Physical Anxiety

[kled2000]

Hi all,

I'm in the middle of trying to figure out what I'm really going through right now and I wanted to post on here to first thank all the users of this board and say how much reading some of your situations has helped me.  

I am a 28 year old recovering alcoholic (4+ great years) and I've recently found myself being dealt a bad hand.  About 3 months ago I was walking to my car in a parking lot and I felt this pop in my chest, I had trouble catching my breath for about 30 minutes but I really didn't think much of it.  I actually drove home fine and told my wife that it was a weird experience, went to bed that night and tried to go about my normal life the next day.  The only problem was that the chest pain and mild shortness of breath continued.  Finally after about a week into dealing with this I was driving home from work and I was on a call with my wife and I finally said, I think I'm going to go see a doctor about this.  As soon as I hung up the phone I started to feel intense pain/discomfort in my left arm, left leg, neck and chest.  I immediately thought I was having a heart attack so I drove to the nearest ER where they quickly checked me out and said I wasn't…

I had a history of anxiety in the past and a few trips to the hospital thinking I was dying of a heart attack prior to getting sober.  In other words, I am familiar with the unexplainable disappointment that comes with being told you are not having a heart attack when you are having an anxiety attack.  Back then I worked with my doctor because the problem was only when I was trying to go to sleep at night.  I ended up being on and off zoloft, found trazadone and loved it as a sleep aid.  Got sober and all the problems stopped.  

Fast forward 3 years and I am leaving the ER again and being told to see my doctor.  My doctor quickly assumed that my symptoms had to be the result of anxiety.  I got a 2nd opinion because I wasn't convinced and that doctor sent me for a CT scan w/ contrast to check my chest for blood clots.  All clear…

After a few more visits to my doctor, an ultrasound on my thyroid and a continuation of my problems I'm left with what I feel is my last hope in seeing a psychiatrist.  

My goal through this whole thing has been telling the doctors that I don't want to take any medications.  Yet, I've had to take meds to simply get by.  

I'm currently taking Buspirone 40MGs total in a day and about .5MG of ativan when I feel like I'm having a panic/anxiety attack or simply when I'm trying to go to fall asleep.  My hope was the buspirone would help control some of the physical symptoms of anxiety that I have around the same parts of my day so I could avoid taking the Benzos.  That has not been the case.  I drive 40 miles to work each day with pressure/tingling/pain in my left arm, left side of my chest, esophagus, jaw and left foot.  I feel like my eyes bug out and it freaks me out as well.  Once the car stops moving and I've firmly pressed the parking break in the parking lot, I start to feel a little better.  I then go about my work day with little to no problems at all.  The process repeats on the drive home and then just getting through the evening and falling asleep without taking an ativan is a miracle.

This brings me to the part of my novel where I do have a few questions for the group…

1- I am scared to death that someone is going to tell me that I can't take benzos anymore because of their addictive nature.  So far the ativan is the only thing that helps subside the pain/discomfort and allow me to live a somewhat normal life (i've already cancelled a trip to las vegas next week because I don't want to make the drive).  Has anyone had their doctor not provide them with this if it is working.  I've had a 30 day supply last almost 60 days now and I almost celebrate every morning when I wake up and the day prior was a day where I didn't take the script.  
2- Has anyone had the physical symptoms associated with only a few parts of their day as I described above? (i.e. driving or just trying to relax alone/sleep)
3- Has anyone done anything that they feel really helped them without the need of any of these meds?  (I take the buspar and don't feel like it is really helping me overcome my issues)

I am 28 years old, out of shape, 40LBs overweight and I haven't taken the best care of my body through the last few years.  This has led me to give up caffeine, cut back on nicotine (trying to quick chewing tobacco) and be more conscious of what I eat.  

[anxiety860]

Anxiety can cause CRAZY symptoms. Body ache is a big one. A lot of people mention that around here. You weren't infected with anything donating blood. You just went to the doctor and you are healthy.  Working out actually helps with anxiety too. Going on walks, jogging, riding a bike etc.  your jaw could be TMJ. Some people with anxiety clinch their mouth hard without noticing it. People without anxiety also do this. A lot do it while they're sleeping. My anxiety causes me to clinch my jaw and I have TMJ. Makes my jaw hurt head hurt. Sometimes my ear. I have been convinced so many times I was dying when really it was just anxiety. It is that powerful over us. Medication. Religion. And strong thought have helped me a lot. Maybe talk to your doctor about switching medication. Or possibly therapy??  You have to think strong. I honestly believe mind power is a big role in beating anxiety.

[Roxi_92]

Ohh and my doctor prescribed me paroxetine 10mg
Doesn't work for crap just gets me sleepy

[Roxi_92]

I'm a 21 year old girl that has been suffering from anxiety for almost 3 months now. I started having panic attacks back in May or April and it was a constant thing. It all started when I went to this clinic to give blood and they told me I might be diabetic because my sugar was low. It freaked me out I passed out while they were trying to take out blood. Idk why I went I feel like they infected me with something ever since I have not been the same and plus that I've had unprotected sex as well. I just got a std test done and I came out negative on everything. But my anxiety has led me to have every symtom and sometimes I don't think it's anxiety I just feel I'm in the beginning stages so it's not popping up. Idk why my anxiety started and has led me to have constant pain  in my body. I got a like a cold, my head hurts, my chest hurts, my joints and muscles hurt the most there hurting right now as we speak especially on my hands, back and neck ache, my vision has been going blurry, my jaw hurts, plus it feels like I have a tooth ache, my skin was itchy but not soo much, I get tingly feels, I feel like something pulling my tongue down my throat, I get dizzy after eating and sometimes just randomly during the day, I have a yeast infection that won't go away, I haven't been able to wear anything tight cause my body starts aching, I feel like my blood circulation isn't flowing right on my legs, I've lost a little bit of weight because I haven't been eating the same everything gets me lightheaded. And I also get this rubber band feeling around my wrist and ankles and fingers and sometimes toes. My ribs have hurt and feel bruised. And did I forget to mention these symtoms are on a daily basis. I got a physical and I don't have high blood pressure, my liver is in good health, I'm not diabetic, and my cholesterol is fine. And I came out negative on stds. The only things the doctor told me is that I'm low on vitamin d . And I need to exercise more because I'm over weight :/ I'm 5'4 and I weigh 203. But idk like I want to believe it's anxiety but it all feels way to real and sometimes I see my hands changing colors. Like sometimes they get really red. And I feel like  cracking my bones all the time or stretching I feel soo tense. Soo I understand everything ur going through. I've been into the ER 3 times already and they took exrays of my heart and I'm fine I guess :/ my blood pressure started going up and down when I was stressing but the last time I went they said it was back to normal but I don't feel like my anxiety is here anymore. I just have the daily pains they cause my anxiety to act up:/ hope my story helped u. Keep in touch

[anxiety860]

First off. Great going go to the doctors. You know you are physically healthy. Always remember that when anxiety strikes. Second. Congrats on being sober!! Anyways. Do you have or feel anxiety when you feel your chest pop or have a hard time breathing?? Feeling a shortness of breath is common in anxiety. Also. Do you have a primary care doctor? Who you talk to about your anxiety? I do and that's how I get my Prozac and klonopin. If you're worried about running out of a benzo find a PCP who truly knows your anxiety. They should prescribe a safe benzo to you if you have a history with anxiety. How long that prescription will last depends.  Having a hard time breathing is common I get that often. Try deep breathing. Working out. Yoga. Prayer. It takes time and commitment to beat anxiety. Good luck