Overcoming heart anxiety

[Neil123]

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!

[Meg37]

Hi I'm not really sure how you can overcome them other than trying to ignore it (not very helpful i'm afraid!) I only say this because I have a similar problem in the sense that 2 years ago my husband got me a bike and I really started enjoying it until I started to go harder and began to experience what can only be described as skipped heartbeats. The general pattern of them is beat ... beat .. pause...big beat etc. Went to the Doctor etc, had an ecg, told nothing to worry about, try and forget them! Easier said than done! They have never made me feel ill only in the sense of aniety but they have made me feel really aware of my heartbeat, sometimes I sit for ages feeling the pulse in my neck just to check! Sorry I cant offer anything else, just wanted to say you arent alone and good luck.:)

[wiskersonkittens]

Last year I had the same fears you did. When my grandmother died I had a nervous breakdown and part of that was heart issues. I went to the doctor, I went to the ER, all said everything was fine. Then, as luck would have it, I symptom shifted and I didn't worry about my heart anymore. I have MVP, so I get all sorts of weird heart sensations. I try and drink a glass of orange juice in the morning, try and drink AT LEAST 64 oz of water a day (although I sometimes fall horribly short), I avoid caffeine and I have to watch my sugar in take. I even have to stay away from chocolate -- but I cheat from time to time and my heart reminds me how stupid it was. I TRY and get a good night's sleep, but that doesn't always work either. Anyway, when I am able to achieve these things, my heart runs smooth and normal. Now, when I do get stressed and worried, all that other stuff becomes null and void because then my hormones take over and . I haven't yet learned how to get that under control, but the things I can control have helped a lot.

Oh, and, a quote for you by author EB White, which I thought was rather funny, but I am sure so true: "I am reminded of the advice of my neighbor. 'Never worry about your heart till it stops beating."'

Hugs, Wiskers ~

[Utility]

Hi

As Meg37 said it is very much a case of trying to ignore it. Very common for the likes of us to home in on our heartbeats and become over sensitive to it.

Like yourself, I enjoy exercise and I really do believe it helps a lot.
Have you had any sort of CBT? It can be very good in helping to train the thought process.