So I've been dealing with GAD and panic attacks for over 10 years. Had on and off physical symptoms all these years . Due to that I developed health anxiety in past few years. I worry about every sensation, every pain.
Before I list my main concerning symptoms let me tell you the tests I've had done. MRI of head and MRI of head veins. head CT scan. ECG on several occasions. Spyrometry and allergy tests, lungs MRI and asthma tests. Been checked out by neurologist at every major panic attack (about once a year/once every 2 years). Had my blood drawn for every possible thing. Everything came back perfectly okay apart from a minor vitamin D deficiency which got taken care of years ago and latest tests confirmed its now okay.
My problem right now is diziness, tingling and pins and needles in mostly legs, sometimes arms and vision issues. I do wear glasses and I got it checked recently and everything seems okay. It feels like my vision is worsening and sometimes gets blurry. But I am almost constantly dizzy over the past 6 months. It goes away most of the time when I'm distracted enough, same with tingling in limbs, thought that tends to stay even when I'm distracted. The bigger dizzy spells scare me so much. It feels like I'm going to lose conciousness, but over the last... pretty sure over 15 years I only fainted once and it was due to completely different reasons. Apart from pins and needles and occasional muscle pain I am not in pain almost at all. Its moreso fear of losing control or fainting and nobody finding me after.
I am absolutely terrified the doctors missed a brain tumor or maybe a start of MS. I'm also absolutely terrified of stroke or heart issues beccause we have a history of heart issues in family.
Any kind of reassurance that this CAN be anxiety or anyone sharing similar issues would be greatly appreciated. I just have never seen or met anyone who had physical symptoms of anxiety for this long. And the longevity of it all makes me doubt in medical professionals. It might sound dumb but so far I have found more comfort in my loved ones telling me I'm healthy than actual doctors. Mind you this is not me trying to insult doctors at all, just explaining my thought process.
Thank you for any kind of answers
Love, Misha
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MishaSenpai
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There is a huge line for therapists in my country, so sadly I'm waiting till november, but I am seeing a psychiatrist and am on regular meds, some weeks are just getting to me a whole lot more than others
The fact that your dizziness and some of the tingling goes away when you are distracted is an indication that anxiety is the cause of these symptoms. It would be worthwhile to consider a psychiatrist and anti depressants. It can also be useful to have a mild tranquilizer on hand. Sometimes knowing it is there is enough and it is not actually necessary to take it. They can be useful, though, from time to time (not on a constant basis unless so advised by a doctor.). I should add that I am not a doctor.
You indicate that the dizziness and tingling have lasted for 6 months. Have you asked your doctor about it. This can be worthwhile just for reassurance. Health anxiety is a very miserable problem to have. I understand what you are going through as I also have health anxiety. It may be helpful to post about it whenever the symptoms occur. x
Thank you for your extensive response. I am on 10mg Cipralex at the moment and take Helex for extreme panic but lately it only helps to an extent, I still worry way more than normal. I forgot to mention my medicine as I am completely out of it today, sorry about that.
It happened before for a longer periods of time (sometimes weeks, sometimes months), but everytime I got checked there was no indication of physical damage to my body in any way or any illnesses. I just have a huge distrust towards doctors here, but I also had scans in other countries (my partner is from across europe) and everything was okay there as well. It feels so bad going to a doctor just to be told you're okay. I'll definitely take posting more into consideration, trying to get into some help groups while I wait for my therapist appointment. Thank you for replying, it makes me at ease to feel less alone <3
Try not to run out of medicine. When you run out and stop all of a sudden it can make the anxiety much worse. I am in the US, so am not sure what Helix is.
Wow I would not even know what to do given that chance but I'd like to think I would also run away and fix my darn mental issues. I have never read much on Mind-body Connection but will definitely give a read to a few articles and maybe some books. I thankfully keep away from googling symptoms lately so I improved there!
It makes me genuinelly happy I am not alone and that so many have gone through this and came out on top or at least are still in the process of trying. SO far everyone responding has been nothing but supportive and that means the world. I know we're just internet strangers but sometimes that's all it takes. Thank you so much! <3
Misha,I see you from Slovenia, I hope you understand Serbian... I have similar problems, if you want, look for me on messenger or Instagram: Todor Arsovski, we could talk at any time...
I sadly don't understand much Serbian only the basics. I dont think I'm ready to talk one on one with anyone but a therapist quite yet but I truly do appreciate the offer, thank you!
So sorry for all these. I've had similar experiences as you. There was a period the dizziness was worse but it's a lot better now. I've done all the tests you mentioned too thinking it's something else. Anxiety can mimic anything on my body. I believe you will get better.
They do say anxiety is the best mimic. I'm sorry you had to deal with all of this as well. I'm trying my best to keep living my life normally and the support here is actually helping a bunch.
Hi,_ from my own experience (and my wife): How is your sleep? Haver you ever gone through polissonagraphy , testing, in particular , for UARS (upper Airways resistence syndrome) and sleep disorder breathing , both , quite often , cause for anxiety and panic, and many more HEALTH isssues?
_ your problem may not be physical, however, first of all, you would have to rule out It;
_ just in case, you might search relationships between SDB and mental ilness (ex: dr Barry Krakow, dr Steven Park).
I have issues falling asleep but only due to overthinking, never had trouble breathing at night, so I'm fairly certain thats not the issue, I do appreciate trhe advice and input though thank you <3
please try therapy. With what you described, change in the way you view your body reactions will help. I am also in a similar situation and I believe DBT therapy is the way to go.
There is a huge line for therapists here, unless I pay for it which I can't afford sadly. I am in line but sadly only have appointment in november. But am definitely working on it!
try to allocate 1 hour a week to read dbtselfhelp.com. All tricks r documented there for reference. ONE-Mindfulness with no negative judgment on any thoughts is the principle. What is essential is practicing these ideas every time.
Hello I completely understand that, I have experienced the same issues as you do for years, with limited support and help, I've been told during an evaluation its highly likely I'm autistic so a lot of issues come with that but not being diagnosed and being left to fend for myself it worries me whether there are other things that are going on with me, I hope you are okay and find a way of dealing with it health anxiety is horrible
Well, as to your request for reassurance IT CAN ALL BE ANXIETY. While you do have a list of symptoms they may not all be related. You mention being dizzy, for example. I get dizzy spells off and on all the time. I've come to find out that they are caused mostly by a combination of a recurring sinus condition and my TMJ. I also have tinnitus, which varies greatly in severity, but is always there. The tinnitus is associated with both sinuses and TMJ. I get a lot of weird tingling sensations. I can identify with pretty much all your symptoms. When I was younger I constantly had health anxiety. I don't think I have any more than the average person now so you can get better from this.
Obviously, I can't guarantee you there is nothing physically wrong with you, but it does sound like you've certainly done your due diligence in being proactive about your health. My son, unfortunately, has inherited some of my genetics that we wish he hadn't. I'll share one story with you. When he was in his teens he drop to the ground out of nowhere. His entire body would get heavy trying to get into bed after sitting on the floor. I had to pull him while he tried to get in. There were a lot of MS symptoms. He was terrified of course. I was searching out MS treatments. His doctor felt that he probably had nothing serious, but referred him to a neurologist. After the doctor did some in office testing of his muscle functioning and an MRI he said, "Well, I don't know what's wrong with you, but you are dying." From that moment on the symptoms never returned.
The caveat is these are my own experiences and I can't say you don't have a physical problem. I will say that when I really suffered serious health anxiety I never had any of the horrible things I feared. I now have an autoimmune condition, but it's manageable. I had stress about it, but not that horrible anxiety I used to get. I think our anxiety brains are always looking for a problem. Our nervous systems are on high alert. Health anxiety causes us to hyperfocus on every bodily sensation we perceive as different, which causes a cascade of events like not breathing, tightened muscles and nervous system tingling, etc.
I have had gad much longer than 10years. There is good news though, cognitive behavior therapy, books, and podcast have helped me. In fact, you should check out a podcast called the The Anxiety Guy. He suffered from health anxiety for six years and cured himself. Start at episode one. I think it would really help you. Good luck!
I've dealt with health anxiety on and off, you might check out the youtube videos and website of Paige Pradko she is a therapist that had health anxiety and OCD and healed herself and now helps others. She offers really clear information and advice and I think she even has a online health anxiety program available.
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