Stress Center Peer Support

Well, I was on here telling you all about having chest pain and everyone suggested making an apt. with my doctor so I went to the cardiologist to tell him what's going on. I mentioned I was worried about having high bp, the chest pain and tingling.... He said that I don't have high bp even though my readings were 122/86 and 133/86 the last 2 readings. I am sure my nerves have something to do with it - he said if I were 40-50-60 and my readings were higher than 140 then he would monitor my bp. I have had several ekgs and an echo - so his exact words were "I don't think your heart is fine - I know your heart is fine, I have actual proof of it".

I feel as though I shouldn't feel anxious now that I have had that visit with the cardiologist - because I thought that was my anxiety. But I don't feel that much better yet - maybe I need more time to think about this since my apt. was just at 9am this morning.

He also suggested seeing a therapist...... That made me cry - I feel like something has taken over my thoughts and emotions and I just can't get control. Its not like I spend all day crying and not living life - I just have this anxious feeling about me all the time, I want to let it go so I can be the happy person that I am and not the happy person that I pretend to be..........

P.S. Happy Valentines Day!

I am so glad for you that there isn't anything
medically wrong.
I would like to give you a hug and tell you that
everything will be OK and we will get over these anxious feelings. I have faith that the program will help us a lot.

Have you started the program yet?
Also seeing a therapist can be very helpful.
Just let them also know you are on the Program.
A therapist can further pinpoint those confusing
scaring thoughts and help you figure out where they are coming from.
My therapist actually tries to get me to FACE my
fears by actually DOING whatever it is that I am avoiding. So far it has worked for some anxieties but not for all of them.

Good Luck!! We are all in it together.

DebDeb - your a little angel!

Yes, I have started the program. I actually went through it several months ago but didn't do the work book and probably went to quickly as I was in such a hurry to get better. I am doing it again but slower and ALL of the material.

I have found that I just DON"T journal. I am sure that would be a great help to me but just can't seem to fit it in......

Aww Thank You!
I have a little diary in Word format on my computer and it's really convenient for me to just
click inside the file and write away. It has really helped me thru a lot of rough times last
year. When you write it down it helps free your
mind of those bad feelings and then you can read them later -kind of like you're on the outside and
looking in. Maybe you can try this?

Elkay
The workbook is a significant part of the program! Because it has action assignments in it. It gets you going on overcoming the anxiety.
Start your program over,, this time DOING your workbook. It also helps you work on areas like the health anxiety your having..

Mello Nello,

I am brand new to this forum, a friend of mine suggested the site and the program and I am just starting to look at this site and program, but, it is amazing what you say as I am going through the same exact thing.

I have probably had some sort of chest pain for 3 yrs now, but not as bad as it became in July '07. I was actually diagnosed by a Orthopedic with Costrochondritis. I can't explain it exactly, but it is a chest injury and can duplicte a Heart Attack. Despite this, I have anxiety almost every day and when I aggravate the injury, which I do at least once a week with kids, volunteer fire and EMS work, my anxiety level goes up.

I too have had all the EKG's and Echo's and I am told my heart is fine. I am being treated for high BP, but I still think some of this has to do with my weight (not horrible, but heavy) and my anxiety when I have chest pains.

Be strong, I am certainly trying to be strong myself, but, it is hard.

just thought it would be nice to know you are not alone in your specific symptoms.