I thought I'd add to this with the symptoms I've experienced, which has been quite a lot.
- What I suspect is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or just digestion problems)
- Heart palpitations
- A slight dizzy/unbalanced sensation
- Headaches
- Nausea, trouble eating
- Lump in the throat sensation
- Tight chest, sensation that it's hard to breath
- Trouble getting to sleep, and wanting to sleep the day away when I wake up
- Aches and pains in various places
- Eyes feeling like they have something in them that I can't get out
- Nervous twitching
- Tingling sensation in limbs
- Disassociation/derealization (only once or twice)
- Stomach/abdominal aches
- Used to have to open my eyes often while getting to sleep to make sure I hadn't gone blind
- Difficulty/hesitation swallowing for fear of choking

& more...


A lot of symptoms, I know, and I've probably forgotten a few.
In my experience, there's no limit to what anxiety can make you feel, especially when it comes to health anxiety.

Hope this helps anyone. :)

Hey guys, it's my first post on the forums.

My initial anxiety was related to a traumatic prescription reaction in my late teens/early twenties that caused long-term altered sensation to my entire left side (it's not a functional issue, just a dulled sensation). Since then I've experienced a myriad of anxiety related symptoms related to that particular period of anxiety over the following months, including: numbness, fatigue, full body aches, panic attacks with hyperventilation, feeling like I want to run away regardless of where I am, repeated episodes of dissociation, chest pains, dry mouth, headaches etc.

I injured my back training a couple of months ago, which meant having to rest from rigorous activity. I've had multiple emotional breakdowns related to my back pain and frustration at having to stop my regular physical activity. My gut has been playing up terribly; GERD type symptoms, bad abdominal tenderness, persistent aches in my legs and arms, perceived muscle weakness, belching, constipation, recurring intestinal cramps etc. which has only led to further anxiety about my health.

Just wanted to see if anyone had dealt with similar symptoms. It's nice to have been introduced to a community of people who can share their experiences within a welcoming and safe space. Anxiety can often feel like such an isolating condition but it's nice to know you're not alone.

Hi Tayla

I certainly can relate to some of your symptoms especially the nausea and dry reaching. I had it fir so long like clockwork every morning....thank heavens it got much better even though occasionally l still get it out of the blue.l tried for so long to fight it and couldnt understand why it wouldnt stop. I hated these symptoms so much and wanted it to go away. I finally decided through help of a physcologist and plenty of research that acceptance was the key. I no longer let it control me and stopped fighting it and with lots of other strategies it did slowly get better. I still feel trembles sometimes and now just accept it until it subsides. I hope everyone is doing ok.

Hi Everyone

Just saying a huge thankyou for sharing your physical symptoms of anxiety! By doing so you are helping many others not feel so alone with these awful symptoms/feelings!

Hey Max....Thankyou for being a part of the forums...and your helpful post....I hope the proboitics are helping!...I know that they are helping me out since you mentioned them on another thread...Thanks heaps!

Hey SxZ....A big welcome to the forums and thankyou so much for being a part of the discussion :-) I have posted my own symptoms on this thread.....earlier..I feel your pain and anguish with your symptoms...I really hope you are doing okay....especially with the panic attacks and hyperventilation. Only if you wish I hope you can stick around the forums....Thankyou so much for the super kind post too!

Hey JillG.....Thankyou for sharing your pain as well as you have...You are helping so many others that choose not to post and read only....(approx 70% of the 'hits' to the Beyond Blue forums are from people that are comfortable reading posts)

JillG mentioned "acceptance was the key. I no longer let it control me and stopped fighting it" Thankyou for this JillG as acceptance of our symptoms does help us find peace.....Great post

my kind thoughts

Paul

Hey That Guy....and wave to JillG

You are spot on about the symptoms changing as you and JillG mentioned above..

Just from my own experience with these awful anxiety symptoms....Yes they can and do fluctuate....a lot!

The headaches....the digestive issues can all be indicators of how anxiety...(or ongoing stress) can effect us..

Have a good weekend everyone..

Paul

Hi Everyone and to Annabay...who wrote this very helpful thread topic!

Hey Mendel....Thankyou so much for helping others with your additional support above

Mendel wisely mentioned ' I think that feeling of hopelessness is an anxious symptom in itself' Yes...when we feel vulnerable (or fearful of upcoming anxiety) we can sometimes leave the gate open for more anxiety

The more frequent we see our doc...the less hopeless we feel...(just my own experience) I do hope you can pop in and say hello on the 'Do You Like Yourself' thread..The copy and paste link is below

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/do-you-like-yourself-your-thoughts-are-welcome

"Just want to acknowledge the power of these forums, and that coming back on here again with my recent anxious thoughts, it helps. So thank you all for that. The power of knowing you are not alone is massive for a lot of people"

Your kind feedback above is greatly appreciated Mendel

Paul

I have been suffering with anxiety for a few months now.

As much as it sucks to see everyone suffering its nice to know Im not going crazy (ier, we are all a little crazy, no fun being normal).

My symptoms seem to vary from tight chest, tight throat, heartburn/acid reflux , IBS, sweats, shoulder/neck pain, panic feeling (doomed feeling), irritability, crying, heart attack feeling, irrational thoughts.

I have been diagnosed with GAD and SA but Im not medicated yet, mainly due to my own stubbornness but Ive picked a date to start after some travel as last time I tried the meds I felt unwell (to be expected).

I use humor and avoidance to get me through most days.

Hi S&Z,

I was reading through your post and the First part in particular caught my eye. When you say you have had left side altered sensation as a result of a reaction, I feel like you’re the first person I finally came accross that has had the same thing happen to.

Ihave had perceived weakness in my right side of body as I received a call from my doctor about a particluar result. I havent been the same since.

if its ok with you, would you be able to tell me more about what you’re feeling? I have researched a lot and have found that anxiety can cause muscle weakness in arms/legs but this is my whole right side we’re talking. Nothing on that in particular.

And with the issues you’re facing now, it all sounds like your body is in a bit of a shock considering how active you are normally and that you haven’t been able to do much recently as a result of having to take it easy. The gut problems and the cramps is all very familiar to me. Especially during the times of stress and inactivity.

hope that helps.

Hi Everyone!....This an open thread topic that 'Annabay' created...All people are welcome to post :-)

Hey Pablo61....Anxiety back after 13 years would be awful...I feel your pain...Thankyou for your post!

Hey Possm...Thankyou for contributing to the discussion :-) Your symptoms are identical to what I used to have in the 1980's...(in my 20's) and I still remember how awful these feelings were..yet they are treatable

Hey TheAnxiousOne....Thankyou for your helpful post to SxZ....Its always great to have support from others that have experienced this awful set of symptoms

thankyou amazing people for being on the forums and sharing your own symptoms

my kind thoughts

Paul

Hi Paul,

i am still struggling to decipher what’s real or what’s in my head.

My usual symptoms are,

Tightness in chest and throat. Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing. Paranoia that I am about to die. Feeling tense and stiff. Weird feeling that’s hard to explain like a wave rolled over my head. Thinking that’s adrenaline.

stomach bloating and associated intestinal issues.

when it happens I feel like hiding from everyone so I duck in the toilets and check my symptoms to reassure myself.

Hi Number 86!

Welcome to the forums....the dry mouth...feeling like you are about to die...feeling tense..the bloating....the intestinal issues...the dizzyness are all common symptoms of anxiety

You are spot on about that 'wave' feeling that rolls over our head.....Its most likely adrenaline as you mentioned

I was 23 when all these symptoms hit me like a freight train....and they are awful to have Number86

you are not alone....just from my own experience, seeing our GP can make us feel better as GP's have a better understanding of anxiety than even 10 years ago

Note: The good news!....The earlier anxiety symptoms are treated the better our recovery will be

Thankyou for being a part of the forum family too :-)

Paul

Hi Number 86

Your symptoms are so similar to mine. And I do exactly what you do, if I feel bad symptoms coming on in a public setting, i will go straight to the toilet and do all my checks because I’m embarrassed if anyone were to know what’s going on. I think the main reason that I’m embarrassed is because I think people will think I’m making it all up because I “look fine”

I tried to explain that wave feeling to my partner and a few doctors and no one seemed to understand what I was talking about!! I hate this feeling but i take small comfort in the fact I’m not alone and neither are you. All the best

Thanks Paul for suggesting this forum.

It's interesting to see how people experience different feelings. My troubles often come up when I'm feeling worried about something, when I overthink, health anxiety, etc.

I can get:

-shakey

-very tense and painful muscles

-crying (usually I hardly cry, but if feeling anxious has gone on a long time... my body just can't contain the emotions)

-panic attacks (I think they are. My heart races and hands shake, I can usually recognise when it's happening)

-short of breath (I have vocal cord dysfunction too, which is where the vocal cords open and close at the wrong times. This flares up when I'm anxious)

-racing thoughts

-possible headaches and dizziness/lightheadedness (getting an MRI next week just to be sure, my doctor thinks I feel like this because of being anxious, then of course my health anxiety kicks in)

-obsessive thoughts and actions (eg. googling symptoms over and over)

-seeking constant reassurance from family

Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this.

Hey anyone who is listening

It currently 2:42 am I gave up on trying to sleep about an hour ago guess I'm just lucky I don't have work today sleeping is something I always struggle with since I was 17 when I was first diagnosed with anxiety just about every night I'll lay down and be almost asleep then all of a sudden I feel a panic coming on I get like a weird feeling in my head then all of a sudden I feel like I can't breath almost like someone is sitting on my chest and I'm going to pass out I get real dizzy and disoriented then I will feel like I'm falling from a building this also happens during the day just seems worse of a night time but the real fun part is when it starts to feel like I'm going to die then I'll sit up maybe have a drink of water wipe my tears and watch something to make me laugh for 20 minutes but when I try to go back to sleep I can't because I get scared if I do I'll die in my sleep and no one will know till morning another problem I have is when I'm feeling tired and run down I can't manage my anxiety very well if at all so it doesn't help when I can't sleep at all

My doctor and family recomended that a get some meds to help with anxiety or for sleeping but my problem is that taking pills (even panadol) make me feel anxious one time I even rang my doctor to ask if I took travel calm medicine if it could kill me

Does anyone else ever feel this way it can't just be me

Hi Everyone and thankyou so much for your valued input on Annabay's terrific thread topic :-)

Hello HelpsAlwaysNear96......Great to have you post on the forums with your symptoms of anxiety...Your post has also helped more people know they are not alone...Thankyou!

Hello jemma09....You are very welcome and thankyou for posting what you experience here...(and for creating your own thread topic too!) I will catch up with you on your thread...Great to have you on the forums jemma09!

Hello Bella897....Welcome to Annabay's thread and great to have you post with us too :-) I am only a temporary caretaker of this thread as I used to have these awful symptoms as well...Just a note if I can Bella897....The earlier we seek treatment the better our recovery will be...I had the same symptoms as yourself when I was in in my early 20's and they are horrible...Really good to have you on the forums Bella897!

Note: The forums are a safe and non judgemental place for everyone to post :-)

my kind thoughts and appreciation

Paul

Hi Bella897

Thanks for sharing. You are not alone in feeling this way. I remember being up late at night convinced that I couldn't breathe and that I was dying. I even took myself to the hospital. I was at a tipping point where I just went to go get help because I was on edge all the time. I went to headspace and it really helped me.

That's great that you have some water and find something positive to do! Be proud of yourself for that. I find sleep meditation/talk down is very relaxing. Some of them help to practice being mindful too. Have you tried using sleep meditation? If you search it on youtube there are many great videos there.

I wish you all the best and I hope you can have some fulfilling sleep in the future. Take care :)

• I get heart palpitations
• restless legs
• feel tense muscle stiffness
• sick in the stomach
• shakes
• worrying thoughts
• I feel like running away or curling up in a really tight ball
• Stressed

Hi Everyone and thankyou so much for being a part of Annabay's great thread topic!

Hey Cranberry Juice...I used to get the same common symptoms you do...and they can be awful for sure

Hey Jemma...great to have your support on this helpful thread topic! Thankyou heaps :-)

Paul

Hi Everyone! New members are always welcome to post too :-)

Hey Jemma...Thankyou so much for your help on this thread

Just some background to this thread topic for everyone....I noticed this thread by Annabay last year and it had a heap of new members posting on it....All of these new members have helped so many people, by posting their symptoms it helps so many people (readers and members) know they are not alone

Here is Annabays opening post below...from last year..

22 October 2019 ..."Hey there, What physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience?
I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come hand in hand with anxiety so we can all feel less alone. hope everyone is well"

*******************************

I hope everyone has a really good weekend :-)

Paul

I also get the tingling... but it’s only on one side of my body. My third child was born 5 months ago and I haven’t experienced anything like this before.

i get these episodes where tingling/numbness goes from my left leg, to my arm, then to my face. I’ve had MRIs on my brain and neck, and next week I see a neurologist. I’m hoping it’s just post natal anxiety and nothing serious.

i also have quite severe thoughts of something happening to my, like a terminal illness. I just want to be around for my children and be happy again.

im considering taking meds after I have seen the Neurologist if everything is clear.

i also had my first panic attack about 6 weeks ago and it’s been getting worse since then with the above tingling episodes.

I also found your post interesting. The first part about the traumatic prescription reaction. I’ve never heard of this but very interested to find out more.

my whole left side goes tingly/numb, it lasts anywhere between 24 hours to 3 days. I’ve had 4 episodes of this lately.

note: I’ve had MRIs and I’m seeing a neurologist too Incase it’s not anxiety.

Hello MidLifeGirl

Thankyou for being a part of this helpful thread topic! You are proactive with your health by checking your symptoms with having the MRI's and seeing your Neurologist as well

I just read SxZ's post above and havent heard of ' traumatic prescription reaction' until now..I used to have anxiety for a long time and the symptoms do vary so much

Great to have your valued input on the forums!

my kind thoughts

Paul

For me, symptoms of anxiety can be:

• Sweating a lot.
• Heart palpitations, sometimes chest pain (but it's bearable).
• Dry mouth and sore throat, or a "lump in my throat" if you will.
• Nausea, sometimes vomiting and stomach problems like gastro.
• Excessive thoughts of course, bad ones.

And probably more, I can't think of any more currently. Sorry to hear that so many others deal with anxiety and the symptoms everyone here has too. Thinking of you all here.

Tayla

Hi everyone,

I get achy forearms and twitchy fingers. I also wake up feeling nauseous in my tummy but only slightly.

At my worst I couldn’t eat, I had hot and cold flashes when sleeping. I also felt like my skin was burning. And I also couldn’t sleep. I started on medication and it helped a lot. So did routine.

Hi Everyone,

Ive made a post on here once before, but I’ve recently been getting quite a strange feeling.
I have quite consistent blurry vision throughout the day that seems to come and go. Hard to focus.
But it also comes with this feeling of being disconnected.
As though the activities and things that I do, I’m almost floating through them without ever being present.

Does anyone ever go through something similar?
very hard to explain the feeling.

Thanks,

Mendel