New member. Letting it all out

Hi everyone
My name is colin and I'm 27 and only recently started having anxiety issues.
I found this site and having read through a few off the topics already here I thought this place could really help me, so here I am!

My anxiety started in around November last year when I was having some financial worries, which started with pains in my chest and numbness and pains in my left arm.
These feeling went on for a few weeks and being stupid I never went for a check up, I was scared of what the outcome would be, as I'm large set lad (fat lad) so having problems with my heart scared the hell out of me, I stopped eating, I couldn't sleep properly.
Google wasn't really a good help either lol, every symptom I had was leading to a heart attack, a lot of posts said it was caused by anxiety but i still thought there was something wrong with me,
Then one shift at work in December I broke down, the pains in my chest where back and so was the numbness in my arm, and finally decided enought was enough so I went to hospital,
After the various test, ECG, blood test and chest X-ray I was given the all clear and told it was probably down to anxiety.

But even Fter all the test coming back positive, my anxiety seemed to relish on my worry and ruined my christmas, I was scared to eat incase it caused me to have a heart attack, I haven't touched alcohol since November again incase it causes something to happen to me,

Then came my sleeping problems, being scared to sleep incase I died in my sleep, and spent most nights in the sofa.

I get very worked up when I'm left alone, worrying that no one will find me in time if something happens to me, I get very uncomfortable eating out in restaurants and going to the cinema.

I now have a habit off constantly checking my self over looking for lumps and bumps and wondering if I had cancer after having a flight cough for a week or so.

I did go to see my doctor after my hospital visit, and he prescribed my anti depressents, but (some May call me stupid) I disnt take them, I thought I would try pull through this on my own, my friend and family don't know most of what has gone on, but getting this out n here has felt good,

Another problem I have is going to hospital or to see my doctor when symptoms come back, I feel embarrassed to gave to bother then when it's most likely down to my anxiety.
My thanks to anyone who reads and look forward to talking to you all

Colin

Post Edited (Colin_1986) : 4/14/2014 7:36:42 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Colin and welcome. Reading your post reminded me so much of me, the pains due to anxiety, constantly checking google, afraid to eat etc. I am now on Sertraline and have been for about 5 weeks, hopefully it will start to help. I am taking it for health anxiety and depression. I found it hard to ask for help but I'm glad I did. Maybe you should try the meds your doctor gave you? It's very hard trying to go through all this alone. My doctor referred me for therapy too. I'm glad you've found this forum, the members are so kind and helpful and have really been there for me.

A x

Hi Colin, it was interesting reading that because it sounds just like me with some exceptions :).

I think the key is self help and we need to reassure ourselves that nothing is wrong especially after you've been checked out by the doctor/hospital.

That being said I haven't managed it yet but am in the process of trying to sort myself out. Today I got some medication which I'm debating whether to take or not. Probably should or at least really work on he self help.

Anyway I hope you can calm yourself down and beat the dreaded anxiety.

All the best.

Welcome Colin, I'm new too but I can already see this forum is a great support system. I wish you well! Hang in there!

I would like to ^^echo^^ everyone else's sentiment about what an incredibly safe and understanding environment this is, and while individually, many of us feel embarrassed and self-conscious about things,...this is one place where we can let our hair down, so to speak,....

This is one amazing crowd. Not a judgmental soul among the group. Please feel free to express yourself however you feel safe and comfortable, and know you are among peers, among friends, among a large group of individuals who can relate and are compassionate.

Welcome aboard! :)







M.