How to Cope

Hello,

I’ve posted on here a few times about my condition, but I’m always seeking new answers and opinions. For almost 14 months now, I’ve been going through the worst nightmare I could ever imagine. I had the perfect life and at 20 it was taken away all in one night. On December 4th, 2016 I get nauseated then went to bed thinking nothing of it. I suddenly awoke with crazy chest pressure, my heart racing, trouble breathing, and nausea. I went to the ER and they said anxiety. Since then, I have been to the ER 6-7 times, seen a cardiologist, gynecologist, neurologist, holistic doctor, my primary doctor, and a gastro doctor. All come back saying the exact same thing....anxiety. I am happy that nothing serious has been found, however, I know my body and something is telling me to not but into the anxiety diagnosis. I am in constant fear and in constant pain. Here are all of my symptoms....

1. Fast heart rate (resting can jump to 135 when normally at 74) 

2. Slow heart rate (drops to 50)

3. Dizziness

4. Headache and head pressure

5. Nausea and vomiting 

6. Diarrhea 

7. Lots of brusing 

8. Chest pressure

9. Jaw pain

10. Sharp pain mostly on left side of my chest 

11. Burning in abdomin that moves up to chest

12. Crazy pressure in sternum 

13. Acid reflux 

14. Fatigue 

15. Neck pain 

16. Mostly pain is on left side of body 

17. Recently center of chest has been tender to the touch 

18. Hot flashes 

And other ones in between 

I have had a number of tests done, however nothing significant has came back enough to cause all of these things. Here are the tests done...

1. Blood tests to look at iron (just low ferritin)

2. Autoimmune diseases 

3. Celiac disease tests 

4. MRI, MRA, CT of head 

5. 2 day and 30 day heart monitor 

6. Chest x- ray 

7. Endoscopy and colonoscopy 

8. Echocardiogram 

9. Numerous EKG’s

10. Urine samples 

12. Spinal tap

13. Many other blood tests as well 

The only thing found was 6 premature beats in my heart, PFO (which is very common for people to have with their heart), and a mild case of gastritis.

I am not kidding when I say I am crippled with the pain. I wake up from the this all of the time, it hits me randomly, and recently it has been consistent and strong worse. A lot of people have told me that if it was something serious, especially heart related, someone would have found it or I would have been dead by now, however, I don’t believe that. I believe that it could just be escalating day by day and then suddenly it will kill me. I’ve been put on antidepressants and anxiety meds but I’ve had no luck. I’m not depresssd. I love my life, I’m just scared now. I do have stress in my life, but not enough to cause this. 

Is anyone in this situation? Is it this bad for anyone? I know these symptoms sound like anxiety, but they are extreme. Like horrifyingly scary. I literally have no where else to go and no one believes me anymore. I’m 21 and I don’t think that I’m going to live much longer from this. Please someone help me figure this out. 

I’m starting to see a new counselor next week, however, counseling has not helped so far. 

What do I do? Where do I go from here? Am I going to be okay? How do I stop this nightmare? 

I just want to be a normal 21 year old again. I want to work, go to school, see friends, attend family functions, grocery shop, and even drive without all of this pain. 

No words will do the pain and fear justice. I cannot express how bad it is, and that is vey frustrating. 

My biggest feara are heart attack, heart failure, pulmonary embolism, leukemia, or some other form of heart disease . 

It all sounds like anxiety to me. It can play tricks on you and your body and bring about feelings of paranoia. Exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, and medication can help manage it. I have to remind myself that this is a very common problem and many people suffer from it. Best of luck to you.

I agree it does sound like anxiety and it will make you think the worst. Your brain is the most powerful part of your body and you will drive yourself to distraction trying to work out all these things and why you care feeling this way. Therapy meds relaxation and exercise. Distraction too. Keep yourself busy it will help. Good luck