Monii
- Date posted
- 1y
Heart anxiety again
Crying because I m so super scared of my heart going fast which happens every day with other symptoms and I think I m dying
benjita1benjita1
- Date posted
- 1y
I had this recently. I became obsessed with my heart and would notice pretty much every ectopic beat or palpitation. My doctor kept telling me it was anxiety that was causing the issues. I had multiple ECGs and had a 24 hour monitor put on too and everything came back normal. It went on like this for nearly 4 years until one day I accepted it could be anxiety and I stopped noticing them. I became hyper aware of my heart which is why I experienced what I did. The heart obsession never really left after I did therapy for health anxiety back in 2015. It’s always important to see a doctor if you are having issues just to be sure there is nothing going on but try and trust what your doctor says. The only issue I had was high blood pressure which has been successfully controlled since 2020. At my worst I would not wear a smart watch in case I got the urge to use the heart monitor or ECG function on it as I knew once I started it would be difficult for me to stop trying to use it for reassurance. Health Anxiety and OCD are not pleasant but you can recover from it and I know YOU will. Try and be kind to yourself and find time to relax. For me it was a turning point in my recovery for health anxiety.
MoniiMonii
- Date posted
- 1y
@benjita1 Yes I had so many ecgs done a lot the last 9 years and also had a 3 days monitor a year ago and I was told I have tachycardia but nothing dangerous nothing to worry about I keep relapsing honestly some days I m ok other I m back to obsessing I m constantly under stress so my ocd get the best of me I don’t have high blood pressure but who’s know probably I do because constantly anxious I hate going to the doctor and they keep sending me to get test done because my heart rate was high I m so tired of all of this so exhausting everyday a new obsession What type of therapy you did for health anxiety
benjita1benjita1
- Date posted
- 1y
@Monii Hi, sorry for the late reply. I didn’t get a notification for this post. My therapy for my health anxiety was one 2 one CBT with a workbook I had to go through. I was also obsessed with lumps and bumps at the time and kept making any swollen lymph nodes worse. I changed my job and became a bus driver so the constant checking just sort of stopped. How are you doing now?
MoniiMonii
- Date posted
- 1y
@benjita1 Is okay I m no doing to good my mind keep obsessing about heart rate and every day I get this thoughts that my heart will go fast for no reason my worse fear right now is tachycardia
MoniiMonii
- Date posted
- 1y
@benjita1 Do you think cbt therapy work better than exposure therapy
benjita1benjita1
- Date posted
- 1y
@Monii Happy New Year! I completely understand your concerns. I had an episode of tachycardia when I was going through my heart obsession a year ago and I went straight to the doctors who did an ECG. In the end I was given some medication to take if it was to happen again and I was shown a technique to slow my breathing down and to reduce the stress of it. When I accepted that most of my heart concerns were being made worse by obsessing over it things really did settle down. At the height of my health anxiety I hadn’t been diagnosed as having OCD, so exposure therapy for me wasn’t an option. However I was given a work book to complete between sessions which really helped me get over it. I can remember when my health anxiety was at its worst and I was seeing multiple doctors I would look them up on the GMC register (I’m from the UK) to see how long they had been a doctor and I got worried if they were newly qualified. When I discussed this at one of the sessions I was asked by the therapist how did I know that a newly qualified doctor was less capable than an experienced doctor? They had just spent 7 years training and if anything were more qualified than me 😂. That obsession of checking the register stopped pretty much overnight! I am thankful that my wife has been with me through each of my episodes and has been a big part of my recovery.
MoniiMonii
- Date posted
- 1y
@benjita1 Ah ok right now going through heart obsessing tachycardia I think if I don’t sleep I will get it like I m think I will get it for any reason I have ECG done before a lot normal so far but I still worry I m no going to doctors but I m constantly scared that if I don’t take care of the anxiety will get palpitations
benjita1benjita1
- Date posted
- 1y
@Monii Palpitations and ectopic beats are very common symptoms brought on by stress and anxiety. I found I became hyperaware of my heart and it felt like I felt every ectopic beat and palpitation. When I had my 24 hour holter monitor the results came back that these beats were within normal range. Are you in the UK? Are you able to self refer for therapy?
MoniiMonii
- Date posted
- 1y
@benjita1 Ah ok yes I know they are common but just feel so scary and I believe my thoughts like I know they are cause by stress but what if is a heart attack? That’s what my thoughts are :/ I m in USA and can’t find a therapist because is cash only can’t afford it ;(
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- Date posted
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Stomach cancer fears health OCD
31 year old female. I have IBS and POTS for some background. Since Sunday however I am scared I could have stomach cancer. Back in March I had to start taking propranolol for my POTS which caused horrific acid reflux and the feeling of a lump in my throat. I am waiting for new medication but my cardiologist is so bad at getting back to me. Anyway, last week I didn’t take much propranolol (I try to only take them when my POTS is bad) and I had three good days anxiety wise. On Sunday however I woke up at 4am needing to rush to the loo, I felt a bit nauseous which panicked me because I have a big fear of throwing up. Anyway since then I have had stomach discomfort, no appetite, feeling nauseous and some indigestion. It is really scaring me because I came across a TikTok that said symptoms of stomach cancer can be an increased heart rate, acid reflux, stomach discomfort, change in bowel habits etc. I have convinced myself that I don’t have POTS and that my increased heart rate is due to stomach cancer (sometimes I get night time adrenaline dumps which makes my heart rate shoot up). I’m scared that the feeling of a lump in my throat is also connected to stomach cancer, as is the stomach discomfort and bowel changes. I have had a clear bowel cancer screening, and mild inflammation and a faecal calprotectin test that was mildly elevated at 53 (normal levels are below 50). GP said she wasn’t concerned but referred me for further test anyway but that’s not for a few months. Also it’s mostly my stomach I’m concerned about. I can’t stop thinking I am missing something. I have a GP appointment booked but I’m scared I’ve left it too late and whatever is going on with me is growing and spreading and it will be too late. I’m really, really scared. I feel like for the last three months most days I have completely lost myself. But the last five days have been so so bad, I have googled constantly and just feel like I’m never going to feel better because of my stomach. I just really needed to vent. I have been referred for therapy but I can’t help thinking this is not anxiety and is just something I’m brushing off as anxiety. I’m really scared and just don’t know what to do :(
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