I tried to reply earlier, but apparently it didn't take. So let me try again;

I am really sorry this past year has thrown some rough stuff your way. You are a strong person to have gone through so much. It doesn't surprise me that this sequence might lead to some anxiety. And it really does sound like anxiety to me. However, following up with your doctor is the only way to know for sure and rule anything else out.

Panic attacks and anxiety are the worst. The generate so many unpleasant feelings and they can really confuse you. My heart goes out to you and I am sending all my positive thoughts and energy your way.

I agree with Jolleg...go ahead and have the tests just to be on the safe side, but if the ER docs really thought that there was something wrong with your heart, they would not have waited to schedule the cardio tests.

Once you rule out physical causes, and if it tuns out to be anxiety (not uncommon after surgery/illnesses) then you will want to discuss treatment options with your doctor. Medication and/or therapy are both effective in treating anxiety.

We also have a Resource Guide here (main page, 1st post) that is full of self-help ideas. You will find that the breathing and relaxation videos are especially helpful in treating anxiety and panic issues.

Please feel free to post with us anytime! We are always here to listen and support.:)

Scaredy Cat

PS: I had one again today and I took a benzo and it calmed me right down and the feeling went away so that also makes me think anxiety. I never had anxiety before but have always suffered from depression, but with all this sickness in the last year, things have changed.

Wow Kitt, what a beautiful uplifting post. Thank you for that. I also had colon cancer and that started the ball rolling with the three incisional hernias with the bowel protruding through, and that then caused my depression to get right out of control.

I stay in bed day and night. Only get up for a coffee and a bit to eat, then back to bed, I can't face the day Kitt and I don't know what to do to change that. It is awful to feel this way and I have contemplated suicide and have googled ways of doing it as I am a crybaby and don't want anything to hurt me much.

I had heart tests this morning. The tread mill and an ultra sound of my heart, so when I see my dr on the 15th I will know what if anything is wrong with my heart, but I have a feeling it is not that. I think the shortness of breath is either from the blood clots in my lungs, or panic attacks.

Oh Kitt, like you, I over analyze everything. I wish I would stop that. Maybe I better start watching movies, I have tons of them my son gave me, but I can't get interested anymore. I have lost interest in everything. I don't even hardly eat anymore.

Your post really touched my heart tonight Kitt because I am just getting over the holidays and I am so lonely on the holidays. I don't mind N.Years, but the rest bother me as I am always alone.

I enjoyed all the responses but tonight I really needed to hear something as I am crying and I made a coffee and decided to check this forum. I am so glad I did. Thank you Kitt. You are wonderful, caring, and I appreciate every word you spoke to me.

Big hug for you from Canada, ((((Kitt))))
alwayssick

Gosh Kitt, I was on earlier and I went to bed, then I woke up thinking I didn't see your posts, I knew I had missed something, so I came back to find this post.

I am trying also to stop an addiction. I am addicted to pain killers from my doctor and when I need one, I get in an awful state, shake, can't breath and can't lay still. It is awful. I don't know how I am ever going to get off them. It is very hard.

I forgot to look to see if there is a section for addiction.

Thanks again for your response.