Anxious again

[Tjgg]

Hi there I'm back..... my anxiety is getting bad again I was doing perfectly fine for 2 weeks( thank God) but now it seems to come back. I'm just tired of thinking I have something wrong ( health related ) or seems that every time something "new" hurts I think the worst. I can not concentrate and I get very depressed because I think I am going to die. I am just tired of feeling this way because it seems that I can not control my thoughts and when I feel I have it under control it comes back. I try to stay calm and to think positive but it's not helping. It's like if God is not listening to my prayers and I feel lonely. Any advise.?

[Addds]

This is me completely, I feel fine for a couple of days and then it’s back again. I have really bad panic attacks. Sorry if TMI but my butt get sweaty and I start panicking that something bad is about to happen. Just practice on breathing. Try your 5 senses. I’m so sorry your going through this. I hate this feeling. Even worse when I wake up and just think like “is this it”

[debbiegk]

I am sorry that your anxiety has returned. I understand the ups and downs you feel. Rest assured that God hears you and He cares. I find when I get my mind off of my physical ailments, not only do they improve but so does my depression/anxiety. Perhaps you can volunteer doing something you enjoy while at the same time you are helping others. When we give to others, even pets, not only do they feel better but so do we . Memorizing encouraging Bible verses like Jeremiah 29:11 encourages me as well. Praying you will feel better soon.

[Tjgg in reply to debbiegk]

Thank you for taking the time to response. I know God is there, he listens and he cares about me. I just sometimes get my moments. ....

[debbiegk in reply to Tjgg]

You are welcome. I understand. I do as well. Please know you are not alone and I am glad we can encourage one another.

[John1995]

Same here, always feel good and amazing for few days then the physical symptoms and thought will retire back again, that's what I hate the most

[Tjgg in reply to John1995]

How do you do it? Is there a "trick" for them to not come back stronger?

[John1995 in reply to Tjgg]

Sometime some of the physical will get stronger like chest pain but I will try to forget about it, some of them physical symptoms I get used it then started get less and less.

[weegmack]

Hey. We’re like twins. I also think God is not listening to my prayers and has abandoned me. I spend every day of life pretty sure that I’m dying.

Have you ever had any mental health diagnosis? I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Health Anxiety (used to be called hypochondria, but that’s become a derogatory term, so it’s “Health Anxiety” now). I have lots of pain with IBS and it changes a lot, so I’m constantly at my GP. I was there on Tuesday and she was trying to reassure me, but I burst into tears and now she wants me to come back in 3 weeks and I’ve to do a urine sample, so you can imagine all the things I’m thinking.

It’s not much of a life, is it? I’m getting worse, the older I get. My mum keeps telling me to pray about it, but I pray constantly.

I’m with you and sending you a big hug, xx

[Tjgg in reply to weegmack]

I am so sorry!!!! I just was diagnosed with OCD and anxiety. I do think about dieying every day. It's just crazy and very overwhelming. Are you taking any pills ?

[weegmack in reply to Tjgg]

I’m not on regular meds - every time I tried an antidepressant, I was violently ill after each pill! Then I tried an anti-anxiety pill and that made me vomit. It’s a nightmare. I have a tiny dose of diazepam when I feel really bad. But I wish I could tolerate meds as I’m sure I’d feel stronger after a while.

Is your OCD mainly centred on your health? Xx

[Tjgg in reply to weegmack]

I see... I have heard stories about medicine..... I'm not currently taking any. Yes my OCD is related to health. Its a nightmare, it makes anxiety even worst. I really hope we can find a solution to this.

[weegmack]

Don’t let my story about meds put you off - I have IBS and other gut problems, so consequently hyper sensitive to meds. I hope we can find a solution too 😕❤️

[Tjgg in reply to weegmack]

Did you get tested for IBS ? Did the doctor do an endoscopy ? My doc wants to do that but I just feel is pointless and very expensive. Plus I am afraid they will find something else

[weegmack]

I’ve had IBS since I was about 12 (I’m 43 just now), but I didn’t get a diagnosis of it until I was in my early 20’s - and that was just an opinion from a GP. My symptoms worsened later in my twenties, so I got a sigmoidoscopy and they formally diagnosed IBS. I also have gallstones and reflux! I’ve had three sigmoidoscopies over the years and three endoscopies. All they find is inflammation.

Like you, I was terrified they would find something else. I’m always terrified of that. Are your main symptoms upper or lower abdominal? X

[Tjgg in reply to weegmack]

Lower.

[weegmack in reply to Tjgg]

If your problems are lower, then there’s no point in an endoscopy as it goes down your throat into the stomach.

If it’s any reassurance, I have pain all the time in my gut. Lower pain, cramping, aching, stabbing. And they can’t find anything wrong with me. I think because we are health anxious, we focus on every single twinge or pain. The gut is like another brain. So it will react strongly to any stress 😕. So that can be anything from upset stomach, to pain, constipation. Xx

[weegmack in reply to Tjgg]

Also - I’m so sorry about your dad. Truly I know what you’ve been through. I lost my dad to bone cancer 21 years ago this October, two days before my wedding. I’m sure that’s what set off my health anxiety. I have children too and I totally understand your fear of becoming ill and leaving them. I swear you are my twin!

I genuinely believe that you are having a dreadful grief response to your dad’s passing. I feel you need more help with that, than exploratory surgery by a gastro. Are you able to see a mental health nurse or anything like that? Xxx

[Tjgg in reply to weegmack]

Well my pain is mainly in my lower abdomen, they are more like cycle type of cramping. But yeah they come and go. I'm 100 % sure I'm like this because of my dad passing and everything we went through. I was going to counseling but I switched to a psychologist who specializes in anxiety, she recently told me I also have OCD and that makes my anxiety worst. I'm not taking meds because she says I dont really need them right now, she will evaluate me again maybe in 2 to 3 months and see my progress. And yes I have notice I'm so aware of "new " syntoms. It can be a simple headache to a muscle twitch and I think the worst. It's a nightmare.

[weegmack in reply to Tjgg]

You’ve had a horrible time. I’m so sorry - it is a nightmare. I think the fact that you’ve had a diagnosis of OCD will definitely help you , because your psychologist will now tailor your sessions to deal with that. I’m very interested to know how she coaches you with that. You will be exhausted. I find it very hard to distract myself from the intrusive thoughts, don’t you? Xx

[Tjgg in reply to weegmack]

We are doing cognitive approach ( I believe that's what is call) I need to face my fears and expose to anxiety triggers. Its hard

[Hidden]

Yeah its like a rollercoaster isn’t it unfortunately. Up and down ! I’ve found FOR ME I just listen to myself.. if I need time out and a rest I will do that.. if I feel I need a little push to do exercises ( exercise helps me clear my mind) them I will ... if I need a good cry I’ll just go for it ... without feeling guilty about any of it x

[Tjgg in reply to Hidden]

Yes and I hate it