MrsBro13, I'm so sorry you're going through that but am glad you came here. First let me say that yes, what you're feeling is very familiar to those of us with this condition. You are not alone and it is relatively normal. I know that heartbeat feeling, I know obsessively checking your pulse to see if you're ok, and I know the crushing weight of all of those external problems.

I'm so glad you're going to start therapy. I can't imagine not having the med option but at least there's therapy.

So getting you through until then. Try things that get you out of your head: movies, TV, music, books, anything that can get you to forget yourself for a time. Then there's meditation, deep breathing, stretching, that sort of thing. Exercise helps some people break the tension you're feeling. If you have a friend who you can sit and chat with, maybe even about this stuff, that can be a huge help. Personally I frequently turn to decaf lemon tea or a hot shower (doesn't stop it but it helps soothe a bit).

I hope this helps a little and I'm sure lots of others here will have advice too.

(((MrsBro13)))

Cyran0