Anxiety Problems

[demidekidasu]

Hi all, I'm not one who will open-up about personal things on the internet, but I really think I need to ask for help on this one, and I generally feel somewhat "safe", if you will, on the Nexus forums.

 

Allow me to tell you about what's happened to me over the past few days...

 

So, I'm overwieght, 27 years old and don't get as much excercise as I should. I'm also a smoker. In other words, I'm not exactly the model of health...

 

A few evenings ago I felt a sharp, stabbing pain at the top of my leg, which frightened the life out of me as I thought it was a blood clot, seeing as I'm probably prime candidate for such a thing. I tried to ignore the problem, thinking I was just imagining it. When I was in the shower later the next morning, the pain disappeared.

 

I took it as a warning and threw my tobacco asside, decided to eat only salad and other "fat-free" and "healthy" foods, and headed outside to do some gardening. In the afternoon, I took the dogs for a long walk of several miles.

 

A few hours later, the pain seemed to return, only this time in my abdomen. This sent alarm bells ringing in my head so I booked myself an emergency appointment with the doctors.

 

As I was telling the doctor of my problem, with obvious fear in my voice, she interrupted me and told me that none of what I was describing sounded like a blood clot, as the pain was in a most unusual spot and the pain also stopped, which does not happen with a blood clot. She had a look over me anyway to be sure and told me she could find no sign of anything to worry about. I went home happy and relieved.

 

However, the pain in my gut did not go away and, in fact, it became progressively worse. I made the mistake of trying to research my symptoms on the internet. Of course, the internet convinced me I was going to die from a massive blood clot headed straight for my heart.

 

At this point, I'd been awake for 24hrs solid. I was tired, extremely tired, but couldn't sleep a wink because of raw fear. And then I realised something: whist researching my stomach pains on the internet, one thing it mentioned as a possible cause was anxiety...

 

Yes, anxiety. I was litterally making myself feel ill with worry. And the symptoms I was worrying about were the symptoms of extreme worry! I managed to relax myself and the pain eased off. I'm not ashamed to admit that I actually cried with joy.

 

But now I'm still suffering from the anxiety. Every sensation I'm feeling in my body is setting me off again. I keep wondering if both the doctor and I were wrong and that I really do have a blood clot. But then a few moments later I will relax again and the pain will fade away.

 

TLDR:

I convinced myself I was dying of a blood clot and have developed problems with anxiety as a result, which cause me to imagine yet more symptoms.

 

I was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced something like this? And do you have any advice about how to cope with it?

[spz2]

You seem to also have a small case of paranoia. I think anxiety if not to extreme levels , it can be beneficial as long as you can keep it under control. With anxiety comes heightened awareness about your environment it can also lead to the opposite in situations when it gets the best of you , so i call it a double edge sword , generally speaking...

[demidekidasu]

Yeah, I definitely think there is a bit paranoia involved here as I'm being quite hypersensitive about everything...

 

I've never been one to experience these sorts of things at all. I mean, I've had some bad things happen to me and around me, and nothing has ever "bothered" me in the wider picture. I've been in situations where I genuinely thought death was just moments away, but I got through them and didn't suffer anything like this.

 

Anyway, I've been awake all night again. Just managed to get some food down me though (oats and milk), so that's probably good.

[Lisnpuppy]

Hun...I have had anxiety issues for a long time. Having a myriad of medical issues doesn't help. Sometimes it is worse than others. Mine at times will get bad enough to literally be unable to leave my house. I will break out in hives, have extreme pain, sweat....if it starts while I am already out my already poor breathing becomes worse. Sometimes I just get sick..like the flu. The brain is powerful.

 

Then I have the guilt and anger at myself. Here I am a reasonably intelligent adult who can not even get to the damn grocery store without more planning than it took to build Rome.

 

So yeah...

 

My advice is many-fold. Not any one thing will maybe help. Not all things work for all people.

 

The first thing is to find a medical doctor that you like and trust (if you have one awesome.) Get a gauge on your general health and get some recommendations there.

 

1) Now medications can help but I see those as a short-term thing. The best way to use them is to make you able to function long enough to get help.

 

2) Therapy. There is a reason you have this happen and you probably have had it before on a lesser scale. The best thing in therapy (and I recommend group too...it did wonders for me..if you want to hear more just PM me) is learning you are no alone in these things. Learning to recognize when you are building up to an anxiety attack and learning to coping strategies is very important. It takes time but you can learn. You can usually find places that will handle you on a sliding scale should you need financial help. Ask your doctor or call around. Keeping a journal can help. About your day, emotions, significant happenings, how you feel...it can help you recognize things and when you may be feeling uneasy. as I said this may be the first big thing but chances are you have experienced anxiety many times before.

 

3) Get your health in order. You know that it isn't grand. Exercise and diet can greatly improve not just your physical health but your mental (I fight with this..it isn't easy for sure.) Walking the dog and playing with it...best thing ever. Dogs make people feel more at ease and its a great way to get active that can be fun for everyone. Find something you enjoy.

 

4) Stop smoking or at least get those electronic cigs. I say this as a person that has had 55 operations on her airway (not from smoking but still.) Not being able to breathe sucks. I have also had two tracheotomy tubes..you don't want that. Not to mention that nicotine is a stimulant...makes your heart race, can cause your arteries to harden..etc. Might want to give the coffee up or tone it down also. At least for a while.

 

5) Find a support group

 

I know it seems overwhelming....but trust me taking these things one bite at a time will get you where you need to be. Anxiety isn't something that magically goes away. You may need to manage it but that is ok. There are tons of folks that have these issues. You have already taken a great step looking for help and not shutting it away being ashamed. If you ever want anyone to talk to I would be more than happy to do so. Good luck! You can do these things...just take them a bite at a time!

[demidekidasu]

Thank you, Lisnpuppy. I really, really mean that :)

 

I will definitely be following your advice.

[Lisnpuppy]

I hope it has been some help! Good luck and be well!

[demidekidasu]

My symptoms became worse, with swelling in my leg and private parts.

 

After two emergency visits to the hospital, I've been told I've got a hernia. I am now waiting for an appointment with a surgeon...

 

I definitely feel better now I know what the problem is :)

[Lisnpuppy]

Good to know when there is a physical reason for some of your issues. One reason I recommended a medical checkup first! Good luck huh!

[demidekidasu]

Thanks again, Lisnpuppy :)