Please help:

[destinymichelle]

The last few days I’ve noticed that when I wake up, I feel as if I cant move. My legs feel weak and numb. Sometimes this happens during the day even when I’m not just waking up. It’s also been waking me up from my sleep and sometimes it’s my whole body that feels weak and sometimes it’s just half of my body. Here is a list of symptoms that I’ve been having and to make things clear, I have these symptoms even when I’m not having an anxiety attack.

-back pain, chest pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain, weak arms and legs, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach pain, nausea, tight stomach, tight chest, shaking (tremors?) vision problems, double vision/blurred vision, headaches, also my jaw has felt shaky. Not sure how to explain it but it’s like when your teeth hit each other from being super cold, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing.

As I’ve said, these symptoms happen almost 24/7 anymore. These do not only happen whenever I’m having an anxiety attack. I had chest X-ray, blood test, urine test, and an ekg 2 months ago. Could things change that quickly at 19 years old?

[Annabelle61]

Destiny I think these symptoms can occur with anxiety even when we don’t feel that we are in a panic situation. When this happens to you -,try to lay quietly- close your eyes and breathe deeply. You can also try rhythmic breathing breathe in count of 4 - hold count of 4 - breathe out 6-7

I’ve found this to be quite helpful.

At your age nothing is likely to change that quickly. Are you on any meds for your anxiety ? Maybe a call to your dr would help ?

Take good care of yourself- I wish you peace ❤️

[destinymichelle in reply to Annabelle61]

No, I’m not on any meds because I don’t have any insurance so I’m trying to get that all figured out. I wish I had a dr that I could call and maybe get some reassurance. I’ve been to the ER 3 times since July. They all told me that it was just my anxiety. Im sure they know what they’re talking about, but my health anxiety tells me otherwise and having physical symptoms is very exhausting. It’s been new to me this last few months. I have had physical symptoms before, but it was when I was having an attack or maybe a few days later. It’s never been this long but the dr told me it’s because I haven’t had any treatment for it.

[Annabelle61 in reply to destinymichelle]

I’m sorry that you’re not able to speak to a dr about these symptoms but they do really sound like your anxiety taking over. Hopefully you will be able to start on a daily med soon to help you out & start to recover. Health anxiety can play such tricks with our minds - when I feel a worry taking over & dragging me down I stop - close my eyes and breathe !!! When we are anxious we tend to shallow breath which can make symptoms worse .i hope you feel better soon ❤️

[destinymichelle in reply to Annabelle61]

It definitely is taking over. Thank you so much ❤️

[Funkyfaerie]

Destiny Michelle,

I have had all the same symptoms as you, on and off for five years now, but are gradually going away as I no longer fear them.

Feel free to pm me if you want to talk.

The trick is don't be afraid of them, and don't give them credence by constantly thinking about your symptoms, I know it's hard right now. But get up when you wake up, don't lay there worrying, make a cup of tea, and get on with your day.

I don't mean to sound harsh, trust me I still get the odd bad day. But is only us that can get us out of this.

I do feel for you, but we are strong!

[destinymichelle in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Thank you so much! That isn’t harsh. I actually really appreciate it. That’s what I’ve been trying to do is just continue to push through my day the best that I can and acknowledge the symptoms and just move on. I’ve been trying not to dwell on them and it’s actually been helping. Last night I was feeling all of those symptoms for about an hour and I reminded myself that i have felt them before and that they aren’t going to harm me and it actually really helped. ❤️ I just turned on a funny show and kept it moving. Usually I dwell on my symptoms which makes even more come up and I’ll convince myself that I’m going to drop dead at any moment, but I reminded myself that I’ve had them before and will have them again. It does feel scary and very unpleasant, but if I continue to give in I will only feel worse. Thank you so much and also thank you for sharing your story with me. ❤️ I’m so glad that you’ve learned how to take control!