Some help

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2005
Some help
22
Fri, 07-01-2005 - 7:47pm

So long story short.....about 6 weeks ago i had my fisrt attack. I was convinced I was having a heart attack. I am sure most of you have been there. I called 911 thinking I was going to die before I hit 30. I was given an EKG and told it was anxiety. Went to my Dr. the next day and he told me that it is genetic and if I had another one I was to come back and he was going to "give me something". I was CONVINCED it was a medical problem.

I went to a chiropractor who told me that it was my cortisol levels and not psychological and when I got that under control i would be cured.

Two more urgent care visits and a few more EKG's later I was told by one doc I had acid reflux. Another doc said that it was anxiety and I should see a woman doctor who would be more compassionate toward my "situation" I was then diagnosed with cosocondritis (sp?) which is an inflamation right at the ribs and sternum. Although no one knows how you get it but one doc thought it was from the frequent panic attacks that just wore me out.

I started seeing a therapist which did not work out because she wanted to discuss my childhood-she never focused on the fact that a close relative just passed, I started my own business, I am a newleywed and we are trying to buy a new house.

I have then found another therapist and I will see a psychologist for the fisrt time this week.

I have also found an excellent doctor who ran a full panel blood test along with an exam just to make sure. And told me I am in great health.

I was so scared that there was SOMETHING wrong with me and it was not mental. I am slowly believing the doctors that it is mental.

What I want to say with this LONG letter is ask if there is ANY advice or calming methods that will help. I am doing deep preathing, yoga and trying meditation. But any suggestions will help. I also have Ativan for those times when I spin out of control. But I am terrified of taking something everyday because I want to get pregnant in the next year and I have been told there is nothing to take for anxiety when you are pregnant. Any suggestions would be great.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2005
In reply to: calibrunette75
Thu, 07-07-2005 - 11:32pm

Alison,

At least I don't feel so alone with the chest thing. I am taking Advil and it is actually helping. I am on the tail end of this but I get the feeling it is one of those things where I am only going to feel normal after it is completely gone.

In any event I went to the psychiatrist yesterday and she told me I had a month. If in a month I can control my anxiety then I can not have to take a daily medicine. If I keep having them then she is strongly recomends that I take something like Zoloft. She said she can tell I am really fighting this and so she said I have a month to try and make it better. I don't want to take anything daily so we will see.

But the point I am slowly trying to make...is that I am going to try acupuncture. Actually I know a lot of people who have tried it and they all say you can't feel a thing. Anyway I will let you know how it goes and if you try it please do the same.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
In reply to: calibrunette75
Fri, 07-08-2005 - 12:35pm

Alison, the accupuncture is really painless. I think there was one time he placed it and it was slightly "sting-y" but as soon as I told him he moved it. Truly you don't feel them and if you do, I think you supposed to tell them.

The person I went to started with a history of my emotional and physical health, then had me lay down (fully dressed except shoes) and went through a process of determining where I had energy "blocks" (I think the basic concept is that your energy can get backed up in different areas and the idea behind accupuncture is to keep your energy flowing throughout your body). I think I had 5 to 7 needles each time I went. Since I couldn't feel them, I couldn't tell you for sure. I don't know how helpful this is, but I would truly encourage you to try it because my experience with it was wonderful. I only went 6 or 7 times (once a week) and it somehow made a huge difference. After my 3rd week I went off the meds I had just started and felt completely comfortable doing it. Within another week of that I was out shopping again without any problems (I had been having panic attacks anytime I went shopping). Good luck and hope this helps!

Julie

Pages