A month and a half of anxiety and pain!

Hello everyone!
I am new to healingwell. I am 22 and have been having severe anxiety. Back in November i was very stressed out and had severe stomach pain and nausea. I also had a few times where i felt like i couldn't breathe and was going to suffocate. I think factors that may have contributed were that: November was the one year anniversary of my grandpa's death and also when my other grandpa had open heart surgery with 5 bipasses (much to my great dismay it happened at the same time.) Also, A old family friend died this past November and i was also under a tremendous amount of pressure with responsibilities. Anyway, after i took a week vacation to Florida all my symptoms disappeared.
Towards the end of December and early January i began to have lower stomach pain and burning and a feeling of nerve pain in my upper thigh. It lasted awhile and i had myself convinced i had ovarian cancer. To top things off, my nerve pain got worse. It went from being in my thigh to being in both my legs.... then to being in my arms as well. I also felt at times i couldn't keep my balance and that my hands were cramping and wouldn't work. (all during a time where i was very anxious).
I went to the lady doctor and did a routine female exam, an ultrasound, urinalysis, and bloodwork. Everything came back fine. My cbc, and thyroid and everything came back normal. The doctor feels that it was all due to anxiety. Well,though my stomach pain went away, my nerve pain is still here. It has lessened and is predominately in my arms now. I do have somewhat of a back injury from a football accident but it has never caused me nerve pain. To top things off, i have started on wednesday having loose stools, and some narrow so now i am terrified i have colon cancer. I have no history of cancer in my family. Has anyone else had these symptoms? I have a doctor's appointment Tuesday. I am hoping not to find out anything terrible.

Your symptoms do sound like anxiety and panic disorder. Could be GERD, don't worry about cancer, these kind of pains can be due to many reasons including anxiety. But if you are concerned, do get tested.

Hi Ferretglo5. I have bad anxiety. My hands hurt and tingle. My thighs to my feet tingle and burn all so. I do not have a appetite at all. I am all ways tired and feel sick. My tounge tingles and hurts to. I get chills and feel cold all the time. I shake and tremble inside my body. I shake inside my chest to. I feel that there is something stuck in my chest to. My stomach hurts and burns all so. I am taking prozac and ativan. Do you shake and tremble inside your body? Does your chest shake all so? I had a nerve conduction test of my big nerves and muscle they were all fine. Its called a EMG TEST. Then I had a nerve test of my small nerves won't know the results until feb 20th. Maybe you should get a conduction nerve test done? Misty.

Hi Ferretglo5

 

Welcome to HealingWell. This is Kitt and I am glad to see you found us as I think you will appreciate the opportunity to interact with the members of this great forum.

You have many sx that could easily be caused by anxiety.  Often we think we are just fine when, in fact, anxiety is lying just below the surface. 

In reading through your sx I would ask that you keep your appointment and ask to have a colonoscopy scheduled. You said you had an ultrasound but did not say of what?  I am guessing pelvic.

I do not expect the GI Physician will find anything on your colonoscopy but you have a couple of sx I feel you should have checked out.

Please do not assume that you have cancer, however, it is important to have a baseline colonoscopy especially if you are having certain symptoms:

Colorectal cancer may cause one or more of the symptoms below. If you have any of the following you should see your doctor:

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so
• Rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal)
• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Unintended weight loss

Most of these symptoms are more often caused by conditions other than colorectal cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease. Still, if you have any of these problems, it’s important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

I am sorry to learn of the deaths you have had in your life. Know that each person grieves in their own time and way.

Now let me point you toward some ideas you may try to reduce your anxiety.

WE have a great resource thread at the top of this page; I feel you would benefit for more than one of the suggestions.

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

How Keeping a Journal Can help you with Anxiety

 

http://www.anxietyreallysucks.com/how-keeping-a-journal-can-help-you-with-anxiety/

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

 

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx

Mindfulness Meditation

 

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/06/03/new-to-mindfulness-how-to-get-started/#.Urr-gZ3naAI

Three Minute Mindfulness Meditation Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDflnqo0TQs

I hope you stick with us and feel comfortable talking with us as we know where your coming from and what your going through.

Kindly,

Kitt