Is everything that is happening to me just anxiety?

So I'm just kind of lost with what I've been going through and every time I search what I'm going through it seems I stumble on this board so I guess I'm posting either for guidance, validation or just to get it off my chest.

about 2 months ago, on my day off from work I got a small cluster of blisters on my hand. I then followed this up by getting hives on my arm and leg. I went to the store to get Benadryl. At the store, it felt like my throat was closing up. I had to call an ambulance, but by the time the ambulance arrived I was fine outside of blood pressure extremely high and they suggested I go to the hospital due to that. While at the hospital, I said I was having an allergic reaction to something and had high blood pressure, as that's what I thought. I was given benadryl, pepcid and a steroid. I was there a few hours and left. Upon leaving, I got the feeling my throat was closing up again and turned right back around. My blood pressure was again through the roof. The oxygen calmed me down and they then shoved a tube through my nose down my throat to make sure nothing was wrong and everything checked out ok.

The next couple of weeks were very rough. I constantly felt like my throat was closing up or I was getting hives. My face would feel hot for a brief moment, I would then follow that up with a feeling like I couldn't swallow or breathe and complete panic would set in. My family doctor made me get blood drawn at the hospital before seeing me. At the hospital for the third time, they told me they felt I needed to see a therapist and gave me a number to one. My family doctor felt like I had anxiety. I have never had anxiety, my dad was a military man, so I have enjoyed bottling up everything in my life since birth so it made sense that my brain would break. I was prescribed Xanax to take once a day as needed. And it helped when I was feeling really anxious but I was having symptoms all day so I had to be really choosey about when I took it, most of the time I'd wait for bed just to get a good nights sleep.

So next the lump in my throat started feeling like a stuck air bubble. I started belching throughout the day. And drinking ice water for slight relief. I didn't eat much at first because I was convinced that I would choke on anything I tried to eat. It was at the this time the water I was drinking started coming back up, especially at night. So if I did eat something and drank some water I would spit up some contents of what was just eaten. I would only fall sleep on my left side burying my head downward in my fiance's pillow. It provided some relief to the spit up/belching conundrum.

Around this time I started eating more but would feel a tighter feeling in my throat/stomach/chest. I would throw up, sometimes intentionally for relief. It essentially felt like whatever I drank or ate was sitting at the bottom of my throat. Hiccups or burps would result in spit up/a chunk of chewed food coming up occasionally. I started feeling a rattle in my chest when I woke up and my throat was very sore so I saw my family doctor again. I was given paxil daily and told to take the xanax as needed. Again, I would save the Xanax for night. I feel much better on the paxil and haven't used Xanax in a few nights. However, I sleep very poorly, usually waking up short of breath several times in the night. I always wake up with a sore throat and for the last few days feel like my throat has been getting tighter daily, tighter feeling swallowing, can really spit out mucus (if that makes sense) I wake up with chest pains and battle this acid reflux feeling throughout the day. I wake up feeling completely awful and short of breathe. I get winded very easily going up stairs at work and it seems to be getting slightly worse. Some of the things that soothes my throat/calms my breathing is chewing polar ice, menthol flavored cough drops or using a biofreeze or Vick's Vapor Rub.

I don't really know what I should be asking. Is this normal? Is this normal for anxiety? For acid reflux? Or am I experiencing a cocktail for both? Even on the paxil is this feeling normal? What should my next step be? Thank you for any help in advance!

Hi R.B. and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your current symptoms/confusion they're causing...but glad that you have joined us to gain support.:)

A couple of questions...how long have you been on the Paxil?

...and have you been able to follow through with the therapy?

An SSRI (Paxil) can take several weeks to reach its full therapeutic level...and anxiety/symptoms may actually increase until your systems adjusts. So, if you've just recently started. ..hang in there...it will get better!

Therapy is an essential part of any recovery plan. ..so please get yourself set up with an appointment as soon as possible if you've not done so already.

For now check out our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material. Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a big difference in how you feel.

Keep posting with us as well for understanding and encouragement. :)

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat

Hi Scaredy Cat!
I've been on Paxil about 3 weeks now. I've noticed a big change with not panicking as much anymore. Much more reasonable with the fear or choking or red marks I have that before I would assume was hives. I've been trying to find therapy that fits into my budget. In my area, it's been a little difficult at the present time unfortunately.

Thank you! I will check out the resources right now!

Hey rocky!

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Anxiety can come on out of the blue like that, and there's not always a clear or specific 'cause.'

A lot of your symptoms do sound very GI related. Have you asked about a hiatal hernia? It might be worth your time to be seen by a GI specialist, who could rule out (or treat) any physical issues. Then if you're still struggling, you'll be able to see what is the anxiety. It does sound like all this would be enough stress to cause anxiety though.

Good job on trying for the therapy. It's so frustrating that it's so expensive. Check with your employer to see if you have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) - many do and sometimes a few free counseling sessions are included in the benefits. And my therapists offer sliding scale or payment plans if the client needs - you may just have to call and ask.

Sending you strength and healing thoughts!!

I figured I'd give an update on my current situation. Throat/neck issues seem to be the thing that is damaging me the most right now. My throat always feels mucusy but not much comes up when I try, it has felt tighter in recent days, earlier I tried to eat a piece of chicken nugget and it felt like it was having trouble going down. Went through this a couple times and kept getting that sore/stuck feeling. Drank some water, same feeling. Which caused me to panic, a little bit. Eventually the feeling has seemed to go away. I know I haven't drank as much water lately and stuck mostly to teas, dunno if I'm just dried up. Towards the bottom of my throat is does feel like a constant pain. My neck is always sore. I'm constantly trying to stretch it out to no avail. Icy hots/hot shower provide temporary relief. My body feels tired and sore lately, I kinda feel in auto pilot. The oddest thing is I have a vein on a private part that is hard and slightly painful. Which might be separate but I figured I'd just ask the community to see what they thought. As before any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi RB,

It seems that when we have anxiety, all of the little symptoms that can occur in a healthy person, become heightened...sometimes sending up red flags...when there is not a reason for concern.

As long as you have been recently seen for a check up, you can assume that all is well...and really focus on your anxiety management plan.

If I'm doing the math correctly...you are about 6 or so weeks into your Rx start up? This is about when you will start to feel the therapeutic effects...so hang in there...

...and check out our health anxiety self help in the Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great material to help you deal with the symptoms/worries concerning them.

Thanks for the update, and keep them coming. We'll be here to support.:)

S.C