Anxiety Physical symptoms persiting

[MysticMarine]

Hello,

So I have been dealing with severe anxiety over the past 5 days, I always have anxiety but not all the time and not usually with physical symptoms. I do in fact have anxiety but I haven't had it this bad, I have been rather stress-free lately which I have been very happy about.

Symptoms I am experiencing:

- shortness of breath (breathing issues)

- heart palpitations

- insomnia (already diagnosed)

- muscle pains and aches (mostly armpit area and back and arms)

- sweating when anxious

- feeling exhausted doing anything

I have been to the doctors twice for different opinions and both concluded it was anxiety. I accept that it may be that but I just don't know why these symptoms are staying for so long.

Possible causes

- mother going into surgery yesterday

- school (maybe?)

- worrying about health

I have been told I'm not exercising enough etc. I have been trying to do as much as I can do but it's always too much for me. Before getting these symptoms I had a sleepover with some friends and hadn't gotten much sleep the night before and the night of the sleepover so I was fatigued the next day, I freaked about being fatigued and began looking up symptoms getting myself into a panic. I then began getting the symptoms as above.

I just want all these symptoms to end so I can feel normal again. I have booked my psychologist to talk about medication but I don't think my parents will agree to anxiety medication as they don't believe in it. I am also seeing a healer or someone that uses methods of helping muscles.

[MysticMarine]

I forgot to mention I have been experiencing loss of appetite and frequent urination.

[MiloGirl]

Hi MysticMarine

I’m recently new here, i too get physical aches pains and symptoms with anexity

shortness of breath is one I face too. Along with aches in my body, and shaking, tensing up. The after affect is my muscle feel weak. I don’t exercise much although I have 5 children. Every time I try to exercise I begin to feel weak and tired. I completely understand how you feel.

your not alone. These symptoms are just our bodies dealing with what our brains are doing. It’s annoying I know.

as for you parents not agreeing to medication. Maybe you could bring this up with your doctor, Unfortunately it depends on your age too. But if your able to voice your thoughts here I’m assuming you are old enough to see your doctor alone.

I wish you all the best.

Milo

[Blackfrank]

I am new to this site . The physical symptoms of anxiety can be debilitating. I have had some medical issues that have ended up in ER over the last month and a half. one was a genuine issue with a prescribed drug the other two were were stress and anxiety. I still have many physical symptom including tingling and numbness in feet and hands and muscle and joint weakness as well as tinnitus. there is not a minute that goes by were these symptoms are not on my mind fearing I have a debilitating disease. I have had many scans and tests that have found nothing serious , but I still feel anxious and stressed making it hard to function normally. I spend many hours on the internet and dr google. I know this is the worst thing I should be doing As the symptoms I read about seem to intensify after reading. My gp has referred me to a psychologist who cannot see me until August. I don’t think I can wait that long as I will be in a mess by that time if the symptoms don’t go away.

[MiloGirl]

Hi blankfrank, welcome.

what you wrote here is spot on. I suffer these same fears daily. I worry I have some sort of Illness or that something with my body is terribly wrong. That I’m sick but no one has found the reason why. I fear that body isn’t coping. I recently had my 5Th child by emergency c section and had a tubal ligation at the same time. My child was in the SCN for two weeks. I spent most of those two weeks back and forth to the doctor convinced that something was wrong and that I needed to be re admitted into hospital. It was the worst two weeks of my life. I now feel like there something wrong. But I know deep down there isn’t. I too spend to much time on google looking up possibilities of why I feel sick etc.

please know your not alone. Reading your post helped me tonight. I was in midst of a panic attack, after my husband woke me to tell me to go to bed, I must have woken to fast and about 5 mins after waking my heart began to race, I felt hot and sweaty and I’ll, faint and edgy.its not a nice feeling it I got through it.

So thank you for posting. qnd letting me read and calm myself back down.

[stormcloudz]

Hi Blackfrank

I never knew that anxiety could cause physical symptoms until my GP explained it to me. I had/have the following:

Nausea

Hot flushes

Exhaustion

Tremors

Headaches

Aches and pains

Tinnitus

Numbness

Chest pain

Air hunger

That makes it sound like a headcold, but the intensity, especially of the fatigue and tremors, was very strong.

These things are common with anxiety, and you aren't alone.

There are plenty of people with fears like yours, and there is a well-recognized condition called health anxiety. I don't know if that is what's going on for you, but you could try having a look at the online health anxiety course provided by This Way Up (google and you'll find it, it's set up by St Vincent Hospital). Most of their courses have a screening section before they start to make sure that you will get something out of it.

[stormcloudz]

Hi MysticMarine - sorry, I also meant to address my response to you, as the OP : )

I have found that the physical symptoms of anxiety can last for some time. I have experienced everything you mention, especially the exhaustion. I didn't even feel particularly anxious at the time! The causes of anxiety can take a bit of digging to understand, but your mum going into surgery could definitely be a trigger. I have found physical therapy to be helpful, and it's worth a try as the first line of defence. Meditation and exercise help too. Other options are counseling and medication. All have their place, and when it comes to your health, it's a decision between you and your GP : )