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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 12/6/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everybody!  I'm new here and seeking help.  Here are my symptoms: It started in August 2010, my ears started having this weird burning sensation, it was not painful but extremely uncomfortable, but I ignored it for a couple of weeks hoping it would go away.  Then I started getting sharp pains throughout my head, face, teeth, just everywhere in my head.  I started freaking out thinking I was going to have an anneurysm or a brain tumor which made my symptoms worse.  I went to a terrible doctor who prescribed me amoxicillin and all he did was look in my ears and said everything looked fine.  Then my chest started hurting with these sharp stabbing pains, I thought something was wrong with my heart.  I went to the doctor and she did a chest X-ray, ekg, blood and urine sample.  Everything came back normal and she told me it was gas and costochondritis so she prescribed me Lodine.  The next week I went to an ENT to see what was going on with my head.  He looked in my nose and said I had a chronic sinus infection.  He ordered a CT scan of my sinuses and a barium swallow.  I did those and they both came back normal and he said my sinuses looked alright.  Then my heart started racing and I could literally feel every beat so I was rushed to the emergency room.  They did an ekg, blood and urine test and once again, everything was normal.  I realized that I was suffering from anxiety and tried to ignore the symptoms.  I didn't want to take any pills for it because I wanted to get rid of it on my own.  Most of my symptoms diminished but I'm still developing new weird symptoms.  Right now in December 2010, I've been feeling constantly light headed, weak, tired even if I get 8 or more hours of sleep.  I have this weird throbbing sensation from the back of my head down to the tail of my butt.  I get feelings like I'm going to have diarrheabut haven't had diarrhea in months.  I have bad gas but it mainly stays in my chest.  I get weird muscle twitches all over my body, leg cramps, intense dizzy spells that last for a seond or two and the throbbing sensation makes it worse.  I still get odd pains in my head but they aren't as bad as they used to be.  I got a weird painful pressure feeling in my right hip, and in my ovary area I can feel movement but this isan occasional thing.  I don't know if gas can cause all of the weird sensations in my chest area down to my ovary area.  I also get weird cramp-like feelings in my legs and arms.  they are like sharp stabbing pains that last for a few seconds.  I guess my questions are how long does anxiety last and can it bring new symptoms even if you are about to get over it?  I'm 5'10, 281 lbs. so I'm overweight, and female.  I have mild asthma, mild anemia (11.3) and TMJ.  I'm constantly sore and the thing that concerns me the most is the throbbing from the back of my head to the tail of my butt and the intense dizziness.  I have a huge fear og being alone in case I need somebody to call 911 or something.  I also have a huge fear of fainting in public so it wouldbe really helpful if you can give me some suggestions on how to prevent fainting.  Also, I don't want to go to another doctor because I feel like they're just going to say everything was normal and nothing's wrong with me.  That's no reason to raise the insurance for no reason.  I really just want to know if anybody else has experienced this and any comments wouldbe greatly appreciated.  Thank you and sorry this was so long, just had to get it all out. :)

Posted 12/6/2010 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
NaeNae,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  Here is a link to all the many symtoms of anxiety.

Anxiety Symptoms, Anxiety Attack Symptoms (Panic Attack Symptoms), Symptoms of Anxiety:

http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml

Many of these same symtoms can be caused by other problems.  Wondering if you have been dx by your Doctor with Anxiety ?  Perhaps looking into therapy would be a great help to you.  There are many differents therapies available.

Try to avoid caffeinated beverages whenever possible as well as high sugar food products. Drink plenty of water and make sure you are getting a sufficient amount of exercise. Many people who are interested in learning how to relieve anxiety find that taking up yoga and meditation can also be quite calming and relaxing while relieving the symptoms associated with anxiety.

I know you will be hearing from other members so stick with us as we are here to help and support you.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 12/7/2010 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much!
Posted 12/7/2010 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome! I am glad that you have found us here. You will undoubtedly find great information, care and support from people who understand exactly what you are goingt through.
It sounds as if you are suffering health anxiety. The body, under stress, will experience physical symptoms that are very real, and often frightening. Our minds then perceive these signals as a threat-ie, thinking there is something wrong , or we are seriously ill. The stress then increases, making the physical symptoms increase, and you have a cycle of fear and symptoms. This is a very common complaint here. If you get a chance, do a search of the archives and you will find tons of posts just like yours.
To answer a couple of your questions, anxiety can last indefinately, until you get help to control it. Most people either use medication, therapy and coping techniques, or a combination of both. Cognitive Behavorial Therapy is a popular and effective form of therapy that re-trains thinking patterns to reduce anxiety. It basically helps you to battle the fear by learning how to "talk yourself down" through logic and reason. It gives you back power and control over panic, worry, general anxiety. If you can, look into it by getting a referral from your doctor.
Anxiety can indeed bring new symptoms with every new episode. One day you can be experiencing x,y,and z as symptoms, and the next day something totally different. I think that this was one of the most troubling parts of the disorder for me. Just when I thought I had it figured out, it would change on me. This is why a lot of people think that they must have some dreaded disease-because of all the baffling symptoms keep you guessing! This is also a common complaint. Remember to look at that list that Kitt suggested, and I'm sure that you'll find many familiar symptoms.
Finally, regarding the fainting-feeling faint is a common symptom of anxiety, but actually fainting rarely, if ever happens. I have felt dizzy/faint a thousand times, and have never fainted from fear. When you are feeling anxious, blood pressure is usually higher than lower, and low blood pressure is what causes fainting.
I hope that this is helpful to you. I hope that you will look into therapy for managing your anxiety. It has given me back my life as I know it! Stick around like I said, this is a great place, and post anytime:)
Take care,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/7/2010 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
yeah i get those sharp stabbing pains in my arms and legs too ! i have asked people what they are but they all said they have never experienced it and didnt know what it was . i also get dizzy a looot , your not the only one ! let me know if you find out whats causing this ! :) thankyoou x
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