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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 7/3/2016 7:47 PM (GMT -5)
Hi all,
I'm Michael, just turned 31. Phew, what a story here. Last year I started having these sensations like my heart would skip a beat them beat quick for a second to catch up and it would feel like it knocked the breath out of me. I went to my doctor cause it would scare me, was referred to a cardiologist. We did it all, stress test, EKG, Echo, halter, event device and they said nothing, everything is normal. I was really getting frustrated cause I keep feeling these symptoms.
After I was told that all tests came back normal I decided to see a therapist to see if this could be anxiety. After the first visit with her, she told me that she feels that I do have an anxiety disorder and possible OCD. I started taking .25mg Xanax and it seems to help but I'm not really sure. It calms me down for a little bit and I stop thinking that I'm going to die.
I can't help but to think that the doctors missed something because I will get little pains in my arms, chest, neck, back, jaw, cheeks, all of which could be warning signs of angia or heart attack. Well, no heart attack, thank goodness, so is all of this just me freaking myself out and it's just anxiety? This has consumed my life over the last few months out of nowhere and it's frustrating. None of the pains are bad enough to where they I've me hurting, but I seem to notice every single ache. Does any of this sound familiar? If the docs say that there is no cardiac problems, is this just anxiety? If so, how do I get my life back? How do I get back to never thinking about stuff like this? Also, if anyone has some advice on drinking and Xanax. I know you're not supposed to while your on it and I haven't, but what is a good time to wait after taking a pill? Hours? A day? Days? Weeks?
I really appreciate everyone's help and any comments. Thank you!
Posted 7/3/2016 10:09 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Mike and welcome!

I am sorry to hear that your symptoms and worries regarding them has lingered. That is the struggle with health anxiety...believing that anxiety is indeed the culprit!

However, your tests were definitive and prove that you are healthy...so focusing now on anxiety management will be the best goal!

You mention seeing a therapist. Did you work specifically regarding the worries surrounding your symptoms...and use any particular method such as CBT...or learn any anxiety relief/coping skills?

We have a great Resource Guide here at the top of our forum page that is filled with great material. In particular, I would recommend the Health Anxiety links, including the 'Super Scanner', which outlines the anxiety=physical symptoms=increased anxiety=more physical symptoms cycle.

Practicing the suggested exercises there will make a difference in time! (let me know if you need me to post the direct links to any of these if you have trouble finding them)

As far as the benzo and alcohol question...You are smart not to have had a drink while on your Xanax...as yes, the two do NOT mix and can't be taken together.

However, if you are taking your Rx as needed, (not daily) you could have a drink on a day when you have not taken, or plan on taking the Xanax. Benzodiazepines, Xanax in particular have a short half life, so you would be cleared of a .25 mg dose after 24 hrs, I am sure.

I hope that you can continue to seek ways to feel your best. We are here and understand, so making this supportive place a part of your recovery is an option we hope you'll take advantage of.:)

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/4/2016 3:07 AM (GMT -5)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Great input from SC so I just wanted to pop in and say hi.

Do check our resources as there are some great links I like the Mindfulness ones.

Hibee
Posted 7/4/2016 10:56 AM (GMT -5)
Anxiety can make you very concerned about the health, but if everything is checking out, then I echo what SC said and work on anxiety management.

Xanax is designed as a, "Take if you absolutely need it," drug. I just got a bottle on Friday because my daily Lexapro hasn't been as effective recently, so I needed something that could help me when things go bad. Xanax is not designed to give long-term relief; it's for an immediate fix.

NO drinking with Xanax!
Posted 7/4/2016 11:11 AM (GMT -5)
Hello Mike and big Welcome!

I know how frustrating it can be to have all those symptoms and not getting any answers. We all have been there many times.

Try to trust your dr and the tests they did. You got everything clear and got good results.
Anxiety and panic disorders can make you feel millions of symptoms and I assure you it's not all in your head. Those are solid physical symptoms.
The more you focus on them, more intense they will be.

I agree with HappyHopper, NO drinking with Xanax.
It's a benzodiazepine type of medicine and unlike antidepressants, sedatives don't get along well with alcohol.
If you are on meds and want to be able to drink from time to time, discuss with your dr about antidepressant medication instead of temporary sedatives like Xanax -which is used as a temporary sedative relief in case of severe panic attacks.

Please keep us updated! Good luck
Posted 7/4/2016 11:30 AM (GMT -5)
Thank you all for the warm welcome and the advice! I am definitely going to check out the material.
The root of all of this is my health and it sucks because my PCP says that I am healthy, I could be more active and eat better, but healthy and my cardiologist says my heart is fine. I even went to the extent of seeing a different cardiologist because I didn't believe the first one. Hypochondriac much? It's crazy, I don't ever think about the fact that I could walk outside and get hit by a car, but I can't help but to think my heart is going to stop or have a heart attack. It's gotten pretty bad to where even thinking about going out freaks me out because I feel I could have an episode. People will be talking to me and I am a very talkative person with a great personality but lately I'm just blah. People talk but I'm in my own head with all these worries just not even listening to the person. Thank you all. My sister recommend this forum, she said it helped her.
As far as drinking on the meds, I have been taking about one to two .25 a day and sometimes skipping a day or two cause I feel fine, taking these for a month. So if I had been taking these regularly, I should wait a couple days without taking any before drinking huh? Though it's not supposed to last, because I've been taking almost daily, there could still be some in my system for a while?
Posted 7/4/2016 1:09 PM (GMT -5)
Mike,

Asking your doctor or pharmacist would be the best answer you could get for the safest practice while you are taking the Xanax on a regular schedule. (I thought you were only taking them as needed)

Want you to be safe.:)

S.C.
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