Neil123
27-07-09, 00:19
Hi all,
Wonder if anyone can help.
I've got a history of depression and anxiety that I've learned to manage pretty effectively. As a rule I'm pretty much on top of it.
However, a few years ago I had series of palpitations that lasted for about an hour. I ended up seeing several specialists, having countless ECGs etc etc and was (inevitably!) given the all clear. However, I struggled to accept the diagnosis and obsesses about the speed, regularity etc of my heart.
Fast forward about 18 months and I'm taking 30mg of paroxetine/paxil a day and have pretty much zero anxiety about it. I'm training for a marathon and am healthier and happier than I've been for a long time.
However, I am still very much "aware" of my heartbeat. I feel it when I'm lying in bed. I feel it in my hand when I'm holding hands with my girlfriend. I occasionally feel it in my back, legs, feet, head etc etc. It's only a couple of times a day, and there's no associated anxiety with it. I'm just concerned that if I don't "unlearn" this overt sensitivity by the time I wean myself off the paroxetine that this awareness will lead to anxiety again.
Any ideas on how to get over this? I don't want to be stuck on paroxetine for ever. Tips, techniques, large sums of money & free holidays will all be accepted gratefully.... :D
Anyway, I'm generally in good health and spirits (I hope the same can be said for all of you lovely lot!). But it's taken me a few years to get here and now I'm looking at an "exit strategy"!!!! :yesyes:
Thanks in advance for any help and advice!
Wonder if anyone can help.
I've got a history of depression and anxiety that I've learned to manage pretty effectively. As a rule I'm pretty much on top of it.
However, a few years ago I had series of palpitations that lasted for about an hour. I ended up seeing several specialists, having countless ECGs etc etc and was (inevitably!) given the all clear. However, I struggled to accept the diagnosis and obsesses about the speed, regularity etc of my heart.
Fast forward about 18 months and I'm taking 30mg of paroxetine/paxil a day and have pretty much zero anxiety about it. I'm training for a marathon and am healthier and happier than I've been for a long time.
However, I am still very much "aware" of my heartbeat. I feel it when I'm lying in bed. I feel it in my hand when I'm holding hands with my girlfriend. I occasionally feel it in my back, legs, feet, head etc etc. It's only a couple of times a day, and there's no associated anxiety with it. I'm just concerned that if I don't "unlearn" this overt sensitivity by the time I wean myself off the paroxetine that this awareness will lead to anxiety again.
Any ideas on how to get over this? I don't want to be stuck on paroxetine for ever. Tips, techniques, large sums of money & free holidays will all be accepted gratefully.... :D
Anyway, I'm generally in good health and spirits (I hope the same can be said for all of you lovely lot!). But it's taken me a few years to get here and now I'm looking at an "exit strategy"!!!! :yesyes:
Thanks in advance for any help and advice!