Strange/Scary Symptoms

[Shelly]

Hi, I have posted under health anxiety before but thought I would try this. Doc has said I have severe anxiety. I'm very lightheaded, not feeling quite right, things don't look right, kind of hazy, unsteady on my feet, legs feel heavy, like I can't walk but I can. The worse part is the way my head feels. It's present most of the time however it will come and go also. Docs have reassured me everything is okay. It's anxiety. However I don't even know why this really started. I had problems years ago with anxiety and then it subsided. Is it possible for it to come back 20 years later? I can't help thinking I will have a heart attack or stroke or something severe? Any advice I would appreciate it. Thank you.

[prin]

Hi Shelly
I know exactly what you are talking about, but what i try to remember and remind myself is this...
sensatized nerves will be over exaggerated, which is why these feelings seem ALOT worse to what they really are, think about it, if you are really stressed or in danger without sensatized nerves, you will feel your legs shake, your head will go funny, your heart will race and so on, but do you take any notice of any of that? no!! as i said, the only reason it all feels so much worse now is because of sensatized nerves..
Just accept the feelings, they will NOT harm you, they are scary yes, but again, they wont cause you any harm
Try remind yourself of what is going on withinn your body, what it all is, the biggest part of over coming anxiety and recovering is accepting how you feel, what you think, but DONT DWELL ON IT. Let your thoughts and feelings be...dont add any more fear to what you are feeling or thinking.
As i said before, you WILL be fine as we all will, its just a matter of accepting and letting it all pass. :o)
take care
prin
ps..a great author Claire Weeks has a number of books that have helped people recover, it might pay to see if your local library has these books, or there is a guy by the name of David Johnson who has basically put these books into his own words and put them on them on cd, tape or to download off of the internet. He too has had anxiety and is now totally recovered, i am currently on his programme, and although as hard as it is to get past all of this, his teaching make sense as he explains all of what is going on within you and HOW to recover. Good luck!

[cattttt]

Yes, anxiety can go away and come back 20 years later, that's exactly what I'm going through now. I was always anxious as a child, all sorts of scary thoughts, school phobia etc, then it went away till my mid 20s, then mid 30s and now I'm 51, here it is again. Good days and bad days, but for the first time, I'm getting some proper help, I went through it on my own before. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine, but if your doc has checked things, it is probably anxiety and will not harm you. Have you asked for help with the anxiety? Talking about it is a big help.

[davidthegnome]

I know that all the weird sensations and fears can be really terrifying, but they cannot hurt you. I used to worry a lot about heart attacks and strokes too. Once I learned that the tingling sensations in my hands, feet, arms and legs (numb sensations too, and pains) were symptoms common with anxiety, I was able to calm down a bit.

One thing that helped me overcome my fear of heart attacks was running. One day I just got really frustrated with a PA and ran up and down the road. Then I realized that if I'd been having a heart attack I couldn't have done that. That really helped a lot for me. Not suggesting it for you, unless you feel like you want to try it.

Anxiety and panic disorder can come back after it's gone away. It's a harsh thing to deal with and my heart goes out to you. I've been recovered before and had a relapse myself which is why I'm here now. I'd suggest regular exercise if you can do it, just to get your body and mind used to some exertion, to get used to your heart beating a little faster in a natural way. It has helped me a great deal.

Also I would suggest trying Bach's herbal remedies, err, flower essences. Many, many people have said that rescue remedy has been a huge help to them. I haven't tried it myself because I'm nervous about taking it with lorazepam, but it could be a big help to you.

Good luck to you and God bless you, remember that you're not alone and that this will pass in time.

David

[honeybee3939]

Hi Shelly

This is very common with anxiety, so try not to worry hun.

Heres some links that may help.

Spaced out/ dizzy
Spaciness (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2696)
Light Headed (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2951)
dizzyness (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3062)
Jules31 (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=310)
Light Headed (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2951)
Very dizzy (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3743)
help :( (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3742)
vertigo, diziness (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4877)
Vertigo type sensations (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5669)
New to this site and need some advice :( (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5961)
Is my head normal??? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6731)
Anxiety + Panic + Stress + Dizziness + some relief (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6338)

Try the How to Cope (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/default.asp?t=cms&c=coping) pages too.

Love

Andrea
xxx




"If you have a worry turn it into a problem, you cant solve worrys but you can solve problems"

[edwardthebear]

Hello Shelley, From my own experience it is definitely possible for anxiety related problems to reappear after being dormant for many years. I had been relatively "symptom" free for about 25 years untill recently.

Perhaps there had been some sort of trigger such as a traumatic event in your life that brought about the anxieties return, or maybe physical and mental exhaustion through work related stress that left the door open to your own uncertainties about your bodies ability to cope ?

I try and motivate myself with the thought that I have conquered anxiety before and can do so once more. Try and use the reassurances you have been given about your health by your Doctor as a spring board to your recovery. Best Wishes.