Can't stop noticing my swallowing and breathing

[Abruce]

I'm on high doses of lexapro and Buspar and still have tremendous anxiety about the thoughts of noticing my breathing and swallowing. Been dealing with this for many years, in therapy with an OCD therapist, still many struggles, anyone else have the same problems 😔😔

[BonnieSue]

No, not the same problems and I believe it's because not the same meds. You aren't on a benzodiazepine for anxiety. Your Dr. is appropriately trying to avoid benzos because (1) they can be addicting and (2) they can cause memory problems after long usage. Neither problem has to happen but they are possibilities. Having tried to stay away from benzos, it may be that you need them and it's time to prescribe them. You can bring up the problem with your Dr. if you want this resolved and can't get rid of the problem after taking the advice of the 1st person to write back to you.

I've been on a benzo for 29 years for GAD and it's well under control and I couldn't be more pleased. I have no anxiety problems and I've cut my dose from 4 mgs per day from 11 mos. ago to my present dose of 1 mg per day. Not very addicted I'd say. But I do have gaps in my memory. My dad, however, does not and he's been on benzos for longer than I. So who knows? it appears to be hit or miss. Best of luck and good health to you.

[BMW123]

Hi,

I notice every little thing with my body and it gets annoying at times. Pulse, breathing, twitches, etc. I've been to Doctor more times than I can count. He just keeps telling me it's all anxiety. Back/neck pain, headaches, head pressure, shakes, nausea, leg weakness, feeling faint. Could this really be? I'm constantly worried it's something more serious like MS. I'm always googling things which makes it worse. I can never let my mind rest. 😔

[BonnieSue in reply to BMW123]

You're describing health anxiety, a form of anxiety not under control. You may have general anxiety that is trying to focus on a phobia to reduce your total amount of anxiety. Example: Instead of being anxious and miserable all day, your mind will pick something like a doorknob (or dogs or leaving the house or bridges) to be phobic about. Now everything else in your day is normal and doesn't cause anxiety, just doorknobs.

With health anxiety the person focuses excessively on any tiny symptom and worries they have almost every disease and disorder they read about.

[Hidden]

Yes but my thoughts are about the anxiety. I'm scared of it. Now my bladder hurts. Can't stop thinking about it. My mind won't let the thoughts stop. Don't know what to do.