Social Anxiety Support

ConstantlyTerrified · 12-17-2009, 06:31 PM

Hello all - it's been quite a while since I've been on these forums, but I have a few questions. I have quite a lot of stress in my life, and am also a severe hypochondriac. I've thought I've had every type of tumor, cancer, disease, etc ...

However, I was wondering if anyone else with stress experiences these weird symptoms?
* For the last year and a half, I have been having random muscle jerks all over my body. I will be sitting down, and all of a sudden my leg will jump - or my arm - or my shoulder - it doesn't matter which muscle. My doctor cleared me and said it was most likely stress.
* Also, for the last year, I have been getting a deep pain near my left eyebrow - sometimes I can feel it on the left side of my head.

Any thoughts or comments?

caithiggs · 12-17-2009, 06:34 PM

How much exercise you get?

ConstantlyTerrified · 12-17-2009, 06:40 PM

I used to run 8 miles a day. I worked out, lifted weights ... everything. I'm 5'9 and I weighed 162. I moved out from home, started my core classes in college, and gained 40 pounds in 1 year. Now, I rarely get to exercise beyond mowing lawn and the every-now-and then activity. I'd be surprised if I could run a single mile without stopping ... pathetic, I know. But yeah.

rachelee · 12-17-2009, 06:45 PM

Not trying to be an alarmist but you could go see a neurologist to be on the safe (if you haven't already). It's possible that your headache is maybe sinus or one of those cluster headaches (not sure how those feel) that can be triggered by stress. But the muscle jerks - that could be caused by a bunch of things, like a vitamin or mineral deficiency for example (and a general practitioner wouldn't necessarily test for something like that).

I've had one of my eyelids twitch when I am stressed out but that's a very small muscle. I'm not sure about large muscles twitching enough to move your arm or leg.

Are you under a lot of stress lately - I mean, more than whatever stress you experience as a result of SA? When my eyelid twitches, it is usually during a very stressful phase, such as when I'm working on a really hard project at work. Anything like that going on with you?

ConstantlyTerrified · 12-17-2009, 06:49 PM

I saw a neurologist and he gave me a clean bill of health ... he said nothing to worry about - most likely stress. I've had a CT scan scheduled for my sinus for about 6 months now ... I keep pushing it back. My doctor says it is probably sinusitis - but me, being the hypochondriac I am, go online and think I have sinus cancer (even though I have 1 symptom out of 40). I'm going to call tomorrow to schedule my CT as soon as possible.

As far as lately ... I'm stressed out to the max everyday. It doesn't matter what's going on. I could be having a great day and then ... BOOM. My sinuses start to hurt, my brain tells me I have cancer, and then the rest of the day is ****. This has been my life for the past year and a half. Everyday is as bad, or worse, than the day before. I hate it.

HereWeGoAgain · 12-17-2009, 06:52 PM

Similar to the twitches when between sleep and wakefulness. I twitch frequently between these states and know another person unaffected by an anxiety problem who experiences the same. Because you experience the twitches while in a chair it makes me think resting being so akin to sleep is the cause.

In terms of the other symptoms of the left eye pain I can relate as much as I've experienced what I thought would be next heart beat death in terms of bodily sensations I've reduced them to Bodily response to an anxiety attack. I've experienced your eye symptoms but just on my Right side. Are you left handed by chance? I am right handed and am fishing if dominant hand determines the side anxiety symptoms appear?

ConstantlyTerrified · 12-17-2009, 06:56 PM

Very interesting, HereWeGo ... no, I am actually right handed too. It seems that all of this started after I gained all of my weight and my anxiety came back - with a vengeance. You experienced the eye thing too? For how long?

HereWeGoAgain · 12-17-2009, 07:42 PM

When my anxiety returns my symptoms return. My right side symptoms including right side eye, tongue, arm and feet numbness were reviewed by an emergency room visit and there after a neurologist were consider undeterminable. This is ongoing and as of six months ago. I am convinced that when the mind is overly active, bodily anxiety symptoms increase. I only say this because I observed my anxiety at an increased level before these symptoms escalated themselves. Of course this needs to be verified on a case to case basis.

All reports came back ok. Just writing about these symptoms caused them to flare which is interesting. The mind is powerful and can produce crazy sensations which at points can be driven into overdrive and over inflame the symptoms.

odd_one_out · 12-18-2009, 02:28 AM

I have experienced numerous symptoms that were inexplicable and am prone to somatisation and hypochondria. Have you tried treating the hypochondria yet? It could save vast amounts of money in the long-term, and your peace of mind.

Jayne311 · 12-18-2009, 07:01 AM

I sometimes have the exact same things with the eye and head pain. Mine is always on the right side too. I agree, it has enormous potential to ruin a day. I've had pain like this on and off for about six months, maybe a bit less. Although ever since school ended I haven't had it. It's most likely sinus issues, although I'm dealing with one health problem right now that is actually real and not imagined, so when that is over, I'll ask a doctor about the head and eye pain. I have a strong feeling it's nothing but stress and sinus things though.

If you've been to a doctor, I wouldn't worry one bit. I don't know what you could do to make it stop, except making it a habit to not worry quite so much when the pain comes.

ConstantlyTerrified · 12-18-2009, 10:53 AM

Well my doctor tried putting me on anti-anxiety medication, but that made things worse - much worse. I had frequent panic attacks and became very short with people. I've been to a psychiatrist, but to be honest I think he was full of ****. He said that my parents divorce at the age of 13 permanently cemented the worries of that 13 year old in my head ... I'm not sure how this could ever be proven scientifically. So yeah, the pains are a lot worse today. Antibiotics are doing nothing. I'm getting that stupid eye pain, along with pain on the left side of my head. So annoying. My brain won't let it go ... grrr.

Dane · 12-18-2009, 11:06 AM

I was a hypochondriac too when I was in high school. These days I'm pretty much the opposite and don't worry about my health at all unless I have some intollerable problem.

I have been getting muscle twitches like you describe for about 10 years. They don't interfere with anything and haven't gotten any worse, so I don't worry about them.

caithiggs · 12-29-2009, 05:49 PM

Stress can do weird things. Really weird things. I once had a twitch on my eye lid for a month straight during my first year of university because I guess it stressed me out so much. But it sounds to me like you just need exercise. I shouldn't talk, I'm constantly complaining about my health and stress symptoms and people are always saying I need to exercise. I know they are right! But I also know it's not something that's easy to do! Especially when you have other interests or priorities at hand.

I think it is a physical problem, not a psychological one. You simply need to eat well and exercise. I think we live in an era where people don't understand that modern lifestyles ruin our health. We don't want to admit it, and we come up with all sorts of excuses that can be explained away by medications. But it's simply our lifestyle that needs to change.

12-17-2009, 06:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
ConstantlyTerrified Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Stress - symptoms? Hello all - it's been quite a while since I've been on these forums, but I have a few questions. I have quite a lot of stress in my life, and am also a severe hypochondriac. I've thought I've had every type of tumor, cancer, disease, etc ... However, I was wondering if anyone else with stress experiences these weird symptoms? * For the last year and a half, I have been having random muscle jerks all over my body. I will be sitting down, and all of a sudden my leg will jump - or my arm - or my shoulder - it doesn't matter which muscle. My doctor cleared me and said it was most likely stress. * Also, for the last year, I have been getting a deep pain near my left eyebrow - sometimes I can feel it on the left side of my head. Any thoughts or comments?

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12-17-2009, 06:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
caithiggs Status: n00b Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: no trace Gender: Female Posts: 272	How much exercise you get?

12-17-2009, 06:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
ConstantlyTerrified Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 24	I used to run 8 miles a day. I worked out, lifted weights ... everything. I'm 5'9 and I weighed 162. I moved out from home, started my core classes in college, and gained 40 pounds in 1 year. Now, I rarely get to exercise beyond mowing lawn and the every-now-and then activity. I'd be surprised if I could run a single mile without stopping ... pathetic, I know. But yeah.

12-17-2009, 06:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
rachelee Status: SAS Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 57	Not trying to be an alarmist but you could go see a neurologist to be on the safe (if you haven't already). It's possible that your headache is maybe sinus or one of those cluster headaches (not sure how those feel) that can be triggered by stress. But the muscle jerks - that could be caused by a bunch of things, like a vitamin or mineral deficiency for example (and a general practitioner wouldn't necessarily test for something like that). I've had one of my eyelids twitch when I am stressed out but that's a very small muscle. I'm not sure about large muscles twitching enough to move your arm or leg. Are you under a lot of stress lately - I mean, more than whatever stress you experience as a result of SA? When my eyelid twitches, it is usually during a very stressful phase, such as when I'm working on a really hard project at work. Anything like that going on with you?

12-17-2009, 06:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
ConstantlyTerrified Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 24	I saw a neurologist and he gave me a clean bill of health ... he said nothing to worry about - most likely stress. I've had a CT scan scheduled for my sinus for about 6 months now ... I keep pushing it back. My doctor says it is probably sinusitis - but me, being the hypochondriac I am, go online and think I have sinus cancer (even though I have 1 symptom out of 40). I'm going to call tomorrow to schedule my CT as soon as possible. As far as lately ... I'm stressed out to the max everyday. It doesn't matter what's going on. I could be having a great day and then ... BOOM. My sinuses start to hurt, my brain tells me I have cancer, and then the rest of the day is ****. This has been my life for the past year and a half. Everyday is as bad, or worse, than the day before. I hate it.

12-17-2009, 06:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
HereWeGoAgain Status: SAS Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 40	Similar to the twitches when between sleep and wakefulness. I twitch frequently between these states and know another person unaffected by an anxiety problem who experiences the same. Because you experience the twitches while in a chair it makes me think resting being so akin to sleep is the cause. In terms of the other symptoms of the left eye pain I can relate as much as I've experienced what I thought would be next heart beat death in terms of bodily sensations I've reduced them to Bodily response to an anxiety attack. I've experienced your eye symptoms but just on my Right side. Are you left handed by chance? I am right handed and am fishing if dominant hand determines the side anxiety symptoms appear?

12-17-2009, 06:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
ConstantlyTerrified Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Very interesting, HereWeGo ... no, I am actually right handed too. It seems that all of this started after I gained all of my weight and my anxiety came back - with a vengeance. You experienced the eye thing too? For how long?

12-17-2009, 07:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
HereWeGoAgain Status: SAS Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 40	When my anxiety returns my symptoms return. My right side symptoms including right side eye, tongue, arm and feet numbness were reviewed by an emergency room visit and there after a neurologist were consider undeterminable. This is ongoing and as of six months ago. I am convinced that when the mind is overly active, bodily anxiety symptoms increase. I only say this because I observed my anxiety at an increased level before these symptoms escalated themselves. Of course this needs to be verified on a case to case basis. All reports came back ok. Just writing about these symptoms caused them to flare which is interesting. The mind is powerful and can produce crazy sensations which at points can be driven into overdrive and over inflame the symptoms.

12-18-2009, 02:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
odd_one_out Status: Active-but-odd Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Age: 32 Posts: 2,812	I have experienced numerous symptoms that were inexplicable and am prone to somatisation and hypochondria. Have you tried treating the hypochondria yet? It could save vast amounts of money in the long-term, and your peace of mind.

12-18-2009, 07:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jayne311 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 322	I sometimes have the exact same things with the eye and head pain. Mine is always on the right side too. I agree, it has enormous potential to ruin a day. I've had pain like this on and off for about six months, maybe a bit less. Although ever since school ended I haven't had it. It's most likely sinus issues, although I'm dealing with one health problem right now that is actually real and not imagined, so when that is over, I'll ask a doctor about the head and eye pain. I have a strong feeling it's nothing but stress and sinus things though. If you've been to a doctor, I wouldn't worry one bit. I don't know what you could do to make it stop, except making it a habit to not worry quite so much when the pain comes.

12-18-2009, 10:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
ConstantlyTerrified Status: SAS Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 24	Well my doctor tried putting me on anti-anxiety medication, but that made things worse - much worse. I had frequent panic attacks and became very short with people. I've been to a psychiatrist, but to be honest I think he was full of ****. He said that my parents divorce at the age of 13 permanently cemented the worries of that 13 year old in my head ... I'm not sure how this could ever be proven scientifically. So yeah, the pains are a lot worse today. Antibiotics are doing nothing. I'm getting that stupid eye pain, along with pain on the left side of my head. So annoying. My brain won't let it go ... grrr.

12-18-2009, 11:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
Dane Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: here and there Gender: Male Posts: 393	I was a hypochondriac too when I was in high school. These days I'm pretty much the opposite and don't worry about my health at all unless I have some intollerable problem. I have been getting muscle twitches like you describe for about 10 years. They don't interfere with anything and haven't gotten any worse, so I don't worry about them.

12-29-2009, 05:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
caithiggs Status: n00b Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: no trace Gender: Female Posts: 272	Stress can do weird things. Really weird things. I once had a twitch on my eye lid for a month straight during my first year of university because I guess it stressed me out so much. But it sounds to me like you just need exercise. I shouldn't talk, I'm constantly complaining about my health and stress symptoms and people are always saying I need to exercise. I know they are right! But I also know it's not something that's easy to do! Especially when you have other interests or priorities at hand. I think it is a physical problem, not a psychological one. You simply need to eat well and exercise. I think we live in an era where people don't understand that modern lifestyles ruin our health. We don't want to admit it, and we come up with all sorts of excuses that can be explained away by medications. But it's simply our lifestyle that needs to change.