Reassurance

I know its not good to ask for reassurance but I have been fully taken over by anxiety for 5 days straight. 

It all started when my mysterious symptoms changed. So for a year I have had tingling/burning in my muscles and tingling, numbness and pressure in my head. Some other things as well, but those were the main problems. I got fairly used to them and stopped having so much anxiety about it.. but then All of the sudden I got more symptoms. I am getting this tightness in my neck and throat and deep aches in my entire body. But the worst symptom is this weakeness in both of my legs with muscle twitches and a feeling that they will cramp up. Its spiked my anxiety. I feel like I’ve taken huge steps back. My husband thinks I should break down and take the anti depressant I was given (sertraline). I don’t know what to do.. I just need some reassurance.. I feel so crazy

 Sorry you are going through this. When I was in my 20s the same thing happened to me and I also had tingling in my muscles, pressure in my head and tingling, tightness, weakness in my arms and legs with muscle twitches. My father took me to a neurologist and everything checked out OK.  It was all due to years and years of anxiety and stress that just build up.

Our bodies can only take so much stress before they have a “breakdown“. It’s like the straw that broke the camels back.

Have you had a thorough examination by your doctor? That would be the first step if you have not done so. If you have been checked out by your doctor, then yes, anxiety and stress can definitely cause those symptoms . 

 sometimes people do need help with an antidepressant but everybody is different. It usually takes several weeks before you noticed any changes. You may want to discuss this with your doctor. 

 hopefully I will reassure you by telling you that I am now in my 50s and still alive even after having all those symptoms! I am doing a lot better but to be honest, when I get stressed out, I might feel some of those symptoms but in a very mild way. I basically ignore them and they go away.

But what’s really important is learning how to manage your anxiety and stress.   When we are anxious we are basically telling our brain that something is wrong and then the brain goes into action by beginning the fight or flight response. Adrenaline starts flowing and that is how we get some of those symptoms.

Stress does a huge number on our bodies and we should not be surprised when our arms or legs are feeling weak. 

 your body is telling you, through the symptoms, that it’s overloaded with stress. 

 I do and did in the past have some counseling to help manage anxiety. I exercise daily to build up my immune system to fight stress. I also started eating healthier and staying hydrated. I changed my thinking to be more positive. I listen to meditations on YouTube for anxiety, overthinking,  proper breathing with anxiety, etc. they have been very helpful!

Try not to take life too seriously, do things that make you feel happy, laugh and smile! Nothing is worth losing your health over.

Slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. Everything today is so rushed .

 Get yearly check ups at your doctors. 

 take one day at a time and every morning or write in a journal of things I am grateful for. I hope you feel better soon. 🌸🌸🌸🙂

Thank you. It’s good to hear from someone that understands :-) 

I have done all the tests with my doctor and a neurologist. Everything is clear so far so I have to assume its psychological. I am wary about taking anything. I have usually dealt w/ anxiety using exercise. Exercise is complicated now because of the symptoms.. but I am still trying. Is there anything you did in particular to get passed it? I am so glad you did :-)))

Sorry I just saw that you said meditation and diet etc... I have started to do some meditation. Hopefully it will start to help. 

Hi I too have been through this but after discontinuing medication things improved. The GP said it was side effects of sertraline and benzos.

Yes its hard to exercise with the symptoms because you already feel weak sometimes.   I try to at least wAlk .    

I don’t like the meds either. They make me feel weird.

Just Remember that Symptoms from anxiety will not hurt you. They just feel strange.  

I will never be 100% anxiety free, but that’s ok because I am much better at managing it now.    You will also get there!  

Theres a book called Mindfulness that is great and a lot of people on here are reading it.  It teaches you anxiety and stress management through a different way of thinking.    You tube has Mindfulness meditations too.🌸