Anxiety relapse/hyperventilation problem

I have been able to cope with my generalized anxiety disorder fairly well for the last 2 years but lately I've been feeling a lot of the physical symptoms that used to plague me.  I was practically a hypochondriac for the first year but I eventually started to progress towards being anxiety free.  The last 3 months I've been experiencing tingling sensations in the face and body, a feeling of faint/light headed, and chest/abdominal discomfort.  I went to the urgent care which I swore I wouldn't do unless I absolutely had to and the ran a number of tests; a routine I've been accustomed to ever since I was first diagnosed with anxiety.  EKG, Chest X-ray, Blood pressure, Cardiac enzyme, Potassium levels etc...It all came back normal which is awsome and a big relief but I need to know what's causing me these symptoms, I feel like I'm getting no where.  The doctor told me everything was inconclusive and on whats causing these symptoms he told me it's either hyperventilation or anxiety if not both.  I just don't know what to do anymore I feel like I'll never have a normal life again.  Sorry about my rambling I'm just freaking out.

[CanuckGuy42]

Well i can tell you that I have been experiencing similar symptoms that thus far have been not attributed to any medical reason... basically tingling in my legs and hands, lightheadedness which seem to come on shortly after I wake up and start moving around and pretty much stick around the whole day. I notice them more when I am seated and not moving... also a bit of restless leg syndrome (move my legs alot when I am sitting).

so I was diagnosed with Anxiety by both my GP and psychologist however we are still looking, mostly for my benefit and as exclusionary and possible medical problem.... had a whole whack of blood tests done...BP is normal, had a CT scan of my head (still waiting on results) and will have a few more. But ultimately everyone is convinced its anxiety and I would say im 85% there already myself. The reality is you could keep looking for a medical reason forever and find nothing... at some point we have to accept, in the light of finding nothing medically wrong, that these are simply anxiety symptoms and dealing with the anxiety should deal with the symptoms.

Both my GP and psycholgist explained my parasthesia (tingling in the extremeties) and lightheadedness as a result of chronic hyperventilation which can be caused by shallow breathing that you are unaware you are doing. Light exercise and diaphram focused breathing exercises (could take weeks to have any effect I am told) are supposed to help to reverse the metabolic changes as a result of months of an irregular breathing pattern.

I recently stated anti-anxiety meds (lexapro) to try and create a calmer mental and physical environment to help promote, amongst other things.. a return to a regular breathing pattern.

Anyway hope this helps....

[newportttttttt]

Yeah I agree it's just really hard to accept these crazy symptoms as just another anxiety issue.  I have had a hard time discerning between whether or not it's real problem or just anxiety related especially in the heat of the moment...Thank you for your response at least I know I'm not alone...

[newportttttttt]

Yeah I agree it's just really hard to accept these crazy symptoms as just another anxiety issue.  I have had a hard time discerning between whether or not it's real physical problem or just anxiety related especially in the heat of the moment...Thank you for your response at least I know I'm not alone...

[CanuckGuy42]

I know what you mean... I still find myself lapsing and thinking this has to be something medical that everyone is just missing... the good thing is you have looked into the medical side.. as I am doing so... we're covering both bases and thats good....