Physical anxiety symptoms

AlltheJays23 · 2023-12-12T15:52:38+00:00

I've had health anxiety for years recently manifested into OCD as well and I have been diagnosed. I don't take medications. I've had countless CBT. Still am. I have the most horrendous physical symptoms ALL the time. Dreadful sickness, aches and pains, palpitations, dizziness, but the one that bothers me the most of this air hunger, like a shortness of breath. I'm not actually panting or breathless but I always feel like I need to take super deep breaths and I feel like I'm.not getting enough air. I've had loads of tests over th last year, including ECG, holter monitors, endless bloods. They say it's anxiety related but my brain is telling me something is wrong. I feel like I'm just waiting to die. The constant anxiety is terrible. Especially today. Since about midday I've felt so hungry for air. I just feel like tehr s not enough air getting in my lungs. It's horrible. Anyone else have horrible physical symptoms that are similar? I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance I'm not at deaths door!

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 16:04

These are all common symptoms of anxiety and no, they won’t kill you.
they are absolutely horrendous though.
thyroid issues and other physical symptoms should be ruled out via and ECG and blood test but likelihood is that it’s all brain chemistry fuckery though.
Research the HPA axis and understand a bit about the chemistry of what’s happening in your body, sometimes knowledge is power and it does help a bit to be able to think ‘oh For fucks sake, my bloody brain and kidneys are doing their stupid thing again’. As opposed to the thought you might be dying.
Have you tried the grounding and breathing techniques or the cold water on your face? This makes use of our dive reflex and can stop a panic attack in its tracks (not infallible but worth a go).
avoide booze and caffeine at all costs, they are not your friends.
otherwise, badger your GP until they offer you a medication that works. Beta blockers and Valium used to be the gold standard but they are very difficult to get prescribed now, you’ll need to be persistent and really pressure them.
Some people use yoga and meditation with success, no need to venture out, online programs will do the trick.
in all honesty you will probably need to do several of these things to overcome this, but it definitely can be overcome or improved dramatically.
it’s a real bastard of a thing, but some of us have got better and dont suffer anymore. So please keep trying things until something works for you.

Original poster

AlltheJays23 · 12/12/2023 16:15

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 16:04

These are all common symptoms of anxiety and no, they won’t kill you.
they are absolutely horrendous though.
thyroid issues and other physical symptoms should be ruled out via and ECG and blood test but likelihood is that it’s all brain chemistry fuckery though.
Research the HPA axis and understand a bit about the chemistry of what’s happening in your body, sometimes knowledge is power and it does help a bit to be able to think ‘oh For fucks sake, my bloody brain and kidneys are doing their stupid thing again’. As opposed to the thought you might be dying.
Have you tried the grounding and breathing techniques or the cold water on your face? This makes use of our dive reflex and can stop a panic attack in its tracks (not infallible but worth a go).
avoide booze and caffeine at all costs, they are not your friends.
otherwise, badger your GP until they offer you a medication that works. Beta blockers and Valium used to be the gold standard but they are very difficult to get prescribed now, you’ll need to be persistent and really pressure them.
Some people use yoga and meditation with success, no need to venture out, online programs will do the trick.
in all honesty you will probably need to do several of these things to overcome this, but it definitely can be overcome or improved dramatically.
it’s a real bastard of a thing, but some of us have got better and dont suffer anymore. So please keep trying things until something works for you.

Thank you for your response. I have been prescribed beta blockers, antidepressants and diazepam. My anxiety is fuelled by the meds in the sense that I'm too scared to take them because of side effects or health implications. I've had ECG, heart monitors, countless bloods. I've had them all and nothing found.

OP posts:

LBFseBrom · 12/12/2023 16:26

Try some relaxing, meditative music videos on youtube. They do help. I have experienced all of your symptoms. I don't think medication helps much, frankly, but you can learn to cope with and even divert the symptoms. It takes time but you will get there. Good luck.

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 16:26

OP, I strongly advise you to try the meds. Diazepam is one of the oldest drugs out there and is used routinely in psychiatric medicine and to make dementia patients behave themselves when they’re causing a risk to themselves or carers, it’s that safe they give to the elderly and frail. The side effects over long term use might mean keeping an eye on your kidney function but most likely you’ll just feel a bit dopey and lazy. Can you schedule a time when you can try it out? Run a bath, get your nicest pj’s ready and pop a box set on the telly. Then after your bath just pop one and put your feet up. I’m sure once you see they help and don’t hurt you’ll be grateful of the option to use them. This mistrust of the medicines you’ve been given sounds like health anxiety so have you had specific treatment for that? Most people have a quick scan of the leaflet and check for contraindications but generally trust the doctors. They get in an awful lot of trouble if they fuck up. So they rarely do .

Original poster

AlltheJays23 · 12/12/2023 16:32

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 16:26

OP, I strongly advise you to try the meds. Diazepam is one of the oldest drugs out there and is used routinely in psychiatric medicine and to make dementia patients behave themselves when they’re causing a risk to themselves or carers, it’s that safe they give to the elderly and frail. The side effects over long term use might mean keeping an eye on your kidney function but most likely you’ll just feel a bit dopey and lazy. Can you schedule a time when you can try it out? Run a bath, get your nicest pj’s ready and pop a box set on the telly. Then after your bath just pop one and put your feet up. I’m sure once you see they help and don’t hurt you’ll be grateful of the option to use them. This mistrust of the medicines you’ve been given sounds like health anxiety so have you had specific treatment for that? Most people have a quick scan of the leaflet and check for contraindications but generally trust the doctors. They get in an awful lot of trouble if they fuck up. So they rarely do .

Yes, I do hav health anxiety. Diagnosed along with OCD and anxiety and depressive disorder. I used to b able to manage my symptoms but since my son was born 18 months ago and I was diagnosed with gallstones it has spiralled massively. I worry about the diazepam because I worry I will be so out of it what if I can't look after my DS. I do know and accept that I need to work on accepting and putting to practice the resources I have been given its just the doing. I've had high intensity CBT three times In th last year and seen no improvement. Though I think that maybe because I just didn't gel with the therapist and actually found her patronizing and annoying.

OP posts:

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 16:47

You poor thing! Yes the therapist sounds like you didn’t get the right one. Ask to see someone different. Are you usually alone with your son? Cos generally if pills are gonna give us side effects it’s when we first start taking them, does DS have a dad or spend time at daycare or a grandparents? You need a few hours child free to experiment. When I was on strong meds I used to be a wee bit ‘stoned’ at times which isn’t ideal with a baby around as you say, but I quickly learned that if I timed it right and kept busy I was never unable to be alert enough and once we were out and about in the fresh air each day I was sharp as a tack. Who do you have around you for support?

Original poster

AlltheJays23 · 12/12/2023 16:53

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 16:47

You poor thing! Yes the therapist sounds like you didn’t get the right one. Ask to see someone different. Are you usually alone with your son? Cos generally if pills are gonna give us side effects it’s when we first start taking them, does DS have a dad or spend time at daycare or a grandparents? You need a few hours child free to experiment. When I was on strong meds I used to be a wee bit ‘stoned’ at times which isn’t ideal with a baby around as you say, but I quickly learned that if I timed it right and kept busy I was never unable to be alert enough and once we were out and about in the fresh air each day I was sharp as a tack. Who do you have around you for support?

I'm a stay at home mum atm. My husband works full time plus overtime so it's just me and DS most of the time. He doesn't go to nursery as we just can't afford it and we don't get free hours yet. His grandparents live 50 miles away so not feasible to ask them around. They do know that I suffer though but they just think I'm being silly or unreasonable. My husband isn't very supportive. Again, he doesn't understand and just thinks I'm dramatic and a hypochondriac. I can see how it would get frustrating living with me always worrying and reassuranc seeking. We have many disagreements about my behaviour and the worry that. DS might "learn" my behaviour and become a nervous wreck like me. I have some major OCD tendencies, as far along as not leaving the house due to intrusive thoughts but similarly not being able to feel safe at home alone with DS.

OP posts:

Cranarc · 12/12/2023 17:13

I have similar and I am sure I have CPTSD or similar, but the air hunger was helped hugely when they sent me for spirometry testing. That uncovered a physical issue with my airways which has been greatly improved with a suitable inhaler. Losing weight and doing regular exercise also helped with this and the other horrible symptoms.

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 17:43

Well don’t be offended OP but your situation sounds almost identical to mine at one point so I consider myself an expert of sorts. You can’t go on like this, and I don’t mean your son, he’s alright for the minute because as long as his needs are met and you’re kind to him he’s too young to pick up on your OCD yet, you’ve got a bit of time to sort yourself out. You need to be proactive though, could you manage to ( in practical terms) get him ready and walk to him to the local nursery twice a week? Would you then use this time to work on yourself, exercise, learning to use your meds, attending online counselling etc? Because if that’s something that would help, your best bet is to claim PIP and use that for the childcare. It won’t affect your partners tax and they don’t need to know his income because it’s not means tested. You may even then qualify for some other benefits. Then DS can have a lovely time socialising, building up an immune system and generally make the transition into education easier in a couple of years. You get that essential break to build yourself up. I had to get the childcare to move forward and it benefitted all of us so much. It’s not easy getting approved for MH for PIP but in your case, with all the referrals and prescriptions, I think you’re in with a shot.
you’ve absolutely nothing to lose.

Original poster

AlltheJays23 · 12/12/2023 18:12

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 17:43

Well don’t be offended OP but your situation sounds almost identical to mine at one point so I consider myself an expert of sorts. You can’t go on like this, and I don’t mean your son, he’s alright for the minute because as long as his needs are met and you’re kind to him he’s too young to pick up on your OCD yet, you’ve got a bit of time to sort yourself out. You need to be proactive though, could you manage to ( in practical terms) get him ready and walk to him to the local nursery twice a week? Would you then use this time to work on yourself, exercise, learning to use your meds, attending online counselling etc? Because if that’s something that would help, your best bet is to claim PIP and use that for the childcare. It won’t affect your partners tax and they don’t need to know his income because it’s not means tested. You may even then qualify for some other benefits. Then DS can have a lovely time socialising, building up an immune system and generally make the transition into education easier in a couple of years. You get that essential break to build yourself up. I had to get the childcare to move forward and it benefitted all of us so much. It’s not easy getting approved for MH for PIP but in your case, with all the referrals and prescriptions, I think you’re in with a shot.
you’ve absolutely nothing to lose.

Thank you. My GP actually told me to claim PIP for my mental health issues and other un explained.symproms. he suspects I have fibromyalgia so I have claimed on these grounds with the intention to use the money for childcare. You sound so wise and knowledgeable. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. I'm not hopeful I will get it though as I feel like I bungled up the form and could have provided some more in depth information.

OP posts:

Datafan55 · 12/12/2023 18:21

Have you tried Pulmonary rehab? - literally the technique of breathing. Eye opening for me this past year. I was breathing up in my chest which increases anxiety and heart rate, I was having palps and waking up gasping at night. Switch the breathing (occasionally) to the diagraphm/belly, and it really helps. In fact, every relaxation technique will say 'breath deeply via your belly' for this very reason.

They had just got to to showing me exercises to increase my lung volume... By air hunger! (I was discharged here as I'd had umpteen appts due to being very slow at correcting the very basics!! and am supposed to be doing it at home).

I still do it wrong most of the time and am still very anxious... But 1) I should be practicising much more and 2) it's liberating holding the key to helping yourself.

Theonlywayisupnow · 12/12/2023 18:33

You probably will get it rejected the first time, it’s almost protocol. Once they’ve done evidence and you go through appeals you probably will get it. Make it a mission, dont give up when they decline the first time, because when it finally gets approved you’ll get a tidy lump sum and that’ll give you options for childcare and treatment choices.
The worst of mine is behind me now, funnily enough I have fibro and CFS but I muddle through with a good quality of life now. I go to the theatre, take my son on little holidays to the seaside and work part time in a good job and generally don’t do too bad at all.
I’m the world’s biggest procrastinator, drama queen and I’m naturally chaotic so strategising my recovery wasn’t a natural process. So if I got through it, you can too. I’m sending all positive vibes and virtual hugs your way. You’ve got this!