New to the site...but not new to anxiety

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tiredofworry

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Hi Everyone,

I am new to this website, but I've been struggling with anxiety for a long time. I know what triggered it...but I can't get into that right now. It will stir it all up again!;) I still struggle everyday with myself. I'm always working through my mind deciding what to worry about, what horrible thing I probably have wrong with me. It's overwhelming. I'm disappointed with myself for allowing it to control me. I pray every day that I will conquer this thing and live freely, like I used to. Mostly I try to keep it from affecting my life with my family. My husband thinks I'm nuts because I'm always convinced I have something wrong with me. I don't even tell him anymore, I just obsessively worry silently. I've been to the doctor, nothing's wrong. I'm so frustrated. Thanks for listening to me and I hope I can offer support and help to you, and at least empathy!
 
Anxiety is so frustrating, isn't it? Thank you 33george for sharing, it sounRAB like you're right in the middle of all this like we are. I'm sorry that you struggle with health anxiety too.

Chrystal33, it sounRAB like you may have a pinched nerve. I hurt my back several months ago walking my dog. I know that sounRAB silly, but she would run to the end of her leash then it would yank my arm. It took me months to figure out why my back would hurt to badly, up to my neck and down through my sciatic nerve. Finally, I stopped walking her that way and it felt much better. Muscle strain and tension can have a sudden onset and take months of alleviate.

Try a heating pad or warm compress, and make sure your posture is good. Don't let your shoulders sag as that strains your core muscles. I'm sorry this is causing so much anxiety, but remeraber when we worry obessessively that we become tense all over. Your jaw clenches, tension headaches run up the back of your head, your shoulders are tense, and you take shallow breaths.

Take some time to mentally relax your body. Sit in a quiet room and run through each place of tension in your body. Is your jaw relaxed? Are your shoulders relaxed? Are you breathing deeply? Are your back muscles relaxed...all the way through your body and then do it again. You'll be surprised at how much tension you're holding. You'll also be surprised at how much you'll tense up right away. That's why you need to do it several times.

It could be that you're responding the weather changes too. I always get a terrible headache, sinus pain, and nausea when the weather changes. It's a sensitivity to the barometric pressure. Many people have this and aren't even aware of it. If you have a history of headaches, this could be it. I've had headaches for years, it runs in my family.

Okay, now deep breath and no more internet research!!! You know it's not good for you. If all else fails, go see the Dr. They'll probably give you some muscle relaxants and you will finally sleep and feel better. If you're waking up tense it's because you are sleeping awkwardly. Try out a new pillow, or a relaxation routine before you go to bed.
Sometime watching a funny movie is helpful, because it's cheerful.

Big hugs and keep in touch. :wave: 33george, have you found the Zoloft is helpful for the anxiety?
 
Hey, everyone! I did something tonight I had not done in a while and felt totally normal! The feeling is still with me now hours later after I type this and it feels great, so if we can get into the practice of relating to feeling normal, I believe we can all hang onto it.

What I did was go into town with my husband while it was dark and cold. I bundled up and took notice of the different feel of the town with the lights contrasted against the darkness as we drove down the highway. The slight chill dampness instead of becoming my enemy became a cherished memory of when I was little before I had anxiety. The world was still a wonder to me then and I related the feeling of the weather and darkness to that time.

I was actually able to go into the store without feeling weak, nervous or anxious to get back home. I was able to interact with familiar people in the store just like I never had anxiety. It was great!

Remeraber that there is still that little part in every one of us that has no anxiety and can enjoy wonders no matter how great or small.

Lindaru :)
 
All of us who suffer from health anxiety can so clearly relate. It clouRAB your ability to enjoy everything. The most simple things become challenging. Going to the grocery store, cooking dinner, enjoying a movie, because in the back of your mind your worrying. It becomes consuming.

You don't have any symptoms of cervical cancer, and you can attribute all the "normal" symptoms, like stress, backache, headache to almost any illness. Be calm, take a deep breath. I know it's so easy to say it, and so hard to do it. I was recently suffering from terrible sciatic nerve and lower back pain. The doctor recommended some stretches, and after a week or so, I felt so much better! It made a huge difference, and I never thought it would.

You will be just fine, and you will promise yourself not to move on to the next health obsession as soon as this is wrapped up. Reward yourself for going to the Dr. and having a check up! Buy those cute little gloves for winter, treat yourself to a mocha, whatever it takes. Be positive with yourself. The more you do it, the more you will feel that way. That's what I have done, and it's been very effective. It takes time though, so be patient. Remeraber...no internet researching on symptoms!

Does anyone else on this board have any coping suggestions?
 
Hello everyone:) Well, stess and anxiety have knocked at my door again, but I am dealing. My 81 y/o grandmother had a stroke Monday. She is doing ok, lost use of part of one hand, but other than that, is back at home. We only hope and pray she does not have another one. Her health is not the greatest as it is. I find I have anxiety "flashes" off and on during my days, where I feel aware of my breathing and the usual that goes along with. I try to take deep breaths and relax and I seem to feel better. Trying to cope with it all. Keep ya posted. Hope everyone is doing well and staying as stress free as possible in this stressed out world....:angel: Chrystal
 
Hey guys, just registered with the site; thought I'd share a little about my ongoing bout with anxiety.

First of all, I doubt my social anxiety is as serious as some of the people suffering, because I CAN go outside, and feel (for the most part) fine talking to complete strangers whether in stores, resaurant's etc. However, the areas I get anxiety are when running into people I know, yet don't talk to all that often; even family merabers (although not immediate, ie the people family I live with, actually sometimes I do :().

Basically I think most of my anxiety stems from being extremely self-conscious, and judgemental towarRAB myself. It's ruining my life though as I go out of my way to avoid a LOT of social settings where I feel out of my element. I've been flunking out of University (not there yet, but very close) because i'm in the last year of a Marketing degree (actually make that 5 anda half years :() and many of the courses require presentations; which is my largest fear in life, talking in front of a group of people. Whether it be my immediate family, frienRAB, whomever. Anyway I could go on forever about my anxiety but I'll stop for now. It's just very depressing as I feel most comfortable in my room, alone, and I'm going to try and get help from therapy as soon as I have time.

Other than that I suffer from intense anxiety in "situational" settings, and very tough time getting good breaths regularly (comes and goes). Oh lastly my other biggest problem in life, and could be related to the anxiety I have no idea, is fatigue. , greater than any battle I've fought in my life, it truly hinders my development and it's gotten to the point where I've almost given up trying to fight it. Blood tests always perfect of course!
 
Congratulations, Chrystal! So glad to hear the good news. Did you have a good birthday yesterday?

I do not blame you for wanting to stay away from doctors for a while. Just the thought of even going can get the anxiety up and running.

So hopefully it will be a year before you have to go back now?

I am doing okay here. Have my moments as I always do (right now Christmas and money is the big deal). It did make my day to hear that your test was normal, though! Thank you for telling us!

Lindaru :)
 
Thank you for the suggestions:) Since Wednesday is my birthday, I am going to treat myself with a trip to the beauty salon. You are right, we all should reward ourselves sometimes. I am anxiously awaiting my results, I feel more optomistic about them than I did in the beginning. I do get my pangs of nerves, but I am trying really hard to not dwell on them or let it take up my whole life. Which is sometimes ALOT to go up against when I keep having a backache, or, for some reason , last night and today I have had to pee extra. I would imagine, the peeing is from my long standing case of stress and nerves, the more I think on it, the more often I have to go, what a cycle....Well, like tiredofworry said, anyone else have any coping skills they employ besides positive thinking and prayer? Also, I am interested in the physical symptoms anyone experiences as a result of longstanding stress and anxiety? Take care, Chrystal:angel:
 
Hi Guys,

I know how you feel and what anxiety can do to your body. I've been battling that and depression for some time now. I used to have health anxiety when I was younger. My daughters are now out of college, working and on their own.
My worst health anxieties where when they were younger - fear of me dying and them not having a Mom. Since they're grown, I have completely outgrown my health anxiety. It may sound terrible, but I know it's safe to die without worrying about them. My husband is another story - very dependent on me and has heart disease so my anxiety over health is over his.

I never feel good. I hate my job of 17 yrs and agonize over working there until I can retire at age 70 - I'm 48. I work at a frantic pace and under severe time pressures to get the job done. Now my anxiety is almost totally due to job
stress. So, I've done a complete turn around and almost hope something bad
health wise happens to me so I can get out of work. I get a pain in my side or
after eating and think - hmm, gall stones, appendix - wouldn't that be great. I
could get out of work for surgery for a few weeks. Now isn't that sad.. LOL
I'm convinced work is going to send me to an early grave - there is no way I can go on like this until age 70. My blood pressure is sky high at work, but fine when I'm at home. Stroke is the one I fear, one that would paralyze but not
kill. Now that would be an unbearable life, so I'm trying to keep the blood pressure under control. I hardly eat and am always tired but am under a doctor's care and she's trying to get me straighted out with meRAB.

Sorry to rarable on about my own problems. I can certainly relate to yours and
hope you find something soon that helps.

Best wishes,

JB
 
For what it's worth, I notice that my anxiety gets much worse when I feel additional stress about something unrelated. For example, if my husband begins venting about work or finRAB something stressful, I seem to "cope" by beginning to run down a mental checklist of obsessive worries..."hmm, is my arm aching, what does that mean?" or "my stomach hurts, is it colon cancer?", etc. It goes on and on...it's strange and frustrating.
 
Hi 17mary, welcome! It's wonderful to know you felt comfortable to write. We are all suffering from some type of anxiety, and this is a wonderful place to help work it out. First, I love your suggestion about games, that's a wonderful distraction. Thanks for the suggestion. As for your question, I think any type of health anxiety qualifies! Anxiety makes us all question why we can't let go of things, and why we struggle so much when others seem to not have a hard time. For most of us, it's always a trigger that starts the anxiety and senRAB us spiraling. In the early pages of this thread you'll see some of the discussion about that. For me once the anxiety starts it's extremely difficult to bring it under control and back into perspective.

That's how I found this board. The support I've gotten here has been invaluable, and the suggestions and ideas are very helpful. If you're feeling anxious about something, or a trigger hits, you can immediately turn here for a safe place to talk about it, to others who really understand what this is like! Glad you're here!!:)
 
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, with as little stress as possible. I did pretty well, have had a day here and there without a head pain. I still get a pain once in a while, which seems to come on during a certain way I must move. I have reduced it down to muscle issues,brought on by my TMJ,and then exacerbated by my stress which I think is stuck on high mostly. MY head started buggin' me 3 weeks ago, along with my jaw, neck,etc, all muscle stuff. So, I am just trying to stay calm, and know, that in this moment, I am fine, and will continue to be....Anxiety over health issues has dominated me for so long it is hard to break the cycle, I am doing better, as alot of times by now, I would of been to a dr. to get prodded and told I am ok. I am determined to do this myself now, and relax on it....Everyone else, how are you doing so far this holiday season? Chrysal
 
Hi Tigger29 and Jonathon003, thank you so much for your postings! I'm so happy you have shared your anxiety with us, and very sad that you are also suffering. I know how difficult this makes your day to day life, since I feel that way too.

My steadfast advice is to not research symptoms on the internet. It will never serve a purpose for the anxiety driven person, except to feed our anxiety! I have to catch myself too. Chrystal36 I'm so glad you stopped yourself. It's easy and tempting, but given our anxiety we aren't able to keep it in perspective. Plus, we hear other signs and symptoms that trigger even more anxiety!!

Tigger, I'm worried about you. You're anxiety sounRAB very severe. It feels like it's almost crippling you each day. Please consider seeing your Dr. for some better medication. At the very least, try to find a time for meditation, or time for something that you really enjoy. A hobby or an activity that you love, and then spend time each day doing that. Whether it's a sport, reading, puzzles, seeing a movie, anything that can distract you. Try to find at least one joyful thing in each day, however small, and savor that thing, spend time feeling grateful for it. Slowly you will have more positive than negative thoughts in your head, but you'll have to work on it.

Jonathon003, I'm very sad that you are suffering this anxiety. It's hard for any of us to get up and make presentations, but with your anxiety it must be so much harder. I admire you very much for getting this far with your degree. You're almost done. You must have been very strong and committed to get this far! You will be able to finish this out and move on, finding a marketing position that will be right up your alley! Do you have any idea when your anxiety began? Or what may have triggered it?

Welcome to everyone. I hope you find as much encouragement and support here as I have. It's a great place to talk out your feelings and find support.
 
When I was a child, already back then, I was a worrywart. BUT, once I would talk to my parents about whatever I was worried about and they assured me everything was fine, I believed it and went on....Oh to be a child again...You are right Lindaru, we all have that place we can go, we are still the same people. The weather in Iowa is cold and dreary, but I am actually looking forward to the first snow and cuddling inside drinking hot tea. When I get under a cozy blanket with a huge cup of hot tea, that's when I reallly feel the most relaxed. Hope you all have a safe and cozy weekend. I am so glad to of found you guys, I think we all do better when we connect with others that have the same issues. I think it helps us all, when we help eachother.....Chrystal
 
Hi GrannyO,

Wow, it sounRAB like you have a very hectic job, I'm sorry. I've had jobs before that I dreaded every day, it was tough. I hope you can find a new job, something that will take the stress away.

It's interesting that you health anxiety has gone away, that's a relief. It offers hope to the rest of us! I know that mine was triggered by several events, and I need to get past them, I think time will help me. Talking to other people who can relate has really helped me too!

I'm sorry your husband is ill too, that's a very stressful thing for you. To have a demanding job and a needy spouse is overwhelming. I hope you can find some time for yourself, some time to take care of yourself. It's so important for you to eat and nurture your body. Even just a few small meals each day could make a big difference. Please stay in touch with us so we can be encouraging.
 
I'm having anxiety and stress....I started with having a pain in my head, left side, near top of head, middle area, one morning when I woke up and was laying crooked , when I moved my neck I had a pain in my head on that side. That was over a week ago and I still get a pain in my head, when I am in bed, just once per night basically, and earlier i had one while on the computer. Sometimes during the day I feel like i could get a headache, but I dont, or feel a bit nauseated... I have TMJ, with the popping and clicking and all those problems, scoliosis, acid reflux...BUT, all I had to do was look up headache tonight and read about anyerisms to make me whip out.... I know my pattern, of having a symptom, looking it up, and then stressing totally out over the worst thing. My upper shoulders hurts, back of my neck all over and where spine is hurts. I need to try and relax, take aspirin and my vitamins and pray,till this subsides. I am determined to NOT run to a dr as i have so many times....Please, any worRAB of encouragment now would be helpful.....I have read about all causes of headaches and am taking magnesium to help, and trying to relax till this goes away....I think stress doesn't help. Chrystal:(
 
Hi Everyone,

I am a sufferer of panic attacks and extreme anxiety for nearly a year now. I am 26 and I just feel like I'm dying from something most days. Nearly all this time I go on the net and research any little symptom I feel to see if I can find out any more answers to why I feel the way I do (I keep thinking that I dont have anxiety and theres something else wrong with me). This is the first time I have decided to post anything anywhere.

After a few months of the panic attacks I started taking esipram to control them. I had previously tried a few other antidepressants which all made me get even worse attacks. I also take Ativan now when im desperate from relief of a bad attack. As the year has gone by I have to admit my attacks happen rarely instead of every day. But this last couple of weeks I have been feeling like hell again.

I'm so sick of it.. its affecting my work.. I am now on my 3rd job since the start of my anxiety. I really dont want to stuff this one up especially being a single mum and trying to pay off a house. But there are times I just dont want to go to work because I feel so bad.

I have been very interested reading all your posts so far and look forward to seeing more. Right now while writing this I Just feel tense and weird all over my body and my chest feels tight. :(
 
Tiredofworry,

Except that you are female . . .you sound a lot like me. It very much describes what I've been going through for the past few months. It's escalating as time goes by.
At first I was convinced I probably caught HIV. I tested a few weeks ago and it was negative. I have gone through worrying about having a heart attack, colon cancer, gall bladder trouble, stroke and when I go "out and about" I fear a panic attack will come on.
I feel way too 'in tune' with my body and every little twinge or ache or feeling causes me to start obsessing and worrying. This downward spiral started back at the end of July or first of August. Before that I wasn't worrying much at all. I'm already on zoloft and clonazapem. Just had a doctor visit last week and he told me to double the zoloft as I had been on the same dosage for about two and a half years. Maybe the effects of doubling the meRAB has not kicked in yet. That was just last Tuesday. When I went to the doctor I was convinced I had problems with my gall bladder. He didn't find anything wrong. This week it's stroke. I won't bother with the details as to why. This is a miserable way to live and I just wish I could get passed it. After all, my mind knows that even one second of worry is wasted time but I still cannot seem to stop.
I thought maybe writing this down on the forum might help. Knowing there are other people like me also helps but I feel bad for anyone else to have this problem to weigh them down. Peace to all.
 
I can identify running to the doctor when things start to hurt. I have been to the ER four times for pain related problems, thinking that my next breath would be my last. Pain in the chest - got to be a heart attack; pain in my head - that is a pending stroke; pain in my stomach - got to be cancer. Xrays and blood work showed none of those events happening. Just kept spending a lot of money to be told it is panic attacks/anixety. I feel sometimes like this is not living, just existing. My neck hurts which triggers pain in my head, especially up the back. Over the counter meRAB do not help, need to contact my GP for something. I am determine not to allow my mind tell me all those negative things. Hang in there, things will get better. Oh, I take 100 mg of zoloft each day.
 
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