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mojo5
08-02-05, 10:41
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
08-02-05, 11:00
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
08-02-05, 12:15
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
08-02-05, 13:48
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 :D

jude
08-02-05, 14:06
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
08-02-05, 14:14
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
08-02-05, 16:06
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
08-02-05, 16:18
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 (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=283)
More thoughts : Mind Games (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1789)

First Steps : First Steps to overcoming Panic and Anxiety (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=942)





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
08-02-05, 18:02
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
10-02-05, 16:08
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.

bluebottle
10-02-05, 16:25
"Got my first apptmt for CBT asessment on tuesday"

How do you get that then Mo?

Regards,

Blue
--
Take little steps

Meg
10-02-05, 17:04
Mojo.. tingling and numbness are every much a part of some peoples panic as is the racing heart etc.

Next time - remind yourself that it is part and parcel of the condition and do something that gets you breathing well for a reason- ie a jog and it will pass.

Good luck with going to footie - thats a great step.

Blue - all GPs can refer you to the community mental health team - as to how long it can take to get assessed ... umm similar to string length.

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

FAN
10-02-05, 18:10
glad to hear your gonna go to football avoidance is the worse thing cos the longer you put off going the harder it gets......let us know how it goes but im sure you will be fine

fan x

mojo5
10-02-05, 23:35
Well.
I did it.
I didn't die
Or have a heart attack.
The feelings and thoughts came as I knew they would. But I was ready, didn't fight them, I asked them what they wanted, but they didn't want anything and they went away again.
Got used to the idea that when you run around a bit your heart does beat faster - it's only natural.
Tonight was good and I am really pleased with this step - and it would be great if I could build on it.
Think I learned something tonight.

Thanks for your support guys
:D[8D]:)
Mo.

FAN
10-02-05, 23:42
great stuff i knew you would do it, bet you feel a lot better for the exercise as well

fan x

Meg
10-02-05, 23:49
Hey - thats great news Mojo and a massive step in the name of progress for you !!!







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

Karen
10-02-05, 23:56
Well done Mojo. Great progress.

Karen



It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.

jill
11-02-05, 09:41
[Wow!] You have done soooo well[^]
A big WELL DONE to you Mo.

You can built on this, that day you learnd something
the next day you will learn something else.
It is all a step forwared to feeling better:D

TAKE CARE

LOVE JILLXXX


"Every thought that you think changes your biochemistry,
your hormones are effected by your thoughts.
Pay attention to stuff that bring you joy.
Look for things that bring you a smile!"

bluebottle
11-02-05, 09:56
:D

I've already said it, but I'll say it again.
Brilliant. [8D]

Regards,

Blue
--
Take little steps

nomorepanic
12-02-05, 19:57
Hi Mo

Just catching up on posts as I was away most of last week.

You are doing great and it is lovely to have you on the forum.

I hope things continue to go well for you.

Nicola

JPF
12-02-05, 20:05
Hi m8!

I just wanted to say that I've had pretty much the same fears as you have - PA that felt like a heart attack therefore I might have a problem etc. I get bloody awful chest pains when I'm in a state and they do feel bad but they're 'just' the panic crunching through your system!

You're doing really well, making good progress and it's great to read you're back to whizzing around the footie field (I was always a rugger b*gger myself, but each to their own :D)

Keep up the good work Mojo and I'll give you the address of the cybernetic lab in China for those extra 17 digits... ;) (Sorry folks, stuff from the chat room.. )

Good luck and keep getting better

J

razocaine_07
21-02-05, 19:43
hi mojo, the heart of my anxiety is to do with my health, mainly linked to my stomach/vomiting etc etc. Its good that you know when and how this panic started as this is half the problem solved. The next would be to get some help professionally in order to combat your demons. Remember that this is common among panic sufferers and there are lots of people on here who can give opinions on self help methods

mojo5
22-02-05, 18:10
Update...........

Dear all

Went for my CBT asessment with psychologist today to see if they think it would benefit me.
I had written down all my 'issues' and worked them through with her. She does think it would help me and I've been on the waiting list for a while and now I am a step closer.

In general things have been going well - I have my moments - we all do, but on the whole I have to be pleased with my progress.

Have been to footy training 2 weeks running with no probs, just need to play in a proper 11 a side game which may well be this weekend - will let you know how I get on.

Thanyou all again for your advice & support.

Best Wishes
Mo.

FAN
22-02-05, 19:40
hi glad to hear things are moving with your cbt hope it goes well keep us posted

fan x

Meg
23-02-05, 12:19
Way to go Mo .

Keep it going .


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

razocaine_07
25-02-05, 16:33
good to hear you have got back to footy