Bad health anxiety... at my wits end!

[Vicki88]

4 months ago I fell ill with what we thought was gastro or food poisoning, that I feel I never fully recovered from. Following a bad belly ache/cramps I had water like diarrhoea for a whole hour and nausea, but wasn't sick. Since I have had abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea/normalish bowel movements and bad reflux. I have had bloods, CT of abdomen, ultrasound of abdomen, CT & X-ray of chest, colonoscopy & endoscopy and all clear, except the endoscopy revealed mild gastritis. My gastro specialist thinks I have IBS also and my GP thinks it is all due to anxiety. My reflux causes severe chest discomfort, pulling/burning feeling and sometimes stabbing pain. The discomfort also travels to my shoulders and arms. It is scary and I am so sick of it. Since switching medications I have found my reflux improved but it is still there. I get my PH levels checked for reflux next month and my GP has put me on medication for anxiety. I keep getting sore neck, weak upper arms & thighs, tingly finger tips, and little niggle electric shock feelings in my head. I am scared and so sick of all these symptoms. Can they really be caused by anxiety? Please help I have convinced myself I had every cancer to name and then once cleared of one, Id go onto the next one. Is this possible?

[Quercus]

Hi Vicki88,

Welcome to the forums!

There are quite a few threads about health anxiety about which will help you find other members who can relate to what you're feeling.

A recent one came to mind...

Forums / Suicidal thoughts and self-harm / Can anxiety cause physical pain and sensations?

Personally I can say that when I was put on antidepressants (for depression) a side effect was a significant improvement in my IBS symptoms and anxiety.

So yes I do believe anxiety can cause physical symptoms. How long have you been on your medication may I ask? Have you noticed any change?

I hope you find the forums as supportive and understanding as I have.

Nat

[geoff]

hi Vicki, I'm terribly sorry for how you feel, and can I say something which you may not have been told about regarding your anxiety, which is, I wonder whether you call these thoughts as being 'intrusive thoughts', if you think so, then please google this and see what you think and get back to us, I'm about to log off as I start early in the morning, but have written down your post and check first thing in the morning, I would be interested to know. Geoff.

[cakeboss]

Hi there how are you going .I know how you feel i to suffer from health anxiety .Mine all started 6 months ago i had some financial issues which went on for 6 months which are sorted out now .I already suffer anxiety to start with and because of this stress i had it has caused panic attacks and health anxiety aswell.Im under counciling at the moment gp and it got that bad i had to see a psycitrist .The plsycitrist was actually very understanding and said my body needed time to wind down from the emotional stress and long stressful 6 months i had of getting this financial thing sorted.It has left me having panic disorder and anxiety im on medication and are seeing a counciler to deal with irrational thinking .That is when ever i think im sick which i really have been but i would go to the drs for the drop of a hat thinking i had numerous medical conditions.I had a pain in the stomach bit simlar to you dr thought maybe muscular as i have a job that is strenious.I convinced myself i had a cyst then a appendix then a bowel cancer then ended up in a major panic attack .I am slowly working through a thing with my couciler so when i have these medical things go wrong i have this chart which starts of with what are your thoughts then following chart i tell myself these thoughts way ahead of myself are not me they are the anxiety and these thoughts are not real.I am slowly finding this works and helps me not run off to the drs all the time.I have a wonderful gp who tells me i dont come to the drs for anything im not well as anxiety is a illness and its not under control and we are working through it .Im on medication and dr said ill have good days and bad days and ive had some bad ones thinking ive had cancer and the worst if i feel unwell .I know how you feel try see if you can get into see a counciler try these things im doing but its up to you .Ive had some days where i dongt want to be around anyone with my anxiety but i have found walking when im in these states has helped and music .I belive anxiety can do very odd things to our body like you described makes you feel very tired some days tingling in hands and feet and cramps can defently be anxiety but im not a dr .I hope you feel better soon im here if you want to chat along with others on here .I hope a counciler can help with the health anxiety takes awhile to work so be kind to yourself .

[kingsalmon]

I have health anxiety too, you'd be amazed (or pissed off) at what anxiety is capable of.

Ignoring everything is what's improved my anxiety. It sounds and feels backwards and I still get fake symptoms but it's more in control now. I have to keep myself distracted when symptoms show up and then when the distraction ends I realise the symptoms were gone the whole time. I distract myself with music or a video game or a trip into town even though I don't need anything, I'll find something to need. Anything works. Just make sure you don't spend the whole time thinking "is it gone yet? is it gone yet? is it gone yet?"

"little niggle electric shock feelings in my head" If I'm thinking of the same thing, this is something I've felt when I go off some medications, but if it exists at all then anxiety can probably cause it too. It's really annoying but it's harmless.

[bluewater]

I had health anxiety to the point I was actually scared to go to the Drs incase they told me something that made me more anxious! It's a little different I know.

[Vicki88]

Hi Quercus,

Thank you for your response. I have been on my medication for 2 weeks now and due to up the doe tonight, of which I am worried to do. I am hoping by weening on it won't give me many side effects. I hope that my medication helps me as it has you.

[Vicki88]

sorry Geoff, I am unsure what you mean. Thank you for your response though, would you be happy to explain what you mean please?

Thanks

[Vicki88]

Thank you for your reply, I am sorry to hear you have been through a rough time. it is so debilitating and horrible, I truely feel for you. I hope things can improve for you

[Vicki88]

Thank you so much for your reply. I am sorry to hear what you have been through but am pleased that your therapy is helping you? I am having a terrible day today... I am on day 5 of a burning sensation in my right thigh and calf and such negative thoughts and very emotional today. I just wish I could get that I don't have cancer or a serious illness out of my head. I am on the waiting list for counselling, I live in a country town and our services are very limited and have long waiting lists. I hope you continue to get better every day x