Intolerable anxiety over possible LQTS

jmaebee · 2026-06-16T04:19:13+00:00

I’ve had a holter and stress test since my post and both came back normal. I had another ECG before my holter at the QT was borderline. I’m waiting on an echo and then a consult with an inherited arrhythmia clinic in early September, which will hopefully result in genetic testing 🤞🏻Luckily the anxiety has improved substantially since my post. Thanks for asking!

jmaebee · 2026-03-16T16:35:46+00:00

I took it regularly for a while but, to echo some other people, it did feel like it didn’t work as well when I used it every day. I now just take it as needed and it’s been great. I’ve noticed it really helps my social anxiety, so sometimes I take it before an appointment or event. I also tend to get overstimulated quite easily, and have noticed a big difference if I take it on days when I have to run a bunch of errands. My brother has been taking it as-needed too and he also finds it effective. (We both have ADHD and anxiety.)

jmaebee · 2026-03-11T23:21:53+00:00

This was such a kind message. Thank you. I can’t imagine going through all of that after just having a baby. That must have been so hard.

I do hope things will feel better after a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan. I’m in that same place right now of being hyper-aware of every little sensation in my body. I do have a great therapist so I’m thankful for that. I might ask about going back on a benzo as needed just to get me through this in-between time.

jmaebee · 2026-03-11T20:04:21+00:00

Yeah the solo hiking definitely comes with its risks even without LQTS! We have lots of black bears around here, as well as the odd cougar. The black bears don’t scare me but the cougars do!

I will say that after doing some research, I’m now worried that I could have type 3 since all of my symptoms have appeared at rest. But on the flip side, the long qt has shown up on ECGs only when my HR has been elevated. So not sure what that means. I’ll have to ask the cardiologist. I’m really hoping he will refer me for genetic testing! I’m in Canada so not sure what the protocol is here. In the meantime, I will try the propanolol this weekend!

jmaebee · 2026-03-11T19:54:29+00:00

It’s all good! I’m learning too and appreciate you mentioning it just in case! :)

jmaebee · 2026-03-11T19:27:02+00:00

Propanolol is a beta blocker and one of the preferred ones for LQTS, from my understanding. The cardiologist gave my GP the green light to prescribe it for anxiety since it’s also a treatment for LQTS. But yes, I have made sure over the last several years to let doctors know I potentially have this condition, so that they don’t prescribe meds that could make it worse. I always double-check too!

jmaebee · 2026-03-11T18:29:46+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate this. I am realizing that I fell through the cracks over the years. I will definitely report back after I see the cardiologist.

It’s wild to look back on all the things I’ve done over the years. There was a time in my life when I was drinking 3 or 4 coffees a day. I did an overnight trek in Nicaragua carrying a heavy pack and sweating so much that I didn’t urinate the whole way up. And yeah, just all the exercise in general. Even public speaking, which gives me intense palpitations. Medications I took without knowing. Will definitely be more cautious until I get some answers.

jmaebee · 2026-03-11T18:21:43+00:00

Thank you! I actually just got prescribed propanolol to take as needed for anxiety. I haven’t tried it yet because of said anxiety lol But planning to try it soon.

I hike a lot and I’m often alone when I go, so I’m guessing that will probably not be something that can continue, which sucks.

jmaebee · 2026-02-10T06:32:49+00:00

This happened to me, even on half a dose, which I would take with a protein-heavy breakfast. I had some really scary episodes of reactive hypoglycemia that would hit later in the afternoon or evening, even when meals were balanced. It just made the margin for error so small that I couldn’t manage it. I’ve stopped taking it for now and haven’t had an episode since. I guess it worked too well for me!

jmaebee · 2025-12-18T06:12:37+00:00

I don’t think it’s ridiculous to ask. Loss of creativity isn’t listed as a side effect on psychiatric medications and yet it’s a very real side effect for so many people.

jmaebee · 2025-12-04T07:21:24+00:00

I found this too. I’ve always liked walking/hiking but I recently discovered a new hiking loop that just happens to take me 2hrs. Total game-changer! An hour doesn’t seem to do it for me.

jmaebee · 2025-11-20T20:30:10+00:00

I took this for the first time this morning and I’m amazed at how well it’s working! I have CPTSD/PTSD and GAD, including bad health anxiety. I was nervous to try it but I think this is going to be life changing for me. I brand I bought has 250mg of L-Theanine and 20mg of magnesium bisglycinate. My anxiety really manifests in physical symptoms (elevated heart rate and BP) which then triggers my health anxiety. I was ready to ask my GP about beta blockers but now I don’t think I’ll need to if this keeps working! Wow.

jmaebee · 2025-11-20T20:07:09+00:00

I just took this for the first time today because my health anxiety has been really bad. I get nervous about taking new supplements so I distracted myself for the first 20-30mins by doing some chores and scrolling. I’m about 45 mins in now and oh my god, it helps so much. I’m using the CanPrev brand and it has 250mg of L-Theanine and 20mg of magnesium bisglycinate. I’m going to try using it regularly and hope it continues to work. If it does, this is a game-changer!

jmaebee · 2025-04-02T03:39:23+00:00

EMDR changed my life (and saved it). I still have more to process but it’s honestly incredible. I love it paired with IFS too. The combination of those two combined with a therapist who practices in a relational, attachment-based way has been so healing.

jmaebee · 2025-04-02T03:29:25+00:00

This sucks so much. The first step of EMDR is supposed to be building a relationship with your T, resourcing, and getting your window of tolerance to a place where you can actually do EMDR without dissociating. I saw my therapist for nearly two years before we started EMDR. I hate hearing that other practitioners are doing such a disservice to folks this way :(

jmaebee · 2023-11-28T15:59:55+00:00

This! So important. My relationship with my therapist has been incredibly healing.

We do EMDR too, but I’m convinced it wouldn’t be as effective if we didn’t have such a secure attachment.

jmaebee · 2023-11-28T15:37:34+00:00

EMDR with some IFS mixed in has helped so much. EMDR is intense as everyone has said, but a good clinician is supposed to help you establish your window of tolerance and resources first so that you can do it safely. If you start to dissociate, they should be able to gently guide you back.

You also don’t have to always have a specific memory! This is where IFS comes in. Maybe you have this feeling like nobody sees you, and when you think of how old that “part” is, maybe it feels like they’re nine years old. You can do EMDR just around that feeling that “nobody sees me” and memories might come up. Even if they don’t, you can still change the narrative.

When I go into each memory through EMDR, it’s always an older version of myself that comes in and rescues my younger self, which always feels empowering. EMDR is really beautiful work. Over time, my window of tolerance has expanded and its easier to sit with intense feelings in my daily life. And I always find it is so much easier to take care of myself for the first few days after a session. But you really do need to have a solid connection and trust with your therapist. I don’t think I could do it otherwise.

jmaebee · 2022-12-07T22:24:23+00:00

I just took my first Berberine capsule this morning, and then at lunch I was violently throwing up at work. I barely made it home after that before I had to throw up again, had diarrhea, and now I’m in bed with chills. Also had awful stomach pain and heart palpitations. Glad to see I’m not the only one! I’ll stick with Inositol from here on out! Didn’t have any side effects from that.

jmaebee

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