Hi Everyone,
I have frequented this forum quite a lot over the last year or so, but have never signed up. Generally because I really struggle to stay on here long enough. Reading/Talking about my symptoms brings on my fight or flight and I tend to scarper quick smart before I peak and get frantic.
My name is Ben and I am a 28 year old IT consultant for a very very large corporation. I have a stressful and challenging career however I am very grateful to have the opportunities I do today.
I was a heavy drug (mainly cocaine) and alcohol user from mid-teens to early twenties - I am mentioning this because I firmly believe this is the root cause of my issues.
I have been diagnosed as depressed and with Anxiety disorder over the last 5 years. I find that ironic because I genuinely believe that without the latter, the former wouldn't exist.
One of the most serious and difficult problems I am unable to cope with are PVC's, this has created a strong health anxiety in me and no matter how much I tell myself they are harmless, they are pretty much destroying me. I feel my career may be at risk as I am having trouble functioning on a daily basis. Every time I feel good, feel better about life, feel positive, there my heart is, right on cue to bring me back down with a THUMP/FLUTTER/THUMP. Sometimes my attacks are so severe I feel weak, my heart will ectopic beat every few seconds for hours on end. I have found that having a bath helps, but this is useless when I am at work or away on business.
I need help but I don't know who to turn to, the doctor makes me feel like I am wasting his time, the hospital gave me a ECG and made me feel like I am wasting their time. I am on Propanlol but I have weened myself down to 10mg x 2 a day.
I ditched caffeine, I take magnesium tablets 150mg x 2 everyday, I also take B-Complex Vitamin, Do not and have not drunk alcohol for 2 years. I drink 3 - 4 litres of water a day plus fruit juice and decaff tea/coffee. I am paranoid about my daily allowance of fat and sugar so barely exceed that, healthy eater. I have been trying to take exercise, but anyone else on Beta-Blockers will know thats not an easy task, I feel feint and physically hammered after not a lot at all.
I DO SMOKE - I know!! I can't face giving up, I just dont have the fight in me.
Please Help!?