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Depression and Anxiety

Hey everyone sorry to dig up an old thread, but felt it was better than making a new one.

Back in June I was in the hospital because I was having symptoms such as rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, got very dry (mouth, lips, throat got tight)  and felt dizzy and light headed. They did blood work and an EKG and didn't find anything of concern except my blood sugar was at 10.3, which the dr figured it was due to the symptoms I was having and suggested I get a fasting blood sugar test done.

This past Tuesday as I was getting ready for work, I started to have similiar symptoms but not as severe, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, dull pressure at the center of my chest and dizzyness. I went to the hospital and they did the same tests, blood work and EKG, which came back good, blood sugar was at a good level also (5.9).

The dr Tuesday suggested it could be stress and anxiety causing this issues. I am still feeling the same dull pressure at the center of my chest and breathing is good but sometimes feels like there is a lump in my throat or its a bit harder to breathe.

The dr also thought it could have been dehydration or heat exhaustion, was scheduled to work nights this week, worked the first one Monday, then when I was getting ready to goto work Tuesday the above happened. I've been off work since I went to the hospital. Tonight was my last night shift so now I'm on scheduled days off from next Friday.

I don't have a family dr yet, I have an appt Aug 22nd for a meet and greet to get one. It's been now almost 48 hrs since the last major episode, and I'm getting very frustrated feeling like this, worried if I eat will that trigger it more, I've been drinking lots of water and still have been eating, although not much today for food. I find if I'm alone it's worse, I think about all this too much and I think it's causing it to not get better, but I don't know what to do. I feel like posting here is an outlet and maybe get some opinions from others that have been through this or going through it.

I don't think there really has been any added stress in my life recently, i try not to let stress get to me, current life changing things going on that I do think about a lot is I'm looking to sell my condo and buy a house, I guess I do worry about applying for a new mortgage, making sure I can afford the house I get when I do, property taxes, the area I buy in is safe to live in etc.

Any thoughts or opinions that could help me would be appreciated, thanks!
 
Is there no way to get an emergency appointment given your predicament? If not, I'd consider going back to the hospital and explaining your situation. If you have proof of your appointment, ask them if they can prescribe something to perhaps calm you when these symptoms return?

Leaving you without treatment for two weeks is unacceptable.
 
Yea, I'm thinking of maybe going back to the hospital, it's getting scary feeling like this, I don't like it. Just an hour ago I had another episode, I was sitting on the couch watching tv, hadn't moved off the couch in 30 mins and I felt a cold wave starting at my head/shoulders and go down my body, then heart started beating fast and after I got all shaky and cold. Tested my blood sugar and it was good.

Took about 15 mins to feel back to normal, and feeling normal now, but makes me worry its also something else.
 
Those sound like anxiety symptoms (I'm not a doctor). ER is likely to try to address the physiological causes, but there may not be any apparent ones causing your stress response hormones to kick into overdrive.

I think it would be worthwhile to speak to a therapist or counselor. Even if it ends up being something else, you might be able to learn some management techniques (breathing regulation, self-talk, etc.).
 
Thanks Herman, I've been to the quick care clinic and hospital again over the weekend, it's really getting frustrating.

All I've been doing the last week is laying in bed or sitting on the couch feeling like this. Sunday when I went to the hospital they did a bunch of tests that came back good, gave me a zantac and it seemed to help a lot, not sure if it was the zantac or just being at the hospital that put my mind at ease. Last night I started to feel better around 10pm (same time I started feeling better at the hospital Sunday). Is it possible it's really bad in the morning and then gets better during the day?
 
Leafaholic99 said:
Thanks Herman, I've been to the quick care clinic and hospital again over the weekend, it's really getting frustrating.

All I've been doing the last week is laying in bed or sitting on the couch feeling like this. Sunday when I went to the hospital they did a bunch of tests that came back good, gave me a zantac and it seemed to help a lot, not sure if it was the zantac or just being at the hospital that put my mind at ease. Last night I started to feel better around 10pm (same time I started feeling better at the hospital Sunday). Is it possible it's really bad in the morning and then gets better during the day?
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From everyone I've talked to going through similar things, there's almost no rhyme or reason that's easily discernible. Some did log everything they ate and experienced religiously to try to source the issue, but I'd imagine that'd be a stressor as well. The anxiety triggered a cascade of physiological symptoms that masked the root cause.

What helped was knowing they weren't alone in what they went through, talking it out with professionals they could trust (psychiatrists, psychologists), and changing up the routine with something they enjoyed doing. Illness is not a weakness, and medicine to address the symptoms can go a long way to helping you get back into game shape.

I must stress again that I'm not a professional at this stuff in any way, but I'd be happy to talk things over anytime that I can, and I'm sure others here would do the same.
 
Leafaholic, does your company have any kind of employee assistance plan?  If so, they might be able to help you get in touch with a psychologist/psychiatrist.

Will the emerg/hospital not connect you with one?
 
Thanks guys for your input, it is helping me out.

I'm hoping, in some twisted way it is anxiety and not another health issue. I think what is feeding the anxiety is after the first couple of episodes that happened, I've been worried it's a cardiac issue or something. I was at the hospital, a different one this time, last night and they did the EKG, blood work again, as well as a CT of my abdomen and chest and everything came back good. They made me an appointment for Friday AM with their internal medicine department to look further into this.

I woke up this morning feeling somewhat normal, the tightness in my chest wasn't nearly as bad, and other symptoms weren't there. As the day has gone on though, the tightness came back a bit when I went to the store, I also seem to be short of breath easily and have little energy, the little energy could be coming from eating only a little the last 4 or 5 days. Hopefully i can get some good answers Friday.
 
Leafaholic99 said:
Thanks guys for your input, it is helping me out.

I'm hoping, in some twisted way it is anxiety and not another health issue. I think what is feeding the anxiety is after the first couple of episodes that happened, I've been worried it's a cardiac issue or something. I was at the hospital, a different one this time, last night and they did the EKG, blood work again, as well as a CT of my abdomen and chest and everything came back good. They made me an appointment for Friday AM with their internal medicine department to look further into this.

I woke up this morning feeling somewhat normal, the tightness in my chest wasn't nearly as bad, and other symptoms weren't there. As the day has gone on though, the tightness came back a bit when I went to the store, I also seem to be short of breath easily and have little energy, the little energy could be coming from eating only a little the last 4 or 5 days. Hopefully i can get some good answers Friday.
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As CEO of a small media company I had similar things happening to me in 2013 into 2014.  It was completely anxiety driven which I didn't fully realize.  Chest pains, shortness of breath, tough to swallow, even arthritis that flared into gout.  I had been feeling caught in the company with no way out.  After stepping down June 2014 and taking deliberate steps to address some areas of my life it has gotten almost back to where it used to be many years ago before I got bought out and ran a mom and pop recording studio with my wife.

If you ever want to pm me I will respond when I see it.
 
Leafaholic99, thinking of you. It does sound like some anxiety. My daughter has generalized anxiety. It can just pop up out of nowhere. Definitely talk to someone (counsellor, dr, etc..) it really helps. Lots of support and we're always here. Good luck!
 
I've been quiet about it, but I've had a rough year. It's been 20 years (when I was 18) since I've had suicidal thoughts, but I've had two rough bouts in the last couple of months that have shaken me to the core. When my depression gets rough, it's normal for me to have thoughts of dying, but these are usually passive thoughts. e.g. "I wish I was dead and the pain would be gone". But lately, it's been active thoughts; actual urges.

I don't wish this on anyone. I'm grateful I have a son, because if I didn't, I'm not sure I'd still be here.

I'm feeling alright today, but damn it's getting harder to keep buried inside.
 
Went through something very similar about 2 years ago, Bullfrog. I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't know/haven't heard before, but, don't keep things buried inside. As hard as it is, and as much as I know you don't want to do it, address them head on. Burying them just means they come back. Get whatever help you need. We're all here for you.

On a personal note, I've started the process of getting off antidepressants this week, so, fingers crossed.
 
Leafaholic99, what you are experiencing is similar to what I was going through five years ago.  Like others have stated from the outset, by no means am I a doctor, but just putting forth my similar story to perhaps shed some light.

I've always been a worry wart, but I never experienced what I did before.  I'd have these heart palpitations that made me really uncomfortable, fearing I'd have a heart attack.  Problem is, your mind is such a powerful thing that once you start thinking about it and paying attention to it, it makes things worse.  I'd fear the next palpitation, and the next, and so on.  I'd literally sit on the kid's mats in my house in the fetal position trying to control myself.  It'd take me forever to sleep at night thinking that would be the last time I'd close my eyes.

For me, it all stemmed from work.  It was poisonous, and it really affected me.  I was also a new father, so my wife thought it might also be paternal postpartum depression, but a visit to my doctor ruled it out.  I did an ECG, and that doctor said my heart actually gets stronger with more exercise, so that eased my fear of imminently keeling over while doing strenuous activities/sports.  Thankfully that was the case, because prior to that I would be playing hockey and I could barely function.  Didn't want to exert myself much in fear I'd have a heart attack.

Besides any potential health issues you may have that a trip to a doctor will hopefully reveal, look around and see if there are new/additional stressors in your life.  Something that you may be subconsciously thinking about.  Could be work, home life, financial, etc.     
 
Last August had something very similar happen.  Was at work and had the boss call 911 because I thought I was having a heart attack.  Ambulance ride to ER and full tests showed nothing.  Wore a heart monitor for a weekend and showed nothing.

Turns out it was stress induced anxiety.  So I quit my job because I wasn't enjoying it in the least. 

Couple of things I have found that have really helped are reading and listening and watching Eckhart Tolle.  The Power Of Now was a pretty big help.

Also another book I picked up was The Sedona Method by Hale Dwoskin.  Another invaluable resource. 

Please everyone, get all the help you can get.  Suffering in silence is not necessary.  If anyone just needs to talk, send me a PM.
 
I agree with what Guru said about Eckhart Tolle. I don't think anything has helped me as much as his books and videos.

The only thing I would suggest for anyone new to Eckhart or anyone who might be struggling with The Power Of Now book, is to start with his other book, A New Earth, first. The reason I say that is because The Power Of Now is set up as a question and answer type of thing so if you don't get what he's asking you to do to begin with, reading answers to questions about it, can be confusing for some. I personally know people that couldn't get through the Power Of Now but loved A New Earth, and finally were able to love the Power Of Now as much, when they read it second.

Anyway, I know the pit of despair is deep so good luck to anyone who's going through that right now. If you haven't tried Eckhart Tolle yet, check him out. It certainly won't hurt things.

 
I'd like to thank everyone for their suggestions or lending and ear to listen to me.

I've contacted my Employee Assistance Program today at work to get an appointment to talk to a counselor, awaiting to hear back from the counselor to make an appointment to go see them.

It's been a long month of little to no relief and it has been very frustrating. Thanks again everyone.
 
I've discovered a podcast called The Hilarious World of Depression. I'm only a couple of episodes in, but I have to say I've found it helpful. Things have been really rough lately and listening to this makes me feel that there are people out there that understand......and it's got funny moments, which are always good.

Try it out.
 
A quick hello from to those who remember me. I'm still a Leafs die-hard and I'm thrilled with the now long - standing direction of the team.

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression a little more than a year ago.  Meds are helping somewhat but I'm still not talking to anyone. I know I need to but for now, I'm trying to make do.

Anyway, just thought I'd reach out and say hi... Hope santa brings us a defenseman ☺
 
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