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Physical symptoms with anxiety

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Posted 6/5/2018 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have had a hard couple of months, mom was really sick and dad has dementia and is now in a home. I was out of the country for over a month and it was very stressful dealing with all this.

I have been very anxious and my physical symptoms have been through the roof. My chest and back hurts and I get really scared about dying.

I took a 0.5 Klonopin to take the edge off and it did help my nerves but the pain is still there.

I am tired of the physical pain because it makes my anxiety worse and it makes me believe that something could be really wrong.

How do you deal with the physical pain? any tips? do you experience the same?
Posted 6/5/2018 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I also feel some physical symptoms when things flare up, mostly in the throat and stomach area. Since this has happened enough to me to not kill me, I really don't let it bother me to the same level. After going over the facts of the situation, it helps to settle things down. Like saying, I have had these physical feelings the past XX times, and I am still alive. So......to think I am dying is simply not true as evidence of my still being here! But it is amazing if you can turn your attention somewhere else how most of those sensations dissipate. That is why they say idle time is the devil's hand.
Posted 6/5/2018 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
AK,

I am sorry to hear that you are still struggling. Care giving, and watching our parents get sick/age is really difficult. I am going through this as well.

My anxiety also manifests itself most in physical symptoms. Using your rescue med when it is at its worst is a good move...


...and working your coping skills daily will also help. I find Progress Muscle Relaxation and a mix of cardio and stretching exercises good for pain relief...

...and Positive Mantras and Therapy Worksheets for managing the worrisome thoughts that accompany the physical symptoms.

Wishing you peace and progress...keep us updated so we can keep you in support!

S.C.
Posted 6/5/2018 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
AK, I totally understand and empathize with you. I'm going through the same thing myself right now after months on end of feeling great and being busy. The physical symptoms can be so scary and make you think something is seriously wrong. I try to remind myself that this happened before and it's not going to kill me. Some recurrent episodes of anxiety can be worse than others as well. It took me awhile to learn that. It's so true that dwelling on what you're feeling can just feed and exacerbate the feeling. Distraction is definitely the best medicine as well as some form of exercise. Also, stay hydrated! The body can produce some weird feelings when you're dehydrated. Feel better!
Posted 6/11/2018 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have IBS which I remember having since I was about 6. At that time it only bothered me if we were doing something out of the norm. It didn't even have to be bad. I loved going to my Grandma's house for a visit but Dad would have to stop much more often then he liked.

I still have it but I also have several other issues with the stomach/gut. I sometimes have a hard time breathing and my BP goes up as well if I feel extra anxious. The rest is just normal life for me and I don't quite know what it feels like to have never had anxiety or for it to come or go.

I agree with you that keeping busy is helpful. I also deep breath a lot.
Posted 6/11/2018 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys. I can barely remember when I felt okay all the time. I have been trying to find support groups and I found one that is meeting tonight so i will be there. I have never done that and I am a little scared.

I also want to find affordable therapy that has been a little more challenging. With my insurance due to the deductible it will cost me at least $200.00 per hour and I cannot afford that. So we will see...
Posted 6/11/2018 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
I have had health anxiety on and off most of my life so my anxiety is always exacerbated by some physical complaints, whether it be stomach, breathing, backache, numbness, weakness, you name it. I think what you're going through is very normal considering the stress you're und. as the doctor told me once "your brain speaks to your gut and vice versa" so in times of stress are stomach and the rest of our body respond to it we tend to focus on the physical in order to escape thinking about the stress we are under but it never really works. I would say keep busy but it sounds like you're very busy anyway. But keep fighting through it and it will eventually pass remember, we are always here to give you help and support because we all understand what you're going through.
Posted 6/12/2018 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
AK,

GREAT job on finding a group to attend! This is a good alternative to seeing a therapist...as you can learn a lot from the others and the group leader can point you in the direction of some good local resources, I'm sure!

Another thing to consider is looking for a therapist who works through SKYPE, since they are often less expensive than someone with office hours/overhead.

Best wishes, and do let us know how it goes tonight, okay?

Proud of you!

S.C
Posted 6/12/2018 9:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I have a chronic pain condition and find that Mindfulness Meditation is very helpful for managing pain so give that a go we have some links in our resources section.

Hibee
Posted 6/12/2018 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I went to the group meeting last night. I did like it and I think I will continue attending. I was really anxious when I went in but when I left I was a lot more relaxed.

The days have been so anxious so this may really help.

I will look into the meditation and try to find affordable therapy. Thank you for being there.
Posted 6/12/2018 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Well done AK! I am so glad you liked the group!!

It's that positive attitude and willingness to try new tools for management that is going to bring you results! 😁

S.C.
Posted 6/14/2018 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

I found a therapist and I have my first appointment tomorrow. I am happy I found him and I hope I can get better.

Also as suggested, I did some meditation, I found some in youtube and tried it and i did like it, it is hard to just seat there but i am trying. I am hoping that with the group and individual therapy I can be more stable and enjoy life. Also hoping the physical symptoms get better.
Posted 6/14/2018 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
It will...your efforts and work in both group and individual therapy will bring great progress and benefits! Great pro-active work...be patient, it can take some time, but you will see results!

S.C.
Posted 6/22/2018 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
I am posting again today because my anxiety continues to be through the roof. I am suffering with a lot of physical symptoms that at this point I think could be real… Possibly gallbladder or ulcers that I have to have a dressed in a few weeks with my doctor and I'm scared to death that it's cancer of some kind. But frankly that has always been the case with me since I was a young girl and ironically I'm still here too at age 70. But now of course I am convinced that it must be the real deal at this age. So of course my anxiety will probably remain constant until I get this all addressed but I will agree that keeping Busy is the best medicine for anxiety. I remember medicine for anxiety medicine for anxiety . I remember so clearly when I was in my late teens that my mother, who obviously has since passed away, was my best therapist. She would say things like "if you're feeling anxious go out there and clean out the refrigerator… And if you don't feel better, clean it out again" sounds pretty simple but it's very true. Anything you can do to keep your mind occupied is a good thing.
Posted 6/22/2018 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that staying busy helps a lot. Normally I feel more anxious and with more pains when I am sitting doing nothing.. it is like they do take over.

Today I am seeing the therapist for the second time and I am hopeful to get stable soon.
Posted 6/22/2018 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
WTG, AK!!!

Hoping you have a great session today!!!😁

S.C.
Posted 7/8/2018 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Pacing, touching your thumb to each finger one at at a time repeatedly... Counting in your head both foward and backwards. Thinking of something funny
Posted 7/8/2018 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hello poliq and welcome!

It is good to see you contributing here with us!

Please feel free to start a new thread of introduction for yourself anytime you feel comfortable doing so.

I hope you find this a place of support and encouragement with others who share a common challenge.

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
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