New to the group and physical anxiety symptoms

[CrudenS 0]

Hi all,

My name is Sarah and I'm new to Anxiety Central.

Between a hectic job, running a house and keeping up with day to day life I developed anxiety from not dealing with concerns properly, and not speaking to people about how I feel. I don’t know why, I guess I was embarrassed and people would see me as being weak. I find that my jaw is constantly clenched down, my fists are tight and my legs / abdomen are tense all the time (for over a year at least).

For the last six months things have escalated. I have been very concerned about my current state of health when I started developing PHYSICAL symptoms. What started off as groin pain (little electric shocks) has now resulted in a dull ache at the top of my stomach (right side) bottom of the stomach (left and right), pins and needles and burning pain in my left foot, and pins and needles in both hands.

I am a constant state of fear as these symptoms are continuous and I am not receiving a moment piece from being in pain or uncomfortable. I can’t stop thinking, my brain is on overload with horrible thoughts that something is very very wrong with my body. I am not at all connecting with my surroundings.

As most people have mentioned, MS is my biggest fear as the symptoms seem very similar.

I have had 4 set of blood tests, only revealing that my iron levels are high, a CT of the abdomen and brain all ok, chest X-ray came back good. The only thing left is to see a neurologist for an MRI of the brain......

I am so so scared that my life is over, I guess fear of death is what haunts me.

I also have this constant urge to Google every single symptom that I feel, resulting in more fear as the result is always the same c****r or MS. I can’t stop this; I am looking every chance I get.

My question is, can anxiety cause all my physical symptoms constantly? I would think anxiety would have little attacks like short burst..... Not like this.

I previous saw a psychologist for around 6 months when I was first diagnosed with anxiety and high stress, but I felt as though my issues were of little concern to her - and I agree, there are people out there with serious health issues such as depression and wanting to leave this world....

I don’t suffer from depression, but I am starting to feel down due to this negative voyage.

Can anyone else relate, and share their similar experience, especial groin nerve pain......

Also, can you recommend how you overcame this...

[SHUCK 0]

Just know your not alone. And yes, anxiety can lead to many different symptoms. I had many of the symptoms you described at one time or another and believe me they do subside. Exercise was the key for me, every time I start feeling bad I get up and go outside and breath deeply for a few minutes and walk or just do something and reaffirm my self that these are just feelings and they will go away!

[CrudenS 0]

Thank you Shuck, I am still in disbelief that anxiety and stress could cause this much havoc / pain on my body.

It’s not as though I lead a horrible existence, I just don’t know when I became so uptight and let this (do you call it an illness) control my life. Well I do know, I had a thyroid lump that had a high chance of being c****rous (thankfully it is benign). I just haven’t been the same fun, silly, outgoing girl that I use to be.  

 

Even when I don’t feel anxious, I am still feeling the strange pains throughout my body….. Is it possible that for that small brief period when I am not thinking, that my body is so use to being in fight mode that my adrenaline / cortisol etc is still releasing??? It’s as though I think I am relaxed, but my body is still acting up.

 

The doctor's say "its anxiety and stress, the body does strange things when under pressure". Yes, they are probably correct but I guess I just need reassurance by hearing from those who are ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH what I am experiencing to know that I am ok.

 

I will definitely try your recommendation and have time out to breath and not listen to my silly thoughts. It does bring relief knowing that I am not alone, and I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions (something I haven’t had before).

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi Sarah, and a warm welcome to AC. SHUCK is right. Anxiety can mimic any symptom of real disease. If you look on the site at 100 symptoms of anxiety you will find them all, and that list is by no means exhaustive! On this site everyone has or has been where you are now and we all speak from experience, so take heart, you are far from alone. Let's look at your post. 'Hectic job; running a house'. You have become 'sensitised'. That is to say your nerves have started playing tricks on you. (We often call anxiety 'The Trickster'). It will lead you up blind alleys if you listen to it. You then describe the symptoms all of which are typical of anxiety. I have had them and so have many here. 'Constant state of fear. Not connected with my surroundings'. Now if anything is typical of anxiety that is. The key lies in your remark 'I am in a constant state of fear'. You are caught in the vicious circle of fear/adrenaline/symptoms/fear. Round and round like a dog chasing its tail. If you look under RESOURCES you will find some information on Dr. Claire Weekes. Her book, "Essential help for your Nerves" is still a best seller and I would suggest that it is well worth the few dollars it costs. (From Amazon). She was regarded as an authority on nervous illness. In regard to Dr.Google. . KEEP AWAY. Self diagnosis in nervous illness is dangerous. Why? Because we are so open to suggestion. We will believe almost anything, and by Googling you frighten yourself all the more. You haven't the medical knowledge to sort the good from the bad so keep well away. Any diagnosis should come from your medical advisers. Yes; you do not have to have negative thoughts for the symptoms of anxiety to be present. You could be in the middle of a party; enjoying yourself, when suddenly you get a panic attack for no reason that you can see. (See what I mean by a trickster?). Get the book, you won't regret it but in the meantime accept how you feel. No fighting or struggling with 'IT'. Give up the struggle.  Not give in to it, that is not what I mean. Fighting creates more adrenaline, more fear. Giving up fighting calms you a little and you can go forward from there. You will be OK. It does pass, honest it does.      Jon.

[CrudenS 0]

Thank you Jon, your kind words of wisdom does lift my spirit.

I have just purchased the book you recommended and should receive within the next few days.

My adrenaline feels as though it has been running non-stop for a good year or so, and my body has been tense for far too long, that I can’t remember what it is like to feel relaxed and comfortable.

I'm looking forward to regaining my sence of being.

Thank you again.