Heart Anxiety

[nicktaylor]

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've posted here, so hello again to everyone! I've had anxiety symptoms for about 18 months or so. In January, I had some CBT and that really helped. I also went to see a heart specialist and wore a heart meter for a week.

I've done pretty well and most of my anxiety has eased off. I don't get (or don't notice) ectopics anymore, and I get dizzy less often than I used to... And haven't had a full on panic attack since December.

Recently though, I've started trying to get fit - I'm pretty lazy exercise-wise. Going to the gym, or any exercise, is a real scare - as soon as my heart gets faster, I start to get dizzy and really wheezy, as if my throat goes suddenly dry, and I have a tickly-cough feeling.

Given I wore a meter for a week at the beginning of the year, I guess I can't have a heart condition, but I still feel not quite right. A couple of years ago before the anxiety I lost quite a bit of weight by going to the gym - but now I don't know how I'll manage! I know some of it is being not fit and getting out of breath, but I hear my heart thumping in my ears and feel pretty rotten when I've done some exercise.

Do other people get these same symptoms when they exercise?

[mysweetshadow]

hi Nick, i have been an Agoraphobic with Panic Attacks for the last 18 months, and I feel the same as you.
I have recently tried light exercising around my home, as i have not tried since, my problems begun. When I try to exercise I have a very racey heart, I become dizzy, my throat dries up and becomes ruff, and my chest feels like it is ready to cave in.
I think its just our bodies way of trying to get used to doing things again. With it being so long, since it was really put into use.

phil

[nicktaylor]

Hey Phil,

Thanks for the reply, that makes me feel a bit better. My desk is on the 5th floor in our office, and I tried walking up today - I felt like I was going to die! I managed to make it all the way up though, despite almost giving up on 3rd.

:D

[janie]

Hi Nick

I am exactly the same. Before I got anxiety (in March this year) I had kept reasonably fit. I loved to dance and play squash but then I broke my leg really badly in a skiing accident. I wasn't able to do any exercise for a year.

Needless to say the pounds piled on and now I am acutely aware that I need to exercise ....healthy body, healthy mind........ but even if I just think about it I get chest pains. I'm still frightened that there may be something wrong, although I have had all the tests and everything was ok.

I always feel more comfortable if I exercise with someone else - bit of a security blanket really. I know I need to face my demons and just get out there but last time I did that I got really dizzy and rushed home in a state of panic!

I feel for you Nick - I feel like if I can go back to that place where I felt dizzy and face my fears I'll have crossed a big hurdle. But I keep making excuses not to go and then I am disappointed in myself.

Take care

Janie xxx

[mysweetshadow]

lol....Nick least you made it up to the 5th in the end. Glad to hear that you are making progress, im sure soon enough you will feel the difference.

phil

[nicktaylor]

Thanks folks, means a lot to hear there are people in the same boat!

Today I have a mystery backache though. Stupid anxiety, I've been wondering all morning if there's something wrong with my kidneys, or something weird in my spine...

[Trev]

Hi Nick,

firstly here's a link to a previous post I made which covers alot of your worries : Exercise and panic attacks (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4768)

I know exactly what you are going through. I only recently finally cracked it with the help of Meg.
I had tests done which came back ok and Meg then explained that heart disease does not happen overnight. It takes at least 10 years anyway.

It may help if you make any diet and lifestyle adjustments such as cutting down on saturated fats etc. as there is no harm in doing this as a preventative action.
Exercise is good in many ways. If you look on the heart foundation site they suggest exercise even for people who have a problem..........and you DON'T have a problem if they have tested you extensively so you have no worries. Keep telling yourself this.

Build your exercise gradually and it really helps to do something you enjoy. Remember that exercise does not always need to be full on hard core gym stuff. Brisk walks, trampettes, swimming etc are all exercise. When I started exercising I started with walks and built up duration and pace over months. I then went back to the gym.

Remember that sweating, increased heart rate, "feeling your pulse going", increased breathing rate etc are all NORMAL reactions to exercise. Your body has to react in this way. I know how hard it is not to think "Oh God, this is it!" every time you feel this way but you have to keep telling yourself it's ok and gradually it will sink in.

Confidence can only be earned by doing it at the end of the day. As you get used to the feelings and the fact that you've done it and were ok and survived you will gradually come to fear it less and less.

Don't forget also that it's pretty normal to feel a bit rough after hard exercise and then you feel alot better.
At least with exercise you are using the panic chemicals for what they were designed for!!! Fight or flight.

Good luck,
Trev :D

[nicktaylor]

Hey Trev,

Thanks, I pretty much waded all the way through that topic and it's really reassuring. I went for a bit of a swim last night, and only did a few gentle lengths, but I guess every little helps.

I've had a bit of a bad day today with this backache - trying to fight off the thoughts that there's something wrong beyond a twinged muscle! Tommorow though I'm doing the 5 flights of stairs again. I figure if I can manage that without being convinced I'm going to die before I get there, that'll help me overcome the fear, and to get a bit fitter.

Fingers crossed. Good to read your story too, you sound like you've achieved so much!

Nick.

[Trev]

Hi Nick, you did well to wade through all that lot!! Glad it helped.

I'm pleased with my progress. I had some great help from people here and outside of here. I believe support and guidance are immensely helpful.

Glad to hear that you are doing a bit of exercise. I found at first that I was doing the exercise but constantly thinking "What if?" When you can get past this you are there really. It may take a little practice but you can get there.

Remember that your test results were perfect and you are ok to exercise. The exercise will make you even better.

I had some back pain in various places on the spine although it was mainly at the base. I found that using yoga or pilates exercises helped tremendously. You have to do them pretty regularly though. They don't take long and are very gentle but they do need to be kept up.
Also, I had massage done at an alternative medicine place. This worked but it was costing £30 a time. I didn't mind paying it as the results were good and I was fortunate enough to be able to afford it. Just some thoughts anyway.

Best wishes,
Trev :D

[spuds]

I got very unfit when I first became anxious about my health. After frightening myself with a pulse that wouldn't slow down one night, I realised I was so unfit that I needed to lose weight and start with more modest things, eg walking, first.

Like everyone says, perhaps build up your exercise regime slowly - it's very easy to get carried away and do too much. Though if you can walk up 5 flights of stairs - thats a pretty impressive workout! Do the gym machines have heart rate monitors? These can help you stay within a range you feel comfortable at.

I am impressed by how you have taken back control of your mental and physical health, well done for that.

Next Mon on Channel 4 there is a programme about very obese people walking 500 miles - "Too Fat To Walk", I think it's called. I am going to watch this because I always make the excuse that I am too overweight and unfit to do strenuous exercise and I am still worried about my imaginary heart problem. But I reckon their health must be worse than mine and they are walking miles - it might inspire me to do the same.

[honeybee3939]

Hi Nick,

Lovely to hear you are doing so well,

I myself have been so unfit for so many years because of Agorophobia. Recently i joined the gym , it was real hard work to start with, like you i was going dizzy could hear my heart thumping, out of breath etc.
I have been going to the gym around 2 months now, and everytime i go i do an extra couple of minutes on the equipment. to start with i could only manage 3 minutes on the exercise bike! Gosh how unfit was I !
I must say i have felt pounds better in my self since starting the gym.

Nick start off at the gym doing a few minutes and build up over the weeks.


Love

Andrea
xxx

[nicktaylor]

Thanks everyone, it's such a relief to hear people having the same trouble. There's some stuff in Trev's thread too that made me almost laugh out loud with relief - comments about not having a bath too hot and leaving the door unlocked are so true.

The gym scares the hell out of me. I've been a couple of times, but each time my throat feels tight before I've even started. I guess I just need to take it easy and ignore the weird feelings.

I was thinking of going this evening, but I've had IBS for a couple of days and feel sick and have stomach cramps, so I might wait until after the fireworks tomorrow!

[Trev]

Nick, remember that going back to the gym after a period away is a bit nerve racking (spelling?!!!!) anyway.

I know of people who wouldn't say that they suffer anxiety but they can't face going to the gym on their own as they would feel strange!!! We all feel a bit self concious going back to the gym. It's very natural.

Remeber we still have to allow for "natural" anxiety. It's just that our symptoms are more acute while we are more sensitised. i.e. the sweating, tight throat, tight chest, dizzy etc. etc.

Cheers,
Trev :D

[peter34uk]

What about the recovery period. Thats when I feel worse sometimes. My heart rate takes ages to slow down & my chest so congested after too.

Makes me afraid to do it again.

[Alisonj]

I feel worst during the recovery period as well. I find myself checking my blood pressure and pulse right away to ensure things are ok or atleast coming down. The longer you take to slow down usually the better you feel.