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Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety

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Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety

Posted by Brian on March 18, 2001 at 17:38:22:

I was diagnosed with MVP a year ago, and with it I have General Anxiety Disorder, with no panic attacks. I haven't been diagnosed with GAD, but I know enough to be sure I have it. Now, I have decided that I need to do something about it. My question is, where do I start? Do I have to get some kind of psychological evaluation first? Or can I go to my regular doctor and expect him to do something about it? I'm considering something weak like Buspar for my anxiety, but I don't know where to start...
thanks,

-brian



Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety

Posted by Kimberly on March 18, 2001 at 20:33:35:

In Reply to: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety posted by Brian on March 18, 2001 at 17:38:22:

Brian,
My GP gave me a perscription for Buspar, after I filled out this questionaire. It works pretty well. There were a few side effects, though. Good Luck!



Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety

Posted by brian on March 18, 2001 at 23:36:05:

In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety posted by Kimberly on March 18, 2001 at 20:33:35:

Sorry for my lack of term knowledge, but what does GP stand for? Anyways, thanks a lot for the reply!



wups.. Nevermind

Posted by brian on March 19, 2001 at 00:44:43:

In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety posted by brian on March 18, 2001 at 23:36:05:

General practitioner... of course



Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety

Posted by Barbara on March 19, 2001 at 05:29:30:

In Reply to: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety posted by Brian on March 18, 2001 at 17:38:22:

If I was you, I'd start with the archives on this site. Look up magnesium, brain chemistry and SR. Also read Dr. Stoll's article about MVP. Good luck!

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Re: wups.. Nevermind

Posted by Kimberly on March 19, 2001 at 10:51:05:

In Reply to: wups.. Nevermind posted by brian on March 19, 2001 at 00:44:43:

Your right Brian, general practioner! You might want to read up on GABA, Taurine, and Glycine, these are calming amino acids. Also, Magnesium, Calcium, 5HTP, and KAVA KAVA, are calming things. Do your home work, and try some natural alternatives, too see which ones work best for you.



Great, Thanks!

Posted by Brian on March 19, 2001 at 16:14:24:

In Reply to: Re: wups.. Nevermind posted by Kimberly on March 19, 2001 at 10:51:05:

:)



One more thing.....

Posted by Brian on March 19, 2001 at 16:28:28:

In Reply to: Great, Thanks! posted by Brian on March 19, 2001 at 16:14:24:

The things your are talking about (including Buspar), are these for 'calming' or such...? I excessively worry about things, and sometimes avoid doing things when I should... does this fall under that category? thanks a lot...

-brian



Re: One more thing.....

Posted by Kimberly on March 20, 2001 at 11:35:27:

In Reply to: One more thing..... posted by Brian on March 19, 2001 at 16:28:28:

I would say so!

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Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety

Posted by sarahw on March 20, 2001 at 13:39:32:

In Reply to: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety posted by Brian on March 18, 2001 at 17:38:22:

I also suffer from anxiety. I have suffered various different forms of it for the last 10 years, and am pretty knowledgeable about it! The first medication I went on was Buspar, quite a few years ago. I went off of Buspar because of the side effects. I got headaches from it, and it made me really dizzy for the first 1/2 hour after I took it, which was three times a day. Having young children in the house to take care of, I felt it to be a safety concern. I have felt similar side effects with Paxil. When my doctor prescribed Klonipin, I didn't have a single side effect. In fact, I couldn't even feel it as it was absorbed into my system. I now take it only when I need it, usually at night if I'm really having trouble relaxing and going to sleep.
I want to comment on your heart problem. I may be really off base here, but I was diagnosed with MVP and tachacardia right before I was diagnosed with anxiety. The funny thing is, when my anxiety was under control, so was my heart. (Instead of the other way around.) ALOT of your physical symptoms may be in some way related to your anxiety, and you might not even know it. If I had more room I'd go into more detail, but I realize most posts are just a paragraph or so.
I'm thinking of starting a message board strictly for people who suffer from anxiety and/or panic attacks. Would you be interested in joining if I do?



use the meds as a last resort...

Posted by Elizabeth on March 20, 2001 at 19:22:30:

In Reply to: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety posted by Brian on March 18, 2001 at 17:38:22:

Hi, Brian. I also have mitral valve prolapse and problems with anxiety. I had an irregular heartbeat and MVP years before ever having anxiety attacks, but I do know that when I am anxious, it makes my heart symptoms more obvious. Since you believe you have GAD, why not try alternatives to meds first and see what happens (i.e. relaxation techniques, counseling/therapy, lifestyle changes, etc.) Then maybe later try medication. Some of these medications start losing their effectiveness over time so the dosage has to be increase. And there are also side effects that sometimes outweight the benefits & difficulties stopping the medication when you no longer want it. But everybody's body is different.

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Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety (Testimonial) [Archive in MVP.)

Posted by Walt Stoll on March 22, 2001 at 09:55:42:

In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety posted by sarahw on March 20, 2001 at 13:39:32:

Thanks, sarahw.

Walt



Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety (Testimonial) [Archive in MVP.)

Posted by JC on April 04, 2001 at 15:18:51:

In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety (Testimonial) [Archive in MVP.) posted by Walt Stoll on March 22, 2001 at 09:55:42:

I also have mitral valve prolapse, irrittable b.s. and suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I have been on paxil for 1 month. Taking very low dose, 10mg at nighttime. I don't think that it is doing anything. I believe that I have the anxiety due to mitral valve prolpase. Not the other way around. My doctor says it's not the reason. Would like to try another way of dealing with this. Any suggestions?



Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety (Testimonial) [Archive in MVP.)

Posted by Walt Stoll on April 06, 2001 at 11:37:47:

In Reply to: Re: Mitral Valve prolapse and Anxiety (Testimonial) [Archive in MVP.) posted by JC on April 04, 2001 at 15:18:51:

Hi, JC.

Until you understand that your MVP causes NO symptoms in anyone, you will continue barking up the wrong tree on this one.

You doc would love to have you believe that your MVP is causing your symptoms because in his mind that absolves him of explaining all of your symptoms.

When you are ready to resolve your symptoms, start with the archives about MVP, stress and SR. Read Dr Benson's book, Dr Pelletier's book and Dr Selye's book.

THEN come back and tell us what you have learned. Your doc is wrong and eventually even he will know that.

Walt

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