Oh my - I can certainly understand everything everyone has posted. I started with anxiety 3 years ago (and never having it before then, I went to my doctor after a couple of weeks as I was certain I had a brain tumor). It was terrifying. I was 48 then (just turned 51 last month), our only child was graduating from college and moving 1000 miles away, perimenopause was kicking in (though I didn't even realize there were such a thing at the time - I just thought your periods eventually stopped one day and maybe a few hot flashes). I had no idea that perimenopause could bring on so many symptoms that change daily! I was crying uncontrollably daily, would wake up like clockwork between 5:00-5:30 a.m. in full anxiety, felt like I was suffocatingat times (almost like an air lock/catch on the left side), trembling inside, heart would seem to be pounding at times though heart rate/BP were always fine, my right ear would pound sometimes, I would startle very easily at noises that never bothered me before, started clenching my teeth at night and would wake up with a headache, tingling in my hands at times, the list goes on and on. Doctor prescribed Clonazepam 0.5 mg up to twice per day as needed. I am not a prescription med taker so was very uneasy about this. I decided to quarter them and see if taking a quarter of the 0.5 mg dosage would "take the edge off." It did and I started researching reputable sites online and boards such as this one to learn more and also to share. That summer was horrible as I cried every day for my daughter who had planned to make her 1000 miles away her permanent home. I visited her a month at a time 3-4 times during the two years she was away but, of course, it just wasn't the same as having her close by (her college was 2 hours away which never bothered me at all). I love swimming and have my own pool but I couldn't even make myself get there most days. I walk with crutches permanently due to spina bifida (left leg paralysis) but I get around very well and have always been very independent. So, this was a real shock for me. I was pretty much scared of everything. As I didn't want to rely on the quarter pill, I would get on my exercise machine and do about a 10 minute workout every time I felt anxiety getting worse. It would help at times but not always. Looking back now, I believe I was in a constant state of anxiety for over a year but would not take the medication unless I absolutely felt like I was dying (which did happen a time or two and I ended up taking a quarter, then the other quarter and then the other half so a whole pill was used at those times). In fact, I still have the first prescription bottle half full. I know there are times when I probably should have taken that quarter pill to ward off what was happening but fear of becoming addicted kept me from doing so. Fast forward to summer of 2013, I was doing pretty good. I had anxiety every now and then but usually about 7-10 days before the period would show up (or not show up)! I still keep track as I am not a full 12 months without one and it seems like right before that "time," my system can still go beserk whether it shows up or not (and has not shown up since September of 2014). So, I am about 4 months away from what they determine as finally in menopause. Guess what, daughter moved back home in February of 2015 and doesn't want to be more than 2-3 hours away from home again! Hooray! She is also back at her alma mater (2 hours away) getting her Master's Degree. I have a fantastic husband who is so supportive of everything that I am going through, and I can go 2-3 months sometimes without medication! Life is getting back to normal, I thought, and then WHAM. Last week, I noticed that noises were causing me to startle, my sinuses started clogging up again which, in turn, started that air lock/catch again on my left side, that started sending into a bit of anxiety, anxiety causes me to mouth breathe especially when sinuses swell (which they do with anxiety), woke up Saturday and Sunday at 4:00 a.m. and not able to fall asleep again for 1.5 hours - was concentrating too much on thoughts such as I haven't had for over 18 months (doom and gloom, why is this air locking/catching at times, what's my purpose now, will I die before I see my daughter get married and have children). Good Lord, the thoughts are horrendous. Ended up taking a quarter pill this past week on Sunday, Tuesday and again on Sunday. It made the air lock/catch pretty much go away and my mood became a little more relaxed. I also didn't wake up early in the morning. However, I did have a bit of anxiety after waking up and am still trying to work through it as I type this. The sinuses are still stuffy causing mouth breathing which, in itself, can cause anxiety due to improper air exchange. The period was also due last week and hormonal fluctuations are most likely the culprit of all of this AGAIN. Just when I was feeling pretty good, it hit me again. I don't know when this stops (if ever), why it came back with a vengence this past week after 18 months of doing pretty well but I do know that it has helped me so much to read what others are going through and realizing that I am not alone in this. Prayers for everyone here and God's blessings on us all.
I have struggled w anxiety since 2006-7 when the housing market crashed in Georgia and I lost my house and truck. I had never experienced anything like that. The panic feeling. Can barely eat. Don't want to leave house. I just spent a year in a program for oxycodone addiction from a bulging disc in my neck. In the last week I have had that old anxiety roll in as I try to get a business going again. My mind goes down all the what if rabbit holes and the fear becomes dominant. My gosh it's horrible. I don't understand myself. Can anyone identify with this? I sure do feel alone right now and scared
Hi, I'm 19 and I've suffered from anxiety for a very long time. I have had counselling but never been on medication and I try and surpress my feelings by trying to take my mind off them. This week has just been the worst, I am living in a university house alone 70 miles from my parents, and have been working until 5am on weekends, messing up my sleeping pattern. I have shakiness, tight chest, heart palpitations, dizziness and I can hardly sleep. It's getting to much now and I'm just thinking what's the point anymore, I feel there is no more hope. My chest is the worst symptom, I went the the shops today and nearly broke down on the way home because I felt so bad. I don't know what to do I don't know what triggers it or how to get rid of my symptoms, anyone else get a very weird feeling in their chest a lot? Thanks, Jess
Hi Jess ,go and look up Steven Blow web site ,he writes up on some good things for Anxiety ,well worth a look .Many suffer this dreadful condition .
Go take a look hey ,may help you ,think he's helped many with anxiety .
I have had anxiety most my life but never anything this severe. 8 days ago I had an attack my hands went numb to the point I couldn't move them, I felt like I was going to pass out. I was in and out of the hospital all week with everything coming back normal. I never would have guessed it was anxiety. Cause you really do feel like your dying. I'm still trying to cope with the fact that my chest pains, warm sensation going from my chest to my head and feeling like I'm short of breath, dizzy and constantly feeling anxious is normal. It has made it so I can't even finish my college semester cause I get too dizzy to drive to my school which is 45 minutes away from where I live. In just 8 days my life has changed drastically.
Nicola, when my anxiety started to get bad i had a stomach ache for 2 weeks. Thought i had a tumor or something.. our bodies react in many different ways to stress. After i spoke to a councellor at the mental health clinic the stomach ache eased off! Have you tried talking to a mental health professional about your anxiety? Don't get me wrong, im still a huge ball of anxiety but working in it every day. Xx
Hello, i have had these same symptoms ever since my mom died2months ago. I do have high blogs pressure but am currently talking meds. I'm sure if it were a heart attack, we would be dead by now. I'm glad to hear there are other people with same symptoms. I was very scared because I've never had anxiety. Everytime i think about my pains it makes me more nervous. I just want this to go away without having to take more meds. I think they give you anti depressants too.
Hi Nicola, I'm so happy that I've found someone else with the same symptoms as myself, I thought I was the only one. I've lived with anxiety for years now and it's getting to the point where I've had to ring work and explain to them I can't come in, it's as if I have a phobia of people too, it stops me from doing day to day things like going shopping or going to work or spending time with my partner by going out for meals etc. Friends/family don't understand what it's like to live with such an awful disorder and they just seem to think oh well calm down and it'll be ok but it's much more complicated than that. We will beat anxiety one day 👊🏻
I'm 24. I've had my first anxiety attack in April. And sigh it feel like it's taken control of my life. I also have a acid reflux. And the chest pain hand pain( numb fingers and pain in my elbow is annoying. I've been having back pain and bad back pains). I'm I the only person going through this. Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna have a heart attack eventually but I've done test and they came back normal I'm on meds but they don't do much sigh. I just want to know that I'm not alone
Veronica I too am dealing with the same thing but mine is all new. Do you ever have a feeling like your heart is flipping in your chest? Blurry vision? Ringing in your ears? Muscle pains and weakness?
No but muscle pains yes
Yes this is all normal. My physical symptoms have been ruining my life since August, but in constantly reassuring myself and telling myself that it's okay to feel like this, it's slowly fading away and getting more comfortable to deal with (I use the same approach with dissociation).
If that's not how you'd tackle it, try going to a doctor first to reassure you that you are okay and not experiencing any threatening physical illness and voice all of your concerns. Hypochondria is common with severe anxiety, they'll know if they see it.
I agree with sayri. I had terrible anxiety but I eventually got over it and I promise your symptoms are textbook anxiety. Don't allow it to control you. You're stronger than that. One day you will die, that's a fact, but it won't be today. Allow yourself to live while you're alive!
Peace and love
That all happens because when you have an anxiety or panic attack, your heart race increases and a lot of muscles in your body tense up to the point of it hurting after you calm down. Ringing in your ears could be due to your heart pounding hard enough to make your head and ears sore. Attacks can put you through a lot of "injuries" that come with exerting yourself too hard (pulled muscles, chest pain from breathing too hard, etc) If it gets any worse though, I'd go see a doctor
You need to take ubiqinol co enyme q10 the stress and lifestyle is depleted yours.lowesr dose like50mg. Follow he bottle after a minth ir two go to 100mg. Follow the bottle. It will make a difference and aid in stabilzinig you. It can ONLY help.almost everyone with stress in heir life is depleted.our bodies were never set up for this lifestyle.the ubiqinol is extrmly imoortant and smart to take a multi vitamin in powder or liquid form. Be sure to at a protein bar somewhere in the day as well.
Just needed to talk to someone, I haven't had to health anxiety in over 15 years and it came back about six months ago and is non-stop since then.back then I had lots and lots of panic attacks and was very focused on my heart this time it's different I have no real panic attacks just constant anxiety. I'm still very focused on my body and every little thing I just seem to feel weird all day long I know that doesn't describe it very well but I can't think of a word that does. It's a constant uneasiness it starts as soon as I wake up and I don't sleep very well at all. I am constantly thinking there's something wrong with me. I am also very very afraid to go to the doctor and I do not take any medication I never have I am very afraid of any side effects. I just wanted to know if anybody has constant anxiety with no real panic attacks. My symptoms are Extreme uneasiness for most of the day my shoulders feel very tense my back feels very tense my appetite is not like it used to be. I am typically very active athletically but since this is started again I have virtually stopped every physical activity and anything I enjoy doing. I feel kind of week I'm sure that has a lot to do with my lack of physical activity. The more I try not to feel like this the worse I feel.I guess I should've said from the start of always had anxiety/health anxiety my whole life but it is been gone for many many years. This is a horrific feeling.I feel like I'm rambling I just needed to talk to someone.
Get back to your roots. Drown yourself in what you love to do. The more you wallow in the anxiety the worse it will become. Keep your chin up and remember that positive thinking is more powerful than we realize.
Hi,
I understand.
I have been feeling exactly the same way.chest pain sometimes centre of my chest,sometimes left and sometimes right.
Its always a fear of heart attack.
Back pain all the way up to my neck too.
When for blood test , urine test and blood pressure.
Everything came up fine.
Hmm anxiety sucks and it certainly suck the life out of us.
Dont worry always practice telling yourself its all in your head and nothing will happen.
Everything will be fine.
Just dont keep it to yourself.
Talk to someone about it.
Cause sometimes when we have those thoughts it just seem so real and scary.
But when you confide with someone,and when you hear yourself it just sounds so ridiculous and pathetic.
Find a way to laugh about it.
Laughter is always the best medicine.
Remind yourself to be happy.☺
I also suffer from anxiety I've have it for six months now. My body shakes my heart beats very fast and also I go through lots of dizziness. I won't take any medications for it. It makes it worst when you start thinking you are going to die or have something serious. You have to keep telling yourself it's not life threatening and you are okay and it will pass. You need to get active again it's good for the anxiety. I know it's hard but u can do it. Try natural stuff like valerian root which I'm taking now I only take 3 a day to keep calm I take one in morning late afternoon and bed time. I've join the gym also which is helping. I still have the anxiety but it's under control. Good luck and hang in there.
Exercise is key. Positive thinking and yes thinking the worse makes it worse i agree. I did take meds for two months. I told myself Hell no. Because I must learn my triggers and learn to cope. Life doesn't come with a pill boom better. Walking helps me and writing does as well.