Mysterious health event, anxiety and panic attacks, Zoloft

Mental health
1

This is going to be a little long, but I could really use some help.

First of all I am a 27 year old male who has always had a clean bill of health.

I was sick about 3 months ago, and once I got over that I couldn't shake the cough. Very deep intense coughs. 2 months ago, one night I had one of these coughs and my chest instantly tightened up. Shortly after my back also began to tighten up. I sat down and it continued to get worse and worse, felt like someone had a rope around my chest and back and kept squeezing tighter and tighter.

Eventually I stood up to try to walk it off and began to get very dizzy. I ended up passing out very briefly. I remember going down, and I woke up immediately. The chest pain was then gone, and I was extremely sweaty and flush.

Went to ER, and was cleared of anything serious, but wasn't given any answers. In the next few days I had multiple ekgs, chest x ray, and a blood test, and everything came back clear. I went to cardiologist, had a stress echo test, and was told there is thing wrong with my heart.

So first question is, anybody have any idea what may have caused the chest pain followed by the passing out?

Since then I have developed severe anxiety and panic attacks regarding this incident and the health of my heart. I have chest pain almost every day. I still am very convinced that something is going to happen to my heart, but it has also now become more of a nonstop anxiety no matter what I do. Checking my pulse all the time, worrying about everything, always on edge and just not feeling good overall. I also have been having multiple panic attacks per day.

I can't function, I have missed work, I'm no help to my wife with out 8 month old son. I feel like a complete failure, but can't do anything about it. I was on Xanax for a while, and that seemed to help a little bit. After I stopped using Xanax I was good for about a week, and then I had a HUGE panic attack and this past week has been the worst one yet.

I just started Zoloft a few days ago, though obviously it isn't helping yet. What can I expect with the Zoloft? Should I expect it to help? Any tips on how to get my life back?

Sorry this is so long, I appreciate any help!

2

Did u get like a ct scan or anything to check for like a blood clot in lungs?

3

Justin it does sound like stress, all I can really suggest is breathing exersises.

and Relaxation Techniques

The favoured has also life changes Is Mindfullness There are books explaining the technique. Sometimes your GP may have relaxation tapes.

Your GP can also arrange CBT and a CPN to give coping techniques

BOB

4

No but I don't think that is even a consideration. Pulmonary Embolism pain doesn't go away, where as I only get chest pain occasionally throughout the day. I also am not coughing up blood, and it doesn't hurt when I breathe deeper or exert myself, which are standard pulmonary embolism symptoms. Thanks for putting another thing in my head though lol. Just kidding obviously.

5

Hi Justin,

I had my first Anxiety attack last September, I felt faint, weak or heavy legs, skipped heart beats, and a heart beat of 134bmp. This lasted Minutes and I was never in any pain at any time. I've had a X-ray, bloods, ECG scan and everything was fine. And like you I kept checking my pulse if I thought I felt my Heart begin to race, I could feel my Heart beat in my chest without without placing my hand upon it. I am now on 50mg of Sertraline and have been for Four weeks, it has brought me back to my former self, and so far no attacks. When your Anxious you are more sensitive to the goings on in your body and once you start notice the more anxious you become. Also, you start to monitor everything, like why are am I sweating, reading more into aches and pains, and forever checking your pulse. Anxiety is horrible and comes in many, many symptoms. And if you've had your Heart checked out, and all is fine, then it's fine. 🖒

6

It sounds like anxiety. The Zoloft should help but it may take several weeks before you get the full benefit. Try to be patient. I take Lorazapam to help

me as well. 

7

Yeah it is an awful thing. I am just starting to get really down and starting to feel like I will never be myself again. It has been 9 weeks, and has put a strain on every aspect of my life. I was really against the Zoloft, but finally gave in as a last resort.

It's just unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. I have always been a worry free,take life as it comes kind of guy. I just am not dealing with this very well. I can't enjoy things that I used to like golf and sporting events. The prospect of those things scare me now, where as before they were the things I loved to do the most.

I just want to be able to enjoy life again, especially for my son.

8

I hope it kicks in as quickly as possible. I actually felt ok last night starting at 4 or 5 pm, but then today has been one of the worst days I have had yet.

9

Keep up with the important things which are work and family life while you get a handle on your anxiety

10

Yes I am trying, but there is just always this thought of heart issues and it works me up big time. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with, and the worst part is that it is affecting the time I spend with my wife and son.

11

Try going back to your GP and discuss your frame of mind due to your health Anxiety, they may need to increase the dosage due to its severity. Also, have you considered support or counselling groups? They are beneficial and helpful. I hope you will return to your former self and I'm sure you will, but please stay on the road of perseverance. And keep posting your progress, your never alone .

12

Thanks, I appreciate that. It's nice to know I have somewhere to voice (type) what is going on and get some support and tips from people who know what it's like.

I am just on 25 mg at the moment, but it's only been 3 days. I also have .25 Xanax for those real bad moments.

I have also been seeing a therapist for the last 5-6 weeks. I haven't seen any real benefits from that yet, but it is nice to have someone to discuss it with.

13

it seems the xanax helped you more than you think though it must be used sparingly

14

No doubt the Xanax helped, and I was using it for a few weeks. But I was off of it for a week, and was making very good progress for that week. I felt pretty good all week, then out of the blue I had a huge panic attack a week ago and that's what put me on the Zoloft and got more Xanax.

15

Quick update: this is something that is incredibly frustrating to me. I have been feeling ok the last few hours, no negative thoughts, just watching tv. Randomly, without any thoughts, a panic attack came on. I don't know what I am supposed to do about a random attack. They have been happening almost daily.

16

Zoloft was my first med. It worked great for me. That was in my early thirty's,and now I'm 57,so it's been a while. If you find after a time,maybe years,it stops working, or for some other reason, your doc can change it.  You will feel better shortly. Don't stop once you feel better,cause it will come back. We tend to forget the reason we started meds. Good luck,and feel better quick

17

Justine, I have been on Zoloft for a year and after the first eight weeks it made me so much better - so stick with it.

Asthma???

I would ask your PCP to check you for asthma. And refill your prescription for xanax.

Also, start looking for therapy. If this is anxiety disorder (and it sounds like it is) you need therapy.

BTW I am not an anxious person at all, but I HAVE got asthma. It wasn't diagnosed until I was twenty years old.

All the best, and keep in touch with us. We're here to help.

Love Tessxx

18

Justin your fine

A new baby has prob put a little stress on you and you have not even realized it

Sounds totally like myself I have had your symptoms and I know your pain

I would check my pulse all the time (which would make me more tense and increase it) I would go on google and look up signs ( again worse thing you can do)

I have had upper shoulder tightness going around to the front, little sharp chest pains , sweating, loss of appetite , naucious feeling , dizziness all symptoms of anxiety and panic

Honestly I was having a horrible time and this group really helped me thru it

Going to my doctor appointment today

Deep breaths and positive thinking

Embrace your new baby keep active keep your mind busy and you will be OK

19

Update #2: Things are getting worse.

So I have been taking Zoloft around 12:30 the last 3 days and have been feeling great from 5 o clock or so until bedtime. (Wake up extremely anxious, but that's a different story)

Last night I had a panic attack out of the blue around 7 o clock. Every time I calmed it down, I would have another one. This lasted until 10 pm and not even a Xanax helped. I then proceeded to wake up with panic attacks twice in the middle of the night.

Do things tend to get worse on Zoloft first? This makes me very nervous to take my dose today. The only other side effect I seem to have is very sweaty feet.

20

It doesn't appear that anyone is here any longer, but that's ok, it helps a little to vent.

Today has been pretty bad. No desire to get out of bed all day, constantly feeling on the edge of a panic attack. Constant fear that something is very seriously wrong with me. I just can't get it under control no matter what I do.

I am seriously considering checking into some sort of short term inpatient care to try to speed this up. Anyone have any experience in that regard?