Discussion with my doctor

I finally spoke to my doctor about my health anxiety and over the aches and pains. My doctor did an examination and said my muscles were very tense, and noticed I wasn't breathing right even at that time. He asked me where my pain comes and goes, I said it was my neck, shoulders, and arms. I also have stomach issues that I told him (had my gallbladder out a couple weeks ago). He said due to my anxiety my muscles were so tight which can have an affect on my whole body, it can cause my fatigue and soreness as well because I'm anxious and on edge everyday. After this discussion with him I left and felt a little bit better. He said having PTSD, depression, and severe GAD can take a toll on a person. After my appointment I took a deep breath, my hands were shaking like mad as I waited for the elevator. This was yesterday, and I'm still unsure, I guess my health anxiety is worse than I thought. =/

I'm on 30 mg of Cymbalta. I've noticed the aches and pains have gotten better…and I sleep great. I just still don't feel like me, and I haven't for the longest time. I try to stay strong but sometimes It's so hard. I'm a massage therapist so I know what you mean when you recommend massage lol

KB

It is amazing the profound effects anxiety can have on us both mentally and physically!

Keep working towards your recovery, and the things that are going to help you keep making progress.

Glad you could have such a good talk with your doctor, he sounds great. :)

Keep working on the self-help skills until you can get in to see your therapist.

Talk soon,

S.C.

I have used to have terrible muscle pain. It would trigger my anxiety/panic. It was mainly my upper back and neck. It was seriously unbearable.

I started getting regular massages, once a week, from a therapeutic massage therapist (no spa). I did this for about six weeks. I shared with her that I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and to only massage the parts I was having difficulty with (she also shared that she had suffered from panic and anxiety years back, which made me feel like she really understood me and my pain).

After six weeks I dropped down to every other week and eventually down to every other month (like I'm doing right now). I have little muscle tightness, even if I am anxious or panicky. Massage, to me, is just as important as my talk therapy appointments.