Health anxiety, general unwell feeling

Is the Lexipro still helping?

Does anyone have feelings that their heart is beating so hard and fast that it's going to burst through their chest? Also have beat skips during the episodes. Last night lasted for an hour. Occurs periodically. Taking metoprolol daily for high blood pressure which is normal except during and after episodes. Have had thorough heart exams which appeared normal except for the skipping of heart beats.

Have you ever worn a monitor for a few weeks to allow these patterns to be analyzed? I went through something very similar to what you are experiencing, and it was making me a wreck. Obviously, I’m not a doctor, but I wore a Zio patch for two weeks and after seeing the results and hearing my doctors analysis, I felt so much relief that I think I was able to move past this feeling and the anxiety that accompanied it. Just knowing what is going on makes such a difference in my opinion. The Zio patch was a dream. It was put on in the doctors office and not removed until two weeks later. You go about your daily life without even thinking about it being there. You can shower and everything wearing it. You push a button on the device and record. either in a book or via an app, exactly what you’re doing and how you’re feeling when this racing starts. It was a great help to me and might offer some answers to you and your physician. I hope this helps in some way. Good luck to you!

I can identify with so much of what has been shared in this thread. I have lived with panic disorder, ocd and depression since my teen years.... and I am now 73. I have taken a small dose of xanax for many years, and about 5 years ago my PCP put me on a 1mg extended release xanax that seems to have helped immensely. He still also gives me 0.5mg tablets to take in the event of an attack, PRN, but the extended release keeps some in my system throughout the day. My mother died of a heart attack at age 81.... my father never had cardiac issues... Which genes did I inherit. Recently I was diagnosed with a brief episode of paroxysmal AFib while wearing a monitor for three weeks and subsequently put on Eliquis and Flecainide. I seem to have adjusted to those with no major issues, but now my ocd is focused on my heart.... and a possible heart attack.... and I wish so badly that I could just "let it go" and live my life without the worry. I notice any little twinge of pain in my chest area.... which is probably related to the anxiety. I do see a cardiologist regularly.... several years ago had a CT scan of my heart to check for blockages and the results were okay. I see a therapist monthly.... and I use breathing techniques to calm when the anxiety gets bad. At 73, I know most of my life is behind me... and the end could come at any moment. But the anxiety and ocd will ruin whatever time I have left. My best wishes to ALL who live with panic, anxiety, ocd on a regular basis. You are not alone!! Mike

I can identify with so much of what has been shared in this thread. I have lived with panic disorder, ocd and depression since my teen years.... and I am now 73. I have taken a small dose of xanax for many years, and about 5 years ago my PCP put me on a 1mg extended release xanax that seems to have helped immensely. He still also gives me 0.5mg tablets to take in the event of an attack, PRN, but the extended release keeps some in my system throughout the day. My mother died of a heart attack at age 81.... my father never had cardiac issues... Which genes did I inherit. Recently I was diagnosed with a brief episode of paroxysmal AFib while wearing a monitor for three weeks and subsequently put on Eliquis and Flecainide. I seem to have adjusted to those with no major issues, but now my ocd is focused on my heart.... and a possible heart attack.... and I wish so badly that I could just "let it go" and live my life without the worry. I notice any little twinge of pain in my chest area.... which is probably related to the anxiety. I do see a cardiologist regularly.... several years ago had a CT scan of my heart to check for blockages and the results were okay. I see a therapist monthly.... and I use breathing techniques to calm when the anxiety gets bad. At 73, I know most of my life is behind me... and the end could come at any moment. But the anxiety and ocd will ruin whatever time I have left. My best wishes to ALL who live with panic, anxiety, ocd on a regular basis. You are not alone!! Mike

I just got done reading the side effects of the first 3 meds that you mentioned. They were enough to make anyone panic. I am quite sure the remainder were the same.
I am 76 this month. I have made enough bad choices in my life with the results that followed, that are enough to make me feel like you do. I am not going to say that I have nil anxiety, but it is a small percentage of what you have I would bet anything, that things that have occurred in my life are very likely worse than your list. I would love to be able to meet you face to face and discuss but not realistic.
I am not telling you what to do, but those drugs are making you worse. The psychiatrist is not helping.
Here are my thoughts and what I do to have a bucket load more peace than you do.
1 The first time I had severe depression in my 20's due to a bad marriage, I asked my pastor for the name of the loneliest woman at church. She lived near me, and I went to visit her, and I started talking and cried my eyes out. Then she cried the same. Then she told me a bit about herself, and we both laughed until we about wet our pants. Just one example. Find people worse off than you, and listen to them and help them.
2 Every morning and every night before sleeping, review your day, and thank God for every tiny positive thing you have, what health you do have, and pray for those who need help, tell Him about all your troubles nd ask God for help.
3 Get to know God and His son, by reading the Bible every day. Psalms, Proverbs for wisdom, New Testament for how to have peace regarding your future and give your life to Him. Search and read wherever until you understand something and God has spoken to you. He is more than able.
4 Ask God for friends that will listen to you and be uplifting. Be their friend also.
5 I never take drugs. A tiny aspirin if heart acts up. I face and deal with my problems head on. I would not want to have a heart monitor on my wrist etc. as that would make me focus on the problem and make it worse.
6 Put your life in God's hands and trust Him to guide you. If you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

Thanks Mike. Sorry you're dealing with this stuff.

Hello, noendinsight, I think lindy9 has good suggestions;
I'll add one too that calms me:
Philippians 4:6-7