topic Health anxiety in Anxiety

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:43:50 GMT

Hi,

I have been diagnosed with health anxiety and depression in Feb this year.

Anxiety is such a strange thing. It can create so many different physical symptoms. In my case, the symptoms keep changing.

I am seeing a psychologist

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 16:48:29 GMT

Sorry I accidentally click post. I haven't finished the post yet. Is there a way to edit ?

Health anxiety

geoff — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 17:35:15 GMT

Hi Anxiety, and a warm welcome to you.

Sometimes it's easy to press 'post', but I would just continue with what you want to say, there's nothing wrong in your wording, except to say that I'm sorry for how you are feeling.

Geoff.

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 19:39:51 GMT

Ok I am currently seeing a physcologist. I have only had 3 sessions so I am not sure if it's going to help.

I have insomnia because of my constant worry about my health. Whenever I have a little ache or pain, I would panic and think I must have some kind of disease or illness.

Recently I have these weird thing whenever I am about to fall asleep, I would get this jolt and wake up. It happens multiple times. I keep thinking it must be some heart problem. That made me scared to fall asleep.

I will be awake all night till my body gives in then I would fall asleep. I am struggling because I only get 2- 3 hours of sleep.

Has anyone experience that jolt feeling when you are just about to fall asleep ?

Health anxiety

LorelaiLee — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 05:32:15 GMT

Hi,

I too experience this jolting feeling as I’m beginning to drift off to sleep. I can’t offer any advice because I’m not sure I understand why it happens but you aren’t alone. It’s awful, I’m only getting a few hours of sleep a night as well. I also suffer from health anxiety so I guess we are in the same boat. I’m new on here and new too talking about my anxiety as well.

I hope we both feel better soon 😊

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 06:49:02 GMT

Hi geoff and LorelaiLee,

Lorelai, do you get that jolting feeling more than once when you are drifting off to sleep ?

I am new to this forum too.

Yeah I hope we all feel better soon.

Health anxiety

Alexlisa — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 08:15:30 GMT

Hello.

I know that jolting feeling you're talking about. Sometimes it doesn't happen to me for ages, but other times it happens a lot. When I have weeks or months when my anxiety is persistently high it happens more often. Which kind of makes sense to me because I'm much more jumpy and hypervigilant when I'm awake too.

The other time I noticed that it was more frequent was when I was starting new medication. Have you started or changed anything lately?

I think you need to talk to your GP about what's happening for you. Not just about the jolting feeling, but about how high your anxiety is in general and the lack of sleep. Especially because not getting enough sleep can make anxiety worse, and can become a cycle. It's great that you're seeing a psychologist. This should help, but it might take some time. But your GP might be able to help you in the meantime, perhaps with medication.

For the anxiety related to your health, don't be afraid to ask your GP questions like the one about that jolting feeling. I quite often ask my GP unusual questions so that I can ease that anxiety about my health. She's always kind to me and never makes me feel silly for asking. I think she realises the worries are just part of what my mental illness looks like and that she can help me in this way. I hope this helps a little.

Take care,

Alexlisa x

Health anxiety

Sophiee__ — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 11:46:19 GMT

Hi.

If youre talking about the feeling of jolting awake when youre trying to fall asleep which is usually accompanied with thoughts of falling down stairs or tripping over something then yes im very familiar. Theyre actually VERY common in the population like 70% or something I think! Ive read something about them and this is only a theory they have not confirmed this at all but someone has suggested it when your body tries to relax faster then your mind is switching off so it jolts the body awake as a sort of safety freaking out mode.

Hope this helps in some way 🙂

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 13:08:37 GMT

Hi,

Alexlisa, thanks for the reply. My anxiety and stress level for the past week have been really high because my brother have a little health scare but he is fine now.

I guess sleep deprivation plus anxiety made the situation worse.

I am going to the GP on Monday to talk about the jolting feeling when I am just about to fall asleep.

Also do you guys and girls get muscle twitches ?

I just find it amazing about how anxiety can create all these physical symptoms.

Basically it covers everything from head to toes but it doesn't all happen at once. It seems to be one thing for a while then something else starts.

I really wish it would stop. I am afraid that I will be like this for the rest of the life. It is a toture.

I am so glad to be able to whinge a bit about my condition to people who are going through the same thing.

My family knows about my condition and they are caring but I don't think they fully understand what I am going through.

They keep telling me to don't think about it and relax.

I am actually feeling a lot better than 2 - 3 months ago.

In the past, I was so scared about having a heart attack or stroke or whatever disease or illness that can kill me. I would put 000 on speed dial and carry my phone everywhere in my house.

I would leave my front door unlock when I am alone just in case the paramedics can come into the house and save me quickly.

When I go for a run or walk, I would pick a route that have more people around just in case I need their help.

I have even tried to find out the closet paramedics station and work out how long it would take them to get to my house.

Thinking about it now, I laugh at how silly my thought process had gone.

Take care everyone.

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 09:02:20 GMT

This is so frustrating, I have been sleeping better and feeling better. I thought I am getting better then my health anxiety about my heart started again.

I keep thinking something is wrong with my heart. I would be checking my pulse every 5 to 10 mins. I am convinced something is not right. I would check the pulse on my left arm then my right arm.

I have a GP appointment on monday. This is driving me crazy.

Health anxiety

Katherine63 — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 05:13:45 GMT

I’m seeing a psychologist today also. Hope they can help

Health anxiety

Lucy5678 — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 06:18:19 GMT

Hi Anxiety newbie,

You are definitely not alone in what you are experiencing. I experience the jolting awake too and health/heart related anxiety. The jolting happens when my anxiety is higher or I am overtired and it's very likely to do with the increased activity happening with the sympathetic nervous system- the fight or flight system - I'm sure you would know all about.

It's not physically harmful or dangerous. I just have to remind myself of this. Though I know it feels awful.

Heart-related anxiety is super common, especially with people who get panic attacks as part of it often involves heart racing and a feeling of impending doom. I've experienced this a lot and it stopped me from doing a lot of the activities I love. I remind myself daily that my heart is strong and the effects that I feel are not dangerous. Slowly the anxiety about my heart is fading but it takes time.

Be kind to yourself and know you are not alone.

Health anxiety

Kristy_W — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 09:52:22 GMT

Hi there,

i feel this way too. I suffer from ocular migraines so it affects my vision and at the moment I feel like I’m at my breaking point I’m constantly crying in fear thinking I might have a stroke and die

I can’t be alone because I’m terrified something might happen whenever I’m by myself.

Many chest pain or ache in my body I never think it may be just anxiety I instantly jump to the worst thing I can think of and nothing will calm me down unless it’s a doctor but sometimes not even a doctor can reassure me enough.

It’s taking over my life

I can’t be at home or be out in public

I feel like I’m just going to drop dead.

I’ve always wanted children and I couldn’t even think of being able to be a healthy minded mother with this.

Ive has anxiety for 7 years and nothing has helped

I just feel alone and doomed

Health anxiety

Nkme — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 21:20:56 GMT

Hi Kristy W

I also suffer with health anxiety issues. I have been on medication now for almost 20 years.

I have a compulsive disorder also which is part of the health anxiety. My fear is Breast Cancer. I’m constantly checking myself sometimes up to 10 times a day. It’s so scary and frustrating, because I know there’s nothing wrong I’ve had ultrasounds, my GP has checked. If I was to guess since the start of this year I’ve had 5 doctors check and 4 different nurses. I have also seen a breast care nurse and she was wonderful she explained so much to me to try and give me that reassurance.

I’m now speaking with specialists on a site called Mindspot, this was recommended by my GP. Maybe you could benefit from this also.

Good luck

Health anxiety

Joel673356 — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 11:47:08 GMT

Hi all please tell me if you guys get these symptoms I’ve been worried about my heart for 3 years now I’ve always been a fit kid but I had a really bad anxiety attack when I was 15 since then I can’t stop thinking about it I’m now 18 my symptoms are I have chest pain arm pain it can be one arm or the other or both of them headaches my arms twitch my whole body twitches but my arm pain has never been there I was at a party and I had a few bourbons and I walked home and my arms just started hurting which I thought I was having a heart attack as per usual then I get jaw pain but I’ve had ecgs and all that my anxiety was getting better until that night does anyone else get this thank you

Health anxiety

LillyPhilly — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 08:11:14 GMT

Hi Guys,

new to the forum - health anxiety to the max here.

have noticed on my last 3 international trips I end up having a panic attack or hyperventilating at night while everyone is asleep, just out of fear that if something happened I’m not near a hospital.

ive had a rough 4 weeks recently as a persistent scratchy throat has me thing the worst and feeling like I can’t breath... I too have had the jolts and thought I was having a heart attack.

does anyone else experience the dry throat/irritation feeling with anxiety?

Thanks for all being awesome 🙂

Health anxiety

LillyPhilly — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 08:13:05 GMT

I get this too!!

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 01:18:28 GMT

Yes I get the dry throat whenever my anxiety level increases.

The most frustrating thing for me is when I think I am getting better, some weird symptoms will pop up and the viscous cycle starts all over again.

Wish everyone get better soon

Health anxiety

Flowers28 — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 07:51:55 GMT

I have just recently been told that I am suffering from health anxiety from my local gp. It all sorted one night when I was experiencing heart palpitations and short of breath. My partner rushed me to emergency where all my test came back clear. I thought it was over and then I started experiencing these symptoms more frequently. I once again took myself to emergency where after another ecg, chest X-ray and blood test I was told nothing serious was wrong and needed to get an echo done by a private cardiologist. I went home so scared but went to the local gp and got a referral to a leading cardiologist. That next day I nearly fainted from the pain and racing heart I was taken to emergency again. To be told after 9 hours on a cardiac monitoring system there was nothing wrong. I was lucky enough to get an echo done on the Tuesday and had my appointment with the dr the next day for results. When I got home from the scan I was so fearful I was dying that once again the chest pain and dizziness started. My parents called an ambulance and I was taken off to emergency again. Same as last time nothing wrong. The next day I went to the cardiologist for him to tell me my heart was perfectly fine. I was confused why was this happening to me. He told me it was anxiety related and it would go away now. Which it didn’t. I spent all day dealing with a racing heart for the first 2 weeks. Going back to my gp questioning the results. They prescribed me beat blockers for the extra beats and told me they would help. I took them and felt my heart was racing more. It was then I realised this was in my head. I still get a present tightness in my chest but the racing heart has stopped. I know I need to work on my mind now. I have been prescribed benzo for my panic Attacks. But have chosen to not take these and work on my way of thinking with the psychologist.

Health anxiety

Anxiety_newbie — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 07:28:33 GMT

My physical symptoms of health anxiety is going crazy again. I feel like there is something wrong with me. I get tingling sensation and feel on edge all the time. I get startled easily and I am constantly checking my pulse. It is so frustrating, I feel like the only time I am ok is when I am asleep. As soon as I wake up, I will check all my symptoms and all these pain and aches will appear.

Thanks for letting me whinge a bit on this forum. I don't want to complain to my family all the time because they just tell me not to think about it and relax. They don't understand it is so hard not to think about it.

I have stopped seeing a psychologist because of the cost involved but I think I need to start seeing one again.