Feels like I'm dying? Health anxiety?
Posted , 3 users are following.
I am 19 and I have been struggling with what I presume to be health anxiety for about 4 years now. I say presume because when it all started, I initially went to my doctor and got a full checkup, on which I was cleared as fine and healthy and it took me a long time to accept that diagnosis. However, it's been a while since then and I'm not so sure anymore. I've been feeling like I want to go back to the doctor and get reevaluated again, though I haven't because I am dreadfully terrified of going to the doctors (great for someone with health anxiety, right?)
Anyhow, I have been dealing with this symptom for a while which I can only describe as feeling "air hunger", and it usually occurs at night when I'm trying to sleep and keeps me awake, though it can occur at any time and usually when it happens it throws me into a full blown anxiety attack, which always feels like I'm dying. Last night, for the first night in a while I had this horrible hard to breathe feeling again as I was laying down to sleep, and I tossed and turned for awhile and eventually somehow fell asleep. Now I have woken up not long ago, and I am feeling absolutely horrible.
I am still feeling the air hunger sensation, which usually doesn't happen after I've woken up so that initially worried me. On top of that, I have a stomach ache and the occasional shivers like you sometimes get when you're sick or having an anxiety attack. I've been awake for a good almost 30 minutes now, and the symptoms haven't gone away, the breathing feeling just fluctuates in intensity and I have to take a deep breath every once in a while. My mouth is also horribly dry, and since I woke up I've had that horrible feeling of dread and adrenaline in my stomach. It really feels like I'm dying. I don't know what to do anymore, am I going to be alright? The way I'm feeling now makes that seem impossible. Is the upset stomach causing/worsening the anxiety, or is it that I'm really ill and there's something else causing my symptoms? Should a relatively healthy (as far as I know) 19 year old girl be worried about this? I'm so close to just going to my doctor's and getting checked out...
0 likes, 6 replies
mackie12135 Rose77
Posted
Mackie
Rose77 mackie12135
Posted
The last time I went to the doctor was in late 2013, back when my anxiety started. I haven't been back since for any reason, which makes me feel worse because I feel like maybe I should have a more current checkup of my health so that I can assure myself it's just anxiety, but I also don't want to over-worry about it too much, especially when my friends and family all roll their eyes and tell me I'm fine... I just can't shake the fear that I have some sort of undiagnosed problem that may have popped up since then...
mackie12135 Rose77
Posted
Yah I feel you. I was at my doctor 3 months ago I'll say and just told her the physical symptoms and she just said they are just anxiety. Prior to that I had all the heart tests done and blood work done 2 check on things and I'm fine so. Few weeks ago I wanted to make an appointment but my parents said why you were just checked out and you were fine so. I just keep telling myself I'm fine I've been checked out by doctors and specialists so. It's hard and that's what your dealing with so. Although it's been 3 years and if your having symptoms then it might be a good idea 2 book an appointment with your doctor and tell her these symptoms are coming up again and see what the doctor can do??
Mackie
borderriever Rose77
Posted
BOB
Rose77 borderriever
Posted
Thanks for your advice, I am thinking a more up to date doctor's visit might be the best idea if I want to feel at ease, though putting the "waiting room anxiety" aside will prove to be a challenge...
borderriever Rose77
Posted
Your Doctor is in partnership with you as far as your health needs are concerned
BOB