Jay72
17-11-11, 02:35
Hi all. My names Jay. I'm a 39 yr old guy, had been experiencing panic attacks, ectopic heartbeats, palpitations since I was about 19 - ish. I was fit back then with kickboxing and weight training and I'm still reasonably fit now so I know it was never due to the lack of exercise or anything. I don't know why it started happening, it just did.
I started ( way back then when I was 19 ) to think I was going crazy or something. My heart would just race for no apparent reason and I assumed I had some sort of heart problem and death was imminent. Well, I was checked out and I was as fit as a fiddle. Back then I was told it was 'all in my head'. I didn't believe that then and still don't now.
However, with persistence, I eventually got onto a beta blocker called propranolol - which I still use now. After looking into it myself, I came to the conclusion that, I, got panic symptoms from physical symptoms. Let me explain:
Initially, my GP said, "Oh, you are stressed and that is the cause of your palpitations, manage stress and you will be fine". He ( at the time,) tried me on Citolapram. Well, apart from being zombified, impotent, dazed and lacking my normal sex drive, it worked. But I decided that the results didn't justify the expense, so I went off them.
The panic came back, rapid heartbeats mostly and for no apparent reason. I found eating would increase it and alcohol too and I'd be getting OCD regarding my heart. Had to wear a watch to time it and I'd then sit wondering why the hell it was beating so furiously. Again, this made me feel really antisocial and anxious all the time as I was too preoccupied with my own body to get involved with anybody or anything.
I got put on propranolol - which I still take to this day. I haven't had panic symptoms since I have been on it but I want to try and get to the bottom and the root cause. I don't like being on beta blockers because, HMMM, how can I say this? Let's just say it affects a mans rigidness. Not to the point of impotency but it's never quite the full thing if you know what I mean?
Anyway, I was so wrapped up with the panic symptoms before that it ended up costing me relationships. ( 2 long term ones ) Now, I'm not getting those symptoms and could apply myself in a relationship, what's bugging me though is maybe I'm too old for a new relationship and it also bothers me that being on these beta blockers I can't get or sometimes maintain an erection. So, even if I did meet someone new, I'm already feeling bad about a first sexual encounter. Do I ditch the beta blockers and wonder if the panic syptoms might return? Do I continue taking them and look for stuff like viagra to counter-act the beta blockers?
What to do?
Thanks for any help and surely I'm not the only one to be concerned about these types of meds. :)
I started ( way back then when I was 19 ) to think I was going crazy or something. My heart would just race for no apparent reason and I assumed I had some sort of heart problem and death was imminent. Well, I was checked out and I was as fit as a fiddle. Back then I was told it was 'all in my head'. I didn't believe that then and still don't now.
However, with persistence, I eventually got onto a beta blocker called propranolol - which I still use now. After looking into it myself, I came to the conclusion that, I, got panic symptoms from physical symptoms. Let me explain:
Initially, my GP said, "Oh, you are stressed and that is the cause of your palpitations, manage stress and you will be fine". He ( at the time,) tried me on Citolapram. Well, apart from being zombified, impotent, dazed and lacking my normal sex drive, it worked. But I decided that the results didn't justify the expense, so I went off them.
The panic came back, rapid heartbeats mostly and for no apparent reason. I found eating would increase it and alcohol too and I'd be getting OCD regarding my heart. Had to wear a watch to time it and I'd then sit wondering why the hell it was beating so furiously. Again, this made me feel really antisocial and anxious all the time as I was too preoccupied with my own body to get involved with anybody or anything.
I got put on propranolol - which I still take to this day. I haven't had panic symptoms since I have been on it but I want to try and get to the bottom and the root cause. I don't like being on beta blockers because, HMMM, how can I say this? Let's just say it affects a mans rigidness. Not to the point of impotency but it's never quite the full thing if you know what I mean?
Anyway, I was so wrapped up with the panic symptoms before that it ended up costing me relationships. ( 2 long term ones ) Now, I'm not getting those symptoms and could apply myself in a relationship, what's bugging me though is maybe I'm too old for a new relationship and it also bothers me that being on these beta blockers I can't get or sometimes maintain an erection. So, even if I did meet someone new, I'm already feeling bad about a first sexual encounter. Do I ditch the beta blockers and wonder if the panic syptoms might return? Do I continue taking them and look for stuff like viagra to counter-act the beta blockers?
What to do?
Thanks for any help and surely I'm not the only one to be concerned about these types of meds. :)