Hi everyone - 1st post

Not only is this my 1st post, it's my first time ever talking about this. I get anxious about my health and frequently think I have a terminal disease, will have a heart attack soon, brain aneurism, or a stroke. I turned 30 last month and these feelings/worries are recent. In August 2013 I called the ambulance on myself for the 1st time in my life. I felt a little silly, but I think I was having my first real panic attack. I had this pain shoot down my arm that was intense, I thought "heart attack" instantly. That caused my whole body to kind of tingle and then my fingers were numb/tingly and my tongue got kind of tingly. Good old google convinced me I was having a heart attack as I suspected and said to call 911 immediately. Seriously all the symptoms lined up, I was sure i was having a heart attack at 29 (hey it happens right?). The ambulance came and took my vitals, they asked several times if I was on drugs (lol wow!!) and then finally said I had a panic attack. I opted to not to go the hospital. Until that day I never believed in panic attacks or that they were debilitating as I experienced.

A few weeks later I was having arm pain again and I started getting anxious. Why was I having this arm pain? Suddenly my fingers again started going numb, I couldn't catch my breath and went to the ER. I was hooked up to the EKG, the doctor said everything was fine and I was having a panic attack. He prescribed me 6 valiums and said to follow up with primary doc. He said the arm pain could be nerves and/or issues from a severe car accident I was in when I was younger.

I was okay for awhile after that. A cpl months later I started to experience these weird pains in my neck and jaw. I'm convinced I have lung, throat cancer or emphysema. Those pains happen mostly at night. Now that would seem so crazy, except Im a smoker. Please don't judge me, I hate myself for it and have tried to quit so many times. In fact, smoking is probably a major cause of this health anxiety I have. I seriously f*&%ing hate myself for smoking. It's the devil and I can't seem to stop for good. I truly hate myself for smoking. I'm not an idiot. I'm a successful real estate investor, Realtor, and business owner. I'm successful for my age and make good decisions, I'm so busy I don't know how I have time to worry like this every singe day, and every single night, and its so much worse at night.

My dad died 2 years ago and I took guardianship of my 10 year old sister (now 12) who I didn't know very well, as we lived across the country. I don't know if that is adding to my anxiety or not. If I die, she really has no one left to take care of her.

Tonight I was in the parking lot of grocery store when this insane headache came on. I had this horrible headache all day yesterday and it finally went away. Today it came back on and I felt a little dizzy, weird, off...and googled it. Right away I see 'call 911', 'stroke', 'aneurysm', etc. This whole feeling came over my body, very similar to what happened back in August when I called the ambulance on myself. I had my phone in my hand and 911 until I realized maybe I should calm down and relax for a minute.

This is not fun, I'm not sure how to handle it or make it go away.

I know all to well of what you are dealing with but know that you are a strong fighter&with everyday you fight,you become sttonger to deal with the lies anxiety tell. Iam a ex chain smoker&I say chain because I went through some qiuickly,and it started to cost me health wise&money wise so I stop cold turkey for over 3years&started back last year maybe a few days&havent because it made me sick&I came to learn that I can't stand anymore& want be picking up anymore.

Thank you all for the responses, they mean the world.

I also have left arm pain when I get stressed or anxious. I've been having panic attacks off and on for over two years. Last October my left arm started going numb while I was driving and I had a huge panic attack with chest pains, rapid heart rate etc. Of course my mind jumps to thinking I'm having a heart attack! After that my left arm was numb for about two months and every time I focused on it I would have another panic attack. I also have experienced left side numbness on the left side of my face, my lips, my hands, and my feet. My doctor thought it might be MS but when I went to see a specialist he just said it was anxiety. Anxiety can do some crazy things to our bodies. The thing is, your arm might be hurting from the way you slept or from carrying the groceries. A non anxiety sufferer wouldn't even think twice about it, and those with health anxiety jump to the conclusion that it's something detrimental to our health.