This is a little out of ordinary

Okay,
I really really need some help here. It is not really related to the pm but affairs of the heart and stress on the heart.

I was delivered some devistating news last week. This is an issue that has been going on for months but I thought was over. It just got worse.

Well my question is this I have gone to the hospital several times over the past few months with chest pain. The doctor says it is stress related but I also have my pm to worry about. Do you all know exactly how long a person have have EXTREME STRESS before it actually starts affecting the heart. I lost about 12 lbs last week. I'm trying to eat but can't keep it down. I am beginning counceling for this but am concerned also about my health.

Thank you

4 Comments

Hard to say...

by dward - 2007-11-21 02:11:15

It's hard to say too much about your stress issue. It sounds like your devistating news is personal and I understand your not wishing to elaborate in a fairly public forum.
I on the other hand, am an "open book" so here goes:
I too had a day when my entire world caved in.
My childhood sweetheart and wife of 18 years out of the blue said "I don't love you anymore."
Now, pretty much everybody will say, "come on, there must have been signs" but there were none that I saw at that time. So it was a complete shock to me and my two teenaged daughters.
I had NEVER been alone in my entire life.
My world went from pretty much perfect to complete darkness and dispair. But that's not all...
Two days later I was told I may have skin cancer and had to have a quarter-sized chunk taken out of my leg.

After going through every emotion imaginable - and dropping 60 pounds (yes 60 pounds - due to stress alone!) I read a phrase in a book that for some reason - really stuck out to me: "What happens to you is not as important as what you do with it".

I decided then and there that I had two choices:
Stay stressed, alone and unhappy - or - have faith in myself that I can find happiness and emotional strength (even if it means being alone).

I spent the next two years hanging out with friends (not dating, just hanging out with friends and getting to know... ME!) I also started to get my weight back!
It really wasn't so bad after all.
I then slowly started dating again. It was a little terrifying yet exhilarating at the same time.

Then it happened.

Completely out of the blue, I met this girl who was honest, cute, funny - and I started to realize how the marriage I used to think was so perfect - really WASN'T. I was always under pressure to make lots of money, buy material things, take care of EVERYTHING.

What's my message?

Life WILL throw us curve balls.
When Sh-- hits the fan, it's not usually evenly distributed, but it really is what we do after that that truly counts.

Turns out I didn't have skin cancer, so the time I spent worrying about it was simply waisted.

I married that girl that came into my life... eight years ago. We are still having the greatest time (my girls love her too!)

All because I read a simple message in a book -
"What happens to you is not as important as what you do with it".

I wish you well.



hello stillshocked

by jessie - 2007-11-21 12:11:05

my husband was told after bi-pass to avoid any stress that would cause him to have chest apin. so arguments, worries etc. are out now. our lives are pretty serene. so whatever the news is it may be for the best. if this person is continuing to cause you stress you are better if this person goes to counselling with you. be open and honest with the councillor. take care jessie

the body is a whole

by scpck - 2007-11-22 01:11:09

We may think that each organ has its separate function, but all are connected. Emotions can play havoc on the operating of just about any organ from the heart on down to the skin and hair. Of course a shocking emotional revelation will throw a monkey wrench into your bodily functions.

I too see a counselor and have been for the past 5 years now. I used to be ashamed I couldn't control things by myself alone. Not true! Just as the body is a whole, our interactions with others make up our whole body image. Stay with the counselor and if they suggest medication, consider that too. Every one may not need it. I do.

Biofeedback

by ElectricFrank - 2007-11-24 12:11:28

You might discuss biofeedback with our counselor. By measuring your physiological responses to the stressor and showing them on a screen you can learn to better deal with them. When my wife of 48 years suddenly died I used biofeedback to keep myself honest as far as how I was dealing with it. (She was a biofeedback therapist and I manufactured equipment) It has been a great help for me. Several of the things that I though were stressful to me turned out to be very little problem. Other little things really upset my organism.

You might need to look around for someone who does biofeedback. The reaction of your counselor may depend on whether he/she has it available.

I wish you the best. It sounds like whatever it is has really hit you hard.

frank

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