Health Anxiety

[mojo5]

Hi All - Hope someone can help

I'm 39 M. and about 4/5 months ago I had a major panic attack after 5 a side football in the changing rooms. I really thought I was about to die my heart was beating so fast.

Since then I have been in a state of high alert and have become convinced that I have a terminal heart problem. This has not been helped by that fact that I knew a least 3 people who died of heart attacks last year ( not much older than me ).

This has left me in a state of general anxiety - but the one thing I enjoy most ie. playing football has become an area I fear most.

The major problem is that once I'm warmed up and I have negative thoughts and this triggers the fight or flight / adrenalin release and the effects are frightning and debilitating.

I have been to my GP and he's done an ECG and examined me and tells me my heart is fine ( blood pressure fine/non smoker/ not overweight/ no family history etc)
So as you can see there is no logic to my thought patterns - but I feel unable to control the panic when exercising. ( at rest I can deal with it)

I'm pretty fed up with it and would love to 'snap out of it' but I expect the recovery to take some time.
It's the people close to me that are also affected by this and I want to beat this for them as much as myself so we can enjoy life again.

If anyone else has had similar experiences or has any advice I would love to hear from you.

Thanks for reading

[bluebottle]

Welcome to the forum Mojo5,

Have you tried jogging, alone? As you said "I feel unable to control the panic when exercising" I wondered if it was all exercise, or just exercise in a group.

Regards,

Blue

[FAN]

hi and welcome , you say you had the all clear from the doc so that should put your mind at rest,if you read through some of the postings on the site you will find that most of us have or have had the heart attack fear we know its not gonna happen but that doesnt make the panic any easier im sure as you read some of the posts you will find advice given by others that can really help you with this and that its not something you can snap out of just something you can learn to control.
try to exercise on your own see if you still feel the same it could be that you also have a fear of this happening whilst in a group and once you cope with it alone might help to cope in a group situation

fan x

[seh1980]

hello Mojo5,

Welcome to the site!!

Your fear is very common amongst anxiety sufferers. I had the same fear for about a year, to such an extent that I could make myself have a pain in my chest!! I used to avoid exercise as the first time it happened, I was at the gym. The only way to get over it is by proving to yourself that you will not have a heart attack, ie by going out and doing things. After you have done this a few times, your fear will start to fade away. You could start with gentle exercise and work your way up from there..

Sarah

[jude]

Hello mojo5,
Welcome to the forum. Im sure u will find lots of help and advice from everyone here.
As every one has said, these symptoms are very common with anxiety. If the doctor has given you the OK, then you need to start relaxing and stay calm in the knowledge that the fast heartbeat wont hurt you and will subside.
Take care
Jude x

[mojo5]

Hi all

Thanks for responding it's nice to know that you are not insane or alone.

I have to say what a great site this is and it's a big help being able to speak your mind and have people with experience giving support.

I guess my recovery begins here, don't know how long it will take but I am very determined.

Cheers MO.

[jill]

Hi Mo

Welcome to the site,

I have to agree with you when you say this is a great site.
Since finding it back in August last year I am now 100% better:(
With alot of hard work support and time you too can learn how
to feel better.
You have come to the right place there are lots of nice people here
who will help and support you.

TAKE CARE

LOVE JILLXX

[Meg]

Hi Mojo,

By recognising that it ' originates' from your thoughts you're doing great .

The trick is not to beat youself up about being 'silly'. The trick is to teach yourself to be rational and think the steps through that lead to this - and then start to insert a brick wall thus stopping the thoughts spiralling into panic.

Here are a few that we made earlier !

Thoughts : Lets try to keep our thoughts in perspective
More thoughts : Mind Games

First Steps : First Steps to overcoming Panic and Anxiety





Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

You cannot conquer fear until you have learned what it is you're afraid of. The enemy is ignorance. Vivian Vance

[Laurie28]

Hiya and welcome to the forum.

There is some great advice here

i think knowing people that have had heart attacks certainly might have triggered this fear.

Have you had a chance to read though the links that Meg has posted??

Lucky

[mojo5]

Hi all

Had 2nd appointment for excercise test with cardio specialist ( who did ultra sound previously and said I was AOK) yesterday and although he wasn't there this time the nurse who did the tests said she didn't anything which concerned her.

This is good news & was feeling so good yesterday had double fried egg sandwich to celebrate and took dog for a long walk.

Trying to hang to this positive thought because today I've not had a very good one - I got really stressed out with my 3 year old this morning and I started getting pains in my neck, left bicep and tingling cheek & jaw.

Classic stuff so I couldn't stop myself ringing nhs direct - they advised me to go to A & E as any face tingling / numbness needs to be checked out. And so off I went AGAIN wasting everyones time.
The symtoms ie. physical ones seem SO REAL.

I know the panic feelings now and generally I am learning to deal with them quite well - but when I get 'real' pains etc I can't help but think the worst.

I'm back home again now and most have the pains have gone apart from the tingling cheek - which the doc ( who happened to be georgeous and distracted me from myself for a while so I can' be all that bad !!) at the hospital put down to neuralgia.

Tonight is football training and I've been in 2 minds whether to go, the way I feel.
But I 've got to go ! Went out over the last couple of days doing jogging etc without any adverse problems.
It's the group situation I'm not looking forward to -but many of you have given me some tools to work with and I am going to go.

I really love my footy and don't want to start avoiding situations.

Got my first apptmt for CBT asessment on tuesday and hopefully that will help me make further progress.

I know the answers have to come from me, but thankyou again for reading & listening to me.

Mo.