Is it anxiety or something like fibromyalgia?

[pipperj]

I am 27, and i have been having anxiety attacks since i was 18. about a month ago my sister passed away, my car broke down and i had to quit my job. Therefore i became very stressed out and started having anxiety attacks about every night. A couple weeks later i started having aches all over my body which turned into muscle pains and twitches and shooting pains all over but mostly on my left side. ive also just recently today started feeling brain squeezing feelings. All this has just made the anxiety attacks more frequent.  Im waiting on a doctors appt which is in two weeks. But im wondering if this seems like problems caused by anxiety or if it might be fibromyalgia.  

[LRon]

That's good! But don't be satisfied with two panic attacks a week. Go after anxiety/panic and kick that sucker out of your life. Get some counseling, read "Don't Panic" by Reid Wilson, whatever. But don't accept two panic attacks a week. It's two too many.

[pipperj]

Fortunatly... most of these symptoms started to get better and lessen after about 2 weeks at the same time as my daily panic attacks dropped down to about 2 a week.

[pipperj]

The doctor thought it was sciatica in my left leg. But i got an xray to make sure it wasnt anything more serious. The xray was normal. He felt up in my shoulders and neck and said my musles were very very tight. Which is what was making the pain in my arm , neck & shoulders. He mentioned that it was probably caused by stress/ anxiety. Fortunatl

[LRon]

I'm suspicious of things like this. There are SO many things out there that claim to "cure anxiety" for a price. I don't think there is a solution that is both easy and simple. The simple solution is to do that which you fear as often as possible until you no longer fear it. Very simple, but certainly not easy! :-)

[Carl67]

Have you ever thought to give a try to a special program like this: http://understandingdepressionandanxiety.com/60-second-panic-solution-review-actually-work/ ? I'm tempted to buy it but not before I hear someone's opinion..

[pipperj]

Thank you very much. Ill give it a try.

[LRon]

I'm sorry that you are having so many challenges right now, especially the passing of your sister.

I'd bet the mortgage that you are physically fine. Anxiety and tension can really mess with your body and cause all kinds of symptoms which can perpetuate the cycle, just as you are experiencing. You need to break that cycle. Easier said than done, of course. But it can be done. Here are some thoughts:

1. Because you are 27, it is highly unlikely you are having any kind of health issue. Take comfort in that!

2. There's no point in worrying about your health. You made the doctor appointment, which was the right thing to do. Now forget about it. Just wait and let the doctor do his/her job in a couple of weeks. Worrying is not going to make any positive difference whatsoever.

3. Don't focus your attention on your symptoms. Rather, focus your attention outward on the people and world around you. Read a book, start a hobby, work on a project, volunteer, whatever -- anything that will keep you from sitting and focusing on your symptoms and sensations.

4. Try exercise, meditation, yoga, massage therapy, warm baths, guided imagery audios -- to help you relax. It seems to me that many of your symptoms are the result of high levels of tension.

If you do these things, your anxiety and tension will lessen, which will reduce the symptoms you're experiencing. Which will help you relax more. You'll *reverse* the cycle you're currently in, and feel a whole heck of a lot better. Let me know how it goes!

[pipperj]

Also forgot to mention ive been having indigestion almost everyday. And when i get anxious my left arm feels numb/weak which has been happening more than normal.