Anxiety or HCM?

[ThomasB]

Hi, my name is Thomas. I'm new to this site (just registered about five minutes ago) and I've got a question you might be able to help me with.

I'm an eighteen year old college student who's a little on the nuerotic side. Recently I've been experiencing some real problems with my school work and I don't know if they could somehow be related to my condition. I've been worrying and worrying that somehow I've strained my heart too much and that it's now affecting my academic performance. Specifically, I've been trying to write this paper and have been having an incredibly difficult time with it. It's not a very complicated prompt, but I keep getting very confused whenever I try to write anything for this paper. I can't seem to organize it for the life of me and my mind feels cloudy and unfocused. It's really driving me mad. I've always felt that writing was a strong point of mine, but this assignment is an absolute mess.

I'm not the most responsible person sometimes (being a teenager) when it come to my condition and I know of a specific incident last Thursday that really tired me out. Usually I recover pretty well.

By sheer coincidence I had an appointment with a cardiologist the next day and he didn't seem to notice anything abnormal when he listened to me with the stethoscope and there must not have been anything strange on the EKG.

I've always been a very anxious person and occasionally I've been a bit of a hypochondriac, too. Do you think that's the case here, is all this in my head, or do you think I might have pushed myself too far for once?

Are you familiar with anyone else who's complained about their academic performance or mental ability as a result of HCM?

Thanks for your time!

[Sarah]

Dear Thomas,

You don't say if you are on any medication. Beta-blockers can make it hard to focus and concentrate. If you are beta-blockers, be sure to take them before you go to bed and work on your paper either for an hour or two just before your next dose or about six hours after a dose.

Also, as you may know, stress can make it hard to focus as well.

You might try setting a timer for 15 minutes and work on the paper until the timer goes off. Rest or do something else for 5-10 mintues and then go back to the paper. You will find knowing you only have to work for 15 min takes some of the pressure off and distracting yourself in between can allow your brain to focus when the timer starts again. DON'T try to speed work through the 15 min, just focus and do what you can.

Anti-anxiety medications also make it hard to focus, so you should also try and work around them or adjust your dose with your doctor's ok.

I take beta-blockers and, yes, it can be hard to focus, but the timer technique is great. You can start with 15 min and work up to setting it for longer periods of time. Your brain will get conditioned to it. Really.

Good luck!!

Sarah

[Linda]

Thomas, Welcome to the site. Sarah has given you some good suggestions and I know others will be offering info. Is this your first year of college? That's a big adjustment too. Best wishes, Linda

[Stuart Schwartz]

Thomas,

You have given us very little information.

When were you diagnosed with HCM?
What HCM symptoms have you experienced before?
What meds are you on?
Any other family members with HCM?

[ThomasB]

I was diagnosed at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia.


I've experienced chest pain (tightness more than pain in most cases), shortness of breath, dizziness, and lightheadedness. There may be others I have forgotten. One thing I've never experienced, however, is blacking out.


Currently I am taking Verapamil and have been doing so for a few years.


My aunt has HCM. When she was diagnosed they suggested all other family members get checked- that's when we found out I had it, too.

[Lisa Salberg]

Thomas,
Give me a call 973-983-7429. I was 12 when I was diagnosed...many many years ago... so I can relate to some of your thoughts and concerns.

Hang in there and do not get too stressed out over an assignment.


Lisa

[ThomasB]

When would be a good time to call?