I'm giving up.

[PokerFace]

So my health anxiety has flared up massivley since Wednesday night and I have NO idea why. I'm crying all the time, I havnt been out since Wednesday, I keep getting panic attacks over chest pain, I'm just SO tired of constantly fighting with myself over this health anxiety/panic disorder whatever, so I'm giving up and gonna go to the doctors.

I'm terrfied of the doctors I havn't been since I was 17, only to the hospital in the back of an ambulance 3 months ago. My main fear is my heart, I get palpitations, chest pains everything. Thursday I managed to give myself a massive panic attack just from thinking about central chest pain. I've had a lot of ECGs and they've all come back normal but my chest hurts so much all the time centrally and on the left side I can't stop thinking theres something wrong.

The problem is I don't have a clue what to say to the doctor when I get in there. I can see it now, I'll be waiting in the waiting room for 15 minutes or so winding myself up then when I have to go in I'll forget half of what I want to say, I'll get all muddled, probably start crying and then I'll get out feeling like nothing has been done. I don't know wether to start by telling him about my anxiety and panic attacks as I've never been truly diagnosed with these, but I remember the feelings from when I was younger, or to start by telling him about my chest pains and heart worries.

I'm just really scared, I havn't been in so long I've forgotten what it's like. I just really need help but I think I won't give him enough information to help me. Any advice is truly appriciated. xx

[Jannie2948]

Hello Emma
I think that when you go to the doctor's you should tell him about your anxiety/panic, most of the symptoms you have sound like you are suffering with both of these and if you let him know how you feel you can then tell him of the other symptoms you are having. I too went to the doctors about 8 months ago because I felt so terrible and I new it was anxiety/panic but they first put me on beta blockers for high blood pressure but I new I was suffering from anxiety/panic. Two doctors later I went to one who totally understood how I was feeling, I am now on citalopram going from 20mg to 40mg and feel so much better. Still have days or moments where I have a 'blip' but generally am so much better than I was 8 months ago. There are many people on here who have exactly your symptoms and are treated with many different meds so go along to your doctor and have a word, I am sure you will get the help you need, you can't keep feeling like you do all the time.
I wish you all the best.
Jannie x x

[Baggs]

Try writing down what you want to say to your doc - then you can either read it out or give him what you have written. All the best. Baggs.

[Raindog]

As Baggs says, make a list. I did that because I kept mentioning things that were bothering me or I wanted to ask about when I went to see the doc. I just went through the list and it worked fine.

[Workplace Doctors]

Anxiety is feeling that everyone will experience at some point. We all experience it when faced with situations we find threatening or difficult. People may often use the term ‘stress’, but this is not the same as anxiety. Anxiety may affect somebody both mentally and physically and carry a range of symptoms. Anxiety may be caused by an ongoing worry or, as a sudden response to something that may make us feel scared or threatened (fear).

Normally, both fear and anxiety can be helpful, helping us to avoid dangerous situations, making us alert and giving us the motivation to deal with problems. However, if the feelings become too strong or go for too long, they can stop us from doing the things we want to and can make our lives miserable.


Research suggests that anxiety can be due to genes, however, someone can also become anxious due to external factors e.g. pressure or ongoing worry.
Using drugs like amphetamines, LSD or Ecstasy can sometimes cause anxiety. A simple effect like the caffeine in coffee can often be enough to cause mild anxiety.

However, it should be noted that anxiety can be due to a mixture of personality, things that have happened to someone, or life-changes such as pregnancy.

Phobias

A person with a phobia has intense symptoms of anxiety, But that will arise from time to time when confronted with something that frightens them. At other times they don't feel anxious. Examples of phobias include fear of open spaces or fear of heights
Sufferers may feel silly about their fear/phobia as they know there is no real but they are still unable to control it.

A range of options are available to deal with anxiety. Talking about the problem to friends or family can be beneficial.

Finding ways of learning to relax can help control anxiety and tension. Everything from books and video tapes to seeking professional advice can offer an insight on how to relax.

Self-help groups and psychotherapy are other options that may help come to terms with reasons for anxiety.
Medication can have a role to play if the other options are not appropriate. The most common tranquillisers are the valium-like drugs, the benzodiazepines (most sleeping tablets also belong to this class of drugs). They are very effective at relieving anxiety, but they can be addictive after only four weeks regular use. When people try to stop taking them they may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms which can go on for some time. These drugs should be only used for short periods, perhaps to help during a crisis. They should not be used for longer-term treatment of anxiety.

You may also wish to contact the following:

www.anexity.co.uk (http://www.anexity.co.uk)

[PokerFace]

Thanks, writing it down is a good idea! Will the doctor know about my ECG's I had at hospital or will I have to tell him? xx

[Raindog]

I actually meant to say I kept forgetting to mention things to the doc, but you get the idea anyway. Writing a list of things you want to mention helps you realise that some of them are related to your anxiety when you read them through and look at them objectively. It's interesting how having a written list helps you do that rather than just having all those thoughts running about in your head.

Let us know how it goes anyway

Shaun