hi, I know everyone on this website is probably sick of me, and I’m very very sorry that I keep coming back. I really need reassurance.
So as you all know, I started having chest pains a few days ago. Thursday I believe. That day, I had a scheduled appointment to see my psychiatrist. While I was on the way there, I was freaking out the whole drive there. I was scared I was having a heart attack. I was having shortness of breath, my heart was racing, I was having chest pains. And then when I was inside I had a full on panic attack.
Anyway, I’ve been having the chest pains for a few days now, and I don’t know if I need to take it seriously and go to the doctor, or if it’s just anxiety. They’ve gotten less frequent and less painful, but I’m still worried. At first, they were like a burning pain. And then it changed to a dull pain. Then yesterday I woke up with a stabbing pain, but it went away. Now it’s not a pain but it’s a weird feeling, and it’s only when I think about it. But what’s worrying me NOW is that ever since I read about it, I’ve been feeling pains in my back, my arm, my legs and my shoulder. This morning I woke up with a sore shoulder, not sure if it was from sleeping wrong or what, but now it’s gone. I’ve been feeling weird shots of pains in my leg. My therapist said it’s just anxiety, since I’ve had everything checked, but I need to know if anyone has gone through something similar!!
Also, I should include that I had several tests ran on my heart in February, all normal. And several blood tests last month, all normal
Hi Shelby
I always found that after high anxiety or panic attack my whole body hurt afterward and for days. When you are in the midst of that your whole body is tense. Arms, legs, back, stomach. If your tests are normal you have to try and trust it as hard as it is. I use an app called DARE. It has been really helpful for me especially for reassurance. Be well. Hugs.
I get that same feeling... I've been trying to keep my mind on something I enjoy doing... Even if it's as stupid as reading a comic book... I usually pick up my guitar and write tunes.. That seems to calm down the anxiety and focus my mind on other things instead of what's going on inside me... My cardiologist once said, "We worry when you're heart is no longer beating" - because I kept going back to him... The music thing seems to work... I listen to old school Rock n Roll, New Age, and Jazz.. The Binaural Beats helps a lot-- Check them out on You Tube..
The mind is a very powerful thing and when you are in an anxious state and read something - especially with health anxiety, you can almost feel each symptom listed start to happen. I'm not saying that people should ignore physical symptoms, but in the anxious mind I think physical feelings are caused by the anxiety and fear of that illness. I try and have a piece of paper or a digital note on my phone to reassure myself. I try and create a health diary with my fears and list my symptoms. Then re-visit this when I am feeling calm, perhaps a few days later and see that the tingle in my face didn't cause anything. I no longer have that tight feeling in my head etc. The illness I thought I had didn't manifest in to anything. I start my note to myself as 'remember what you are feeling isn't real it's just anxiety. Remember you had tests for xyz and they were clear. I do this hen I am in a calm state and when I feel rational. I hope it helps a bit. I really feel for anyone going through this, it's horrible.
The pain you are feeling is anxiety I know that. Anxiety is a mental thing that creates a strong physical reaction in your body. When you feel anxious, your brain is thinking your in danger so your body activates the flight or fight response, which causes the fast heart rate, tense muscles, etc. Unfortunately, its all just tension from anxiety and the chest is a popular place for pains to show up, your heart is fine! God bless. One of the best things I ever did for my anxiety was finding hobbies and people who shared my interests. Having other things to obsess over sometimes made it better, for me at least