Posted by Annie S. on September 10, 1999, at 18:33:26
In reply to Re: Left side..pains & anxiety..???, posted by Amy on September 10, 1999, at 11:45:33
> > Yes, I definitely have experienced severe chest pains associated with panic disorder and anxiety. Until I was properly diagnosed, I had been to the emergency room many a times, thinking I was having a heart attack or something (i'm in my 20s) only for them to run test after test with nothing conclusive.
> >
> > I constantly have pain on my left side of my chest, sometimes on the right, severe reflux, lots of general aches and pains, I now believe are all associated with the panic and anxiety. Now I just try to ignore them knowing that nothing is wrong. Surely if the chest pains were something, I would have known by now considering they've been going on for about 12 years.
> >
> > So no, you are not alone. Although I know it is scary as hell, but if you have panic disorder or severe anxiety, I would guess that to be the cause. Hope this helps.
>
> Thanks so much this helps a great deal. Just hearing that people have actually been through this is amazing to me. I thought I was dying for sure. I would get so mad at my doctors thinking they thought i was crazy and didnt want to help me. The pains around the heart area ARE very scary. Anxiety is so weird. The way you can just feel it coming on.. I feel different 24 hours a day. Just sometimes during the day I have an actual attack and they last forever. Ativan seems to be the only thing that helped. But how long can I take that? Have tried celexa,paxil,bupsar...no help. Made me feel worse. any suggestion. and what about sick nightmares...vivid dreams...associated with anxiety?
> and not being able to control thoughts that enter my head sometimes..i just feel crazy. like my mind has taken over and there is nothing i can do about it.. Is that anxiety or panic disorder also.. any info would be appreciated.Dear Amy,
I can relate to your problem. I can remember being anxious and feeling crazy way back in 1st grade. I'm now in 40's. Two years ago my anxiety started to interefere with my life. I was having panic attacks, palpitations, trouble getting my breath, digestive troubles, sleeping troubles, easily startled, worrying excessively, etc. etc. It can interefere with all your body functions. For a whole year I thought for sure I was going to have a heart attack. I went to a cardiologist for a complete work-up only to find that I'm in perfect health. I suffered another year after that with anxiety attacks until i got so fed up that I went to my family doctor and told him I had enough of living this way. He put me on Effexor XR 75 mg. and it has helped me a great deal. It doesn't make me groggy or space out. For the first time in my life, I feel at peace. This must be how "normal" people feel. I hope you find some peace, too.
poster:Annie S.
thread:3295
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990829/msgs/11378.html