2am throwing up feelin anxious. i'm currently suffering from depression, health anxiety, GAD & OCD. all the symptoms you've had above i've had EVERY SINGLE one and then some.
counseling is a good start...not sure if they'll look to medicate as well. but, try to focus on all the positives of your health checks coming back normal. this current bout i'm struggling with is the second severe bout of anxiety i've struggled with in my life. the first with when i was in my early to mid 20s. it was so bad i could barely drive or go anywhere due to the severe anxiety and dizziness it caused. it caused so many physical symptoms to the point of my muscles seizing up. i remember my hamstring seizing up one time to where i couldn't straighten my leg...it was a nightmare. they put me on klonopin and paxil to help with the severe anxiety and panic attacks.
i eventually realized it was anxiety and slowly recovered. i'm 41 now and have gone a good 16 yrs anxiety free until this recent episode...so as tough as it is to believe when you're going through it...things can get better...much better!
my advise...take a good look at yourself...what are your worries and insecurities...life events etc...that could possibly contribute. good luck.
Thank you for taking the time to respond and give me some ease!
It's just hard to think that this is all anxiety if it came on so suddenly one night (with no prior history) and hadn't left for 6 months and no meds are working...
my first panic attack came on suddenly then it was an endless spiral. and at the time, i was in the best shape of my life, confident, dating with ease...i was so convinced something was wrong physically i didn't believe several doctors i'd seen. one doctor told me told me he'd no longer see me because i was in so frequently.
Hi,
I am a 26 year old female.! I have also had this for just over a month now.!! But I get extremely fatigue and my arms and legs are extremely weak.? I am getting so much tests done cause I have every single symptom your describing but I also feel like my brain is dead.!! I can't concentrate and I forget things like how to spell words I usually know.! I am wondering if anyone else gets symptoms this bad cause I can't help but think something is extremely wrong.!
Sounds just like me! I am constantly in pain! There are so many times where I think my heart has actually stopped. It happened like 10 minutes ago! I mean it really is an endless spiral...
Any other tips besides a therapist? I'm definitely going to do that though!
I get them too! I can't explain it but I suddenly get this weird feeling in me and then everything just hits. It's so weird I can't explain it and people think I am absolutely crazy! How do you explain to them that you're not and that this is something so real?? It all started with my heart and then I go th horrible head pressure and dizziness. It gets to the point where it is so bad, I think I have heart failure and a brain tumor. The worst thing for me though has been looking on google for an answer...