Should I be worried?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-31-2013
Should I be worried?
Wed, 07-31-2013 - 10:49am

Ok.  Brief background.  I'm 45 (almost 46), probably perimenopausal, type A, and work a high stress job.  I am an organic raw vegetarian and have been off meat for over 15 years.  I used to exercise a lot, but now not as much because time just isn't permitting (I know, I know).  I am a light smoker - a secret smoker, frankly.  A pack lasts me about three days, so it's more than occasional.

I've been in the ER before with what I thought were symptoms of a heart attack - I think the most recent was about 3.5 years ago.  After a ton of diagnostics, I was judged perfectly healthy and suffering from an anxiety attack.  Embarrassing.

So over the past three or four days I've been having... weirdness.  I won't call it chest pain; it's more like a pressure/dull pain (not constant) where I imagine the base of my esophagus is.  I'm busty - 36C - and if I put my finger between my breasts about 4in. above the sternum is where I feel this.  This has happened before, and in and of itself is not why I'm writing.  I've also been having this weird... movement.  Let me explain.  You know when you can feel gassiness moving through your intestines?  It's like it's rolling over and around stuff in there.  That's what this feels like, only it it's up way higher.  Sometimes it feel like it's right there above my heart and sometimes it's a bit more abdominal.  On top of that, I'm getting these weird "flashes".  No, not like hot flashes.  Have you ever almost had a car accident or something that really startled you happened and you get this all-over adrenaline flush?  That's what this is like - only it's isolated to where this "movement" thing referenced above occurs.  I feel a little light headed at times, but I don't know if that's because I'm panicking over what may be happening OR becuase something really IS happening.  I've had bad, hair losing, can't breath, thought-I-was-going-to-die panic attacks before, and I know that the more worried I am about them the more panicked I become.  One last thing - If I'm sitting down and leaning forward, this weird maybe-gassy movement thing doesn't happen.  When standing up or laying down, however, I get the whole movement thing and sometimes the flush-y thing.  I'm a mess.  :)

SO.  I'm also deathly afraid of doctors and avoid them unless I'm totally panicked.  Yes, yes - I know.  It's a phobia and I haven't found my way around it yet.  I HAVE gone to the doctor when I truly felt I was having a heart attack or whatever and to the emergency room, so it's not like I won't go if it gets undeniably critical.

Advice?  Anything I can take that's homeopathic that might calm me down?

Thanks in advance.  Just looking for the advice of other stress cases out there.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-02-2008
Sat, 08-03-2013 - 1:15pm

Wow. I feel for you because I too suffer from this and ever since I was put on high blood pressure meds and seeing doctors the thoughts that go through my head are so depressing.. I have pain now and cant seem to get a handle on things... Have no idea why but being 59 years old and thinking of all kinds of disease it just doesnt help ..So yes I know what you mean..

There are some herbs you can try if they dont interfere with medications.. I used to use something called Rescue remedy from the healthfood store. It kinds of calms nerves along with valerian root.. You can look these up and see what would come you down..

I also do accupressure or EFT .. It is emotional freedome technique and its a tapping sequence that  you tap on different meridians on the body to relieve stress... This seems to work but you have to do it.. Saying and doing are two different things..

Last but not least if you have a good clean bill of health then maybe its time to seek out some support groups to help you cope with everyday life.. Life can be very stressful and very difficult at times and dont be afraid to reach out and get some help..

Maybe you can take small walks again or get into some sort of exercise program. I know that when I walk I feel alot better.. Some people just have more stress than others ..

Good Luck