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Anxiety in General
About 18 months ago I felt very unwell one day. I felt distant and lightheaded as though I wasn't seeing things clearly or sharply. I felt as though my heart was beating at a rate where it would just stop and I had tingling sensations in my fingers and face. Along with this I felt I couldn't breathe properly as my chest had a strange crawling rushing sensation. I felt like I was dying. I was agitated and couldn't stay still. Over the weeks the Doctors diagnosed Anxiety and said the symptoms are numerous.
I won't take medication of any type as my anxiety is worse when I fear that there is something life threatening wrong with me. Every twinge I get makes me think I have some dreadful terminal illness which I am terrified of facing. I used to be fine with hospitals etc but not any longer.
I learned to control the breathing by yawning. Taking huge deep yawns seems to open up the chest and I can feel the tension dissipate during the inhalation. I work full time and manage to hold my job down but I do struggle at times when I want to constantly yawn.
More recently the severe panic attacks have gone but replaced with a gaseous type feeling in my throat down into my stomach. It feels like I want to burp and expel wind but it won't come. It comes out on its own and it comes from deep within my stomach.
Again it makes me feel like I can't breathe properly. I think all the time that I have a heart problem but I'm too terrified to have it checked out. I was under a mental health referral on a telephone appointment system but after about 6 sessions (as my anxiety had been good over that time) they said there was nothing they could do to help.
I don't want to keep pestering my GP but I'd like to be able to rid it completely. My stomach also gurgles and chugs and constant bowel movements occur when I have an episode.
As I type this tonight I have tingling sensations in mu face and fingers. My stomach is upset and playing up and I am feeling very tired. I despair being like this but finding all these posts make me think I'm not alone.
I hope we all manage to overcome this awful condition and I do agree that when a major anxiety attack occurs it makes you feel like you are dying. There's no other way to describe it.
Thank you all for sharing. I wish you all well
I won't take medication of any type as my anxiety is worse when I fear that there is something life threatening wrong with me. Every twinge I get makes me think I have some dreadful terminal illness which I am terrified of facing. I used to be fine with hospitals etc but not any longer.
I learned to control the breathing by yawning. Taking huge deep yawns seems to open up the chest and I can feel the tension dissipate during the inhalation. I work full time and manage to hold my job down but I do struggle at times when I want to constantly yawn.
More recently the severe panic attacks have gone but replaced with a gaseous type feeling in my throat down into my stomach. It feels like I want to burp and expel wind but it won't come. It comes out on its own and it comes from deep within my stomach.
Again it makes me feel like I can't breathe properly. I think all the time that I have a heart problem but I'm too terrified to have it checked out. I was under a mental health referral on a telephone appointment system but after about 6 sessions (as my anxiety had been good over that time) they said there was nothing they could do to help.
I don't want to keep pestering my GP but I'd like to be able to rid it completely. My stomach also gurgles and chugs and constant bowel movements occur when I have an episode.
As I type this tonight I have tingling sensations in mu face and fingers. My stomach is upset and playing up and I am feeling very tired. I despair being like this but finding all these posts make me think I'm not alone.
I hope we all manage to overcome this awful condition and I do agree that when a major anxiety attack occurs it makes you feel like you are dying. There's no other way to describe it.
Thank you all for sharing. I wish you all well
You know you could be right there. It's not 'hell', but for me it feels horrible, and you can even say it 'hurts'. I am a 14 year old girl and have had it for more than half a year, and DAILY. It's not pleasant, as I am sure you know already. Anyway, I hope you get it sorted out soon, and hope you feel better too! :)
It's really not hell! You totally get used to it. I know that sounds unusual, but I'm only 16 and I've had it ever since I can remember so it's just natural for me. Like if you had constant foot pain it would not bother you and you would get "used to it." Hypnotherapy is so helpful!
Hi Tinglypin, I'm sorry you tingle constantly. Mine only comes on mildly now and again but it's still worrying. If you read my other reply you'll see why I can't take medication of any sort but I will try and exercise a bit more. I'll make an effort. Also, I may try the Hypnotherapy as well and see how that goes. Thank you for suggesting it. I do hope you get your anxiety under control as It must be hell to live with it daily.
I can go for a few months with nothing then have an episode over a few weeks of varying symptoms and I've still really got no idea what sets it off. I had a good week at work, felt fine apart from a slight irritation on my face around the cheek area, came home, felt fine, cooked dinner and within 10 minutes was feeling rotten!!! I thought it was the food but I'm sure it was my stomach's reaction to the food (due to stress)!! Ah well, onwards and upwards. I'll go and do some housework and take my mind off things.
I can go for a few months with nothing then have an episode over a few weeks of varying symptoms and I've still really got no idea what sets it off. I had a good week at work, felt fine apart from a slight irritation on my face around the cheek area, came home, felt fine, cooked dinner and within 10 minutes was feeling rotten!!! I thought it was the food but I'm sure it was my stomach's reaction to the food (due to stress)!! Ah well, onwards and upwards. I'll go and do some housework and take my mind off things.
Thank you for your reply. Part of my anxiety now is that I am terrified of taking medication. It took me 6 months after my initial bad attack to even take a paracetamol again. The GP has given me various meds but I think they are going to do me more harm than good (or kill me) so I'm steering clear. I am a logical person and know that I'll probably be fine but I just can't do it. The minute I swallow anything I feel that my throat is closing up and start myself off with the symptoms.
I have this fear now of hospitals, illness, medication etc and this makes it worse. I'm sure I've given myself a stomach problem through stress which is causing this horrendous gas and the symptoms that go with it. Even today I feel like I have a lump of concrete sitting in my upper diagphram!! Distraction tends to work to a point but I really need to sort myself out as only I can control this. I count my blessings that I'm probably better off than some people and I will try and think of this when I'm in one of my "episodes."
I have this fear now of hospitals, illness, medication etc and this makes it worse. I'm sure I've given myself a stomach problem through stress which is causing this horrendous gas and the symptoms that go with it. Even today I feel like I have a lump of concrete sitting in my upper diagphram!! Distraction tends to work to a point but I really need to sort myself out as only I can control this. I count my blessings that I'm probably better off than some people and I will try and think of this when I'm in one of my "episodes."
I'm not medical professional, but I've had anxiety for about 8 years and tingle all over now. I highly doubt what you have is anything serious ^___^ Hypnotherapy can really help with anxiety, and I've found that exercise and yoga helps with my tingling. I cannot stress how important exercise is!! I definitely suggest taking some B vitamins, magnesium, potassium and getting monthly massages. It helps alleviate my tingling and GERD. My anti-depressants have helped me a lot! For me, Lexapro was a battle for about a month but has now settled into my body. It stops me from worrying so much about my anxiety. http://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-symptoms.shtml lists all the symptoms common with anxiety. This list provides me with so much reassurance through my current MS/Lyme scares. Up the B vits and the excercise.
Your anxiety sounds very similar to mine! I totally respect your opinion about medication however I do not know how people do it without it.. I am working feverishly to find a med that will work for me the way my zoloft did 15 years ago.. It can really really give you your life back.. Just keep the option in the back of your mind.. You don't take just the medication it's works best along side coping skills and counseling! Best if luck to you !!
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