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Any advice for my anxiety?

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Posted 7/31/2015 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

Need a bit of advice.

I have had a few health scares recently over that last 1-2 months and all I can think of during the day and when I am not pre-occupied is my health and how nervous I am and it has gotten to the point where even if I am pre-occupied, I still worry and feel anxious. I can't get it off my mind.

During this period of extreme stress and anxiety in my opinion that is I have felt whole body pain or sensations. Not "pins and needles" but like little pinchy pains that go away in a second or two. I know this may sound stupid but I don't feel these sensations when I am sleeping which leads me to believe its my anxiety or stress, very pre-occupied with activities like games or a good tv show or exercising.

Is it reasonable to assume high levels of stress and anxiety causes physical sensations? At one point I thought I had a condition that was serious where one of the main symptoms was itching. Now since I am in the clear for that I don't feel itchy anymore. Noticing pain and these sensations only started occuring when I became obsessed with my potential conditions.

Could my problems be all mental? I am really trying to improve my physical health and am making lifestyle choices (losing weight and my blood tests are improving) but I am way to anxious and stressed all the time. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
Posted 7/31/2015 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
when anxious, it is because we focus on something intently. or the thought process or situation arises and bam we get anxiety. don't focus as intently, please, don't own your anxiety. change from (my) to live with, etc. coping skills, meditation, breathing practices-mindfulness are all excellent. welcome, i am not around much, but i seen your title with the words my anxiety attached. had to respond. take care.
Posted 7/31/2015 8:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Yes anxiety can cause all sorts of physical and mental symptoms including the ones you listed in your post.

It sounds to me like you are experiencing health anxiety which is a tough one to live with but is very treatable the first thing to remember is to not google your symptoms leave the diagnosing to your doctor. I would make an appointment with your doctor and let them know how anxious you are feeling and see what they suggest.

In the meantime have a look at our resources thread which you will find on the main page first post for some useful link to self help and there are some specific ones for HA.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 7/31/2015 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I did an echo cardiogram and that was normal. I feel my pulse under my skin sometimes which I have heard that is a symptom of anxiety.

I need things to take my mind off my health and worrying about sensations that have no physical cause but are all on my mind. Its really hard for me to not worry about the pains I get.

Also, are stomach cramps and chest pain common for anxiety or stress?

I have gotten good news with my results but I still worry and that is when my sensations occur and my sharp 0.5-1 second pain commences.

I will see my doctor in a few days. Any recommendations on what I should tell him?

Appreciate the replies. Thanks for your kindness and willingness to inform me about these conditions and symptoms.
Posted 7/31/2015 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
everything. take care.
Posted 7/31/2015 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi LL and welcome!

I am sorry to hear about your recent anxiety and health related worries. Many of us here understand from experience just what you are going through!

Have you dealt with anxiety previously...and these physical manifestations are something new?

If so, you can be reassured that this is simply the way that anxiety progresses in some. At the time I had my first panic attack, I was shocked, because there were times previously that I had been under much more stress...and yet here were these physical symptoms seemingly out of the blue!

Working with your doctor to rule out any health issues...

...while simultaneously seeking to treat the anxiety should help you to determine just what you are dealing with and how you should proceed.

Wishing you the best! Let us know how your appointment goes, won't you?

...and keep posting support is key!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/31/2015 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hey SC:)

Never dealt with anxiety previously. I only started to feel these physical sensations when I had these health scares. It is very strange though because I am overweight and have a few health problems but I now realise the consequences of being physically unfit and healthy and it is really all I think about when I am not pre-occupied or sleeping. I feel like its consuming me in a way.

You mention you have panic attacks, is it possible to suffer from anxiety and be really obsessed or always focused on a certain thing rather than having episodes of deep anxiety or panic attacks?

Ever since I have been stressed and anxious I feel sharp small pains. I feel that this stress and anxiety is making my brain send wrong signals and to my nerves if that makes sense.

I am almost certain that it is in my mind. If I had a chronic physical or nerve condition I would experience pain when sleeping or when my mind is deeply pre-occupied with something else. I guess I will let my doctor know that these pains occur when I am worrying about the pains, when I am anxious and nervous and my mind isn't pre-occupied. Pain that comes and go that has to do with the mind I am guessing you won't feel the sensations when your asleep cause your mind isn't stressed or thinking about the pain unlike chronic pain such as appendicitis for example where I doubt you will not feel pain when your sleeping or pre-occupied if that makes sense.

They pain just seems to exist when I think about it, mention it or even talk about it.

Thanks for your help.

PS. Is meditation or listening to relaxing anxiety videos on YouTube any good? Thanks guys.
Posted 8/1/2015 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
Yep...

...sure sounds anxiety related. ..but it is a good plan to discuss it with your doctor at your appointment coming up.

Yes, for now...coping skills such as meditation and stress relieving exercises are key! Find links for these and other.self help in our Resources. (1st thread, main forum page)

Keep talking with us as you seek your answers and recovery. ..we will be here cheering you on. :)

S.C.
Posted 8/1/2015 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Will do. Fingers crossed that my problems are from my recent anxiety and stress issues not nerve damage:)

Do you know if you can have anxiety symptoms after a period of severe anxiety has occured? or do they stop immediately once you feel less anxious?

I feel less anxious today but I still feel the pains. Maybe I am to focused on the sensations.

Will keep you up to date. Thanks!! http://www.selftherapy.org/ I am trying that!
Posted 8/1/2015 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Oh sorry...forgot to answer that question!

Yes! I often get anxiety symptoms out of the blue, when I don't even feel stressed!

...or like you said, the stressful event can be well behind you...only for the anxiety to sneak up on you after the fact...so weird!

I think we comparmentalize and push aside a lot...until our body/symptoms finally say..."Hey, here is your stress...deal with it!!"

Thanks for sharing the link you've been checking out...I am glad you are finding it helpful.:)

Talk soon,

S.C.
Posted 8/1/2015 8:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

It does sound like anxiety to me but do speak things over with your doctor be honest with them and tell them what you have told us the more detail you can give the better they will be able to help you.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 8/3/2015 8:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

So went to the doctor and psychologist today.

Doctor said because I don't feel sensations when sleeping or pre-occupied or relaxed he said its probably anxiety related. My main spots of sensations (pinching of nerve feeling or tenderness) are middle of chest for less than half a second, my tricep area is tender, my middle of my palm of my hand and at the tip of my fingers and in my thigh area.

Do you guys know if any one else experiences this or if its common?

Also, my doctor said if it doesn't improve in a month with counselling come back.

I am the type of guy who if the phone rings at 1 am in the night I think something has gone wrong. My psychologist said not to read my symptoms in on google and do try new things and see how u feel.

Any one else experienced my pains listed above? thanks

lalakers
Posted 8/3/2015 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
LL,

Glad to hear you went in and are set up for counseling sessions!

Everyone has differing symptoms which are unique and even changing for that individual...so I can't say as I have had the exact sensations...but that does not mean that they are not normal anxiety symptoms for you.

...the rest of what you describe is pretty classic axious thinking...

I do think that therapy will be extremely helpful...along with the self help provided in our Resources...and the support here, I have a feeling you are going to do very well in your recovery from these issues.:)

Keep posting!

S.C.
Posted 8/6/2015 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
Saw a psychiatrist today. He said I have generalised anxiety. He has put me on 25mg amitriptyline - 2 tablets a day. He said they take a few weeks to kick in. Been feeling much better. Still the occasional chest pain and stomach cramp and sensation but feeling better recently.
Posted 8/6/2015 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
good. keep using those coping skills. in combination with the meds you will be in more control with the gad. keep strong.
Posted 8/6/2015 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Agreeing with HT's input above!

Glad you are feeling better, stay the course...and keep posting with us as well!

S.C.
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