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Health Anxiety messing with my life!

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Posted 4/28/2015 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, my name is Alex and I just signed up because I'm hoping that getting my thoughts out would help and maybe some people had some advice that would help. In January I fell on my face and suffered a pretty bad concussion. I busted my face up pretty good, and may or may not have had a seizure. (Have had 2 in my life where I passed out and it happened) but not 100% sure... Either way, since then I've been having my first bit of anxiety, more specifically health anxiety. It stated off as one panic attack, and progressively got worse. My anxiety fears are mainly heart attack and stroke.

I'm 22 years old, 5'10" and about 158 lbs. I do not drink alcohol on a regular basis, probably once or twice in a month and even then it's light. I used to smoke ********* everyday for about 2 years, living in colorado gave me that option, and it used to be the thing to relax me after a long day or calm me down when I'm stressing etc etc. I haven't smoke in about a month as I'm trying to be clean to figure out what's up with me. I've since moved in with my mom in Wyoming, and have been eating better and working out since she is into fitness. I used to live in my own for years but now I am unable to. It started with some heart palpitations and now At times I start to have blurred vision, slight dizziness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, feelings of weakness and at times due to the heavy breathing or adrenaline I get a bit nauseated, shaky and tingly in my feet. I had an anxiety attack so bad the other night I thought I was having a heart attack and had to have my mom take me to the emergency room. They preformed and EKG, took some chest x-Rays and blood/urine samples. Of course the doctor said I checked out totally ok.

I have ensured that I look up all possible symptoms for stroke, such as droopy face, speach problems arm weakness. As of lately I've been having occasional dreams where I am starting to have a stroke, I get droopy face and I end up waking up or doing something else in my dream. This has lead to even more fear of stroke as I'm not ready to die yet. I understand its a way of life but I feel I need to accomplish a lot more before hand. Anyways, im just tired of feeling this way. I used to live my life without a care in the world and honestly didn't even believe in anxiety or depression really, but not Its all jacking me up. Now I can't even play basketball without thinking something is going to happen. I just want to get back to where I was when I could sleep ok, where I could play basketball at full strength without fear. I could not smoke weed for the rest of my life if necessary although I miss it. But again I'm just always worried I'm going to die soon. Sorry if it sounds as if I'm rambling, I'm a bit upset and not sure how to end this. But thanks to anybody for any posts or words of advice.

Post Edited By Moderator (Hibee) : 4/28/2015 1:29:26 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/28/2015 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alex

Welcome to the forum I am pleased you have found us you will get good support here from people who will be able to relate to what you are going through.

Sorry to hear you have been having health anxiety it is tough to deal with and if you let it can take over your life so it's important that you address your anxiety. I would suggest your first port of call should be with your doctor as there is a lot that can be done to help with anxiety such as taking medication and doing some type of talking therapy such as CBT or Mindfulness Meditation which both have good evidence that they are very effective in treating anxiety disorders.

In the meantime have a look at our resources thread which you will find on the main page first post for some useful links to self help guides and keep posting here and we can support you.

I made a small edit on your post don't worry this is not a telling off but I would ask you to have a look at the forum rules which you will find and the top of the page.

Also try and not google your symptoms as this will only make your anxiety a lot worse and leave the diagnosing upto your doctor.

I know things are hard for you at the moment but you can get through this and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Keep us posted

Hibee
Posted 4/28/2015 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alex~
I just saw your post. I'm sorry you're struggling with anxiety, but I'm glad you're reaching out for help. Definitely finding support with issues like these can make a huge difference. So, along those lines, I agree with Hibee that talking with your doctor should probably be your first step. Or, if you've already gone that route, perhaps think of seeing a therapist or getting some suggestions on support groups in your area. It can be so helpful to know exactly what you're dealing with and get some professional input on what help is available. Lastly, if you're not sure where to start looking for assistance, maybe check out the National Alliance of Mental Health's website? I believe you can find referrals, articles, etc. on anxiety there. Just a thought. But I hope you find some healing. Let us know how you're doing, OK?

#girlluvs2garden#
Posted 4/28/2015 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Alex

Sorry to hear of the rough time you've been having. This is a great supportive community.

I have similar issues to what you are going through with health anxiety. When I had my first panic attack, I thought I was having a stroke or something else wrong in my brain.

As hard as it is to think right now, you can get better. It's a struggle, but following the advice of those who posted before me is a great start.
Posted 4/28/2015 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome!

You have received some great advice and support already...so I will just add my encouagement and understanding, and a couple of links that may be helpful to you until you can talk with your doctor and look into the possibility of therapy.

These are self-help specifically for health anxiety, and the suggested exercises are really helpful when put into practice

We hope that you will continue to post with us, so we can be of help during your recovery.:)

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 4/29/2015 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello my name is Peewee I just found this sight and think it might help me also. I have anxiety and have had a bad week with it. I don't take any med with it. I'm scared of med. but I think I may have to get with my doctor and try something. I feel like there is something wrong with me but can't figure out what it is. Went to doctor yesterday with tingling in my left arm had EKG done everything was fine. Feel like my head is in a drum sometimes like something wrong with my sinuses or my head. Made me feel better knowing I'm not the only one going through this. I think what I need to no is how does the med make you feel. Like do they make you feel out of place or do you still feel normal? Thanks for any information.
Posted 4/29/2015 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your responses and support it makes me feel a ton better just getting it out honestly. I am actually against medication, I'm pretty adamant about not wanting to get on it. I have heard good things about meditation and I am also going to start doing some yoga as well. I'm definitely looking into a precessional I can go talk to about my anxiety and hopefully will begin to reduce it.

Each day gets better than the last but even at time it's gone away for a week or so then come back so I am hoping to figure out exactly what's going on in this head of mine and going at it head first if you will.
Posted 4/29/2015 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Alex if you figure out how to beat it let me no. I have been going through this for about 7 years and think I got it beat and it shows up agin. But I have not ever had any body to talk to about it that knows how I'm feeling.
Posted 4/29/2015 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
You folks are much too young to be worrying about death, it's decades down the road from where you are
now, so dont waist your life practicing for something anyone can and will do.

I am not trying to be a jerk or a clown at anyone's expense, but i did this for many years and every time I went through the O Crap I'm dying sean it did not happen, many expensive trips to ER just like you. There is a way to beat this or at the least diminish the fear that you go through every time you have a Panic attack. You know you are healthy, you also know you are not dying today or anytime soon, but living is a wonderful antidote for the fear of death. Accept two things, one you will not die anytime soon, two it's going to happen and being scared will not stop it or push it back, but your Faith and Reason can become your strength, sit down and make yourself accept both things, then accept that you have a condition called PAD, and start working on it, our Resources page has some really great methods, CBT and Mindfulness are my favorites. Get busy, start living, Peace
Larry ***
Posted 4/29/2015 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I agree Larry but how. I was a big hunter I won't hunt by myself no more wont stay at home by myself just thinking something is going to happen to me. I have tried to start staying by myself but that is when it comes on. Anxiety or panic. What do you think I need to do or try.
Posted 4/29/2015 6:21 AM (GMT 0)

lgm1942 said...
You folks are much too young to be worrying about death, it's decades down the road from where you are
now, so dont waist your life practicing for something anyone can and will do.

I am not trying to be a jerk or a clown at anyone's expense, but i did this for many years and every time I went through the O Crap I'm dying sean it did not happen, many expensive trips to ER just like you. There is a way to beat this or at the least diminish the fear that you go through every time you have a Panic attack. You know you are healthy, you also know you are not dying today or anytime soon, but living is a wonderful antidote for the fear of death. Accept two things, one you will not die anytime soon, two it's going to happen and being scared will not stop it or push it back, but your Faith and Reason can become your strength, sit down and make yourself accept both things, then accept that you have a condition called PAD, and start working on it, our Resources page has some really great methods, CBT and Mindfulness are my favorites. Get busy, start living, Peace
Larry ***


You are 100% right, and don't feel bad in any kind of way, this is the best kind of response for me honestly. I'm a bit of an abrasive person so this speaks to me a lot more than maybe a softer approach if you will. I have recently just come to grips with the fact like you said, even being scared of it death or anytbing isn't going to prevent it from happening. I have been kind of talking myself out of most my slight attacks recently. Thanks again I appreciate the words!
Posted 4/29/2015 9:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone my names eddy,
Im 17 years young and ive been having anxiety since mid october, 2014. Its been a long journey now and i am proud to say ive almost conquered my anxiety. I want to try to help anyone who is new to having this "wonderful" life experience. If a 17 year old man can get through it then so can you. One thing i never did was take medication for the fact that i thought i was mentally strong enough to deal with anxiety on my own; not rely on pills. Ive been through it all from the panic attacks to the "whats wrong with me..am i going to die". One thing you must know is that anxiety wont kill you. Please cross that out your list of your paranoia. I want you to save your money by not going to the emergency room if you have common anxiety symptoms such as chest pains, neck ache, heart palpation, fever, etc..." Trust me their is a lot of common anxiety symptoms. The one thing that helped me mentally get stronger was knowing that i wasnt the only one going through this rough experience in life. Theirs many others and its comforting that they also tell you to relax and not to make a big fuss about it. One major thing that helped me conquer my anxiety was learning to break down the situations into solutions. like say your scared your going to die. Just tell yourself that you are perfectly healthy nothing us going to happen to you. The children in africa are suffering from diseases and starvation and your worried about dying from tumors and all other diseases that your brain is MAKING you think you have because it is fooling you. Your brain finds anything in your body that aches and responds with the "fight or flight" technique. It naturally responds to being scared of whatever is causing the pain which brings terrible thought into your head making you think you have all theae sort of cancers, diseases, or your going crazy. Keep in mind ,even though it is hard to control what you are thinking, just remember nothing is wrong with you. Remember...ANXIETY WILL NOT KILL YOU. YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS IT. YOU WILL GET THROUGH IT! YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO FOCUS ON DEATH AT THIS POINT. Everyone lives and dies you will never know when its your time to go just live your life to the fullest always keep a positive attitude and learn to smile more. Learn to accept that everyone will die thats what we are put on this planet for, so we can enjoy our lives and when its time for us to go its time. Just remember thats not any time soon. Especially not from anxiety.

Post Edited (Eddy salas) : 4/29/2015 3:28:57 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/29/2015 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Alex,

 

I am sorry...in my post I said I was posting links to help with health anxiety...and then I did not add them!  Der!!

 

Okay here they are...and I am hoping they will help! ;)

 

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:

 

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

Helping health Anxiety

 

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner

 

http://www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf

Pee berry and Eddy...welcome! 

We are glad you have joined us, and hope you continue posting!  Feel free to make your own thread of introduction anytime!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 4/30/2015 12:30 AM (GMT 0)

Scaredy Cat said...
Health]

<br]


<br]



Helping health Anxiety


<br]

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53





Health]


<br]

http://www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf



Pee berry and Eddy...welcome!



We are glad you have joined us, and hope you continue posting! Feel free to make your own thread of introduction anytime!



Scaredy Cat


Awesome thank you very much. I will be looking over these plus others in the resources area.
Posted 5/4/2015 7:28 AM (GMT 0)
So just kinda of curious, not sure if this is anxiety related or not. But lately as I'm falling asleep my mind will think of a million random, non-related thoughts. Stuff that doesn't even make sense, and what will happen is i end up finally falling asleep but my mind is still thinking of all these thoughts and it gets into my dreams. I end up waking myself up out of my dreams but usually at that point I'm very confused for a couple of moments and it takes me a few minutes to kind of relax again to the point I can attempt to go to sleep again. This has only been happening the past couple of nights and I'm just wondering if anybody has experienced this or has any clue who I should talk to about it
Posted 5/4/2015 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Alex

I am pleased you have found the support here useful.

Sorry to hear you have been having these sleep problems I get the same most nights and it's very frustrating. If you are seeing a therapist raise it with them and see what they advice or if it's causing you a lot of problems speak with your doctor.

Hibee
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