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Posted 12/6/2008 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
hello everyone, iam new here and this forum seems like a good place to read and become a part of.i suffer from ocd,anxiety and panic disorder. iam a 35 year old male.i have had alot of problems through out my years and something new always comes around the corner, a new fear so to speak. distinguishing the "real" from my anxiety is becoming hard for me. iam in a constant state of " i think i have this,or iam dying"feeling.

here is my current problem, over the last 3-4 weeks my cheeks have been numb and recently i have been getting twitching in them and around my eyes. i had an eye twitch ,3-4 months also). so i went to my general practitioner and he told me it was probably due to anxiety. he did a very short exam on me and didnt find anything.no test were ordered.

as soon as i got home i did research on facial numbness and twitching and as iam sure you know of all the horrible things i found. now iam even more worried. i dont know what to do,i feel i am always searching for an answer.

just reading your thoughts my help.

thanks.

Posted 12/6/2008 6:05 AM (GMT 0)

Hello twisted and welcome,

You are in the right place to ask for support.

Now stop googling your symptoms! Leave that to your doctor. It's very common to have these feelings around anxiety. Are you having any treatment? Medical or therapy?

I find that talking out my anxieties helps me rationalise what I am feeling. Please feel free to do that here. It may help you to realise so many other people feel what you do and how they cope. Please stay with us and tell us more about how you are going.

Best wishes, Meg

Posted 12/6/2008 7:14 AM (GMT 0)

  Welcome Twisted,

As meg has said we are very supported group here and in some way's we all know how you feel as this is a twisted thing to deal with, but there are many ways of dealing with A/P and Googling is not a good thing to do as we tend to be more in tune with are body's that anything can trigger a P/A attack

  But learning how to deal with them as they come will lessen the attack and CBT therapy really can help, please stay in touch and read up on helping your self get past this and we can help you do it to

  Cowboy up

Posted 12/6/2008 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Twisted

Welcome to healingwell this is a great forum. It does sound like you are suffering with the symptoms of anxiety and people here do know what you are going through and can offer support and advice. Try to stop Googling i can relate to you on this one as i have spent hours doing the same and have convinced myself that i have all sorts of horrible things and agree totally with cowboy about us being more in tune with our body's and the symptoms of anxiety can seem similar to a lot of other conditions.

I know it is hard to try and stay positive and focused as you just want these feelings to go away and for things to get back to normal, please know that we are all here to listen, help and support you and you will get through this.

The others have talked about therapy (CBT) is this something you have thought about? I have had CAT which is a therapy that looks at the causes of anxiety/depression and why it is i feel the way i do, i found this very helpful and i am also now down to do CBT at the start of next year. Are you taking any meds?

Please keep posting to tell us how you are getting on we do care.


Take Care
Posted 12/6/2008 8:36 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all,

Thanks for great input and support. Twisted...I hope you stay with us.

Meg

Posted 12/6/2008 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Twisted, it does sound like you're suffering from anxiety and you have found a great place where you can talk it out with people who understand. I have also had the eye-twitch problem before and it has been anxiety, a pinched nerve, even related to sinus symptoms. Let your doctor be the judge on that one... I'm not a fan of web search results when it comes to medical symptoms! Knowing how much stuff there is on the internet, you're going to find everything from A-Z... it's like reading the whole sheet of side effects for a drug when the odds are that you won't have any of those problems! Believe me, I have been there and done that! Anyway, welcome and keep posting with us.

Betsy (-:
Posted 12/6/2008 5:08 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Twisted,

Welcome to HealingWell and the A & P forum.  If you feel your physician was wrong do get a second opinion.

I would try not to anticipate the worse scenario but I will share a short story with you.  I am a nurse and I was working ICU one evening when my son called from Oregon telling me his face was numb and drooping on one side as well as his eyelid. I attached the cardiac monitor to me and took a deep breath............Yup Mom thought her 30 year old son was having a stroke.

I sent him to the ER and when he called back, he was dx with Bells Palsy which is miles away from a stroke.  So nurses/ Moms and people with anxiety are known for assuming doom is on it's way.

CBT is a wonderful therapy for anxiety.  Also staying in the moment and talking to yourself and telling yourself you are fine works too.

I hope you stay with us.

Welcome again

Kitt

Posted 12/6/2008 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
thank you to everyone for the warm welcomes. ive been in therapy on and off since i was 15 and i do take meds. iam on lexapro,clonipin (sp?)motoporol for high blood pressure.
Kitt,that is my worst fear , a stroke..i think to myself what if iam waiting to long thinking/hoping its anxiety related and its not and the the possible real cause is getting worst ?

thank you again to everyone,

Geo
Posted 12/9/2008 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
hi guys, its been 4 days since my initial posts. im still having numbness in my face and i know iam not hyperventalating like my general practitioner doc thinks iam.ive taken some of your advice and laid off the google lol but the thought is still in my head that it could be something worst....i could just go to the er and get checked out but i dont have money to blow even if it is a co pay its still is alot when they order every test under the moon.

its like i think man its prolly just my anxiety then i get the thought "what if ?" i dont know what to do.
Posted 12/9/2008 2:38 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Twisted

Well after four days,  you can be sure this is not a stroke. A stroke doesn't come on slowly in that manner.

I wouldn't go to the ER for this; I say give it a few more days and then go back to your regular physician, the ER will just recommend a follow up with him anyway.

Do you take medication for depression or anxiety or any of your other conditions? (Edited to add:  Now I see your meds. Sorry).

Georgie Girl - Krista


Posted 12/9/2008 2:48 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning,

Are you using your Klonopin as directed? 

One of the best remedies for anxiety is to talk about it. Here's where good friends and family can come in. The old adage "A problem shared is a problem halved"  I am glad you can come here and share.

If something changes and you feel you are in medical trouble please to go to the ER.  Otherwise I would give it a couple of days and see your physician in the clinic. Please remember I am not a professional.

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE

Take care and stick with us.

Kitt

Posted 12/9/2008 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
thanks guys for the reassurance.it does help.
Posted 12/9/2008 9:18 PM (GMT 0)

stkitt said...

Good Morning,

Are you using your Klonopin as directed? 

One of the best remedies for anxiety is to talk about it. Here's where good friends and family can come in. The old adage "A problem shared is a problem halved"  I am glad you can come here and share.

If something changes and you feel you are in medical trouble please to go to the ER.  Otherwise I would give it a couple of days and see your physician in the clinic. Please remember I am not a professional.

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE

Take care and stick with us.

Kitt

 

 

kitt, iam using my klonopin as directed.all my meds i take as prescribed unless for some reason i forget (it does happen) as for the numbness/weird feeling  ive been having it for about 3 weeks now.

 

thanks for the help.

Posted 12/9/2008 9:33 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Twisted,

I have had the same problem as you for the past 20 years, only becoming severe over the past 5.

Now here is my 'pot calling the kettle black statement........."

DO NOT GOOGLE SYMPOMTS, nothing good can come from it. (but unfortunately, I still do too :()

My therapist says that anytime you induce anxiety, new nerve receptors create belief in the brain regarding your preceived reality (in other words, the more anxiety you induce, the more your fears become real)

Maybe try doing something you enjoy doing so much at home that it puts you in almost a trance-like state so you don't think about the anxious thoughts (Video games, chatting with friends, watching an engrossing movie or book, etc).  That is what I do sometimes.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I am new here too (yesterday), but the people are great and have really made me feel welcomed and they have helped immensley.

Let me know if I can help in anyway.

Dave

Posted 12/9/2008 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dave

Welcome to HW im glad you have found this forum. Your therapist makes a good point and i can see how anxiety can create belief in the brain regarding preceived reality. I have a lot off health anxiety and i am also bad for googleing and making my anxiety worse.

Thanks for the good post and keep posting here to tell us how you are getting on.

Ben
Posted 12/10/2008 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Twisted, you have come to a good place to put your mind at ease.
I am a 32 year old male and have become stricken with anxiety and PA's about two and half years ago. I struggle with health anxiety and as you stated so well "distinguishing the "real" from my anxiety is becoming hard for me. iam in a constant state of " i think i have this,or iam dying"feeling."

I don't have any miracle answers, I wiish I did. But what I can tell you is that you are not alone there are many people that struggle along with you including me. I have gone to the ER on multiple occasions, leaving only after I am told that I am fine. Try and find out what your trigger is and face it strait on. I do this and the majority of the time I succeed, however not always. This is something that is like two steps ahead, one step back. But we always go forward, with hard work.

As far as your twitching goes. I used to have that also around my eyes. I thought the worst (health anxiety) and I went to the dr. He said that more than likley it was do to my body being exhausted, even though I had been getting enough sleep. He said that my body is tense and stressed and this was a way my body was dealing with it. The twitching was so annoying and worrisome, but it went away after about one or two solid months of twitching. Since this time, I have not had any twitching re-occur.

Good luck stay here and we'll get through it together.
CC
Posted 12/10/2008 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
thanks guys, iam really taking in your comments. it means alot.

tonight was not such a good night. i was drawing and all of a sudden i got a bright lite in my eye (yup i get migraines too) so i ran down stairs and took my meds for that before i got the headache. it helps but i still get the migraine just not as bad.this time my lower jay and neck got real stiff. i took a hot bath and then laid down. seemed to help.

tomorrow iam going to the chiropractor to see if anything is out of wack. (i broke my back in 2001) ,its worth a shot.

Dave, i like what your therapist said. it makes alot of sense.

CC, its not a great feeling but like you said we will get through it !
Posted 12/10/2008 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi: I also get the really bad anxiety at times. It's sort of a norman thing to have general anxiety for me on an on going bases. I worry about everything and every one. When I get a really bad attack it is usually at night when there is no one to talk to , so I write or draw or go nuts on Ebay.HA HA.
MY first thought is to think of a possible reaction to something I have eaten or a new med I have started. Even a med you started 2months ago , after building up in your system can turn on you. Lexapro I believe you said you are taking. Really did a job on me. Always a little numb and upset.

   But by far was when my husband started telling me where he had found me sleeping. He found me asleep on the kitchen floor, standing against the wall, sitting in a chair or half was in bed.

So the lexapro had to go.  Now I take sertraline. I seems to help some I do not get really horrible I"m going to die symptoms as often any more. So check the meds or the food. Anything with

MSG will set me off, even a sauce with MSG. It"s in lots of foods.

   june

Post Edited (june17) : 12/10/2008 3:25:18 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/10/2008 3:41 PM (GMT 0)

Good Morning,

I am going to suggest that after this length of time I would like to see you make an appointment with a Doctor and have your sx rechecked.  If they still feel it is anxiety related then we can help you work on more coping practices.

IMHO I feel  it is time to rule out any medical reasons for your sx and you will feel better. 

I agree, the internet is scary if you read all the horrible things it could be.  Don't try to guess and stay in the moment.  Don't worry about yesterday and tommorow is not yet here so stay in the present and kick the anxiety to the curb.

Sincerely

Kitt

Posted 12/10/2008 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
I would always check by body for anxiety symptoms. I mean I did it constantly. I would suggest wearing a rubber band around your wrist. Every time you notice yourself checking for symptoms, snap the rubber band. When I did it, I had a welt on my wrist in 1 minute. That told me I was going overboard watching my body. I think you may have too much time on your hands as someone else hinted to. So, Twisted, find something to keep your mind occupied. Also learn relaxation techniques. Believe me, they work!
Posted 12/11/2008 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
well i went ot the chiropractor and my back is all out of wack.real tense and such.i feel better today, i dont know if its from the visit to him or a placebo effect ??

Kitt, whats does "sx" mean ;)
Posted 12/11/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Twisted and Dave:)

Nice to meet you all. You will like this forum with the great people and info :)
Posted 12/12/2008 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi twisted. Yep I did the exact same thing you do. When ever i have my panic attacks my heart rate was really fast , i would get cold sweats, my left arm would go numb , face , hands start twitching then cramp up. tightest in the chest, i googled it , ,,whoa im havng a heart attack! i called an ambulance, they said my heart rate was 180..wow thats fast , but they also said, "your hyperventlating we need you to slow your breathng down because when you do that carbon monixide is staying in your system hence the twitching and muscle cramps and yep the heart is a muscle and that is also cramping. I now felt embarassed. Im rambling again and sorry. The point is ..googling really doesnt help aniexty because during attacks your have flat out fear, fear you do not understand and dont know where its coming from so you think theres something wrong with your body and you tend to have i call them "phantom pains' you pretty much are saying to your brain , "Hey theres somethiing wrong.." and your brain eventually believes it and sends the pain signals. so you look up that pain or description and before you know it you have a serious condition! that makes you more scared and you keep panicing and its a on going cycle. But hey man hang in there. I to have eye twitches from time to time. yep face gets numby and I know its my anixiety..when i tell myself its my anixiety, it goes away with in 5 to 10 mins. eventually you wont even really notice it. Just stress build up.

I also recommend you to go see a doctor about anxiety and there are great medications that can stop  the anxiety, or  at least surpress it even.

I wish you well and much luck
Hang in there :)
Mike
Posted 12/12/2008 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
heres a quote for ya to cheer ya up

Do worry about how things should of been, thats in the past
Don worry about things to come , thats the future
JUst enjoy the moment your in , its a gift! Thats why its called the present.
Posted 12/12/2008 6:13 AM (GMT 0)

Zerican said...
heres a quote for ya to cheer ya up

Do worry about how things should of been, thats in the past
Don worry about things to come , thats the future
JUst enjoy the moment your in , its a gift! Thats why its called the present.

wow mike, i really like that... thank you !
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