Frequent missed beats/palpitations

[robbieuk]

Hi folks, I am new to the site having just discovered it and like most other members am seeking reassurances and support for my worries and also to offer other fellow sufferers some support and experiences over my lifetime of anxiety. I have been prone to periods of anxiety all my adult life and at 47, I am now going through my third such episode.
I have been diagnosed with GAD in the past but this has recently resurfaced and manifested itself as a health anxiety with particular emphasis on my heart. My dad died suddenly around two and half years ago due to a heart condition and obviously this has been in the back of my mind ever since. However my symptoms have returned only in the past few months. I did however have a similar period of anxiety many years ago when I was in my early twenties. At that time my Grandfather was dying with lung cancer and after he passed, I developed a fear of cancer and heart fears and went through a really bad period of health anxiety where I was never away form the doctors seeking reassurances. I did have a ECGs at that time which came back perfectly normal but that was twenty five years ago.
This time it is different though. I am avoiding the doctors like the plague. I seem to have developed a fear of attending a docs appointment. Does anyone else suffer this fear? The thought of having my blood pressure taken, having ECGs etc all scares me as my main fear at present is that I seem to be suffering palpitations/ectopic beats on a daily basis several times per day and they are worrying me. I can feel quite relaxed when they come on but each time they knock me for six and I am now constantly worrying when the next bout will happen, which is probably adding to the problem. I have had these in the past but have been able to brush them off but they have been getting stronger and more frequently over the past months. I want to visit my GP to investigate but just cant seem to pluck up the courage.
I cannot really speak to my family about it as they do not understand and just think I am a hypochondriac. Anyone offer any guidance?

Many thanks in advance

Robbie

[Nomoreworry96]

Hi,

I also have GAD and last week was diagnosed with OCD also.. so I completely get these thoughts and predictions you talk of, I always get missed beats in my heart and as soon as it happens you do immediately think of the worst.. truth is, when you feed into anxiety it causes more anxiety. Skipped heartbeats are completely normal, even if they are frequent (of course if the doctor has cleared you of any potential problems) they can be caused by simple things like, worrying too much, caffeine, cigarettes, lack of sleep.. and lots of other things, the best advice I can give is just to know that anxiety cannot hurt you and that is all it is, your mind trying to make you worry over something that someone else may just be able to ignore. But of course, you have to be cleared by a doctor.

[roseanxiety]

I am currently going through a bout of palpitations over the last month or so. But your post interested me because I have the fear of going to the doctor also. I don't know how to overcome it. Have you been able to get yourself to the doctor and how did you manage it? Thanks


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[Ethansmom]

I'm also TERRIFIED of going to the doctor. I have had many panic attacks just walking in to the office! Right now I am suffering from skipped beats/ectopics. I ate a huge lunch and my stomach is gurgling and i'm having a hard time digesting my food. It's almost as if my stomach can't handle anything heavy, and then my heart reacts. I've also been anxious today about something I have to go to tonight (which I have decided not to attend). I'm not up for it. Sometimes I take on things I don't want to do, and then I get the palps. I've had a few skipped beats.

I just took a Xanax to calm down, along with some gax-x for my stomach. I totally understand how debilitating palpitations can be.

BTW, my health anxiety and palpitations started a few years ago went my aunt suddenly died of lung cancer. I haven't been the same since then.