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What Causes Heart Palpitations After Taking Anxiety Medication?

Posted on Sat, 18 Jun 2016

Question: I constantly think that I am going to die. I am on medication for anxiety and lately I have been having palpitations. I can't get the thought out of my head. I spend the whole day from getting up to going to bed consumed with the thought I'm going to die. I check my pulse all of the time to make sure I'm still here. the only time I stop thinking is when I'm asleep. its ruining my life. I can't discuss this with my husband or family because they don't understand. I really need help to stop feeling like this. any advice would be appreciated as l dong know how much longer I can cope. I'm in a constant state of anxiety and I feel so much dread. it's consuming me. pleas.e help me get over this. thank you

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
please clarify your medicines

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.

Your problem is anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder.

It is treatable condition.

In general treatment of OCD (as well as anxiety disorder) includes medicines and psychotherapy.

SSRI group of drugs (fluoxetine,paroxetine,sertraline, escitalopram) are main stay of the treatment. They are antidepressant and in OCD used in high dose.

Benzodiazepines group of drugs (clonazepam, lorazepam or etizolam) are used initially for short duration for fast symptomatic relief.

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is also very useful. It is a type of psychotherapy.

In moderate to severe cases initially medicines and then CBT is added.

Please let me know which medicines have been given to you until now.

For a while do deep breathing exercise. Whenever you feel anxious take deep slow breathing. Inhale for 3 seconds, keep breath in for 3 seconds and exhale for 3 seconds. Do it for 10 minutes. You will feel relax.

I feel you need benzodiazepine group drug for urgent relief.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (3 minutes later)

I am currently on propananol for my anxiety. I don't feel it's working anymore. I feel like I'm consumed constantly by the thought of dying. I'm just think at times I want to escape from my thoughts.

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it is OCD likely

Detailed Answer:
Hi Dear,

Thanks for information.

It seems OCD likely. Propranlol is mild anti anxiety and is more useful for social anxiety.

At present you need klonopin or ativan. Please consult doctor soon to get prescription. Consulting a psychiatrist will help you more to clear the diagnosis with detail history and mental status examination and proper treatment.

Take care.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar