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Anxiety ruining life, anyone experienced something like this and know how to fix it?

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Posted 4/24/2016 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
For the past 2 months I have had 'severe anxiety' at least that's what the doctors said, I find this hard to believe due to constantly having these physical symptoms even when I don't feel like I'm anxious

I have been unable to do anything for the past 2 months, I have had to pull out of university for the semester and stopped doing every other activity I enjoyed. I have visited multiple doctors and even been to ER a few times in the past few months and have no idea what is happening to me. Before this started I was completely fine, going to uni, playing sport e.t.c. It's like my life has been taken over and I just sit around at home all day hoping that one day these symptoms will go away

This all started about two months ago, I was just lying down watching a movie when I suddenly got this weird emptiness kind of feeling, I instantly thought I was going to have a heart attack and kept checking my pulse which felt like it was weak and going to stop any moment. I ended up calling for an ambulance, when they arrived they did an ecg at my house and told me that my heart was fine and you aren't meant to be able to feel it when resting e.t.c. I felt kind of relaxed after that and managed to go back to sleep, but the couple weeks after that it started getting worse. I was starting to feel dizzy, numb, uncomfortable in the stomach/chest area and every other thing you could think of.

I managed to keep going to university for a while as it wasnt too bad, it was just on and off. but then it started to get a lot worse, I was leaving mid lectures, and eventually not going at all. I decided to go to yet another doctor and she told me it was just anxiety without actually doing any tests. I was given loxalate and zypine to take but quickly went off them as they were making me feel worse. I went back to that same doctor the next week and she gave me "apo-mirtazapine" 30mg to take each night as well as Valium to take when I got really bad and felt like I needed to go to the hospital.

Since then I have continued taking apo-mirtazapine and occasionally taking the vallium, but my problem seems to be getting worse. I constantly feel dizzy and unstable when walking, as well as that continued uncomfortable/numb feeling radiating from the top of my left arm.I constantly feel like I am going to pass out, and have trouble leaving the house at all due to this. My doctor ended up sending me to "headspace" and I have been going there for a couple weeks but am still getting worse. I keep feeling like there is something wrong with my heart or body in general and am unable to fall to sleep as every time I try to I get this shocking sensation through my body which makes me jump up.

about two nights ago I had the worst 'attack' yet I got that shocking feeling throughout my whole body and was unable to breathe/ swallow for a short while. I was 100 percent sure I was going to die, but didnt want to tell anyone or call anyone as I've done that so many times before and it didn't make any difference. Is there anything else this could be? I just can't believe that anxiety could be this bad.

There is one symptom I forgot to mention, multiple times a day ill get this rapid beating in the upper left side of my stomach under my ribcage. the doctor just blew it off and didnt even check but this happens multiple times a day and it can clearly be seen and felt pulsating extremely fast. I have checked my heart rate while this is happening and it is still normal.

any ideas/help would be much appreciated as my life is pretty much over at this point. thank you for your time.
Posted 4/24/2016 10:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Michael, sorry you are going through all that crap.
It is possible that anxiety itself is causing all those issues. But what is causing the anxiety?
I have had the electric shock feeling, and it was very disturbing. Fortunately all those issues have resolved.
Have you had any blood tests done to check for vitamin deficiencies? I ask because low b12 can cause issues, though most are not deficient. It is worth looking into... Students sometimes have poor diets.
The emptiness feeling that started your episodes sounds like anxiety, and it is worth considering whether you feel lonely or depressed. Otherwise keep searching for physical issues.
Wish you good luck. Take care of yourself.
Posted 4/24/2016 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ambling, thanks for the reply.
I am currently seeing a psychiatrist but they haven't started searching for the cause of the anxiety yet, I assume they will work on that in a later appointment. unfortunately they are away for the next 4 weeks so I will be unable to do much until then. I had a blood test done shortly after these symptoms started to check for an overactive thyroid and all the results came back normal. it's just hard for me to believe this is all anxiety.
Posted 4/24/2016 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Michael and welcome!

I am so sorry to hear of the anxiety and symptoms that are challenging you currently. This is something familiar to us here, so know that you are not alone!

I too find it baffling that all of these physical sensations can occur when one is not 'feeling' anxious. However, that is part of the issue...we become so adept at ignoring the stressors in our life, that our mind and body finally react to them for us, to get our attention! We feel fine on a conscious level, but our subconscious registers the unease, and eventually makes it abundantly obvious to us!

It is great that you are getting help through your Rx's and attending the therapy! Well done in finding a treatment program for yourself! Keep up the great work. ..and try to be patient. Therapy takes time and effort, but is worth the wait and work!

For more steps you can take to feel your best, please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here. There are several links specifically for health anxiety and dealing with the fear of physical symptoms as well as general stress relieving exercises. Practicing these daily will make a big difference in how you feel.

Keep posting with us as well. We understand, care and support is key!

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 4/25/2016 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Scaredy Cat, thanks for the reply.

It's reassuring to know that other people know what this is like, and that it does get better with proper treatment. The way you described it perfectly explained how it feels, with all these strange physical sensations occurring even when not feeling anxious.

I'll make sure to take a look at those resources to help me deal with this problem.

Thank you again,

Michael
Posted 4/25/2016 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
slow and steady wins the race. being proactive in your care is crucial, good work on this. keep posting. tired turtle, but still around.
Posted 4/25/2016 8:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear of your current symptoms we understand what you are going through.

Anxiety can cause a whole host of symptoms both physical and mental but by reducing your anxiety you should see an improvement in your symptoms.

Look into Mindfulness Meditation it works really well it takes a lot of practice but worth the effort CBT is also good we have some links in our resources so take a look.

Hibee
Posted 4/30/2016 11:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, thanks for the replies. I thought I'd write an update seeing as I have no where else to share this stuff.

So basically it's been getting worse, can barely walk around without feeling like I'm about to pass out and die. I booked another appointment with the doctor and somehow made it there without losing my mind , which I feel like I was on the verge of doing.

The reason I went was because I was concerned about the fast twitching.pulsing that can clearly be seen under my left rib cage when it is happening. Doctor just did a check of my stomach and told me that if its not waking me up during the night its not serious. I still have no idea what this fast pulsing/twitching is, it can clearly be seen and felt but no one seems to think anything of it. I also started getting twitching between my right index and thumb recently, it only happens rarely compared to the stomach twitch that happens 20+ times a day. I've tried to find out what this twitching in the stomach could be and really want an answer as it seems to happen before I have an "attack", during the "attack" and even happens randomly when I'm not feeling 100 % terrible

Lately I have noticed a shocking sensation around the middle of my chest/upper stomach which comes along with the feeling of fainting/dying. I find it even harder to fall asleep now because just when I am about to fall asleep ill get an intense version of this shocking feeling that will jolt me up and stop me from falling asleep. This happens multiple times even after having medicine to help me sleep.

So the doctor decided to slightly change my medication. I am still on 30mg of mirtazapine at night time, but she has now told me to take 2.5 mg of olanzapine twice a day. once in the morning and once at 4pm. I was wondering if anyone knows if these drugs can be what is causing this shocking sensation as it is getting worse and worse as are my other symptoms like dizzyness feeling like my body is slowly dying, barely able to walk around e.t.c. I've been trying to get better for months but it is only getting worse and I have basically lost any hope of having a proper life.
Posted 4/30/2016 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
hey hun

Firstly , I ended up in the ER for the same sensations as you are describing. I swore something was really wrong with me. I felt like I was gonna pass out and didn't leave my house bc I felt like Id faint and could not handle any stressors.

I know how scary this is at the beginning and there is hope and treatment that is effective. Does your family have any history of anxiety or depression that you know of? Sometimes it could be a lot of changes happening and pressure in daily life that can cause this without even noticing and it is very common to develop anxiety/depression full blown in early 20s as mine did.

Your life is not over, part of the anxiety is believing this. Its not true and not reality.
When you feel better you will realize this. Your Dr might need to put you on regular antidepressants vs only anti-anxiety meds as benzos were not enough to calm me down in the beginning.

I hate the feeling of passing out, its so awful...I had lots of eye twitching also. I would bury myself under my covers before bed and feel sooooo terrified. I COULDNT EVEN sleep to be honest...my mind couldn't shut off!!!

You are not alone
Posted 4/30/2016 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Michael,

I am sorry you are struggling now.:( We know how that feels, and you have our support!

How many weeks total have you been on the Mirtazepine? It can take some people up to 12 weeks to fully feel the benefits of an A/D. The start up period is sometimes really challenging...but given time things level out and the improvement is worth the wait.

Since you are not able to get in for your therapy sessions for the next few weeks...

...have you been practicing self help? It will really make a difference in how you feel.

Would you like some suggestions and links? I can post some for you...or just look at the first thread at the top of the main forum page here.

We understand, care and are cheering you on. ..keep posting, okay?

S.C.
Posted 4/30/2016 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
I too had nocturnal panic disorder and health anxiety. Ive had everything you have described. Antidepressants help but i also needed to do music therapy and accupressure therapy. So sorry you are dealing with all this :(
Posted 5/1/2016 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the replies,

I've been tempted to go to ER so many times over the past weeks but keep trying to tell myself that its nothing, and I've already been to ER and the doctors so many times that it wont make a difference either way. Every day its like there is a new symptom to worry about. Like right now my focus has changed from the dizziness/passing out feeling. to feeling like my heart is going to stop any moment. It's just so annoying, no matter how many times I got to the doctors my symptoms dont change. They refuse to do any further tests saying that its only anxiety but I can't stop thinking that its related to my heart. I've been constantly having this shocking feeling in my upper stomach/chest area the past few days which is really worrying me. Everytime I go to check my heart (which I know I shouldnt do) it feels like a muscle twitches and then I convince myself its a muscle in my heart dying or something. Does anyone know what this electric shock/ muscle twitching in chest area/stomach could be, none of the doctors seem to pay any attention to it and just tell me that its anxiety.

I've bee taking mirtazapine for close to two months now, and it doesnt seem to be doing anything at all. I just keep looking up my symptoms and making it worse, convinced that this constant shocking feeling in my chest area and the muscle twitching is a sign that I have some sort of heart disease. I'm not sure if this is just my anxiety or the medication or what. I honestly dont feel that I can make it through the night let alone another few weeks. I've booked so many doctor appointments in the past 3 months that it seems like there is no point doing it anymore, especially seeing that I can barely leave the house. I wish that there was some kind of way for me to convince myself that its anxiety and panic attacks and nothing to do with my heart, but after feeling like for quite some time I'm feeling more like its some kind of other problem.
Posted 5/1/2016 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
M.,

Until you can get back into your therapy sessions, please take advantage of the great material below. It will help if you read through it, and practice the suggested coping skills.

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx


Self Help For Health Anxiety
www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_id=53
www.getselfhelp.co.uk/healthanxiety.htm


Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner
www.get.gg/docs/SuperScanner.pdf

It works...get going asap!! :)

S.C.
Posted 5/1/2016 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Michael.
I'm so sorry to hear of all your struggles. As everyone else here has said this is all CLASSIC anxiety
symptons. That shock feeling you talk about---I get that often as well. My whole body jumps from it. It's very disturbing. But, I have spent so many years with this panic that I have finally stopped chasing Dr,s.
It took me some time to realize and believe it could be just anxiety-but anxiety is very powerful and has many different ways of exposing itself in us.

I'm on mirtazapine as well. I take that and 3 other meds that help me manage my panic. Some days are better than others. But I highly recommend the resource page here. They know what they are talking about when they refer you there. For me, especially helpful, is the mindfullness. I learned how to do it here. When I am having panic I talk myself through it. I tell myself "YOu are not going to die, you are just experiencing anxiety. My brain is getting the wrong signals right now and telling me to feel fear---this is wrong--there is nothing to fear" I literally have to talk out loud to myself with positive words. But the good news is--it really works.

One image I use often is that my brain is getting the wrong signal and I need to change it's "channel"like on a TV. I literally visualize my hand turning a knob to tune down the anxiety. I know this may sound crazy but it works for me.

Some people just have a chemical imbalance that causes the panic. Often there is nothing specific that you can identify that is causing the panic. It is just the way your brain is going at the moment. No rhyme or reason for you to have it---but it's there.

I don't post as often as I should--I read these pages daily and they help me tremendously. Many of our stories began just like yours---the ER visits and trips to the Dr's and all those tests.....That was 30 years ago for me. My anxiety has come and gone throughout my whole life. I really do believe you when you say you think you are going to die---because that is exactly what it feels like. But the good news is that nobody has EVER died of a panic attack and there are things you can do to help the situation.

You'll feel better when you get your therapy going again. I found that crucial in my recovery.

I hope you can find some peace. I'm so sorry you are going through this and are so young to be handicapped with this. But know that you are NOT unique with this. Your story is quite common.

Good luck,
Linda
Posted 5/2/2016 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Michael, did your doc or the ER look for any gastro-intestinal issues? While I've always had anxiety, I've had some GI issues (mild stomach ulcer, GERD) in the past few years that I'm convinced pushed me into total panic mode; the type you are describing. I did some Dr. Google consulting and see some notice a correlation between GI problems and panic.

When my GI issues calmed down, by taking Nexium, the severe panic / weird feelings largely went away (although my normal anxiety can flare up still). I had to cut red wine and cut back on coffee and spicy foods as a more permanent treatment for my poor stomach.
Posted 5/2/2016 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Michael. ...

I hope this post finds you, if not well, with at least some moments that's bearable. This is my first post in this section of HW. But...your fear compels me.to write.

I had my first panic attack when I was just tall enough to hold onto to my father's leg while standing...crying to him that I was afraid I was going to die. I had another in high school. I have had more since (some landing me in the ER only after having made sure my will was with my sister.

One of the problems I've had when it's "acute" (as yours sounds to be at this time) is that no one can convince me it's anxiety. I am convinced it's not. As was mentioned, there may be a physical cause for the twitch (vitamin deficiency, etc...my sister is having the twitching you describe as well), but...The feelings of impending death, while overwhelming, are just that...feelings.

These things come and go.

One thing that helped me once....was when someone mentioned to me that my anxiety expresses iteself...manifests itself...Physically. it needs a place to "release" and mine can do that through physical symptoms of every sort.

I've died a thousand deaths....had every malady and serious disease known to man ( in my minds eye anyway)....and here I sit...30 years later...living to tell the tell.

Hang in there Michael. Life has a way of changing how we feel when nothing else can. Sometimes it's just a matter of time. Time is our friend.
Posted 5/2/2016 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Michael
Maybe you must go to see the heart specialist just to ease your mind..I also felt better after he confirmed that there was nothing wrong with my heart..I also did a lot of blood tests which came back normal/negative.
So every time this twitching came I would just switch off from worrying and start doing physical work around the house or start exercising.
It's scary i know. You can also
Ask a friend to come stay over for few days ...just for company..it will slowly go away.
Please also pray and meditate a verse in Mathew somewhere about Jesus healing and curse this enxiety out of your system..
Healing well forum has helped me a lot. Thank you everyone for posting.
Posted 5/3/2016 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds a lot like whats been happening to me. The ER doctor admitted me and kept me over night he wanted to do an MRI and ct scan. My vertigo was so horrible I thought I was going to just tip over at any moment. I'd get so dizzy and it would feel like I was on a rocking boat even when sitting down. My face and left arm would constantly be numb. I still have it on and off. The vertigo and dizziness gets so bad in stores I dread shopping I either need to lean on the cart to support me or just leave all together because I feel like a drunk person trying to walk. I always feel like my hearts racing and that I'm going to faint. I can't walk around in really open spaces I'll start seeing stars and almost go down. It completely sucks and is a battle every single day but I try not to let it win it already took 6 months of my life away I don't even remember the happy fun fearless person I used to be that person left a long time ago. I hope one day I find her again. Its a struggle but I've been here before and it gets better it really does. It'll come and go in life you just need to remember the go part because it does go away. I know you probably feel like you'll never be normal or feel good again because I feel like that a lot then I remember the times that I have felt great and I hold on to that hope.
Posted 5/3/2016 5:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Thank you for all the replies it really does mean a lot. I have been reading through the resources posted here and trying the techniques that have been mentioned. Hopefully this will help me until my appointments start again.

I'll try asking my doctor about getting some extra tests to help reassure me, I have had an ecg (multiple times) and blood test before, so she says that there is no need to get anymore tests done. The last time I went in when I was convinced there was something beating in my stomach, she did a physical examination and said she couldn't hear or feel anything that was off, and that if it wasn't waking me up during the night it was most likely nothing serious.

it is interesting how sometimes though not very often at the moment, I won't feel too bad and will be able to say "yea this is anxiety, and I can do anything". But then when I go back to that state of mind it happens all over again. I'll continue working through these resources as they seem to be helping me.

Thanks again for all of your replies, and good luck to everyone else suffering from anxiety.
Posted 5/3/2016 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah! Keep up the good work with the coping skills from the Resources...

...and keep posting for support! :)

S.C.
Posted 5/3/2016 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Michael,
So sorry you are struggling with this scary confusing nonsense called anxiety. I always tend to think people need to be anxious and have anxious thoughts to have an anxiety/panic disorder. I have come to learn that the physical symtoms caused by my anxiety are completely debilitating, irrational, and very scary! How is it even possible to have these shock waves, tingling, numbness, and yes the dreaded rapid pulse in your abdomen, ( for me it's on my side). But it is true, this is anxiety, and just when you think you recognize it for what it is, it throws a new physical symptom at you, just to see if your paying attention I guess! Anyhow I wish you well. One book which I always have with me and has helped me a ton is " calming your anxious mind" by Jeffrey Brantley, I refer to it often and always pick up something new when I read it. Let go and go limp, accept the sensations, things will get better, we can't force things to happen
Beamer 1
Posted 5/4/2016 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, thanks for the replies.

It seems to be getting even worse the past few days. I'm hoping this is just due to recently starting to take zypine. It's so strange that even when I'm not feeling anxious (or don't think I am) I get all these annoying physical symptoms. What you explained is so similar to my symptoms, but even with all this reassurance from doctors nad other people I still can't accept that it's anxiety and constantly tell myself "this isn't anxiety there has to be something physically wrong with me or I wouldn't feel like this the whole time" and so on. The past few days have been strange, my mind has felt like it's calm but I have all these annoying feelings that I relate to death for some reason. I constantly feel that annoying shocking/ emptiness feeling in my stomach/ chest and it just feels like all my body parts are so detached from me and that I could die at any moment. None of it has anything to do with feeling physical pain which is why I find it so hard to explain to people, that even though I don't feel physical pain I feel like i'm dying somehow.

I attempted to leave my house today for the first time in a while and that didn't go so well. the whole time I felt like I was going to die and there was no way out. When this first began I'd be like "if I just go sit down and try to relax it will eventually get better" or I would just fall back on my vallium tablets. But lately it has felt like there is no escape and I just try to sit through the feelings but they are always there. This gets a lot worse at night and makes it near impossible to fall asleep, until my medication forces me too. Every time I try to shut my eyes and are about to fall asleep it's as though my heart stops and my brain sends an electric shock through my body to start it up again.

At this current point I just feel like I won't even make it to the next day, and it's as though I'm just trying to make it through until my next appointment. I don't even know if i'll be able to get to it due to these feelings becoming more intense when I leave the house. The last appointment I had was with a doctor last week, and on the car ride there I was basically having a full blown "panic attack" even though I was convinced it wasn't that and I was just dying. The feeling of having no escape at all, like nothing could save you was so horrible. But when I went into the doctors office it started to feel a bit better and I was able to make it back home without too many problems.

This whole post of mine will probably seem like a mess as I am writing it while feeling all these intense feelings. especially seeing as my medicine is trying to force me to sleep but my mind and body keep doing weird things to keep that from happening.

Thanks for the replies again, and i'll just have to keep trying to get through until I can get help, good luck to everyone else going through anxiety as well, I know how hard it can be now, it kind of gives you a different perspective when you experience it first hand. It's so strange how these symptoms are so hard to explain and yet they make people with anxiety feel like this.
Posted 5/4/2016 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
M.,

Are you seeing a psychiatrist? Is this who prescribed the Zypine? I ask because this is an unusual choice for anxiety management, unless you are also challenged with Bi Polar, or experiencing psychosis.

S.C.
Posted 5/5/2016 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Currently I am only seeing a psychologist and my doctor, but have an appointment with a psychiatrist in a few weeks (was a 3 month waiting period) My doctor is the one who has been prescribing me the medication and has swapped it a few times. I was diagnosed with anxiety only and she basically said the zypine is to help calm me down, although it hasn't really been working.
Posted 5/5/2016 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, my first post for you.

your so lucky you don't feel anxiety, its the worst feeling.

i have anxiety since i was a child and panic disorder .

i have all your physical symptoms, plus mental anxiety and panic disorder, which leads into major depression which equals more symptoms which made me jobless. its been more than 2 months now since relapse for me. the symptoms will pass buddy everyday your brain will learn to cope with it better, our body is strong. first month i have feelings of doom everyday, and i would pace around the house in panic for hours straight.

my anxiety made me scared of everything food, water, brushing teeth, sleep, everything, i ran from a fly!!!!!! i lost so much weight during my first 2 weeks, 7 kilos. my cloths did not fit me, did not sleep at all for 4 weeks, heart pulse was 110 every day every night.

that was my story buddy

"So rest assure your not going to die"

i still have impeding panic attacks which leaves me emotionally trembling which ads fuel to my anxiety, but just like a fire burning, it will calm down or run out of fuel eventually, now i sit here and im eating and trying to fix myself and doing a good job getting better. stay positive and try reading positive story stay away from stress. and stay brave.
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