Tingling/Burning/Itching causing serious health anxiety

[mpc90 0]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post here. What I have read on the forum has been helpful and it seems like a very supportive community. So let's get to it...

I'm a 26 y/o male generally in good health. A few weeks ago I began experiencing tingling in my lower legs and hands/forearms at the conclusion of an anxiety-filled week. It wasn't associated with any panic attacks so I made the mistake of searching google for my symptoms. Of course, I've been convinced since that I have ALS or MS or something else horrible. I had a few days of relief and woke up with high anxiety a few days ago. The symptoms have returned, though now it is more of a low grade itching/burning/tingling near my wrists under the thumb and back of my hands, as well as in the legs (though less so there). I have had health anxiety in the past and now it seems as though it is coming to a head with this. Although I know it is possible, I have never experienced these symptoms without a panic attack. I also know that because I read the symptoms of those diseases that I am paying too much attention to every sensation in my body, which in turn makes the symptoms worse and raises my anxiety. When my anxiety is worse, the tingling is worse as well. Occasionally I get that "rush" of anxiety that causes a "rush" of tingling in those areas. The tingling ebs and flows throughout the day. I notice that in the morning I do not experience any symptoms for awhile. I workout regularly and have continued to do so with the tingling. Have not experienced any other symptoms. No weakness, numbness, dizziness, and I have not felt ill. I just need a little reassurance here. 

 

A little more about my anxiety...

- I have experienced health anxiety in the past. I believe the source of it was my father's death when I was a child. He died of pancreatic c****r and shortly after his death I became convinced I also had it. This was my first experience with any sort of anxiety, really.

- I often have irrational concerns and experience dread. I assume the worst possible outcome in most situations.

- I work in a high stress environment working with children and teenagers with emotional/behavioral disorders, so my symptoms have been heightened during the workday. 

[jonathan123 2368]

Hi. mpc. Welcome to AC. . Good to have you here. Oh NO!!!!! You  really must not Google your symptoms. We have an unspoken rule here. NO GOOGLING!!! Why? Because in health anxiety you are so vulnerable and open to suggestion. Your unconscious picks up any thought and the body responds by having the symptoms you have read about. I have feeling you know that. There is not a single disease that can't be mimicked by anxiety if you read about it and internalise it. Not one.

The fact is I could talk you into anything by telling you my aunt Jane had similar symptoms and look what happened to her, poor soul!! You must only be guided and advised by your professional helpers. Are there any counselling opportunities where you work? Can you see a counsellor and have you had medication suggested?

The tingling and itchy feeling is so common in anxiety. Look up 'The 100 symptoms of Anxiety' on the site. Now don't make the mistake of trying to get rid of the thoughts, pushing them away. Let them come. No fighting or struggling but, at the same time, realise they are only thoughts and can't harm you physically no matter how strong they seem. Work with them there but don't give them credence, importance.

Your job is very stressful and if you are a sensitive person, as most anxiety sufferers are, you will feel it all the more.

I often have irrational concerns and experience dread. I assume the worst possible outcome in most situations.

This is called 'catastrophising', making mountains out of molehills. We all do it in HA and it helps not one bit.

Your father's death may well be the 'trigger' for your present situation. memory can play awful tricks on us. But the past is gone. We can remember, in fact we never forget, but it's how we handle the memory that is important. Once again don't build on it and turn it into a major worry.

Good to have you with us and I hope you get some help from realising you are far from alone.

 

[JOYCICLE 654]

Welcome to AC !  

I'm sorry your'e having a rough time. Health anxiety can be a real tough one to face.  You  know from your past what is going on so that is definitely in your favor.  If you need a dr's exam to ease your fears, go ahead and make one. It can help to have the dr say to you THIS IS ANXIETY and then you can move on. Put it out of your mind and focus on the real issue, your thinking !  

[mpc90 0]

Thanks for the replies. Today I had a much more positive outlook on my day and have tried not to pay too much attention to the tingling/itching. It is not completely gone but today has been better. The symptoms are still there. I would say less so, but I do still notice it. I think part of the problem is that the tingling wasn't associated with any panic attack and didn't begin in the midst of a high anxiety situation. It wasn't until later that I had recalled how anxious I had been prior to this starting, and by that point I had already gone down the google rabbit hole. 

I have not gone through any counseling since I was a teenager and do not take any medications for anxiety. I have recently considered getting a prescription and perhaps even starting therapy again. I'm just deciding how to tackle the process. 

[JOYCICLE 654]

I think a lot of folks think the symptoms have to come with an attack and it's not true. Our systems have been DEFAULT set to anxious thinking. So even when we dont' think we're having panic it doesn't mean a small part of our system is not in a ' ready for ' anxiety setting. See ?  It's always there lurking in the subconscious even if we're not consciously aware of it.  The more you relax and the less you dwell on it, the less often it will occur and eventually you will find the symptoms  really are dormant. 

[mpc90 0]

Thanks. Experiencing these sensations without a panic attack or obvious trigger is completely new for me, which I'm sure has made things worse at the outset. My goal for the next few days is to try to focus my mind elsewhere. I feel I made a little progress today, though the sensations are still present. I'll gladly accept any other tips/pointers/info though!