Hello all (newbie),
My overwhelming problem symptom is hypochondria -- currently MS. I've battled depression and minor anxiety since high school, and my wife would call me a hypochondriac as I would often Google illness symptoms.

Stress has been steadily increasing at work (uncomfortable environment) and home (marriage problems) and I started getting tension headaches in the fall following what I thought were heart attacks in the summer. When two doctors told me it wasn't a brain tumor, I started seeing a therapist in December. She advised I switch medication, from Paxil to Celexa. As I weaned off the Paxil, my anxiety increased exponentially. I got panic attacks for the first time and would wake in the middle of the night with a jolt. I got back on the Paxil but have been stuck with general anxiety and severe hypochondria ever since.

I unfortunately went back to my Google ways to study my different, ever-changing symptoms, and started self-diagnosing different cancers before moving into neurological disorders. I was experiencing paresthesia in my hands and feet, but began to obsessively focus on my right hand and foot (I'm left-handed) constantly. At first I was convinced I had Parkinson's but my doc -- who I told about my health anxiety -- said she saw nothing after a neurological once-over. Then I noticed most people on anxiety forums were concerned about MS so my fears have since switched to that and I can't get my mind off it.

I have started exercising more, and found Claire Weekes and Paul through other anxiety forums. After my first day of listening to Paul all day at work, I thought, "This is what I've been waiting to learn!" and assumed my anxiety was on its way out. Unfortunately, it has been a greater struggle and despite feeling like I was improving only a couple of weeks ago, feel like I'm in a setback right now -- I'm always in so much fear of dying or becoming a burden to my family. I have a follow-up with my PCP next week and wonder if I should get a referral to a neurologist and/or an MRI. I'm also switching from my current therapist to an anxiety/hypochondria specialist.

Sorry for the long post.

Michael,

First off, welcome to the AG family. I've been a follower since January 2011, and I sometimes wonder where I would be if it wasn't for AG. Once I became a fan, it started my path to recovery.

I suffered a setback last month. Lasted about 2 weeks. You name it, I had it. What made this one even worse were the physical sensations. During the first setback in 2010, I just came down with a couple of phobias which i've since been working on (and getting better.) Last month, I came down with the weak legs and arms, tingling in the fingers, fatigue, derealization, and feeling faint or that I couldn't swallow or catch my breath during my workout (that was a weird one) . It was that bad. So, of course, I said to myself, "It must be MS, Parkinson's, Lou Gehrigs, or cancer of some sort." Yup, in my mind, I had it all.

After a few weeks of hell, everything settled down for the most part. What did I do? Honestly, nothing. When it got really bad, I would take a Lorazepam, which I tried to avoid for a while. I took one pill a day for about 4 days, and then I started to feel better. My point? I realized that this was bump in the road, and that I was still on the right path toward recovery. I actually read somewhere that a setback is a sign that you are getting better. Kind of hard to believe especially after the sensations I went through, but I look back at where I was compared to where I am today, and I'm very proud of myself. It took me almost 6 months to recover from the first setback. This time, it took 1 week! The difference? Back then, I relied on medication only. I then found out about CBT, breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, and self help books (of which I've read many, and continue to read.) BAck then, I reacted. This time around, I knew what was going on, so I just relied on what I knew and went on with my life. It was a turbulent 2 weeks, but I got through it.

To note, I went to my doctor's for my annual physical a week after my setback ended. All tests were done, and I had nothing. I actually lost 14 pounds, and my blood pressure and cholesterol were all normal (first time in a while.) I walked to my car, and almost shed a tear because I was in good physical health and not dying of something. I've taken that and gone with it.

Right now, I feel anxious. Work has been stressful, and I came down with a head cold/minor flu (I didn't take some time off to rest), so I think I'm still recovering from it, which has caused my anxiety to go up. Well okay, I will deal with it. I will breath through it, think positive, and just be. It took me a while to get to this point but I did. and you can too. Just believe in the process even though it's going to suck at times. I'm an impatient person, but I'm getting better. I also hate pain, and I associate my battle with anxiety as a major pain. But eventually, it'll go away and I will live an anxiety-free life (barring a bump here and there.) You will be okay because everything you wrote about, I've been through. I've bothered Paul so much, you can ask him about me and he'll say "Yup, Arturo wrote to me about this or that." Paul has been a great asset to my recovery. Read the articles, write on the forum, and understand 2 important things about having GAD:

1. You're not alone
2. There is only one tranquilizer you need to get over anxiety: understanding and accepting. (If you're listening to and/or reading Dr. Claire Weeke's book and audio CD's. you'll know what I mean.)

I'm not a proponent of medication, but for now, I need it because it takes the edge off (but I'm slowly making my way to recovering naturally and holistically.)

Be well and let us know how you're doing.

Hello
When you have one type of anxiety, unfortunately you may also have another one overlapping. I tried to quit my meds last year but it was a big no-no.
I now have to take more for the same effect I used to have. Luckily, I don't have a lot of side effects. My body seems to have built some sort of resistance to the drug which is apparently common when you stop it and then re-introduce it. Sucks but I'm still here, still alive, still have my job and my friends. I'm the same person I was.
Easier said then done, but all the crap you are feeling, it's all temporary. It can come back again and again, but you are still there despite the pain and anguish.
Don't give up.
🙂