anxiety question please help!!!

[SeanMichael24]

I just wanted to know if someone can have anxiety or symptoms of anxiety basically all day everyday for the last 8 weeks without letting up. When i have these symptoms i don't have a overwhelming feeling or high blood pressure. My heart rate and blood pressure stay they same. The main symptoms i have been experiencing it tiredness,drained, my body feels like everything is moving in slow motion, I feel like my body is shutting down and a empty feeling in my chest and i can't feel my heart beat in my chest if i put my hand over it but i can in my neck . My pulse get really slow as I'm sleeping or relaxing. My cardiologist has me on a 24 hr monitor and recorded pulse rate 45 plus at night and a average of 70 beats during relaxing and day with a may of 140 beats he said the rhythm was fine no pauses etc and not to worry but with all these symptoms that have started over the last 8 weeks and haven't let up are freaking me out. i have had a bunch of other test also that have come back normal a stress test with echo that was normal 6 months ago. i just had a 24 hr holter a mdi of brain and cervical tons of blood test chest X-ray tilt table test all comes back normal. some of the test were recent some were years ago but most have been within few day and months. I don't know if i am causing my own issues here by always thinking about it and causing the symptoms its like i wake up to it go to bed to it its always on my mind

[audrey1122]

I agree with nursegirl6572 that you should start with therapy, especially if you are nervous taking medications. Do not be afraid of medications though, they can be very helpful and at times are needed to help manage anxiety. A lot of people look at medications as a crutch. Just as a diabetic or a hypertensive person needs medication to manage their condition this can also be true for anxiety. nursegirl6572 is also correct in saying that anxiety typically shows its beautiful face in early 20's. Generally it lasts a lifetime. But with that being said the terrible symptoms that consume you does get better and you can learn to manage your anxiety. Stay positive..

[nursegirl6572]

Since you don't have a history of anxiety or panic, I agree that starting out with therapy would be the way to go.  I think you'll accomplish more there anyway, as you have to learn to combat the "what if' thinking.

If at some point you decide to consider trying a medication, it's best to have a psychiatrist manage those kinds of medications.  Medications can be a great tool in the treatment of anxiety in that it can help to manage the symptoms while one works on the "brain stuff" in therapy.  There's no easy fix unfortunately, it's not like a medication is a "cure".

I too hope this is a fluke thing for you, but just to caution you, you're at the typical age where many people report the onset of their anxiety symptoms.  Most people with anxiety disorders experience the onset of symptoms in their late teens, early 20's.  So, I think it's a good idea to be proactive about this and instead of just crossing your fingers, hoping it goes away, get yourself set up with a therapist.  The sooner you start to address it, the better.  The longer you wait, the harder it is to undo that anxious cycle of thinking.

Take care.

[sharon6922]

I would highly suggest not taking medication as it will mess with you. The best medication is get a grip of it now before it gets a grip of you. I wish I had of so many years ago so take my advice. Go and see your doctor and they will help you. Try and write down what things could be making you stressed and focus on them.

This is a good example of what stress can do.

last night I was talking to someone about the passing of my dad (something I have never come to terms with) I finally let someone in then next minute I had crushing head pain, neck pain, chest pain, anxiety & could not breath. This is a clear indication of just how stressed I am and I feel these pains are a warning. I took a stress test and got 40/50.....on the road to recovery, taking a while but I will get there in the end. xx

[sharon6922]

Everything you are saying is anxiety, are you always stressed? This is how mine started. If you don't deal with stress, it will have a bad effect on the body. I have been like this for about 7 years now, life has never been the same for me and I can feel it getting worst, but after coming on here and reading that other people are in my boat, I somewhat feel like someone finally know's what it is like.

If negative thinking can work then so can positive......

Good luck. :*

[SeanMichael24]

I have never had issues with anxiety nor panic attacks. Hopefully this is a one time thing i am going through. I will make a appointment with a therapist to see what they say and go from their i would personally prefer to stay off medication as i am not one to take them. I guess because i never experienced issues like this nor anxiety my head made me start thinking maybe they are missing something or aren't test for the right things.  

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome!  I'm sorry you're struggling!

You've had VERY thorough work-ups with comprehensive diagnostic testing.  Anxiety is causing you to "what if" despite solid factual proof that there is nothing wrong.  That's anxiety for you.  If you had something big and bad wrong medically, one of your diagnostic tests would have showed something.

Before this all started, did you have any history of anxiety?  If so, how have you managed it in the past?  I completely agree with audrey that it's time to have a chat with your doc, so you can start addressing the anxiety.  Therapy will be vital to help you learn how to shut down and dismiss that "what if" thinking, and accept the facts for what they are, versus staying hyper focused on the FEARS.  Fear is not FACT.

Get the ball rolling and make yourself an appointment so you can discuss this with your doc, and hopefully get a referral to start therapy.  I would recommend printing this thread out, as you describe very well how you've been feeling.

Hang in there, know you're not alone, and please keep posting, keep us in the loop, okay?

[audrey1122]

Have you talked to your doctors about anxiety? Have they mentioned this at all? I would suggest trying a medication that can help with your anxiety and racing thoughts.

[SeanMichael24]

Thanks for the information. I just don't understand why i can't except that all my test come back normal and i still feel like this all the time. I guess because i am a guy and I'm thickheaded Haha. I go to some of the biggest doctors in New York City and they can't seem to find anything thats wrong with me. I do have something that is called POTs which is related to blood pressure and how it changes with position. It also causes tachycardia issues but for the most part even with this condition my blood pressure has always been normal the heart rate at a time was the issue where it would get out of whack. They got the heart rate under control and i had a great life with no issues for a good year and half. Randomly i woke up about 8 weeks ago with all the reverse symptoms. It started with head pressure and lightheadedness and continued for a few days didn't think anything of it figured it could of been the change of seasons or i was getting sick. Basically didn't let up and i felt like i was floating around and my body was moving in slow motion. Then i started to get a feeling like my body was shutting down where it feels like everything slows down and this is the scary part cause i don't know if its a sign of something they aren't finding. At times i get chest pressure or a fullness feeling in my upper stomach and chest and some arms and legs feel like mellow and weak.They took me off my beta blocker figuring it was being caused maybe by that and my body rewired it self i am no longer on my medication for about two weeks and i still feel the same way. At night my pulse can go down to 45bpm but mainly stays in the 50s and 60s during the night. The most recent test i have had which all came back normal are. Chest X-ray and Ct scan of head which was normal. MRI of brain and cervical spine which was normal. 24 hour holter monitor which was normal no pauses or arrhythmia's  Just showed resting heart rate during sleep to be at 45bmp to 70bpm which he said was normal for my age and my heart being in good condition. Numerous blood test CBC Thyroid etc.. which all came back normal . I don't know if i should give up with running to doctors and trying to potentially find a issue that might not be here and is being caused by anxiety or constant worry and research to try and figure it out on my own. When noting comes back wrong. They have looked at all blood thick was normal they tested me for Ms, Chiari Malformation, and some sort of Myopathy which was all normal along with heart test.

[audrey1122]

All of these symptoms can most definitely be anxiety related. It is not uncommon to have symptoms that can last for weeks or months on in. If you have not discussed these feelings with your doctor I highly recommend it. There are many wonderful medications to treat anxiety that can bring you much relief. Anxiety is more common than you think and many people learn how to cope and successfully live with anxiety. There will be a point when you feel yourself again. The key is to not feeding into your fears and facing them head on. Start by visiting your doctor and discussing your symptoms. Put your mind at ease knowing that your tests came back normal and it is not a contributing factor to your symptoms. Also I would recommend seeking counseling. Medication is good but therapy is wonderful. They can teach you great coping skills and ways to manage your anxiety. Hang in there it is a tough road but you will and can do this. Stay positive..