Hi! My name is Ashley and I'm new to this forum. I've been told that I have anxiety, but like a lot of people I've spoken to, I'm not 100% convinced. I guess the best place to start is with some background information. In 2014 I learned I was pregnant. My boyfriend at the time proposed after we learned the news and we got married when I was 17 weeks pregnant. When our little boy was born, he kind of shut down. He wasn't helpful, and he became very distant. I began to rely on my parents and family for help with my new baby. This began the downward spiral. I wasn't sure what was happening, but our marriage was quickly going downhill. In February 2015, I learned he was having an affair with a woman from work. Due to this I semi moved in with my parents. This is when I believe my struggle truly began. I have a stron Christian background so divorce wasn't really an option in my mind, but I was miserable at the same time. While trying to work things out, I was at our home in March of 2015 when I woke up to him making an awful noise on our couch. He was almost blue, and completely unresponsive. I called 911, and long story short, when he came to, he admitted to using drugs. He had overdosed on our couch. This was the last straw for me, as for many it would be. Fast forward to April, and for the lack of being able to talk about it much, he passed away. So, here I was, a single mother of an almost two year old. My family is very well known in our small community, so even going to Walmart after the incidence was excruciating. I'm now currently in a relationship and am happier than I've been with another person in a very long time. He's great with my child. I'm also in the process of building a new home. In short, I've bounced back from the hell I've endured, and I should feel proud of myself. In all honesty, I did feel proud of my independence and drive. In March of this year, I had a horrible panic attack that sent me to the ER. Since then, I've developed, what the doctor calls severe anxiety and PTSD. My issue is this, 9 times out of 10, I feel no nervousness. I just don't understand how you can have anxiety when you don't feel nervous. My symptoms have been as followed: dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, headaches, chest pain, pins and needles, facial and arm numbness, jaw pain, and neck pain. In the past month alone, I've diagnosed myself with meningitis, MS, lupus, thyroid disease, a brain tumor, and a brain aneurysm. I should add that I've seen my GP who referred me to to a cardiologist as a precaution. I've had CBCs, EKGs, chest X-rays, a heart echo, and a stress test. All of which came back fine. Recently, I've been having horrible headaches on the right side of my head, and my neck feels stiff. The headaches keep me from sleeping. I currently have strep throat and I feel like I'm losing my mind. I should also add that I've been on 50mg of Zoloft for about two weeks. I guess my question is this... Does this sound like anyone else's story? Are these symptoms typical to health anxiety? I'm just looking for help, and someone who understand. Most days, I feel like I'm in a fog. I just want my life back.
yes it all sounds like anxiety, even the unwillingness to believe the diagnosis is all part of anxiety. A good place to start would be therapy (not cbt), you may find having the chance to talk about these things with a professional very helpful
I agree with jmcg, your symptoms are classic anxiety symptoms and given what you've been through I can understand why this has happened, it's almost like PTSD.
Give the Zoloft time to work, may be another 4 weeks and you shoukd feel much better.
Take care of yourself.
Neil
Hiya , Im so sorry you have been thru so much. I think what happened made you develop anxiety. With anxiety you dont have to be stressed to trigger it, you can have a happy life and be content . Im like this, ive got loving husband, family , and never stressed much before. I was actually good with stress. But few months of constant stress and pressure made me suffer with anxiety and it what keeps me awake on nights. Constant worry and intrusive thoughts I never had before.
Thank you all so much for replying! It helps so much just knowing that there is someone out there who understands, although I hate it that anyone else has to feel this way. Have any of you ever woken up during the night with extreme neck pain? Last night I felt so stiff on the mid to front right side. The stiffness ran into my ear and then back of my head. It felt like it was going to explode... worst headache ever! I thought it may have been related to the strep throat, but I'm a "googler" and I read that anxiety may be the culprit again.
Ashley,
you have been through an incredible amount in your young life. You have more strength than you know. Our bodies can take a lot of stress but if it continues and it's intense it can take a toll on our mental and physical health.
I have had all the same symptoms as you and it was all due to intense stress and anxiety. Once our body is at its limit it basically tells us it's had enough and that's when we see all the weird symptoms. This happened to me in my 20s when all of a sudden I had all these crazy symptoms at one time and I also thought I had some terrible disease. All my tests also came out normal so then I knew it was time for a change.
so yes, all your symptoms are very typical of intense stress, including the foggy feeling which I've had many times. Millions of people have the same symptoms.
. Now that you've been cleared by your doctor, it's time to start working on managing the anxiety so that you can have peace of mind and get your life back.
Have you ever spoken with a counselor about everything that has happened? That has really helped me a lot because it's a great feeling to vent everything to someone else who can really help you get your life back on track. Sometimes we have anxiety and not even sure where it comes from and talking it out helps a lot.
there is a way of regaining your peace of mind through what is called mindfulness. This is something that is practiced all over the world to help manage anxiety, negative thinking, fear etc. There is a book called mindfulness that teaches all of the different methods that are very useful. It's a white covered book with a ball of string on the cover. We don't have to let fear, anxiety and negativity take us over.
all anxiety begins in the brain so the key is to keep the brain calm so that we don't get the symptoms as much or as intense. Some of my symptoms have disappeared completely.
Another thing that has really helped me are the great audio meditations found on YouTube for stress, anxiety, depression, sleeping etc. they also teach us how to have peace of mind and managing anxiety. There are so many to choose from and I think they could really help you. I listen to these a couple times a day. Just search YouTube for guided meditation for anxiety or whatever you want.
another thing that helps is staying active and social. The worst thing you can do is sit around and think about this because that will intensify the anxiety and symptoms.
Do things you enjoy, be kind and and gentle with yourself because none of this is your fault . . Do anything you can to relax and slow down and calm down your mind.
My original message sent too early. LOL
I just wanted to add that yes you should be proud of yourself! Don't lose that strength and determination that you have. Your child has a great mother. At this point you only need to learn how to make the anxiety take a backseat and you be in control.that's why I highly suggest the counseling, meditations, and the book if possible.
never give up! You will be fine.
Try not to Google your symptoms. It may not even pertain to your particular situation even though it seems like it does. So all you do is scare yourself.
Thank you so much for your kind words! You have been very helpful. I agree that it's time to give therapy a shot
Hi, cause of anxiety we are always tensed. I suffer with horrible back and shoulders pain. Very often I wake up with stiff neck, but maybe its cause I tend to fall asleep on my tummy as its my safe position and dont feel so nasues then. Had awful sleep last night. Had maybe 2 hrs.Woke up feeling sick with burning anxiety all over my body and just couldnt settle. Went to see my gp and she changed my medications back to mirtazapine 15mg. I lasted on fluoxetine 19 days. Couldnt take it anymore. Felt like I was going crazy. I know it always gets worse before it gets better but that was too much. Felt like I was getting brain washed. You are not alone with anxiety. If it wasnt for this forum I dont know what I would have done. People here are so lovely and supportive xxx
I'm sorry you didn't sleep well last night. I know how hard that is! Hopefully this will all get better very soon for you.
I hope so too. Staying awake all day so I can have a good night sleep. Can hardly keep my eyes open now. Hope you are feeling okay today xx
Hi! Thank you for the helpful reply! What kind of therapy would you suggest? I'm so new to this. I reached out to a counselor today. I'm making an appointment for the beginning of next week, but am open and willing to consider any advice, tips, or suggestions that anyone who is more experienced with Anxiety has to offer. Thank you again!
Councilling is often quite a light touch, a step before therapy usually. Any kind of psychotherapy would suit you I think, but it's really just finding a therapist you like. As I say avoid CBT, it's very popular just now, but it's also largely ineffectual for anything but the simplest problems