anyone suffering physical anxiety symptoms

[Joey7]

I've been having more and more physical anxiety symptoms and they are really starting to scare me I suffer from health anxiety so these symptoms are making me terrified and taking over my every day life. Has anyone else suffered from physical anxiety symptoms and if so what type of symptoms have you had and how did you deal with them. I just don't see how these weird symptoms and sensations are from severe anxiety I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle sometimes. 

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[Bambino]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie. Just wanted to thank everyone for their posts. It has made me feel a bit better. I have suffered depression, anxiety and panic attacks for a year now. I'm am moving countries in 5 weeks with a family of 5 (no pressure !), I have just had my meds changed and have been on an SSRI antidepressant for 11 days (who's counting !) and still waiting for a glimmer of hope that I'll feel better soon. Does anyone know how long it takes for an SSRI antidepressant to start working ? My symptoms are headaches, tightness in the chest, upset stomach, chronic worrying. I am obsessed with chest pain, absolutely convinced there is something wrong with my heart. My BP is elevated so I am panicking about that, and even though my Dr says there is no problem it's just my anxiety she still wants me to do a 24hr monitor thing which I have to next Tuesday which is completely freaking me out !! I am going to try and find a psych today to try and at least talk to someone but I've only got 5 weeks and am worried that it will be a waste of time, it won't right ? Sorry if this post is a bit down, just really need someone to tell me everything is going to be fine ! So happy I found a place where I can write all this and the people who read it will understand....any advice is most welcome.

[Mummybee]

Hi Bambino,

From one fellow health anxiety sufferer to the next;

Here are a few things that might help get you through until you can see a professional, or have your tests completed (which im sure will be fine, anxiety can cause all kinds of crazy symptoms)

Walking; It really is the only thing that makes me feel strong again when I feel like my body is letting me down. When my muscles feel weak, I feel shaky or muscle pain, I try and put my earphones in and go for a long walk. it makes me realise I am not weak, I get some fresh air and my confidence in my muscles comes back for a while.

the other thing I try and do, which isn't always practical, is yoga. It helps me relax my muscles and relieve the tension. (not forever but a little while). It also shows me that I am strong and it helps to tell myself if there was anything really wrong I wouldn't be able to do those things.

Try some gentle exercise while your waiting for reassurance from the professionals, it might just ease the worry for a little while, and any bit of relief we can get from this beast is worth it.

Mummybee

[Bambino]

Thank you so much for your advice Mummybee. I will definitely take on the walking. I have a psych appointment today thank goodness and hopefully that will help me calm down a bit. Sometimes I just feel like I have no energy left to fight the symptoms, does that make sense ? Thanks again for your support.

[Mummybee]

It absolutely makes sense!

good luck on your walk and your appointment.

keep us posted

mummybee

[Bambino]

Hi again,

Bit of an update. Went to a psych who was lovely and am going to see her regularly BUT it set of more anxiety of course. I managed to breathe a lot of it off but for me it feels like a permanent black cloud sometimes, well most of the time. Then I went to see my gp who is also awesome BUT (notice the buts) took my bp and it was elevated and then asked me to take some bp meds which of course freaked me out but she did give me something to help with the really bad attacks if I need it. I went walk ! It was 39c but I did it and did feel better. I know I have to do it regularly so thank goodness it's not that hot today.

The day didn't end well. I suppose it was a build up of me holding off the anxiety throughout the day and then burst into tears. It's the fear that I will never feel better and that I am destined to feel like this for the rest of my life. This constant worrying is exhausting. I try to reason with myself and breath etc but I am feeling so overwhelmed, it's horrible. I know I am in the infancy of my SSRI meds (12 days, who's counting) and I have read everywhere that it takes 4 to 6 weeks to notice an improvement it's just so hard waiting and waiting. Also the physical anxiety symptoms are wearing me down which isn't helping either.

Any support right now would be awesome. I feel like I'm on the edge of a cliff hanging on by my fingernails 😞

[Chicken_Wings]

Bambino I think we all have that fear that it will never get better when we are at our worst. Right now I'm feeling the same, but... deep down, when I'm honest with myself I know this does not last forever.

One thing that helps me is to know that there is a reason for the physical symptoms. The tightness in your chest is your anxiety, so if you notice yourself holding on to that tension, work to release it.

Take a few, calm deep breathes. Pay attention to the sounds you can hear, whats going on out the window? Are you sitting on a chair? What does the fabric feel like? Is it soft, is it smooth? What temperature is it? Really pay attention.
By redirecting your mind away from your anxiety and focusing on something else you will notice a release of the tension.

I too get an upset stomach. Even the smell of food gets me, but it is important that when you do feel like you can eat, you do. If you can't eat, try at least drinking something like a Powerade. It will help with feeling so worn out.

And it is ok to just cry every now and then. You made it through the entire day, visiting a psych, going for a walk etc and you nailed it. Its ok that you let out a bit of tension by crying at the end of the day.

[Mummybee]

Hey,

thanks for the update.

put some tunes on your earphones, breathe, walk rinse repeat.

two weeks until the meds kick in. You can do it. You don't have a choice. You have to be strong enough, and you will be

mummybee 

[Chicken_Wings]

I was just reading back through this thread and it is amazing how different yet how the same everyone's physical symptoms are.

I got reflux for the first time with anxiety last week and I was stressing out because thats one I'd never had before. But reading here it seems I'm not also suffering from some sort of horrible disease, which was the obvious answer in my mind.

I too get tiredness, right after I've basically jumped up and down for 30 seconds with fearful energy and tears.
I also twitch and tap things and wiggle my toes. I wiggle my hands, which although embarrassing, is a sign to my partner that i need my focus redirected.

When it's bad I completely lose my appetite.
I get hot and cold.
Sometimes my eyesight goes a bit funny, like I'm sort of disconnected or behind a sheet of glass.
Of course there is the tightness of the chest
Sometimes my lower jaw shakes
Shortness of concentration and I feel like I get dumber!

[Simona]

Hello Chicken Wing : )

What an unfortunate predicament for you.  While my anxiety attacks are nowhere near as bad nor frequent as yours it's not what helps me - its who.    My partner gives me feet massages and pedicures and it's about the only way I can sit still and chill-out during an episode.   And we sit and watch telly together and I reciprocate by scratching his back with my long nails 🙂  

Perhaps your partner may help?   Because  candle-light and a gentle touch may help shift your focus.

And that aside I simply tell myself that I'm doing the best that I can and that tomorrow is another day and trust me - I have had my fair share of health related anxiety attacks so I'm familiar with that feeling of utter dread

Have you tried herbal teas or those Bach flower remedies you put under your tongue?    (sorry I haven't read all your posts)

I hope some of this inspires and may be of help to you : )

[Bambino]

Thanks to you both for you help and support. You have both helped me get through a tough time. Still walking still breathing still repeating ! 🙂