Arnie365
14-12-12, 13:31
Hi guys
just wanted to see if anyone has the same issues as me.
I developed health anxiety and panic attacks following smoking a legal high (i dont usually do any drugs at all). I swear I thought it was a heart attack and was rushed to hospital. All the usual heart attack symptoms of crushing chest pain, pain in left arm and jaw, went clammy and light headed. All ECG's and blood enzyme tests were fine and I was discharged and doctors put it down to a panic attack but werent able to give me an explanation of why I suddenly had one when never had anything like it before. Allergic reaction to whatever crap was in what i smoked? That was just over 6 months ago. Ive been into A & E twice since with bad chest pains but all clear on each occassion. Ive now been on Fluoextine for 20 days (no improvement yet!) and tried Propranolol but it didnt do much for me.
My question is this. Does anyone else have health anxiety about their heart brought on by a similar occurence? I read lots of posts from people where the chest pains have just come on (and I appreciate this must be scary as hell as well!!), but I cant help thinking that because mine was brought on by an actual incident I have actually done some damage to my heart. I really do try and believe what the doctors have told me that my heart is fine but when you have chest pain every day its so hard to buy into it!
The second thing is that I dont knowingly feel anxious before the chest pain. Its always the chest pain first which then makes me feel anxious. Again if I felt anxious first and the pain came later Id be able to link the two much better in my mind.
Anyway, Ive started a course of CBT now and have been on the meds for nearly 3 weeks so hopefully theyll start to kick in soon but feeling quite low today and looking for some reassurance.
Thanks guys
just wanted to see if anyone has the same issues as me.
I developed health anxiety and panic attacks following smoking a legal high (i dont usually do any drugs at all). I swear I thought it was a heart attack and was rushed to hospital. All the usual heart attack symptoms of crushing chest pain, pain in left arm and jaw, went clammy and light headed. All ECG's and blood enzyme tests were fine and I was discharged and doctors put it down to a panic attack but werent able to give me an explanation of why I suddenly had one when never had anything like it before. Allergic reaction to whatever crap was in what i smoked? That was just over 6 months ago. Ive been into A & E twice since with bad chest pains but all clear on each occassion. Ive now been on Fluoextine for 20 days (no improvement yet!) and tried Propranolol but it didnt do much for me.
My question is this. Does anyone else have health anxiety about their heart brought on by a similar occurence? I read lots of posts from people where the chest pains have just come on (and I appreciate this must be scary as hell as well!!), but I cant help thinking that because mine was brought on by an actual incident I have actually done some damage to my heart. I really do try and believe what the doctors have told me that my heart is fine but when you have chest pain every day its so hard to buy into it!
The second thing is that I dont knowingly feel anxious before the chest pain. Its always the chest pain first which then makes me feel anxious. Again if I felt anxious first and the pain came later Id be able to link the two much better in my mind.
Anyway, Ive started a course of CBT now and have been on the meds for nearly 3 weeks so hopefully theyll start to kick in soon but feeling quite low today and looking for some reassurance.
Thanks guys