Is this anxiety?

[anxietyaunt]

My chest starts to get heavy mid-morning and for most of the day it feels like everything behind my ribcage is in a vice. It's like this even when my thoughts are seemingly neutral or even positive and focused. Excruciating.

I've had moments of mild depression in my life but wouldn't say I've ever really had anxiety beyond the "normal" sort you get in response to life events etc. I'm usually pretty good at talking myself off the ledge and moving on and into a positive space. But now I'm finding myself losing my patience and composure. Snapping a lot. Quick to anger. I hardly recognise myself and don't like myself at all right now. I was always the calm one.

Keep waiting for it to run its course and subside, but it's not. Been like this a few months now. I started taking St John's Wort when it started and added some natural stress and anxiety pills yesterday. Maybe it's too soon for the latter to kick in as I haven't noticed a difference yet.

Can those who suffer from anxiety please explain how it manifests for them? Does this sound about right to you? What can I do to ease it? I'd rather not take meds but will if I can't get on top of it using more conservative methods.

No one?

Hi, sorry just seen this.

When I get anxiety behind the rib cage is where I feel it but I don't want you to just take my word that is what yours is. I also get very snappy and irritated with people. I explained to my DH that I feel my brain is overloaded so if anyone puts anymore pressure on me I can't cope.

Does that make sense?

Yes it does make sense @MargotB7. What do you do to counteract it? How long does it last? Mine is starting to feel like an ongoing panic attack.

Peri-menopause springs to mind. Increased/new onset of anxiety is a very common symptom.

I'm on Citralopram so I don't get the feeling very often. It's horrible though and if you feel like it all the time it must be exhausting.

If I do get it (usually around my period) I just have to limit what I do and try and watch a nice film or something. I would see a Doctor, I find talking helps too.

@Aquamarine1029

Peri-menopause springs to mind. Increased/new onset of anxiety is a very common symptom.

Interesting. I’ve never been one to experience significant hormonal mood swings. No real PMS. A bit weepy when triggered while pregnant but that’s it. Seems quite an extreme reaction. I’ll definitely look into that. I’m 42 so not so young. Mind you, my mother went through menopause quite late...

I take propranolol 40mg when this shit starts. Takes about 10 minutes to kick in.

These are as and when so no accumulative effect needed.

Yes, my ex Mother in law started feeling like this when you was peri-menopausal.

Mine was bereavement.
.

Anxiety can manifest in a huge number of ways for different people. I would personally speak to your GP, just to rule out a physical cause of the chest tightness so that you don't have a nagging worry in the back of your mind that it isn't anxiety but something else. I personally don't really get a tight chest sensation, even when I'm having a full blown panic attack but I do know it's common.
In terms of how to deal with it, its quite hard to say. Are you particularly anxious about something, and is it changing your behaviour (beyond the snapping and anger), are you avoiding doing anything? There are plenty of suggestions for things that can ease anxiety (more sleep, exercise, meditation, yoga, cutting out alcohol and caffeine, more technology free time etc) but what works for you will depend on your lifestyle and any particular anxiety triggers you have.
I've had bad anxiety for years and also get awful agoraphobia so for me getting out of the house regularly is important to stop that creeping in. Plus recognising the signs early (reluctance to go out, finding excuses to stay in) and doing something about it. But that will be totally different to someone else who has anxiety but has completely different issues with it.
Sorry, that's not particularly helpful, it's just such a broad area that it's hard to say "yep that's definitely anxiety and this is what will help."

I take propranolol 80mg & I still feel anxiety on top.

Sometimes my chest hurts so much, my heart beats so fast I feel pain and dizzy.

I had to have Valium a few weeks ago as I couldn’t stop crying and felt utter panic for days.

I would do all you possibly can to understand yourself, your worries and even self refer for CBT if you can - because I wouldn’t want anyone feeling how I feel at the moment. I thought I’d be ok & it manifested out of control :(

(There is a specific trigger that I can’t do anything about for approx 6 months)

Op, I started peri at 42, I'm 47 now, and my first symptom was overwhelming, near constant panic attacks which I had never had in my life. I also never experienced hormonal mood swings before. As for your mother having a late menopause, mine did as well. It has no bearing on what you may experience. Also, peri can last for years and years before full menopause.

I started the mini pill at 43 for HRT and my anxiety along with my other symptoms were completely gone almost immediately.

i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/113666670/perimenopause-lead-up-to-menopause-very-uncomfortable-and-poorly-understood

For me my chest goes very tight and my heart starts beating insanely fast. There have been times where I was sure I might die because I couldn't breath properly and my heart was pounding.

It's as if my brain will not switch off, everything just piles on top of each other until I just shut down and don't want to speak to or see anyone else and yes that can manifest in me being snappy and angry with people. I find it very hard to cope with things like work when it's bad as I have to deal with clients and most of them can be nasty.

I get a nervous feeling like something bad is going to happen. Cant eat or sleep when I'm like that. Sometimes it's very short lived, only a few hours but this last time, its been here for about 3 days now. Struggling to comcentrate on anything too, my mind is all over the place.

I developed anxiety for the first time in my life during lockdown. I think what brought it on for me was the culmination of the stress of working from home, homeschooling nightmare, the whole COVID situation in general, some minor health issues and a stressful situation with my elderly parents just before lockdown. I think it built up over a number of weeks.

I had a panic attack which I thought was my heart. Checked out at A&E and heart is fine. I was extremely tired for days. Felt like I was walking through treacle. Chest felt like someone was sitting on it. I have never experienced such tightness and heaviness in my chest. I felt like I couldn't breath properly but I was breathing OK. Felt very down and depressed.Blood pressure was high too. I am 47 so could well be in the throws of hormonal craziness as well.

I spoke with my GP and was signed off work for 3 weeks. It really helped to take things easy. The tightness and fatigue gradually started to lift after a week or so? I feel like I am coming out of the otherside now. However, I do feel my chest tightening if things get a bit too much (despite feeling OK mentally). I take it as a signal to slow down and look after myself. I have also noticed that I can't get to sleep at night if the anxiety levels creep up and will experience sleep starts.

I was offered medication but declined as I want to see if it is mainly because of lockdown etc. However, I am not anti taking medication and would do so if the episodes become very regular and start to impact on day to day functioning.

I was shocked out how physical it was? I am not someone who has ever had issues with anixety/depression in the past. Has been a real eye opener and given me a lot of insight into the suffering of others with this condition.

Things I have found that help to lift it are - taking things easy (if you can I know not easy), talking to kind friends/family (even if I didin't feel like it), gentle exercise, doing something with my hands whilst sitting down (I crochet). Being very kind to yourself.

I second speaking to your GP. I had my bloods done recently just to make sure there wasn't anything else going on. It really helped to rule out other medical issues. They will be able to go through treatment options with you. I always felt a bit lighter in spirit after speaking to my GP as she was very helpful.

Hope you start to feel better soon. Take care.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I’ve actually had Valium a couple of times when it’s been really bad but it hasn’t helped at all. Didn’t feel anything! They are my husband’s so it’s not like I’ve ever taken them regularly and have a tolerance.

I’ve had a few panic attacks in the past and it’s a bit like that. Not quite as intense but close, yet it doesn’t pass like a panic attack. Just continues throughout the day with some occasional short-lived moments when I realise the pain isn’t there. And then it comes back.

Definitely will look into propranolol @gamerchick. Sounds like something I could consider if it’s not a long-term thing.

Also look into perimenopause.

As for the reasons, there are things that are affecting my anxiety. But my life has been full of horrible anxiety-producing things but this hasn’t ever happened as a result! I’m wondering if I’ve just finally reached saturation point after a long run of endless stressful situations.

It’s near impossible for me to sleep more and take time for myself given I have a toddler who has slept terribly since birth. And have never had any help. I stopped drinking from the first of this month and trying to cut down on caffeine. Have managed a couple of yoga sessions that help temporarily. Funny thing is I had my BP taken when I was swabbed recently (it was negative) and it was low. It’s always low but isn’t an issue. Just odd that I have so much pressure yet same BP.

Maybe I should get some bloods done again. Last year I was a bit low in iron but otherwise okay.

I actually feel better hearing from all of you. So thank you

Propranolol can really help with the physical symptoms, particularly the racing heart & chest pain. I find lorazepam (Ativan) best for the mental effects of panic, but drs aren’t keen on prescribing it because it can be addictive. Low blood pressure might give you a problem with propranolol though - it decreases blood pressure so could be unsuitable for you. Ask your doctor.