anxiety or heart problem?

[Jstine2388]

My doctor diagnosed me with anxiety/depression. The thing is, he diagnosed me with this condition after spending only less than 5 minutes in the exam room with me.

My concern is that it may actually be my heart. (I recently started a hypertension medicine (amlodipine)).

Most times I feel fine. But lately I've been having issues with running out of breath easily with activity (although I am 300lb, so I know that does have something to do with it), occasional chest pressure, and starting today my left arm feels very heavy. I also have been having a churning feeling in my stomach the past 2 days along with indigestion.

Since I'm worrying so much about my possible heart problem, my anxiety gets worse.

I have a return visit to the doctor on November 28th. It's a very busy office, so getting in sooner is basically out of the question.

Any input and reassurance would be greatly appreciated!

[MonaLisa1975]

I am wondering how you are doing.  I too have anxiety and so reading what you have written is very reassuring to me.  Thanks for your postings.

Debra

[Jstine2388]

im sorry you're feeling this way too. its horrible, isnt it? especially when no one seems to understand...

[VKDSTAR]

u stole my words...even i feel d same.....exactly d same

[Jstine2388]

it worries me that my chest feels heavy and i have pain in my upper back. i also am breathing fine, but feel as though im not getting enough oxygen. my left arm today still feels heavy too. im just so paranoid. i also have a lot of pressure in my head, especially when i bend over.

[Jstine2388]

i actually have noticed that when i think about symptoms that i dont have, i usually end up having then because i think about it so much. it also doesnt help that every new symptom i get has me searching google or answers. im literally driving myself crazy. its to the point now where im afraid yo leave my house because what if i have a heart attack or something and nobody can help me or i cant get to the hospital fast enough? im terrified when i have to go to work every morning. the onlu time i even feel safe is when im at home sitting in the livong room with my mom. every 'symptom' i ever have, i express my concern to her and she always tries to reassure me that its just stress.

[cj29]

Health anxiety is quite common in this community.  My original experience with anxiety dealt with concerns about my heart health.  Despite what the doctors told me, I refused to believe them and 'knew' it was something other than anxiety (which of course it was anxiety). In my opinion, we can become so hyper-aware of any symptom that we can relate back to our concern.  For example, I felt every little twinge, pain, palpatation, etc.  Then I also believe we tend to misinterpret our symptoms as something catastrophically wrong with us when in fact it is normal everyday aches and pains associated with life.

I agree that lifestyle can affect us.  You realize that weight can have an affect on us as well activiity, stress...you name it, it all can have a bearing on how we feel.  Do you have access to counseling?  I know for me, therapy was the best way for me to deal with this.  

The good thing is that you are going to get through this no matter how much you may not see it yet.  It definitely is scary and confusing in the beginning, but just like any challenge we face, as you learn about it, you are going to learn how to confront it. Keep us posted!

[onedayillbfine]

I have battled the same question for months, I have explained to my doctor my symptoms I have gotten ekgs and bloodwork done and all normal.Anxiety is a very scary thing and any little non normal feeling gets me thinking I am going to drop dead any second,M y heart starts to race my left arm and leg and neck fell weak and uncomfortable. But I am still here so I have come to learn its all in my head.Good luck

[dancemommy]

my heart feels funny alot also, i get out of breath easy, and i am 31 and 125 pounds, i think its because we stress out over everything that our bodies may tire easily, i have also noticed that it seems like if i expect to feel a certain symptom, i usually do. i think we can think ourselves in to feeling what we are afraid of, like with me its a brain tumor, so any weird feeling in my head gets me going, and alot of days its constant, and my eyes dont focus very well when i think about it either