Health anxiety - ringing in ears

[Lind779]

Hey lovely peeps,

Just me again 😊

So... Im doing ok with my health anxiety though I have 2 new symptoms. I haven't had an anxiety attack over them which is great but need work on controlling my thoughts over them. You know, the ones that tell me I'm going to have it forever, what if it gets worse, could it be from an underlining health problem? bla bla bla!

The 2 new symptoms are:
Ringing in the ears
Muscle twitching in the right thigh

Im not sure if ringing in the ears are due to the medication and I dont want to change because its working but I dont want it to get worse.

Muscle twitch... well... might just be the anxiety but I have only had it for a day so far. Its a constant twitch and I can even see the muscle move.

Does anyone else experience this with their anxiety? Im sure it will pass like all the others or I'll get use to it but would love to hear from you.

P.s. trying to stay away from Dr Google 😟

[Doolhof]

Hi Lind779,

Thanks for sharing how you are feeling. My body sometimes reacts in different ways when I am feeling stressed or anxious, so I get where you are coming from.

It is difficult when my brain takes me to a disaster before I have any idea what is really happening.

For me, Dr. Google is sometimes helpful, but I always follow up my research with cognitive thinking and reasoning so I don't cause myself a panic attack! Ha. Ha. I then take my thoughts about my symptoms to the Doctor or the chemist if I think it may be related to my medication.

I'm certainly no expert at all, so I would suggest you have a chat to your Dr. about what you are experiencing.

I've had ringing in the ears before and it has soon disappeared. My whole body twitches at times due to my back problems. It is amazing how the human body is all connected and how it interacts!

If you were to say to yourself, okay my ears are ringing and my leg is twitching, that is okay and then go off and do something pleasurable, do you still notice these issues?

When my back is really aching, I will sometimes read a book, do a Sudoku puzzle or go for a walk. By distracting my mind the pain and discomfort are not so noticeable.

I'm wondering if this works for you at all?

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[JessF]

Hello Lind779, I'm glad you are staying away from Dr Google. That will just lead you on the road to ruin and more anxiety.

The problem with focusing on symptoms relating to health anxiety is that it is a never ending circle. You mention in your post that you feel that you have been getting on top of your health anxiety, but now you need to help control your thoughts around two new symptoms. My advice would be to use the same techniques that you use to manage your anxiety around other symptoms. It's not relevant whether it's a racing heart or a muscle twitch. The problem is the excessive feeling of panic over the symptom, not the symptom itself.

Of course it goes without saying that if you are worried about particular symptoms you should talk to your doctor at your next appointment.

My concern is that a discussion about "yes I've had muscle twitches too" will help you for a little while, but then next week you'll have discovered another symptom and the cycle will start all over again. What do you think?

[Lind779]

Hi Doolhof,

Thank you so much for responding, truly appreciate it.

I only notice it when Im sleeping or on the couch. When Im doing stuff and being out and about, then I don't notice it at all.

I guess that says it all. Keep distracted but I'm so tired all the time, its hard to keep active. 😔

[Lind779]

I think you are spot on Jess.

My partner reminds me of this all the time. My problem is that I stop seeing a phychologist, excercise and eating healthy when I start feeling better. I think my mind and body is trying to tell me that I still have anxiety and I need to get to the cause of it instead of hiding behind medication.

I need to start controlling it and not letting it not control me.

I only went twice to a phychologist before the meds started making me feel better, that was a month ago and didnt go back. I think I need to continue to get the benefits out of it, even when I think I feel better. What do you think?

[Doolhof]

Hi Lind,

It may well benefit you to see a psychologist regularly for a while. I never know what my Psychologist is able to drag out of me from one session tot he next. There are times she comes up with ideas and concepts I had not considered and provides meaning to the way I think and act.

For me personally, I do have a problem with controlling what I know I need to do. Maybe determination, desire and procrastination are more to the point!

I know what I need to do to help myself in all aspects of my life, I just don't always do those things.

Motivation and encouragement go a long way. Hopefully you will be able to do this for yourself!

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[Jessme]

Hey Lind,

yes, I also get ringing in ears. My mind immediately thinks glioblastoma or acoustic neuroma..Health anxiety is the worst!! When I had the ringing in my ears at work last week I had to go into the bathroom to calm my breathing and tell myself it's probably just a blocked ear.