burning sensations

[staley]

For over a year now, I have been constantly worried and stressed out about something in my personal life. Recently, at work, when I get really anxious about something, I get burning sensations that subside when the feelings of anxiuosness dissipate. They are usually around my feet, ankles or lower legs, but occasionally back and neck. I don't get them on the weekends. Does this likely indicate that its the anxiety only that's causing my symptoms, or could it be something else and the anxiety kicks it up a notch. By the way, I catch my self tensing my shoulders up many times at work, and have had panic attacks during the past year.

[tostressed]

Definatley sounds like anxiety. I get that same feeling when I get panicky or anxiety is very high. I'll burn in my hands and feet. Sometimes it will be all over my body. You just have to make sure you assure yourself of that or you will let it escalate into something more. I know that it can be very scary, hang in there.

[staley]

Thanks for your words of support. Coupled with my already high level of worry, I have a stressful job.

[Barbarella]

I was under tremendous stress at one time for awhile and my feet were burning so bad that I let cold water run into the bathtub so I could stand in there hoping the burning would go away.  My scalp also burned like I had a sunburn on top of my head.

[staley]

Thanks for your post. You said "for awhile". Does that mean the symptoms ceased once your stress levels returned to normal? I hope so--for yours and my sake.

[Barbarella]

Yes, the for "awhile" took about a year "off and on". not every day, but sometimes every day.  The burning feet were the WORST.  The burning scalp did not take as long.  It was beneath the scalp, in other words not a skin condition as in infected hair folicles or from hair dye/perm nothing like that, but a burning underneath my scalp, like a sunburn.

[staley]

Sounds eerily familiar. Hopefully, I will be as fortunate; although, my general level of anxiety is still high.

[Barbarella]

These were/are not my only symptoms due to anxiety.  I've been suffering from anxiety for the last 50 yrs.

There are books out by Dr. Claire Weeks, she helped me so much (after I suffered severe panic attacks and anxiety for 30 yrs) what Therapists and even a Psychiatrist could not do for me.

I now have it under control, but am not cured.  But I do not fear of dying from it anymore.

When I get anxiety attacks my BP shoots as high as 255 at one time even on meds.

I could write a book the hell I have been through.  It effects my BP and my stomach the most.  Body aches, the whole nine yards.

[staley]

Thanks. I'll look for the books by Dr. Weeks.

[rita33]

I have had this symptom too, among quite a few others.  My symptoms are not as bad as they were at the height of my anxiety but they're still around.  I think we'll have to make lifestyle changes if we're going to want to get better.  I'm on anti-anxiety medication which is helpful for my particular situation.  But I also have to watch my stress level, avoid caffeine and sugar as much as possible, and exercise.