Severe health anxiety

Hi ! My name is Amie, I am almost 70. Holy Moly, it's the first time I have admitted that to anyone ! And while I have experienced panic attacks, I have never experienced what you are talking about. I have experienced odd symptoms - usually during times of immense stress. Stress can do wierd things to your body - from chest pains to hives (going on 11 months now).
I haven't been able to cry since my Grandma died. I am guessing you were close to your dad as I was to my Grandma. I am no doctor, but I also think that there is a reason for the inability to cry. I believe it is our bodies way of protecting itself. I truly believe that undergoing these traumatic times in our lives - our brain and body protects itself.
I have only seen a therapist for a short time, but I also believe in my heart, that when we are ready to face and come to terms with these losses, we will be able to cry again (maybe). But I am not sure at what it will cost us emotionally.
This might sound a little crazy, but I talk to my Grandma all the time. Both out loud and in my head. It brings me comfort to do that.
I wish you well with what's going on in your life. Cut yourself a little slack and be kind to yourself. Worrying will not bring any comfort. I have been telling family that I finally figured out that all my issues are emotion based - IBS, migraines, chronic pain, hives. Now it's time to learn how to cope with them. Whether that means making changes in my life or delving into root causes and heal myself or just letting myself just go bat-shit crazy for awhile.
Good Luck ! I would love to keep in touch, but I am new to this website and have no idea how to do that !

Hi Amie,
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful reply. You're truly kind, and I really needed someone to talk to. I'm new to this website too, and I’d love to keep our conversation going. I saw there's a private chat option, but honestly, I’m not quite sure how to use it yet either!

I’m so sorry about your Grandma. I can tell you were really close, just like I was with my dad. I want to cry so badly, but I just can’t… So it really touched me when you said that—maybe our brains are trying to protect us. I think you’re right, and when I see my psychiatrist next time, I’ll ask about it. There must be some reason behind it, like you said.

Can I ask—how long have you been dealing with stress and anxiety?
For me, there are times when I feel better and the anxiety seems to calm down… but eventually, it always comes back stronger. It’s like this never-ending cycle.

Again, thank you for reaching out. You made me feel less alone today. 💜

Past trauma?

Hi, Ana !! I have been dealing with stress for decades. First, when I was working. I held a pretty intensive job. What I noticed was that I started getting sick all the time. I developed chronic bronchitis, then other lung issues when the stress was a constant.

Then came my kids. Working and taking care of kids really puts a strain on women. It got to the point to where I was working 60 hr weeks and doing dinner, kids baths and homework. I seriously don't know how I made I thru.

I meant it when I said to be kind to yourself ! Try not to dwell too much on drs appts. It's a hard thing to do, but when you start dwelling on it- try thinking about anything else - pleasant family memories and such. I try to change my mind to my Grandma and the private memories I keep stored.

If it makes you feel any better, I had 4 endoscopies in one year. I kept telling my family the dr had a crush on me but I think he just was trying to go to the Bahamas for vacation and needed the money would be closer to the truth. They give you something that knocks you out while they do it so you don't feel anything.

Since I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, I am very familiar with stomach/intestinal issues. But there again, it's emotion based. It almost sounds like you have something similar. Theres Chrones disease and bunch of others that are all based in the stomach and intestines and esophagus. I take Dicyclomine 20 mg for my IBS, 3 times a day. But for intestinal issues it all boils down to not eating foods that cause flare ups and following the FODMAP diet. Might not hurt for you to give it a shot and see if eating differently works for you. You can get info about it by just looking up FODMAP on the web.

From just reading your email, I think you and I might be similar in that we hold our stress inside us. That's where all the other symptoms of mine come from - emotions. And, holding it inside yourself.

I have been taking Prozac in escalating milligrams since my 30's. It has worked for me to keep me from stressing out too much. But that's about all I am taking.

Do you have any hobbies that bring you joy ?? Even setting aside one hour each day to do something that truly makes you happy will make a big difference. I have enjoyed exercizing for forever. When my kids were young, I would tell them I am going to exercise so that was the hour I didn't want to be bothered. They could talk to me anytime but for the time I was exercizing. Any form of exercise is good for you and helps reduce stress levels. It's another way of getting your mind on something other than what's bothering you.

To be honest with you, I was on the same merry-go-round. I would not be doing so good, feel better then back to feeling horrible.

May I ask what you do for a living ? Are you pleased with your job ? And, your family ? Anyone you are close to you can confide in ?

Well, I think my email is turning into a book ! You take care of yourself ! If you would like to email me my email address is (don't laugh ! I was a service engineering coordinator in my job and gave myself the title of goddess) : service_goddess@yahoo.com

Take care, kiddo !!
Amie

@anahitap
I have had anxiety since childhood and stress plus hormones can really make it worse. I have also suffered with panic attacks.

It would be good to talk with a psychiatrist and psychologist about medication and therapy to help you cope and manage better. Zoloft helped me when I was having panic attacks during pregnancy and while under significant stress. Wellbutrin also helps me (currently on 300 mg daily).

Anxiety can cause many symptoms in your body, especially gastrointestinal system since there is a brain/stomach connection. My teen son has a heart defect and POTS and he gets really anxious when his heart rate increases and he feels his heart pounding in his chest. I would consider him someone with health anxiety and counseling helps him with deep breathing and changing his thinking when he gets worried something is going to happen to him.

Have you tried Calm magnesium supplement? It sounds like your nervous system goes into overdrive when you get anxious thoughts and this can affect your stomach. I have gastritis/esophagitis caused by taking too many NSAIDs for pain which has caused erosions. I stopped taking them and my stomach has improved.

You may benefit from working with a nutritionist/dietitian to review diet and supplements to recommended changes that support nervous and digestive systems. Exercise can also help manage stress and nerves plus help with sleep.

Hi Amie,
I hope you're doing well. I honestly feel a sense of comfort when I chat with you.
Wow, so you've also been dealing with stress for many years... I’m sorry you've had to go through that.

I’m a teacher, and I live with some extended family members right now. I’m not in the U.S.—I live in Asia.
It’s really hard living with relatives, but at the moment I don’t have another option. Renting a place on my own is just too expensive here.
Sometimes I feel like nobody really loves me or cares about me. I struggle with a deep sense of loneliness.

Thank you for sharing your email with me—it means a lot.
And I actually smiled when I read that you called yourself a goddess at work. That’s awesome! You totally deserve that title 😊

Take care, and I hope we can stay in touch.

Hi,
Thank you so much for your kind message!

First of all, I just have to say—your profile picture caught my eye! I’m a total cat person too! 😻 I used to have a cat, but unfortunately, I can’t have one right now due to my living situation. When I had my cat, my stress levels were much lower. They truly are little healers for the soul.

Thank you also for the medication suggestions. I’ll definitely mention them to my psychiatrist during my next appointment.

I’m so sorry to hear about your son. I actually started having these issues around the same age, so I can really relate. My anxiety attacks different parts of my body depending on the time—sometimes it’s my stomach, and other times it feels like it attacks my heart with all sorts of scary symptoms. I truly hope he gets better soon and learns how to manage his stress early—so he doesn’t grow up dealing with it the way many of us have.

You’re absolutely right about nutrition. Honestly, I never paid much attention to my diet before, but now I realize how important it is—especially with anxiety.

Thanks again for replying to me. It really means a lot.💜

Hi, Ana and all,
I, too, have lived with health anxiety and stress for much of my life with symptoms including, nerve tingling all over my body including my face, heart palpitations, burping, gastrointestinal issues, neck and shoulder tightness. for me this lead to depression simply because I thought I was losing my mind! No doctor seemed to know what might be going on and, in fact, it wasn't until many years ago on this very sight, I found my people. The thread was called something like "trembling at night" which is when I first noticed the tingling/rumbling in myself, at night when I was going to sleep. It was so good to know that I wasn't alone! What I have found since then is that I had stored up childhood trauma and was stuck in Fight, Flight, or Freeze mode and, that my vagus nerve was stuck! It was not being activated. I found all sorts of great information on line about the vagus nerve and how to stimulate. I use a variety of things like meditation, breathing, an electric transmitting stimulator, and Qi Gong to mention a few. These things combined seem to have helped. I am also connecting with a Functional Health Physician today who will be running a more complete blood panel. I'm hopeful that this will help to connect the "health" dots of all my underlying concerns, especially relating to my anxiety and Thyroid. I've taken Levothyroxine for YEARS which has a whole set of side effects, (including heart palpitations). There are more natural supplements available now that I am hoping to change to.
Ana, you are not alone. This is yucky stuff to deal with, but there is help. I also suggest reading: Don't Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen.

Shelley

I feel this struggle. ❤️

My Mom has thyroid issues and takes that same medication. She has been dealing with unbelievable anxiety for the past almost 3 years with no relief from any treatment. Do you think there is a connection to the medication? What are the alternatives? Would really appreciate your insights. Thank you!!!