New here...Really anxious

[MrsCollMom84 2]

I have always been a worrier since I was little. I have had some issues with phobias of things getting stuck in my throat since I had a penny surgically removed as a child. I have managed pretty well though until about a year ago. All of a sudden I would get instances where I would go numb all over and feel really scared for some reason. It would last a few seconds ending with me getting sick to my stomach and then it was over. I didn't think too much of it until about 2 monthes ago I got my first full blow panic attack! I thought I was dying! I was having chest pains and freaking out. Since then I have been very worried about my health. I have been to the ER for chest pains and they did an EKG and a chest X ray and said nothing is wrong with my heart. However I just don't feel good. I have no energy I get tired very easily. I feel scared to exercise because my chest will start hurting. I have abdominal pain as well. I want to go get a FULL physical to make sure everything is ok. As much as I tell myself it is more than likely anxiety I am still scared that something is wrong. Does anyone else have these feelings?

[JOYCICLE 654]

Hi Mrs ! Don't worry. You're SO NORMAL !  We all have some or all of what you've described. You 're ok. You're not dying. You're just having a little anxiety. The chest and heart feelings/ sensations are CLASSIC anxiety. Tricky little booger, isn't it?  Someone here in the GAD portion is a list of 100 anxiety symptoms. When you read your symptom on that list and realize it's routine stuff you 'll be so much less afraid of it. 

[JOYCICLE 654]

 

Here it is. This should help. 

[jonathan123 2368]

Yup. As Joy says, real classic stuff. But frightening isn't it?  You are caught in the old anxiety-adrenaline-fear--anxiety circle. The more you worry the more adrenaline you secrete the more fear is created yet your body is only responding to your THOUGHTS and the FEAR of your feelings. What you are feeling is NORMAL in the circumstances you are creating for yourself. You have been told you are OK so believe the experts. Moderate exercise is good for anxiety so do not be afraid to do it. If you allow your symptoms to control your life you will become at the mercy of your feelings. By what you say you are a sensitive person and this does happen to people such as you. If you feel a panic coming try and sit down (if at home) take deep breaths and allow it to pass. It always does. Adrenaline has a limited life and will always die down if you do not add 'second fear'. Don't panic because you panic!!  Sounds silly? But it is the fear you add to the original panic that causes you to want to run away. STOP. Let it pass. It always will if allowed to. It is is the 'Oh my goodness, what if' kind of thinking that creates more panic. You WILL recover but try and accept that for the moment you are sensitised. ACCEPT your feelings as normal in the circumstances. We have all been there believe me.  Good luck.    J.

[Gilly 1086]

Hey Mrs mom, welcome to AC. Yes we all feel the same, totally awful but 100% anxiety. I think getting a full physical would be a great idea! I am scared of going to the doctor and I will put off going, put off going and put off going for as long as possible lol But I really can't avoid it as I have crohns disease and have to go for check ups. And it's silly really because every time I do go I always feel better to be reassured I'm ok.. this is what that fear does to us,it can be irrational but powerful.

 

I hope knowing we share how you feel helps a little and you are able to get that check up, and that everything will be fine

[MrsCollMom84 2]

Thanks! That does make me feel better! It is just so hard to control sometimes. Even when I tell myself that it is hard not to think but What If? The chest pains I am normally able to brush off and move on but the abdominal pain scares me. The good news is that I haven't had a full blown panic attack in almost 2 weeks!

[jonathan123 2368]

TWO WEEKS!! Now that is an achievement. But don't get disappointed if you do have one and don't keep looking over your shoulder waiting for it to happen. Anticipation is a curse in nervous illness. You know what this means? You have begun the process of recovery. Yes you have and well done. My GAD always seemed to 'fly to my somach'. We all have what the medics call a weak organ. With some it is headaches; others have bowel problems or, as in my case, stomach upsets. They do pass as soon as we accept them and don't give them too much attention. I don't like the word 'control'. I know that is what we think we should do but it has connotations of force which is not helpful. A better word is persuasion. Talk to "IT". Tell "IT" to go and not bother you anymore. Doing this tends to put "IT" outside yourself so that you can look at it in a dispassionate way. Keep up the good work.     J.