Chronic pain as a symptom of anxiety

[2anxious]

Hi All!     Just wondering, anyone else have chronic pain as an anxiety symptom.  I have had pain in my chest, back and left arm for like a year and a half now.  Even when I feel that my anxiety is at a pretty low level, this is one symptom that doesn't let up.  I am not sure if it is due to muscle tension or what.  Any thoughts/experiences would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!

[aussiegirllost]

Hi 2anxious,

I have had pain in my neck, lower back, chest and most of my joints since September last year, and they haven't let up either. I have some day's where it's better, and some where it's not. Only thing with me is, I went to see a Rheumatologist who diagnosed me as having a form of arthritis (or inflammation of the joints) due to an overactive immune system. I'm still not entirely convinced as the pain all started when my terrible anxiety and panic attacks/hypochondria did. I am going to get a second opinion, but I definitely notice I am tense a lot of the time, and am unknowingly tensing my shoulders and neck etc. Today I am having an ache in my right arm, it's so weird! Do you catch yourself tensing up in certain area's? Another possibility could be Fibromyalgia? It's not a nice thing to have, but it's also not life threatening, just as arthritis isn't. Have you been to see your Dr about your pain? Does taking paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory help with your pain?

[there_there]

yep! I've found this out over a long period of time. You really can 'imagine' yourself into a state of quite serious pain! Whenever I have had this trouble, the doctor's reassurance has made the pain disappear within a day or two.

[dizziegirl3]

always have pain in my head, my back, shoulders and somtimes my right arm and then my left. there is not one day that i don't feel some sort of pain somewhere!

[LFA-Kris]

<<<<<Another possibility could be Fibromyalgia? >>>>>>
My sister and I work in a hospital and have come to realize you do not want to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  Try to keep this diagnosis off your charts.  It has been called a "b***s***" disorder.  One of her doctors couldn't find a reason for her pain and wanted to call it Fibromyalgia, but she told them not to put that in her chart.

[ashmo918]

i also suffer from chronic pain, but not until fairly recently. i have pains in the chest that sort of go from right to left and back and in my arms and around my armpits up to my shoulders and backbone. often times its not severe, but enough to make me think about it a lot, which inevitably makes it worse. i had an ekg about a month ago so i know its not my heart. i really hate going to doctors. im sure most have had the same experience i have (doctors seeming annoyed by our inability to immediately accept our pain as a symptom of our anxiety and sort of just brushing us aside). so yeah, thats my story. i can relate to the pain. at least we all can which definately helps to realize this is something we can overcome. crazy psychosomatic pain!

[2anxious]

It really is crazy how psychosomatic pain can be so strong at times.  Frustrating!

[fdis]

i really hate going to doctors. im sure most have had the same experience i have (doctors seeming annoyed by our inability to immediately accept our pain as a symptom of our anxiety and sort of just brushing us aside).

I agree, the anxiety of setting up an appointment just so he/she can say, "You're fine" when you don't feel fine is almost as bad as the pain itself.