joint and muscle pain

ive recently had an HIV scare. about a month ago. from everybody ive talked to here on the forum including the doctors
and my parents, and my own GP, ive been told that i didnt have a risk. but almost a month afterwards ive been having joint and muscle pain. this freak me out because ive read that its a symptom. ive been suffering from depression
for years and anxiety. the anxiety has been not to bad until this happened. first week afterwards i probably slept 8 hours the entire week. i had dry heaves and a hell of alot of pacing around my room. my mom tells me that its my
nerves and anxiety causing the pain. i want to believe her, but i just freak out easily. help pls

[cj29]

Health anxiety can be very frightening and confusing.  Your doctor said that you did not have a risk...that is great news!  Anxiety and panic can cause all sorts of symptoms and make us feel VERY sick in my opinion.  You are also searching for symptoms that you can relate to what you think you have in my opinion.  I would do the same thing  when I was concerned about heart health.  Even though I was given a clean bill of health, I felt every little pain, twinge, skipped beat, etc. and just knew something was wrong when in fact nothing was.  

Have you ever thought of seeing a therapist about your anxiety?  

[warmfuzzyfeeling]

Hi john Doe178..
I can second what cj stated. Anxiety (especially chronic anxiety) can cause a whole slew of weird physical symptoms that often unfortunately only make you more anxious. If you read further through this forum you will find lots of peoples anxiety manifests itself differently. When I tense up, my joints and muscles hurt too. Especially my neck and jaw muscles. I am 29, but some days feel 69. I start having to shuffle around like an old lady lol...
So yes, I would have to agree with your mom. If you haven't discussed your overwhelming anxiety with someone yet you really should look into it. Help does exist! Good luck.

[johndoe178]

thanks alot for the words of encouragement. My mom tells me that i should see a therapist, but i hear that they dont really work. maybe i should try medication.
but your words really made me feel better. ishoudl really stop searching the internet.
after my scare happened iwas glued to the internet the entire week just scaring myself
to death. i should really stop. thanks alot guys

[cj29]

I was originally against any kind of therapy, but therapy can do wonders for learning to deal with anxiety in my opinion.  It was the single most important decision I made in learning to confront and deal with it.  I am also a proponent of medication, but remember it will not cure you of anything, but it can be a useful tool while you seek help and learn about your anxiety in my opinion.

The internet is a great tool, but filtering information is impossible in my opinon.  I used to search the internet aimlessly and I diagnosed myself with everything under the sun.  For example, if you put 'headache' in Google, if you look hard enough it would say that your head was going to explode in the next hour....my point is, you can link any symptom with the worst possible outcome.  

You will get through this.  I know it is confusing and scary, but I have learned so much throughout this process and have become a better person for it.  Even though, you may not see it now (I sure didn't), you will come to understand it and be able to deal with it very successfully...just keep a positive attitude!