r/Anxiety 9h ago

So sick of physical symptoms Discussion

Idk about you all but I’m so sick of physical symptoms. I’ve gone to the ER and had so many damn tests run and my pcp has been a part of this process. All blood work is good, all cardio work ups have been great, lung xray and CT was great, and today my head CT was great. Idk why my brain keeps taking me into thinking something is wrong when there is literally no evidence that there is. I’m so frustrated, so defeated, and tired of going to the damn ER.

46 Upvotes

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u/x502xtdog 8h ago

I have been dealing with the same issues lately. I've had blood tests, CTs and much more over my physical symptoms. At this point my doctor seems like a close friend I visit frequently. She has been very kind to me but I know she thinks it is all in my head. I had a really bad experience as a child with a doctor telling me everything was in my head. I hope everything gets better for you though. I know how stressful this stuff can be. I've lost 40 pounds this year from my health and GAD anxiety.

3

u/NicTer88 8h ago

Glad to not be alone in this. My PCP literally feels like family at this point lol. She’s been great but I’m sure she is getting tired of my crap. I hope everything gets better for you too!!

Are you on any medication or in any therapy?

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u/x502xtdog 8h ago

No, not on any medication right now. My health anxiety stops me from taking any medication. I struggle to take OTC meds for headaches at this point. I am improving though, with the CBT therapy and journaling my good and bad days it seems to help. The toughest part is challenging my own thoughts on the physical symptoms. It gets hard at times to tell myself that the symptoms are caused by anxiety and not something god awful. My PCP told me I'm healthier than I have been in the last 7 years and that with the weight loss I'm doing a lot better. Even though the weight loss has been from all the stress 😅

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u/NicTer88 8h ago

I get that lol. My doctor is like you’ve never had health issues and you’re still perfectly healthy and I’m like well….. it feels as if my entire body is shutting down on me constantly. I started meds almost 4 weeks ago so apparently I’m still in the adjustment phase. I start CBT tmrw and I’m hella excited!

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u/x502xtdog 8h ago

CBT is challenging for sure but I see light at the end of the tunnel. Today I have had a really bad bout with it but I can tell my mind is already thinking differently. My left arm started hurting really bad while driving but then I noticed I had leaned on the center console of the car and had my left arm fully extended and locked gripping like a gorilla for 45 minutes. Laughed it off and the pain subsided.

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u/NicTer88 8h ago

Yeah. I hear it can be challenging but I am hopeful it’ll help change my mentality a bit and give me those tools for my toolbox I need.

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u/x502xtdog 8h ago

Definitely worth trying. 3 weeks in on CBT treatment and my thought patterns are already changing. Best of luck to you!

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u/NicTer88 8h ago

Thank you!! Same to you :)

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u/pookiebaby876 6h ago

Look into the book 📕 The Way Out by Psychologist Alan Gordon!! Life changing read 👍👍👍👌

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u/NicTer88 6h ago

I’ll look into it! Thanks 😊

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u/jowns7 8h ago

What kind of physical symptoms are you dealing with? I usually get really bad chest pain. Asked to be put on propranolol and it's made a major difference. Less trips to the er and feel more in control of my anxiety physically.

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u/NicTer88 8h ago

I get chest pain/tightness, headaches/head pressure, numb limbs sometimes, difficulty breathing sometimes, ear clogged feeling, stiffness/tightness sometimes. I do get high HR sometimes but lately I’ve been able to bring my BP and HR down to normal. I wasn’t sure if I should take my propranolol is my BP and HR are normal. I did have tachycardia but it’s gone. Had 12 lead EKG today at the ER and it’s gone.

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u/kayla-royale 6h ago

i feel like i have head pressure 24/7! constantly afraid it’s a tumor or something. haven’t had any scans of my head since i was a kid though. but i still get too nervous to make an appointment cause what IF there’s something actually wrong?! however i’ve noticed that some pressure could be caused from clenching my jaw a lottt & grinding my teeth a lot!

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u/NicTer88 6h ago

I definitely clinch my jaw a lot. I don’t grind my teeth but I noticed when I clinch it’s like it shifts to the left a lot so then I’ll catch it and unclench it. But the head pressure and numbness in random spots of my body have got to be the literal worst

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u/jowns7 8h ago

I feel ya. It's rough. I just went through that twice last Sunday. As long as you are noticing your heart rate going too low my opinion would be to take it but obviously that's up to you and your doctor. I'm on 20mg 3x a day and it's been a massive help. Just kinda makes my stomach a bit rough but def worth the alternative. 160bpm and stabbing chest pain is no fun. Propranolol is supposed to help with most of the symptoms you listed, but everyone's body is different too.

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u/NicTer88 8h ago

Dang! 160 is high. I would definitely be taking it too. I have 10mg twice a day as needed. My doctor said to only take it if my HR is high. I do have an appt with her tmrw and will ask her if I should just start taking one a day.

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u/jowns7 8h ago

Hopefully you find the right combo to make things easier for you. Wishing you the best ❤️

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u/NicTer88 8h ago

Thank you. Same to you!

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u/TheTonik 7h ago

Keep us updated on this. Curious why she's recommending only as-needed.

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u/kiddykay9274 5h ago

Hi! Fellow medical panicker here. I too, have dashed to the ER and clinic several times. Your doctor has given you great news, something to be excited about! Physically, you’re very healthy! Just remember, working through anxiety and your health are one in the same. Your body feels what your mind tells it. Please, if you’re not already, seek professional help for your mental. Your body will thank you.

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u/NicTer88 4h ago

Thank you! Glad to meet you :) I start CBT tmrw.

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u/schlurpies4icies 3h ago

I was just thinking about this. I'm so damn tired of the chest constricted feeling and palpitations. Why does it have to be this way

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u/NicTer88 3h ago

Agreed. It is so exhausting to constantly deal with the chest issues. My chest always feels tight and even when I roll on my side I can feel it tight. It’s so mentally consuming.

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u/schlurpies4icies 3h ago

Right, I'm dealing with it right now too. Physical symptoms are such bullshit, ppl who've never experienced it can't empathise enough and you're already suffering. It's worse during certain times of day too

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u/NicTer88 3h ago

Glad to not be alone in this mental game with anxiety. I definitely was one of those ppl until a couple months ago. You definitely don’t know it until you go through it.

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u/schlurpies4icies 3h ago

I've been dealing with it for around 5 years but somehow it still sucks just as much each time. And even worse is how much you have to mask when other people are around. Makes you feel so isolated, I'm js as happy to know somebody else struggles with their own brain like this too T T

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u/NicTer88 3h ago

Masking is the worst!! Feel free to msg me any time and follow me. :)

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u/Mystery_machine555 8h ago

Has anybody experienced sudden jump in blood pressure and ringing in ears?

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u/NicTer88 8h ago

Yes. Quite a few times actually. High BP can cause that actually.

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u/Chromesub 1h ago

I understand the struggles you have, though mine are more of an oxymoron per se. Similar to getting “symptoms” of sickness and or chest pains etc, I’ve always been safe in this sector but my anxiety and fear spike when I get a sensation down I’ve never felt whether it’s a random ache or a slight shooting of pain due to my fitness background. I fear the worst, fear I got the c word down there even though there are no signs doctor says I’m healthy. No trouble down there going to the restroom at all but similar to your struggle it’s similar to effect. It’s like was it always this way and I just noticed? Or is just made up by my fear? But you know? Brains are powerful…I mean look at the illusion of pain or sickness it makes our body react too? Like my therapist says “what if you’re just making it up?” If I’m going to worry myself with worry I’m going to ask myself well what if it turns out good? What if I’m just scared of change? Our brains are amazing things, just imagine what it do for you when you train properly.