health anxiety is out of control

Posted , 8 users are following.

hello all, I just joined this forum so I'm hoping I am doing this right! to keep it short, I have been suffering from very severe anxiety (specifically health anxiety) and panic attacks for years. its gotten really bad lately and i dont know why, probably stress. does anyone else have physical symptoms CONSTANTLY? i will experience something one week and then right when it goes away or i stop worrying about it (which is rare) another alarming symptom pops up. of course I rush to the doctors and every single one of them says im fine and nothing is wrong. i have had so many blood tests, endoscopies, chest xrays, ultrasounds, etc etc and NOTHHING comes up (thankfully might i add!). everyone keeps saying its anxiety but its so hard for me to believe that when I feel terrible every second of the  day. my biggest fears have to do with my breathing. I have constant air hunger where i feel like i just cant get that deep breath and i feel even shorter of breath when I try to do it more. My throat always feels tight and I have vertigo and bloating and just a bunch of random symptoms that is making my life a living hell. the only thing I have been diagnosed with is acid reflux but even then the doctor said my anxiety could be causing it. what a nightmare!!!!!! i just wanted to see if anyone else is feeling like this or feels alone in their search for peace of mind?? best wishes!

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    OMG SAME!! The more stressed I am about something, the symptom of a certain illness I was worrying about would start to "appear", but it usually disappears when I move on from the thought or don't think about it as much. My doctor said he doesn't see anything alarming with me (last time I went to the doctors was 1 month ago because of a cold but last "checkup" was 4 months) so he sent me off to a therapist. I am currently suspecting IBS which is linked to anxiety. Had colon cancer scare for like..ever (Im 16 btw). My doc didn't fully diagnosis me with IBS but past medical history shows  frequent constipation and diarrhea and abdominal pain. Apparently, when I was about..9? my bowel was said to be quite sensitive. It went away, I guess, for a few years but suddenly this year, it came back, causing my health anxiety and worsen my already existing anxiety disorder. Throat feeling tight, bloating, digestion problems are common with people with anxiety. I understand what you're going through, I'am going through the same thing. Let's just pray and hope God would protect us!

  • Posted

    It sounds like you have a lot of things that are bothering you, we are our worst enemies at times. It sounds like you are in a vicious cycle. You are worried about health issues which I assume doctors have said that there is nothing wrong, but the psycho-somatic symptoms make you feel as though something is wrong. Perhaps all your worrying is really taking your mind off of what you are really worried about. Of course, all people with anxiety have some traits in common, but each person is an individual. It is the way we respond to situations in life that is different, based on our individual situations and responses. Our bodies are fragile, but when we focus on every little feeling, our bodies/feelings become our center of attention. I have been there and to some extent am still there. I have accepted the fact that this is the way I am, but we can always make little adjustments to erase anxiety little by little by trying to understand what it is that is causing our thinking. Sometimes it is a chemical imbalance and medication helps. I have been on klonopin for years, only taking it as needed. I too have acid reflux and the tightness, etc. I try not to eat/drink late at night, and take a pill and a tums before I retire for the night. I am not always successful. However, unlike you, I do not like to go to doctors. A psychiatrist told me years ago that people with anxiety do have a lot of problems with reflux, stomach issues, etc. Anxiety causes our nerves to respond to stress with..more stress. It is best to try and break the cycle as much as possible. Perhaps you need to believe the doctors and start researching anxiety, go to support group.  I think everyone on this site who has experienced anxiety has been through the feelings, tense muscles, feelings of helplessness, unreality, fear, etc., the list goes on. This is the reason to try and understand how we react and try to break the cycle. Someone said several thousand years ago, be anxious for nothing. Easier said than done, but wise. Another saying from thousands of years ago, as a [person] thinks, so they will be, alluding to an early form of cognitive therapy.  

    Best wishes

  • Posted

    trust me sis, you’re not the only one. i haven’t gone a day without feeling physical symptoms since Aug 10 2016. some days definitely are better than other for me but i’ve never had a completely good worry free day. i dropped out of college because of this. i get depressed on jobs because it’s hard to do your work to the best of your abilities & feel like crap 24/7. i’ve spent numerous days crying in bathroom through college (i’m 18 btw only did college for a semester) i’ve had so many breakdowns soooooooooo many trips to doctors i mean i’ve spent countless hours in the hospital to no avail. on top of that i’m struggling with Gastroesophageal Reflux & that brings me a lot of anxiety as well.

  • Posted

    I’ve had that before too. I had a lump in my shin one time ( that turned out to be fine it was just from it being hit a lot it’s still there and hasn’t grown at all) and I was convinced it was cancer. I was even getting bad pains in my leg. As soon as I went to the doctor and got it checked it went away. 
  • Posted

    Hi Sara, welcome to the Club! Yes, you are doing it right. My heart goes out to you. Sorry, to read you are suffering, it's awful isn't. I don't think you can truly understand unless you have been through or have been through it. I have have suffered from panic and anxiety for many years and although I've educated myself about it, read many books, I can never get used to it! I also get probs with my digestive system as anxiety speeds everything up. I know what you mean when you say, if there's nothing wrong then why do you have all these Horrendous symptoms. The symptoms are real but anxiety is harmless. I know it's no consolation to know that as having excessive anxiety can affect your whole life and everyday can feel like an uphill struggle. Have you tried deep breathing. I have started it but it takes practise. You are not alone Sara. Message me anytime, Donna x

  • Posted

    I’m the same I’ve been suffering with sore neck and throat for a while now I’m always tense and anxious and it definitely makes it worse my neck is always sore because I’m always thinking the worst 
  • Posted

    Hi

    I have been suffering with this before it was even called heath anxiety..back when it was called hypochondriasis. It’s terrible. Every day I’m off balance and dizzy and short of breath and weak. Been to numerous dr’s who all say it’s fine it’s anxiety. They don’t understand the anxiety is from the physical symptoms. I don’t wake up anxious I wake up dizzy and then I’m anxious about that all day long for days and days. I never really get a break from it. I have been pretty much homebound as I’m afraid to go out and it happen in public. It’s a terrible quality of life. I have an ENT appt on Tuesday so maybe they will find the issue. Feel free to message me if you need someone to chat with who understands and is going through the same thing. rorrico15

    Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.

  • Posted

    I m in similar condition last 4 years. 23 cardiologist checked me and they said anxiety. Do you smoke? Anxiety kills our life. People want they have to suidide.

    I dont believe on doctors i say i have heart problem but i have to believe in dr. Because they saw hearts from inner side when they operation an open heart surgery. So as i read your story i guess i have all same conditions that you have now. You always has a fear of heart failure .My life is ruind.my english is not good so please dont mind. I think my life is finished. I did not marry. I cannot enjoy my life.

    I understand your all problem. You believe nobody understanding you. You are true. But i understand your all problem. Your mind lose constration and confidence. Day by day its going too bad. You feel weakness in brain.

    What your family members are doing? Are they understand you?

    Do you have friends? I guess when you meet to your friends your first periorty to discuss problem. This is not good. You have to be brave.But nobody stand with you. I think your are from west. But distance does not matters. Actually anxeity takes long time to go. And sleeping mind pills are not effected. Its feel like we drunk. We cannot take serious and enjoy our life. You need people who talk with you and encourage you. Coperate you. i can help you if you agree. Because i face anxiety and pain attacks. Thanks and smile. Stay blessed.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.