Freaking Out

[MrsCollMom84 2]

I am so tired of feeling this way!!!! I am having weird chest and stomach pains! I think it is just gas or something because my stomach is gurgling but it just freaks me out! Feel like it is hard to breath. It is just hard to know when to take your own pain seriously and when to ignore it. I mean I think what if it is something serious and I am just laying here. I am lightheaded and just jittery

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. Mrs.Coll. From your previuos posts I see that you have had medical advice and been told you are OK. The symptoms you describe are common to health anxiety sufferers. They say that when other organs play up the stomach comes out in sympathy. Shortage of breath is so common I would suggest we have all had it from time to time. "What if is something serious and I am just laying here". There you have the problem. Our minds fasten on to the symtoms and wont let go. It is the old spiral of symptoms-worry-symptoms. We read how the mind can affect the body yet somehow we fail to be impressed by this fact and go on with the worry.  Can you find some means of distracting yourself when you feel like this?  Anything will do.  Your mind, at the moment is in a groove and you have to divert it away from that. Laying in bed or sitting around is not good for HA. We do need to find an interest outside ourselves. I used to find good music helped or even the sound of the TV or radio was a distraction.  Of course you are tired of feeling how you do. Worry is always tiring. You have been told you are OK and you must believe the medics.    Best wishes.    Jon.

[Gilly 1086]

I can totally relate MrsC! I get this a lot too, I'd agree it is probably gas. If it happens again try taking a zantac or some indigestion med and sip cold water, and TRY and relax. I know it is unsettling and your mind does race to the 'what ifs' but I honestly experienced it dozens, probably close to 100's of times. I'm OK! and so are you

[MrsCollMom84 2]

I ended up going to the emergency room because I just couldn't shake it. They did blood work and an abdominal cat scan and of course everything is fine. They didn't check my chest but last time I was there they did an EKG and a chest ray. Goodness I wish I could get this under control. Everytime I think ok you have got this. YOU KNOW what it is....it sneaks up on me again. I think it is just my fear I am going to somehow get something stuck in my chest which is like impossible. I am doing better now though. I will try to remember what the doctors have said and better control this.

[jonathan123 2368]

Now you know, Mrs.Coll.  Try and believe what they say. The way you think has become a habit but habits can be broken. Say to yourself over and over. "I have been checked out and I am OK. So I will  stop worrying and get on with my life". But don't make a great effort to control your feelings. You will lose a lot of energy that way. Just calmly ACCEPT how you feel when "IT" sneaks up on you. Say the above affirmation and gradually your brain will get the message. Don't let this 'habit' control your life.  Best wishes.   Jon..

[Gilly 1086]

What Jon said ^^ I found it helpful to make a note of the symptom on my phone, and that it was nothing, reading it over and over until I calmed and it passed.