Introduction

[fin]

Hi, my name is fin and I have health anxiety. I went to the doctor in August 2008 after getting tingling in my arms and feeling sick and being extremely tired. I had been feeling tired for ages off and on and had got the ' eye tick' which also really unnerved me but it was the tingling in my hands and the subsequent muscle twitching that freaked me out and convinced me I had something doomladen. 1.5 years on and have been on Fluoxitine for over a year now and gradually things are getting better although often it is still with me, the symptoms etc but at least now possessing the knowledge I have now I am now able to cope and although I still feel anything but 'normal' at least where my family and friends are concerned I appear normal now instead of this poor creature craving reassurance every minute and who was so anxious he couldn't sleep and thought he would never sleep again, ever. Sounds kind of desperate, well that is how it was and the fact that I am able to type this out now is testament to the progress I have made although as I have just said it is a long fight and I although I do now sleep I still wake up in the morning feeling knackered and have days when I just feel so fatigued. By the way I have been to the doctors and in fact was referred to hospital and got every blood test going along with an examination from a neuro, plus an MRI, colonoscopy and ultrasound. Guess what the all came back normal, but guess what, still couldn't believe it and then gradually things got really bad to the point where I thought I was going mad and didn't want to leave the house. Was put on fluoxitine which took a couple of months to get used to but bit by bit I started to pick myself up and get back to living my life and eventually getting back to work. Have been back fulltime almost a year now and things continue to improve.
We all have moments when we need reassurance though and hence the need for supportive sites like NMP and Anxietyzone. Look forward to hearing from you in the future.

[FeelingOptimistic]

Hi fin,

Glad you are here and have made progress!  It is amazing to think that your mind can cause so many physical sensations, isn't it?  I found that pill very hard to swallow but when I acknowledged it as fact and started tackling my anxiety (and subsequent panic), things got much better for me.  It is alot of work and I'm still a work in progress.

I think you'll like it here.  Glad you joined us!
Feeling Optimistic

[sixpack]

I'm glad you seem to be finding your way.

Yes physical symptoms can really scare the pee out of you, but are very common with anxiety.  I've had what you experienced and am still alive and kicking.

[fin]

Thanks for the welcome. It is heartening to have places such as this that you can turn to for reassurance when things get difficult. Seem to be happening less and less I am pleased to say but nevertheless it is still a comfort. Cheers.