1. < Mental Health

I don't know what to do anymore

Posted by hennessey86 @hennessey86, Sep 25, 2023

I've suffered with anxiety since I was 11 years old, I'm now 37. It started with tightness in the chest and for a good 10 years I was able to live a normal life with it without medication. It gradually got worse as I got older and I ended up on Citalopram which I came off about 8 weeks ago. Since then I've had this weird symptom, when I stand up my heart beats faster as it should. But then all of a sudden it slows down for 5 or 6 beats and its scaring the life of me. I went to A&E and they did and ECG and it came back normal, the doctor had a listen and said he was happy to discharge me and to be honest I felt like I'd had the weight of the world lifted off my shoulders. Then I did what I shouldn't have done, I used Google and it said that ECGs dont always pick up problems. So now I'm back to square one, in a state of panick, crying and making my own life a misery.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 25, 2023

@hennessey86
I would feel relief and ease with a normal ECG. I certainly wouldn't be concerned about a few beats either way. Perhaps seeing a Cardiologist would give you some piece of mind.
Be grateful you are not in heart failure or have another serious condition.
Why not look on the positive side of life instead of dwelling on the negative? Stress, worry, and negativity never helped anything.
Have you had any symptoms other than those few beats?
Can you complete your regular everyday tasks?
Take care,
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
hennessey86 | @hennessey86 | Sep 25, 2023
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@hennessey86 I would feel relief and ease with a normal ECG. I certainly wouldn't be concerned..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@hennessey86
I would feel relief and ease with a normal ECG. I certainly wouldn't be concerned about a few beats either way. Perhaps seeing a Cardiologist would give you some piece of mind.
Be grateful you are not in heart failure or have another serious condition.
Why not look on the positive side of life instead of dwelling on the negative? Stress, worry, and negativity never helped anything.
Have you had any symptoms other than those few beats?
Can you complete your regular everyday tasks?
Take care,
Jake

Jump to this post

I'm suffering some dizziness, but I think that's just the anxiety. I was feeling great relief until I googled an ECG, the Doctor is writing to my GP to have a monitor put on for a few days to investigate the symptoms. I've never had anything like this and it's worrying.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 25, 2023
In reply to @hennessey86 "I'm suffering some dizziness, but I think that's just the anxiety. I was feeling great relief..." + (show)
@hennessey86

I'm suffering some dizziness, but I think that's just the anxiety. I was feeling great relief until I googled an ECG, the Doctor is writing to my GP to have a monitor put on for a few days to investigate the symptoms. I've never had anything like this and it's worrying.

Jump to this post

Weaning off antianxiety meds can cause exactly the symptoms you describe. And symptoms can occur several weeks after your stop the medication. Have you talked to your doctor about this? Perhaps you need to resume a low dose and taper off very slowly?
Sue

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Sep 25, 2023

@hennessey86 welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You have a long history of anxiety. @sueinmn brings up a good point regarding stopping the Citalopram medication. Are you seeing a medical provider for your anxiety? If so, has this provider prescribed and monitored the Citalopram? Perhaps this provider is the best one to address your current concerns and symptoms.

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Sep 25, 2023

@hennessey86
I must have not comprehended when/if I read you were discontinuing a medication. Sorry about that. Thanks @sueinmn for catching that.
Jake

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BoneHead | @stsopoci | Sep 27, 2023

You are special, don’t give up. We are all very unique and need unique help to cure and feel the goodness of life. Search for the right path, it’s there! I’m 75 and spent my whole life with drugs and sessions and mental help from dozens of experts. I found a mental health person and a doctor that have worked for me . Please keep going. You can do this.

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