Is my anxiety back? Or something worse?

[JEF15]

Hello

I have suffered anxiety & OCD for years and years. I have kept it pretty well controlled with an SSRI. Lately everything with COVID and other stresses I feel my anxiety creeping up. I have had some odd symptoms and wonder if it's from anxiety or something more sinister. Which of course just causes me more anxiety.

I have a very very tight neck, like I have strained neck muscles. I have stabbing in my chest and a burning sensation in my throat. I also have one lymph node slight bigger than than the other. That was scares me the most. My pulse also seems to be bursting out of my neck.

Last week I had shocking heart beats in that ear but I had a lovely massage on my neck and that sensation has gone now. I want to see a doctor, but don't want to be a hypercondriac. Which causes me more anxiety. I am so stuck

[Croix]

Dear JEF15~

Welcome back, it's a while since you have been here and I hope all has been well. As you mentioned before you have anxiety and OCD and are taking meds and up til the present all was ok.

Now the world has changed. It is a most worrying time, for everybody, but perhaps more for those with anxiety conditions.

My own symptoms have ramped up since COVID and isolation came along. I have at one time or another had all the symptoms you mention except the lymph node and had them tested in hospital as they occurred -and again later on. All physical symptoms of my anxiety condition.

It does not make me a hypochondriac, simply a prudent person who finds out what is going wrong.

You can be prudent too, but in your case for two reasons, the first obviously is to get that physical checkup, the lymph node in particular as you are worried over it, but also to see if your medication needs adjusting to compensate for the more stressful life you are now living. Meds are not always fixed for long periods without some adjustments from time to time. It's normal.

This is reasonable, and sensible. No doctor is going to think less of you for taking care of yourself and neither should anyone else.

I really would like it if you came back and said what you thought.

Croix

[JEF15]

Thanks for reply.

You are right, my doctor knows my history with anxiety so I'm sure a check up wouldn't be to much of an overreaction. I suppose its that little bit harder with COVID to see a doctor at the moment so I dont want to take up resources if i'm just being a little crazy.

I have stayed on my medication amount for a long time now and sometimes wondered if things are creeping up on me and maybe that small amount just isnt enough anymore.

Thanks for reading and replying 🙂

[Croix]

Dear JEF15~

Thanks for replying, that long time on the one dosage does seem a bit of a giveaway, life changes as do our reactions to it, and meds have to keep pace.

I cannot agree with you about taking up medical resources that others might need. You are as entitled as any, and I'd also suggest a lot of the matter could be done via phone or video (there are special measures in place at the moment) , leaving your actual physical interaction to a minimum.

Crazy is a silly word, left over from ignorant times. anxiety and OCD are illnesses, and seeing a doctor about their treatment is simply common sense.

OK, so I'm lecturing you:)

Please let me know how you get on

Croix

[blondguy]

Hi JEF15

I understand the anxiety symptoms that you are going through..especially the neck muscles and the burning feeling in the throat too....My anxiety symptoms have exacerbated with Covid-19....like many others on the Beyond Blue forums too

You are not a hypochondriac at all...Your are proactive with your health!

Being on one dosage of meds is fine even over a long period JEF15. Especially if we have frequent ongoing visits to our doc so we can self heal effectively as meds are never a fix all

Good on you for being so proactive with your well being....Any questions are always welcome 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[SD0102]

I’m so glad that I found these posts, Croix, JEF15 & blonde guy. As I have only just started experiencing anxiety since COVID started, it is new territory for me, so it was reassuring to read that you have all experienced similar symptoms, that I have and that they are quite normal. I often find I have a lot of tension in my jaw & neck, which then can turn into a screaming headache. I have found a bath with epson salts to be very effective in relieving the tightness in my neck. Thank goodness for these forums, it is so nice so see the support from others.