Seeking Advice: Struggling with Anxiety, Racing Heart, and Balancing Health with Work

[Betty884]

I’m really struggling at the moment and could really use some advice or support. Ive been dealing with ongoing anxiety, panic attacks, and physical symptoms like a racing heart for quite a while now. It’s been building up for months, and recently it’s been much worse. Ive been trying to manage with selfcare strategies like yoga, breathing exercises, and staying calm, but nothing seems to be helping.

Today, I checked my heart rate for the first time, and it was 110 bpm while sitting still, which really worried me. My heart rate often stays high even when Im not moving, and I get episodes where I feel like I cant catch my breath. Ive spoken to my GP, but theres a wait to see them, earliest a week tomorrow, and Im really struggling with work and daily life in the meantime.

Ive had these issues on and off for years, but it’s always been manageable. However, Im at a point where I feel like Im in crisis mode now, especially with the physical symptoms like the racing heart that doesn’t settle. Im really worried about how this is affecting my health, and Im not sure if I should just push through or take some time off work.

Ive been off work since Monday already, but Im feeling uncertain about how to handle the situation. I want to ask my GP for a sick note and medication, but Im unsure if thats the right move. I was actually prescribed medication for anxiety years ago, after some struggles and a suicide attempt in my late teens but didnt take it then. I feel like if Id followed through with it back then, things might not have gotten this bad.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you manage your symptoms? Do you think I should take more time off work or just push through until I can see the doctor? Im feeling a bit lost right now, so any advice or shared experiences would be really helpful.

Thanks so much!

This post is confusing. You’ve been given medication for anxiety but are not taking it? What advise do you expect people to give you other than to take the treatment your doctor has recommended?

I would stay off work and get some magnesium glycinate to help until you see the GP. Cut out caffeine and alcohol.

At the GP I would get a check up and ask for blood tests as you could have vitamin deficiencies or something else could be going on such as thyroid.

I'd also ask about beta blockers and possibly anti depressants.

It's not confusing. They say they were prescribed meds years ago but didn't take them. Not currently.

It's ok to take some time off if you need to of course, then once you have spoken to GP and got a plan you can decide if you need more time.

Is there a nurse practitioner you can see. I've had the same in the past Propranolol saved me for the worse of the symptoms.

Thank you I think I have some magnesium in the cupboard. And yes I think you’re right having a full check may help too, as this heart rate lasting all day long doesn’t sit very well.

They’ve told me to call them first thing to see if I can get a sooner appointment so I’m really hoping I can, I’m finding it all a bit debilitating and can’t get an awful lot done with my mind spinning like crazy. And thank you, the idea of going in is causing me such anxiety at just the thought, I just want to wrap up in a little bubble until I feel better again.

Don't let the gp rule out that there might be something physically wrong with your heart. Get that checked out properly. A lot of women have their concerns dismissed as anxiety or depression when in fact there's a physical issue.

Thank you! Just an update. They did send me for an ECG and blood tests.
I’m now waiting for a cardiology appointment to investigate my racing heart. I’ve been prescribe diazepam in the mean time for as and when I feel my heart racing, tried it 3 x and makes no difference to my heart rate, so possible it’s not anxiety at all.

Have you tried a beta blocker?