living in fear day and night

[Francesca-H]

i really am in need of some advise...ive had a full on anxiety attack after reading something that has now made me wonder i have that rather than acid reflux which the doctor told me I had....i haven't stopped crying for the past 4 hrs and need to be up for work in 5hrs...does anyone know of any good calming technics...i feel i physically cannot take anymore i wake up in fear and cannot sleep because my mind is racing with what if I have cancer and I'm dying...the last 4 weeks have been awful just when i thought I was in a good place...😴😭

[Jeff1943]

There's absolutely no reason to believe you have cancer Francesca, that's your anxiety talking, don't listen to it. If the doc says it's acid reflux that's what it is, thinking we know better than doctors is another symptom of anxiety. So breath in slowly, hold it, then breath out slowly and repeat a few times, it releases natural tranquillising hormones. Dry your eyes and get some rest, you're going to be fine, you are going to recover.

[Francesca-H in reply to Jeff1943]

thank you for your reply...but just wjat if its like stomach cancer i don't know why I googled it and when I saw like indigestion and pain in breastbone I'm now still in bits...has my axiety yesterday and today made the pain come back or is it more sinister...what if the doctor has got it wrong that all that runs through my head....im litrally at the point where I kind of feel like what the point in living if I have to deal with tnis day and night

[Jeff1943 in reply to Francesca-H]

Francesca, remember that you are on the Anxiety forum. Anxiety. The chances of these pains being cancer are so small it is not worth considering. It's the common case of someone with anxiety disorder always thinking the very worst regarding their health, you must have noticed how common it is. Claire Weekes who wrote 'Self help for your nerves' wrote that the stomach is the most sympathetic organ to respond to anxiety. Everything from churning stomach to IBS are caused by anxiety and stomach ache too. I've had it.

If you doubt your doctor so, even though he went to medical school for 5 years, then go back and ask for a second opinion and possibly an endoscopy fir reassurance. But when the results come back showing nothing serious you must accept that decision. Instead of worrying about an illness you don"t have why not pay attention to the mefical condition you do have - anxiety.

You see, Francesca, you can't cure an illness you don't have.

So please accept these symptons calmly and without adding second fear to first fear, accept them for the moment as adding extra fear only makes them continue.

And maybe read that book by Claire Weekes I just mentioned (available from Amazon) which I believe will bring you reassurance, understanding and a path to certain recovery.

[KathleenW]

I’ve been going through the exact same thing for over 3 months. I feel your pain and nervousness!! The doctor first said it was acid reflux and I took 3 different medicines and antacids. All made it much worse!!!

The doctors decided it was all my anxiety.

When you’re anxious you produce more acid

I’ve been resisting the idea for 2/3 years for taking any SSRI’s because I’m afraid, although I can and do take Xanax. But I finally gave in and started taking Lexapro last week because I can’t live like this anymore!!! I’m hoping it helps me. I don’t know if you take anything now, but you might want to consider this option too. I know taking new medicine is so scary!!

But sometimes we run out of options!!

I’ve tried meditation, deep breathing, guided imagery, baths, listening and playing music

Sometimes those things help. But sometimes not. I’ll keep you in My prayers that you feel better very soon 😘❤️💕

[Francesca-H in reply to KathleenW]

thank you for your reply...tjey have me new anti acid tablets which seem to be working apart from the slight chest pain....i am so now convinced it's something

like stomach cancer i don't know why I googled it and when I saw like indigestion and pain in breastbone I'm now still in bits...has my axiety yesterday and today made the pain come back or is it more sinister...what if the doctor has got it wrong that all that runs through my head....

[Kathwins in reply to Francesca-H]

You sound a lot like me. I just stopped googling every time I had a new symptom. It only makes our minds think the worst case scenario!! And then our anxiety goes up !! And things go from bad to worse!! Just trust your body. Best of luck I hope you feel better in no time at all 😊