Feeling Alone in Colorado

[Golddogenzo]

I used to be a happy cheerful person then the dark day last November I woke up and just unraveled. I have no idea why or what happened but suddenly I started worrying about every ache, pain , twinge, change you name it. I have been in the Emergency Room more times than I want to admit. They can never find anything actually physically wrong other than old age (I am 64). So they always send me home with more tranquilizers. I have had tons of tests run with no red flags. Anxiety they say. But my mind says it’s something much worse. Heart attacks, strokes, thyroid storms, kidney problems, heart problems. 😩. I am driving people crazy with this hyper vigilant behavior about the things my brain manifests as “real” health issues. I am in therapy as well the craziest patient in our rural health clinic. I admit I am so lucky to have such kind doctors and nurses who never laugh or make fun of me. But I really want this craziness to stop. It is ruining my life by obsessive behavior over my health. Do any of you have a similar problem and how do you make it go away?! Please help me.

[Agora1]

Hi Golddogenzo, I was like that many years ago. Young or not, the symptoms were real.

First it was my heart that I was obsessed with, then my stomach, then my throat and breathing.. My friends were doctors. My outings were medical appointments. Every week I had an exam or test of some kind. After a while, they did start to grin when I'd come in with yet another complaint(s) written on a long piece of paper.

I had a team of specialists only and not just 1 GP. Finally the GI doc must have gotten tired of my always showing up thinking they were missing something. He said the only thing he could do to prove to me once and for all that I was okay (and it was anxiety) was to perform

an exploratory surgery. Meaning cut me open from stem or stern. I got out of there as fast

as I could and never returned. That was the beginning of my turn around. I think we all have

a beginning of the end of these lies that our mind tells us. What do you think it would be for you? What would you need to believe it is truly anxiety? xx

[Kainan in reply to Agora1]

wow that must have been an eye opener. That reminds me of several years ago when I was in the impatient ward and I was doing so bad that the doctor wanted to try ect on me. They wanted to send shockwaves through my brain! That frightened me so much that I wanted to get out of there as fast as I could and never look back. And I'm glad I did.

[Agora1 in reply to Kainan]

How interesting Kainan that just the words ECT were enough of a shock to have you

change your ways. xx

[Kainan in reply to Agora1]

Yeah that and my whole experience there. I promised myself that I will do my best to not end up back there.

[Kainan in reply to Kainan]

It's interesting that when we are faced with a reality more daunting than what we make up to be in our minds that we suddenly "wake up" and try to get a grip of ourselves and our lives

[Agora1 in reply to Kainan]

LOL how true how true xx

[Golddogenzo in reply to Agora1]

It would change my mind too!

[Golddogenzo in reply to Kainan]

Yikes!!! 😳

[Golddogenzo in reply to Agora1]

Oh My Goodness I think I would be convinced too!! Exploratory surgery!!! Oh My!!! Thanks for the suggestion to put into my demented 🧠! I hope you are doing well now!

[Agora1 in reply to Golddogenzo]

I am just fine thank you.

I'm not saying that Anxiety isn't bad enough but going that extra mile

to convince me wasn't worth it. I believed then it was anxiety and worked

on understanding it more. Researching the Mind/Body Connection to our symptoms.

The more we learn, the better prepared we are to accept anxiety as a lie that our mind allows us to believe. Once we do, the physical symptoms take over and we become entrapped in a fear begets fear cycle.

I'm glad you are here with us Golddogenzo. As we all talk about our own journey with

anxiety, you will see that you aren't alone and that there are ways to overcome it. xx

[Golddogenzo]

I am so sorry you are suffering with this stuff too. It’s awful and the physical symptoms feel so real. I send you big hugs from the mountain. Take good care of yourself. ❤️