Help!-Anxiety and physical symptoms...

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Help!-Anxiety and physical symptoms...
9
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 9:44am

I have no idea what to call what is going on, or even if this is anxiety related but here goes - I'll take my most recent occurance, but this has been going on for quite some time. The last probably 2 weeks were pretty crazy and nerve wracking for me (I get myself worked up over little things that don't normally bother most people). During that time, besides being a ball of nerves- physically I was fine. Now that things are pretty much calmed down - I am having the same chest pain/ stomach problems that I have after every stressful thing happens in my life. It is weird - while the stressful

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 10:09am

Hi {{{Tinkerbell}}} I'm sorry you're going through so much. I am no expert but to me it sounds like anxiety/panic. It actually makes sense that you don't freak when you are in the moment because that is when obviously you need to be in control. Maybe someone can explain this better but here is an ex for you that I've been through.

Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 10:26am
Danielle - thanks for the input. My doctor is a family practice Military doctor. And I haven't had the best luck with military doctors in the past. They know a little bit about everything, but not alot about one thing. They know how to treat colds and hand out medicine. That's about all I've learned. I know I need to see another doctor, but we are moving soon, and I don't see starting over with someone new for 2-3 months and then going through it again. I get overwhellmed very easily and the whole idea of having do to that just stresses me out. I'm a mess!
 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 10:44am

Believe me I know how you feel about military dr's, they are very good at handing out pills to fix you. That is why I decided to take my issues off base instead of letting this woman do more harm to me than good. I understand your not wanting to see a new dr before pcs, I don't think I would either. Even though we're in the window for orders, we haven't gotten any so I'm just praying that we don't because I really like my new p/tdoc.


Do you know where you are pcs'ing to yet?

Hugs & Prayers


Danielle


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Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 11:19am

I am sorry that things are so rough. It is pretty common to have physical illnesses when dealing with anxiety/panic & just plain stress. Please remember that you are different than other folks. You are more sensitive to the subtle changes in your body because of your chemical make up. Be kind to yourself. If anyone *thinks* you're a hypochondriac, so be it! We, as anxiety sufferers, know differently. This is not a flaw in your character. This is a flaw in your chemistry.


It's difficult not to focus on physical symptoms, but it can be done. Re-focus your thoughts to something more positive. Use the breathing method as you need it, plus throw in a couple *stop & take a deep breath* a few times a day, even if you aren't anxious or having chest pain. Keep yourself occupied with hobbies, interests, exercise, whatever it takes to keep your mind off the symptoms. Don't be ashamed or embarrassed to have the dr. check you again. It will reassure you & prevent full blow panic attacks. I was unable to cope in the past & went to the ER countless times in the ambulance because I couldn't control my fear. I am doing better now, but it took alot of work & I admit, it takes time. Rome wasn't built in a day. Good luck & GBU! We are here to give you the support you need. Drop in anytime. (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 11:20am

No, which is part of the stress. I should be use to this though, because the last time we got orders we got them 2 1/2 weeks before we PCS's. We are PCS-ing this summer. Orders should have been out by now - everyone is in a uproar about it.


Actually, I have only seen my PCM 2 x's - the other times I was going to a GYN because some of the physical symptoms that were stress related were messed up periods. And after all the tests that came back normal - she diagnosed me as depressed - and for the first time in years - I finally accepted it. I didn't think I was. Acutally I have depression and anxiety. For some reason, I can accept the anxiety Dx better than the depression. It's almost like I flip flop - I'm either anxious for a while, and then I get depressed for awhile, but not both at the same time.


The funny thing about the military medical care for where we are right now, I have a few neighbor friends who are military medics (either doctor, nurse or head of dept.), but I feel stupid asking them to help me find a good doctor. I did when it came to my acid reflux - but I can't with this. I'm too embarassed. :O

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 4:44pm

Tinkerbell,

I just wanted to present you with my history because it is very similar but in my case my symptoms turned out to not be anxiety related. I definitely have panic disorder and I take Paxil to treat it, etc. One day I could not take a deep breath and it was extremely painful and I thought that it was likely related to my panic disorder. I went to the ER regardless because I was in a ton of pain. They x-rayed my lungs and did a ton of tests and it turns out that it was acide reflux. I couldn't believe it. My sister and father have it (my sister takes medication but my father refuses) and I just never thought that I would because I was 28 at the time and had never had any symptoms. Also - the pain that I was having (so bad that my chest wall spasmed visibly each time I tried to take a deep breath) seemed way too extreme to be related to acid reflux.

Turns out that it was a GI problem after all. I took the medication for awhile but now control it mainly by diet modification. You said that you are taking medication for heartburn so maybe you have dealt with this, but I wanted to mention it anyway.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2003
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 7:17pm

Thanks for sharing. After getting a upper GI and them finding nothing and me still having this problem the dr suggested going in for a different test that is to see if I'm having esophagial spasms - but this was just a last resort thing but the dr really thought what was going on with me was stress related and even told me that at one time they thought esophagial spams were psychopsymatic anyway - basically she was telling me it was all in my head.


I really tried to relax today and take deep breaths and it has helped some, my chest is not as tight as it was feeling this AM. I'm going to take Yoga tonight and see if it helps.


Thanks again!

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Fri, 03-11-2005 - 10:25am
That's great - yoga helped me a ton. The breathing exercises are wonderful. I still do a tape with my balance ball every day that combines yoga and pilates. I love it because it utilizes breathing that is great and i am really amazed at the results as far as stength training. I have found that the stronger I am physically, the less likely I am to have panic attacks. For me, my panic attacks were centered around my physical presence. I would refuse to sit or touch anything for fear that my joints would just start dislocating, things like that.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 11:50pm
Well tinkerbell we are the kind of folks that people love to have around in a crisis.

Blessings, Suz   Posts in this Community