Hypochondria stinks!

[sandrad85]

I have been prone to panic/anxiety attacks and typically have pretty good control over it.  However, I experienced a panic/anxiety attack that scared me mindless today!  During this attack I had what I relate to the feeling you get when you have to have an IV before a CT scan and they warn you you will feel like you are warm all over and that you feel like you are peeing your pants.  I have had this before...this strange feeling...and my heart races, I get a metallic taste in my mouth and I get numb and tingley all over.  As I am a hypochondriac I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack.  Everything checked out fine.  You would think that after having a good checkup at the ER, my mind would be ease, but I keep waiting for this to happen again.  If I didn't have health anxiety, life would be perfect!  Anybody else experience these types of physical symptoms when having an attack?  It always puts a person at ease knowing there are others like you!!!!  What a horrible viscious cycle! .

[dolphin8808]

Oh yes, I get that everytime I would have a panic attack. I called it a "heat tree" going up my back, warmth going out into my limbs. That is the adrenaline moving through your body.

I too have hypochondria and health anxiety. I get so fixated on something and it scares me so badly I become OCD about it. I google it, I call my doc, I push for all kinds of tests etc just looking for answers. Then I move onto the next thing. Its a vicious cycle but one that Zoloft has helped me with as well. It has stopped the panic attacks and over all GAD, I just now deal with the Health Anxiety.

Thinking of you and please know that you are NOT alone.

[j17c27]

I can definitely relate...horrible vicious cycle is right!
For me, I'm a hypochondriac...but more specifically I am terrified of the stomach bug. If I get anxiety at all- I always get nausous. This in turn gives me more anxiety, which makes me more nauseous, which gives me even more anxiety...you get the point.  Its HORRIBLE and exhausting!
I also get numb and tingly some times when I have anxiety/panic attacks.  It's very very strange what your own mind can do to your own body.  There have been times when I have anxiety that I will feel like I have a really bad fever (I get chills and muscle aches and everything) but my temp will be completely normal.  I even sometimes get a stuffy nose/sore throat that goes away as soon as the anxiety.  Its so weird how I get every single symptom of having the flu...but I don't actually have it.
I've noticed a lot that when people who fixate on one symptom, that symptom tends to get worse.  For example if someone had a fear of a heart attack...they tend to focus on their heart beat so their heart rate increases...then they start thinking "oh god im having a heart attack" so then their chest starts to feel tight and get tingly just because they are fixating on their chest.  This happens to me when I get anxiety...I fixate on the nausea since I fear throwing up...so it gets worse and my body will create symptoms of the stomach bug when in fact, I'm perfectly healthy.

Its a really unfair and cruel thing that your mind can do.  I know its very hard to think like this in the moment...but try to recognize yourself fixating on these things- and then try to distract yourself.  For me, reading always helps.  Reading involves so much brain activity that after a little while often your mind will forget about your own worries.  I like reading because it often takes me out of my own world and I can focus on someone else's life.
Good luck...I hope you're feeling better. Just remember, everything you're experiencing is normal and actually extremely common!

[remar]

I've had so many panic attacks in my life that there is no way I could put a number to them. Some are the same and some are different. I don't always get the warm feeling but sometimes I do. I think it can depend on how severe the attack is.
How great that you have such wonderful support! .
Even though you're on meds you can have a breakthrough panic attack every once in awhile. Most likely the reason your Dr gave you a prescription for Xanax.
I hope you're feeling better today. We're here to help any way we can.

[sandrad85]

Thanks for the responses!  I take Zoloft and have Xanax to take as needed.  I have great support both at home and at work as well.  The thing that scared me the most was that warm feeling I described like the IV that goes in with a CT scan...that was kind of new experience.  What's bothersome is that these come out of the blue sometimes!

[gofio]

You are not alone when experiencing the feelings you describe. Life's seldom perfect ~ even for those that are lucky enough to be free from anxieties about their health. It's a real swine to suffer from anxiety etc when the cause is unknown. Going 'crackers' describes how I've felt, but after 20+ years I've got ways of coping. Meds/relaxation techniques/good wife's support etc etc have all helped. Metalic mouth's due to some meds, not nice, but bearable. Make sure that your meds. really go down to your stomach when you take them. Sometimes they seem to lurk at the back of the throat, in spite of having taken water to swill them down. As you confess to being a hypochondriac you know in your own mind that you won't have a heart attack or die all of a sudden just yet. Getting out & keeping active helps me, social contacts can help too. Try & avoid people/things that annoy. It is a great life ~ provided you keep going. Best wishes.

[remar]

Yes, I have had these symptoms during a panic attack. They go away after it's over. I usually feel kind of drained afterwards too. I hate that hot, tingling feeling!
I'm so glad to hear you got checked out and everything is alright. Are you in therapy and or taking any meds for your anxiety?
No, you're not alone. Almost all of us on this forum have been through the same thing many times. We're here to help and support you.