Anxiety or Medical Problem

[LanceG1144]

Hello, My name is Lance. I just turned 20 a couple of weeks ago. Well I am currently in the U.S. Navy. I have been diagnosed with GERD/ Acid Reflux......I also had a really bad depressive episode a little more than a year ago. Along with depression came a lot of anxiety. Right now a i am a little distressed because i am having really uncomfortable chest pains a little bit to the right of the center of my chest. I smoked cigarettes for less than a year, and used chewing tobacco for approximately 2 months. I quit smoking because one night my heart just started racing and pounding for no reason. It was uncontrollable, easily over 200 BPM. I've had one other episode where my heart did that, except it wasnt as bad. I have had two EKG's done and they showed up fine. Almost very moment of the day i feel like every little ache and pain will lead to my death.  I feel no emotions and am completely detached from reality. I have been doing the breathing techniques every night for 30 minutes for the last week and it doesnt seem to be working. Anyways, my questions are, what do i have to do to get rid of this anxiety, and depression. Also could this chest pain be something of more significance?

I appreciate any input and would appreciate a response ASAP

thanks

[Piper222]

I have general anxiety and until recently never experienced a panic attack, your heart races when you are having an attack.  Try sitting down and concentrating on your breathing counting in 1,2,3,4, and out 1,2,3,4, and see if your heart slows down.  If you concentrate on something other than your heart think you'll find it will slowly stop.  Catch it before it becomes a habit.

[LanceG1144]

thank you all for your input

I am seeing a Gastrologist on friday, so maybe they can do something to fix these chest pains. I feel like i am slowly edging away from my depression and my anxiety somewhat. My anxiety got to the point where i just gave up and accepted the nonsenese my mind was telling me. Kane- my heart rate was not recorded that night, i was just guessing. I knew how fast my heart was beating and i can tell you it wasnt normal at all. It kind of put me at ease to know that my roommate has had the same thing happen to him, and he seems to not be worried about it. could this heart racing be because of the anxiety?

[kane3]

Hey,
Im sorry to hear about your situation of late, and hope with some help and advice you can get your life back on track. Anxiety can play tricks on you and have you absolutely convinced that something is wrong. I would recommend talking to your doctor about some type of medication to relax you when you get tense in these moments. You could try Clonazepam, which works great on relaxing the  mind and muscles too...You have got some cardio work done, but it would never hurt to ask for more to leave those thoughts of something is wrong out. With you having GERD/acid reflux....im almost convinced that those sharp pains is related to that, because I also have the same issue. The night where you said you had an episode of your HR going easily above 200bpm....was that a guess...or was that a recorded event? Since all of your ekg's have been normal...that to me doesn't mean nothing as ekg's just capture whats happening at that moment. For a HR of over 200...that is something I would want you to talk to your doctor about also...maybe booking you for a 24hr Holter Moniter could be a useful next step without medication to try eliminate any chance of a abnormal arrythmia. Other than that man, you sound  like you live a stressful life and need someone to talk too...go see your doc, listen to what he has to say...if your not feeling it...go to another...never stop till your  happy. Hope everything goes well and thank-you for serving your Country and mine.
Kane from Canada!

[melindazcrew6]

Lance,
First let me say " sorry you are going threw this". Anxiety can toy with your mind , and our body. If you fear something else is wronge maybe another EKG? But  you have had them done and all was normal, so I can tell you it is more then likely the anxiety. You also have derealization, so do I and it is a horrible feeling. This might sound silly to you but helped me, when i am feeling anxious and all of the thoughts start rolling in I get a rubber band and put it around my wrist and give it a good snap everytime I have the what IF'S. What if I have a brain tumor what IF something is wronge with my heart and the test's were wronge, what if I am going crazy....ect...ect..  
I give it a good snap and that helps ALOT. Are you in therapy or seeing Doctor? Some people get help threw medication, others threw therapy OT , some people go natural with vitamins. There are different ways. Sorry this wasnt very helpful, but there are great people on  here that will come  along and have some great advice.
Hope you feel better soon !!
Melinda