Stress Center Peer Support

Over the last three years I have had many panic attacks! They usually start with some bad, ruminating thought or are exacerbated by a stressful situation. I have very bad muscle tension with actual knots in my neck, shoulders, and low back. My symptoms are very typical, for the most part, but I then start to feel very dizzy and cloudy and then I start feeling my muscles spasm and then my whole left side (sometimes my right but my left is worse) feels tingly and prickly. After crying a spell, it goes away and sometimes I get a bad headache after. I am 32 years old and my biggest scary thought is that I have a very bad illness. Is there anyone out there that can reassure me that these symptoms are just due to anxiety? Thanks...I'm getting so desperate for a cure!!

Anxiety can cause an awful lot of strange body symptoms but since we aren't medical professionals here on the forum it probably would be best to talk to your doctor.

Like Mary, I can't give you a guarantee that you don't have a bad illness but I think it's pretty safe to say you're just experiencing symptoms of your anxiety. When I get attacks, I get these symptoms:
1. hot, tingly flashes on the back of my neck that run through my body
2. extremely tense muscles that are so tight, I shake sometimes
3. knot in my stomach which makes it hard to eat
4. diarrhea (not necessarily IBS, just nothing comes out solid)
5. tight chest, feels heavy
6. shallow breathing

Anxiety is very hard on our bodies. What are you doing to take care of yourself?

If you are currently going through the program you will soon realize that it is axiety/panic. The program has helped me in so many ways, I'm about to start week 6. Everything Lucinda explains helps you to understand your symptoms and how they come on. Be patient and learn all you can. I know its hard but try not to dwell on your negative thoughts, be patient because it takes time to feel better. It took us time to start feeling bad so it takes time to recover. Good luck and be strong, Misty