Pleased to hear positive news. I found the diagnostic sleep study horrible (couldn't cope with the tube up my nose) and the diagnostic study ok with regards to the mask but problematic with regards...
About 3-4 months ago, my pharmacist gave me a sample and suggested I give it a trial. Which I did. It's no miracle cure in any way, shape or form but it certainly hasn't appeared to have done any...
Like others here, I've "been there" and can totally empathise ! What I've found effective in dealing with various health anxiety issues is to "fight fear with facts !!" I have costochondritis (chest...
I've been on CPAP for just on 12 months and it's been a godsend. Most newer machines really aren't noisy at all. Some have additional humidifiers which you connect to the CPAP whilst others (like the...
I can empathise although, I admit, I haven't your experiences. A colonoscopy from late 2010 discovered diverticulosis which lay dormant until mid last year when I had a mild flare-up. Since then...
Different people have different reactions to various meds. My first med was fluoxetine and for the first week or so it was OK if a bit fuzzy but then I started waking up in the early hours in a state...
Been suffering with these myself and they ARE incredibly disconcerting. Tend to think that anxiety does certainly contribute with muscle tension in shoulders and neck. These are "old friends" and I...
Good for you ! I can only concur with you that you need to deal with facts. Whether they are positive or otherwise, at least you can know what you are dealing with rather than tearing yourself to...
Health anxiety is maybe the most prominent manifestations of anxiety disorder. Most of us have gone through/will go through acute stages of this. We will invariably move on from one issue to another....
This is VERY interesting as I've been suffering very recently from rather similar symptoms. I've had some GI issues for years; - been on Somac (pantoprazole) for about 10 years as a daily med. - had...
Thanks Turtle, So far I'm doing OK managing it. Much of the anxiety is health related and I've been doing some modules on "challenging negative thoughts". I've been collecting as much medical...
Just as a matter of curiosity, I thought I'd ask this question. Would especially be interested to hear the views of those who've been longer term diagnosed and whether there is any particular reason;...
You've hit the nail right on the head Firstly, it's a forum where people can "vent" their fear/frustration etc freely Secondly, those who respond are invariably coming from a viewpoint of empathy....
Paddi, When there's actually visible swelling, it's called Tietze's Syndrome which is a specific form of Costo. My "check that it's costo" is (1) where is it ? - mine's often high up near the...
When Kitt quoted "this harmless pain", the harmless relates to non-malign or non life threatening. The pain can be horrible and put you through all kinds of psychological stress if it isn't diagnosed...
Are there any options for getting at least some of this work done in a less pressured environment where this person is not likely to interfere/be "looking over your shoulder". Flexibility of hours ?...
I've made a few short comments on a few threads previously but figure it would be polite to intro myself. As the Wombat ID suggests, I'm an Aussie. At the current time, I'm being investigated for...
I've had the nickname Wombat for nearly 40 years. It "stuck" and frankly I answer to it more than my real name. I never use my real name online so all my online ID's are some derivative of wombat ie...
That definitely sounds like sleep apnea and SC is ABSOLUTELY correct that undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea can have major long-term negative health impacts. Foremost amongst these are: -...
There may be some in the resources file of this sub-forum. I'm in Australia and I found some excellent resources and modules via the My Compass section of the Black Dog Institute site. It can be a...
It's very common to anxiety sufferers although different terms may be used. As a result of our anxiety, we can tend to - (1) engage in "Black and White" thinking and invariably think the worst...
As a sufferer of GI issues (Diverticulosis and IBS); I've been assured by my gastroenterologist AND can testify from personal experience that anxiety issues certainly DO act as "a multiplier effect"...
I can only echo BillyBob and SC; probably 1 in every 4 people will experience a panic attack at some stage off their lives. Many will never have another one whilst for others they may experience them...
In many cases, people DO pass out during panic attacks. These are called a vasovagal response or vasovagal syncope. This is where the vagus nerve (which is a major controller of the automatic nervous...
It is a worst case scenario and very uncommon but it IS a possibility if left undiagnosed and untreated. Sleep apnea is not generally something that the person themselves is aware of but rather...
Obstructive sleep apnea can have some major long-term negative effects with regards to heart, stroke, blood pressure if NOT diagnosed and attended to. DO report this to your doctor and they can...
Challenging our negative thoughts is one of the major battles in overcoming, or at least controlling, our anxiety. I've found some useful resources and various modules which explain the various types...
Kitt, Not sure of the regimes in your country but over here; the standard MO is that patients are generally referred on to psychiatrists mostly where there is a history or considered high likelihood...
Been there my friend ...... and how it's a constant battle for the rational to 'keep a lid on" the irrational. The costochondritis and the "mental fog" rings a few bells for Fibromyalgia; an...
I'm in a similar situation in that I currently 'tick a number of boxes' for Fibro AND there is a possible genetic link (my sister has also been diagnosed with it). I actually raised the possibility...
Sounds like major anxiety symptoms. MANY people and especially we anxiety sufferers DO tend to "store up' a lot of our stress in our shoulder and neck muscles which in turn can lead to (1) headaches...
This pressure may be due to muscle tension in neck & shoulders (where many people especially we anxiety sufferers tend to "store" a lot of our tension. This pressure at the bottom of the skull is a...
New to this forum but I can only reinforce the positives. I started on CPAP mid January and have had zero problems adjusting to it. I went on a 2 month trial of a Fisher & Paykel ICON and at the...
Some doctors are better 'clued up" re these meds than others. An excellent second line of "check" is a pharmacist where it's "their business" to be across the effects/side effects of various drugs...
Maybe it is worth a referral to a cardiologist who can do some more extensive tests than the ER or your PCP - even if its for your own "peace of mind". IF he/she gives you an all clear on that front...
Many of us store our stress in our shoulders and neck muscles with the inevitable flow on effects of headaches, tight biceps and tight muscles in upper mid back. Not uncommon for nerve impingement in...
Seeing as you have a recent history of heart disease then best you go to the ER. Certainly DO notify them of your other issues but be specific about the nature of the pain and whereabouts/duration....
Know how you're feeling !! You learn to cope with the anxiety of anticipated situations or things you know you have to do .... and often find "that wasn't so bad" "I can do that" BUT the spontaneous...
Many people "store" a lot of their stress and tension in their neck and shoulders, especially amongst we anxiety and depression sufferers ! This frequently leads to regular, often daily, headaches...
Dairy of A Wombat is a classic. There's actually now a sequel/follow-up "Baby Wombat's Week". Thanks for the kind thoughts, SC. I DO try to be as proactive as possible but it can be a struggle as it...
Re CBT therapy & the possibility of Skype/online counselling; may I suggest that you look up the relevant professional body for clinical psychologists (there should be a national body and most likely...
OK. Let's address your questions one by one. Fear you're about to die is probably the prime thought going through your head when you're having a panic attack. I've been there ...... and I suspect...
A fairly recent member to these forums and had originally posted an intro on the Depression sub-forum but have probably been more active on this one. Brief into. I'm Wombat, and as you can guess I'm...
Yes, I have !! Horrible experiences they were. Found they were a side effect of the anti-depressant/anxiety med I was on at the time - fluoxetine aka Prozac. After a couple of nights of this, I...
Another possibility for the chest pains which is possibly the most likely candidate under the "musculoskeletal" field is Costochondritis which is inflammation of the rib cartlege or the rib itself....
Can empathise greatly regarding anxiety leading to agoraphobia (w panic disorder) AND the issue of "support network" or lack thereof. Fortunately our health system is far more accessible (and...
SC, What brought it to my knowledge was my sister mentioning to me that she'd been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and we DO share some similar genetic predispositions. It's a very tricky and hard to...
Small question. Is this the custom when posting for the first time in a new forum when you've "done the introduction" in a different one ? Just asking .... not complaining; if this is what you prefer...
I think I've actually had Costo (or it's near relation) since the late 90's. It was remarked by doctor's that I was incredibly tender in the chest/rib region but no set diagnosis .... and it was only...
It certainly brings home to you your own mortality, if you hadn't already done so. SC is right that therapy does make you look back at past impacts and how they can wear you down silently and...