Does anyone else have physical anxiety symptoms 24/7

Hi Jed25740 and Lisa1812. Thank you both for your replies. Jed25740, I am so, so sorry you have had to put up with this for so long. Lisa1812, I am very sorry to hear your symptoms got worse. I'm glad the Citalopram is helping you. I'm glad your counselling is helping.

I had anxiety for the first time about 4 years ago and I got over it in 9 months. It gradually got less and less until it completely went. I was on Propanolol then. This time round, it's worse and harder to get out of.

This time round, I have severe depression too. It seems to alternate between the two. Sometimes the anxiety symptoms are worse and the depression less bad, other times, the depression is horrendous and the anxiety symptoms lower. I find that if I take Diazepam (4mg), or a sleeping tablet (I rarely take either because I don't like the idea of them) the anxiety symptoms lessen but the depression increases. If I don't take them, the anxiety is through the roof.

I was on Citalopram 20mg for 5 weeks and I was getting nowhere. I have now dropped to 10mg. I've had some better days since then but I can't control the anxiety - I wonder if this is because the AD is exarcabating it. I believe anxiety is created in our own minds by our worries. It's inappropriate fight or flight. It's a switch that needs to be turned off. I'm trying to do that by not running when my anxiety says run and by doing things that my anxiety says I can't do. I'm trying to control it rather than it controlling me. I'm also trying to replace my negative thoughts with positive ones.

I was having CBT - I've had session 2 and was waiting for my materials to arrive in the post in readiness for my 3rd session. My doctor called them to arrange additional support for me (I thought this was as well as the CBT) but now the CBT people have discharged me as they say I can't have both! So that's the end of the CBT which I was hoping would help me. I'm not yet sure what the 'additional' support consists of.

Take care both of you. If I find anything that helps me, I'll let you know in case it helps me. Let's all get better.

Yes Meteor. Im definitely a candidate. Ive been ill for some time. Ranging from kidney reflux to hypertension to mild lymphoma. All of these conditions seem to interlink when testing procedures and symptoms are managed and monitored. it all started off about 2007 with major joint pain. couldn't move somedays. I always kept going though. pushing and pushing. I worked very very hard at my job and had a few work related repetetive injuries that I perservered with until I just couldn't any more. I did see my doctor about the joint problems and injuries and was taking pain killers daily. these pain killers started off as quite mild analgesics to now major narcotics. I never really made the work related injuries an issue to my doctor, I told him they were work related but wanted them gone rather than stop work and take the workcover road. Small investigations and tests were being made, but with no real outcome. Stress was probably the only factor that now makes sense. well 6 years have passed and a lot has happened in that time. I was forced to go on workcover with new management taking over company and making my life utter hell. I nitially claimed stress but my doc explained that it was impossible. My noted work related injuries for past 2 to 3 years were claimed on instead. Genuine work injuries, but not the approach I wanted. More focus was put on my work injuries for the next 3 years and my other illnesses were simply put aside (my doing). The stress and pressure from being on workcover simply did me in mentally. I was supressed with so many drugs that I was a zombie for 3 years. The meds were used for depression, anxiety and pain. I have been off of those mind numbing drugs for 2 years or more now. ive mentally gained a lot more control but still suffer chronic stress and anxiety from the experiences. its left me with nasty post traumatic stress. Currently I am suffering some sort of immunological breakdown that docs are trying to name. To date im diagnosed with Hypertension (coronary artery spasm), Kidney stents from narrowing of ureters in kidney, query on lymphoma. Things that were tested for but ruled out, were crohns and gastric disturbances etc. Ive been on steroids due to malabsorbtion....My body just shut down and didn't want to function any more.Im still seeing many specialists for ongoing health problems. The sad part of all of this is,,,,,,I am now really confident that its all stress related. ive worn my mind and body out to the point it wants to stop. Sometimes I think, Thank god I still have determination, but then I think, maybe its the determination that drove the bus to crash. Do I just give up? or do I keep fighting. Both approaches have had poor outcomes. I feel that I need my stress and anxiety managed and balanced. Not overpowering drugs that just wipe you out as they did in the past. I think maybe this time around, im managing it better. Im on pain killers that keep me active, im on anxiety meds that allow me to function mentally and physically and im now confident that the cause to my problems are ptsd. (post traumatic stress disorder). Time will tell for me at the moment. if my health improves whilst treating these areas, well I can honestly say that the chances of me getting better are excellent. Naturally, ive simplified this story as best possible. Theres a lot more that happened through the traumatic time that isn't detailed. But generally, it gives a bit of insight. So to summarise, myself, my doctors and specialists were and still are looking for medical reasons and explanations, only for me to wake up one day and say..... its stress that did this and is doing this.

I hope that this story has helped you to evaluate your symptoms and experiences. Its peoples feedback and stories that have helped me understand what stress is capable of doing. my journey is far from over, however, im attacking it with a more probable answer and solution...I hope

Hi gang, I'm just reading your discussion and I to have these symptoms. Mine all started back in July when I was having a lot going on in my life with work and personal problems. All of a sudden i got this tension headache and felt like I was going to pass out I also had digestive problems which I had for years doctors told me it was ibs. Ever since that day in July I have not been the same, muzzy head,tinitus,muscle aches and dizziness. I have had bloods took twice,colonoscopy,balance test,barum x ray and toilet samples all came back ok. Five doctors are putting it down to stress which is now health anxiety. I can't go anywhere as I'm anxious about my symptoms flaring up. I'm in week 4 of 20 mg of citalopram. My heavy head ness has gone now just left with tinitus and muzzy head. My symptoms go in the night and are not there when I wake up but start about an hour after I wake up and last all day. I'm still working as I found being by myself makes me worse and I start thinking about my symptoms. My biggest problem was understanding that anxiety can do this to someone every day and believing it was something serious because of this my doc thinks I have somilisation disorder aswell...to anyone who suffers anxiety or a nervous disorder stay then my thoughts are with them as I know its a tough battle but we will fight it and to stay positive I know it hard sometimes.........

well said jim all we can do is battle this evil horrible illness and try and lead a normal life for our families and children,always hold our heads high and I know its easier said then done,

This is my first time having anxiety so it has been a shock to the system to say the least. We have to get better for our families and children and will..I'm back at the doctors next Friday to see what way to go next hopefully I'm slightly better or my symptoms are showing improvement...

My heart goes out to everyone suffering from anxiety and I recently read Ruby Wax's book which is about mindfullness. Changing the way we think. It's easier said than done but it's a start and it is interesting to ready about the various problems people can have that really does put things into perspective. Take control of you, even if you have never done so before start now and good luck to you all x

Does anyone else find that the smallest stress make there anxiety worse?? I'm finding that when I'm at home at the weekends my symptoms are worse for some reason. I feel I'm anxious about my anxiety flare ups..it's a never ending circle at the moment with me..I wake up fine then half an hour later I get tinitus then muzzy head. This has been the same since July.. I started citroplam some 4 weeks ago I don't know if its working...any stress makes it worse or load noise.. I feel lost with this at the moment, hopefully it will disappear in a few months it will take time....

I hope it does clear for you but seeing yourself clear of it is step one. Could weekends be worse because you don't drink coffee like you do at work and the drop in caffeine can have drastic effects. You start to pick up again on Monday because you are back to regular coffee drinking habits. These feelings associated with stress and anxiety are very difficult for the person concerned and they can feel like a drain on their family because they don't seem to be getting better, do you perhaps feel like a burden at weekends. When you have an illness that cannot be seen and it does not improve you begin to feel guilty and stop mentioning it, almost hiding it away. That just lets it get stronger, tell the world how you feel and you will be surprised how many others feel just like you, but never mentioned it either. Whatever the reasons love yourself, see yourself getting better but nurture yourself too. Watch a DVD, read a book, garden whatever you enjoy do more of it and life will become more enjoyable. Take a walk, see what's around you and what you might like to change. You can improve, keeping busy is vital, it doesn't have to be busy boring, painting, drawing anything but its your life and you should go out of your way to enjoy it. Make plans for the future that you deserve to have. Above all else love yourself and until you are feeling better put yourself first, once your well you can help others but right now you have to help yourself. You may be lacking in a chemical which your Doctor can help with but whatever the causes don't blame yourself for the way you feel. Be kind to yourself. Good luck x

Thankyou Linda, I find it am I busy it takes my mind off things..I do believe this has happened due to stress which lead to health anxiety. I slowly getting there some of the symptoms are slowly reducing especially the heavy dizziness that was scary...sometimes when I'm in busy places the symptoms get worse...ps I don't drink coffee...x