Anxiety?

Hi there, I'll try & keep this as brief as I can.
I'm 49, have a PM for SSS & have had it 2.5 years, my heart was regularly pausing for long periods which caused me to black out once.
Since the PM there have been no black outs but I've never been 100%.

Last year on visiting my cardio, she had the PM folks set my device to record more information & 6 months later (2 months ago) I went back for a PM interrogation & to see the cardio.

They recorded my pulse going at 170bpm a few times, when I know I was sitting at my desk in the office. They didn't seem too worried about that & I remain on 20mg of propranolol 3 times a day to help with that, although I was on that during the time I got the 170bpm!

Anyway, that is just background info, the reason for my post is this:

For about the last 2 months I have had a problem I have never had before, I can suddenly feel extremely unwell when talking to people. Usually it is when talking to figures of authority, or maybe someone at work, I feel fuzzy headed, sometimes feel unable to speak & have the overwhelming urge to walk away. Occasionally I can feel the muscles in my face twitch & it's like I want to cry, although I never have.

My GP says not to blame it on the heart issue, it is something totally different & for 1.5 weeks have been on 25mg Sertraline which at the moment has made no difference.

Also, last week, in a crowded conference room I was sitting at the back, against the wall in the audience & had to fight the urge to leave. I eventually calmed down with breathing excercises.

Also, at the dentist yesterday (I have no phobia of the dentist) I was sitting in the waiting room & started to feel funny. During my checkup I had to really keep my breathing in check, but after getting up out the chair & walking to reception to pay, I felt physically awful, sick, fuzzy headed. 2 minutes later & outside I was 100% fine.

This never happens when I am alone but is becoming debilitating and making work very difficult. I have to talk to clients at work & at the moment it is almost impossible.

Has anyone suffered from anything like this?

I am not obsessed with my heart condition & I am not someone who checks their pulse constantly. I do a pretty good job of forgetting I have a PM & just getting on with things & I have no fear of having a heart issue, my worry at the moment is being able to work.

3 Comments

Sounds like you're having

by Theknotguy - 2015-07-30 07:07:06

Sounds like you're having a panic attack. Panic attacks can tie in with heart issues. My Dad had them after a serious accident. They used to give people with panic attacks a shot of whiskey. It wasn't the whiskey, it was the depressant that calmed them.

Don't know what they do for panic attacks now, but they can do something. If your EP doesn't want to discuss, go to your family doctor. It can be helped.

Hope you get relief soon.

Thanks

by cropduster - 2015-08-03 07:08:08

Thanks for the reply, hopefully these tablets will kick in soon and I'll feel a bit better.
Thanks for replying.

I feel your pain

by trb - 2015-08-12 10:08:08

I'm a 50 year old that received my PM last Thursday. Prior to having the event that led to having a PM, I was dealing with the same symptoms. I own a large company and have to deal with employee issues, clients etc... my head is foggy, dizzy at times, shortness of breath - panic attack and a lot of anxiety. I was hoping the PM would fix some of that because my heart rate beats at a minimum 60 instead of 40 now, but there has been no relief yet. I take an occasional .5 xanax if it gets really bad and I've been taking xanax at bedtime for about 20 years... never over 2mg in a day. Prior to having my episode leading to the PM, I was on testosterone therapy for three years and decided I'd had enough, so it's been a month since I ended that. I'm sure that isn't helping. Remember, your hope for a great tomorrow is always far better than anything you're going through today - keep doing what you are doing and eventually your (and my) head will come around. I wanted to post this, so you know that you are not alone and this club will help you. You will get through it - as will I...

trb

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