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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by RedbeardNC on July 15, 2007, at 23:00:25
Hello everyone - I'm new to this group and have joined because I need peer support with some problems that I am trying to chalk up to hypochondria-centered anxiety disorder. I'm 34 years old, and weigh 225 pounds. I'm not in great shape, but not bad. I started smoking 5 years ago to curb my appetite (I was at 280).
I seem to be having...I AM having some chest/upper abdominal sensations that alarm me at relaxed times (generally a half-hour or so, sitting, after a meal). My heart and stomach seem to join together and POW, I suddenly feel what is like a giant heartbeat. Sometimes I feel it other places in my abdomen but not as strong. My doctor thinks it is anxiety - which is a strong possibility I admit...but then again it seems like when I come in with a broken toe they say "anxiety" and give me everything but Xanax (which is the only medication that seems to make me feel better. The sensation hits me once, scares me to death, and then I am afraid of it happening and obsess over it to the point of tears, and chain-smoking. Even when on meds like Effexor or Paxil I have this insane desire to hire a cardiologist and a gastroenterologist to sit with me 24 hours a day to monitor me. These feelings of dread make it difficult to work or concentrate on anything enjoyable....or anything altogether except being scared of my body. Does anyone else deal with this? I'm so tired of being afraid of myself....
Posted by canadagirl on July 16, 2007, at 8:30:52
In reply to Hypochondria and bizarre sensations, posted by RedbeardNC on July 15, 2007, at 23:00:25
It might be a good idea to get a full check up by your doctor or another doctor. I think that anxiety can cause a lot of symptoms but it's still good to get anything like that checked out, hypochondria or not. Esp. with smoking, etc. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted by Phillipa on July 16, 2007, at 11:55:28
In reply to Re: Hypochondria and bizarre sensations » RedbeardNC, posted by canadagirl on July 16, 2007, at 8:30:52
Meet the Queen of hypochondria if I'm tired I'm dying of cancer or some other horrible disease. No one seems to be able to talk any sense into me and now with benzos tolerance I am in a big mess. The biggest mess of my life so you definitely have company. If you monitor me I'll monitor you. Love Phillipa
Posted by RedbeardNC on July 16, 2007, at 14:44:11
In reply to Re: Hypochondria and bizarre sensations » RedbeardNC, posted by canadagirl on July 16, 2007, at 8:30:52
It's great to be feeling better today. I am still somewhat anxious but I didn't drop over dead from my massive stomach concerto last night. I will plan on getting a full physical soon. Perhaps worrying about things like lowering cholesterol or quitting smoking will take my mind off of the horrible randomness of my bodily quirks (he says, as he sits with a cigarette and Fritos). Thanks for your follow-up posts - I am glad to know I'm not alone in this.
Posted by Dinah on July 16, 2007, at 17:00:05
In reply to Hypochondria and bizarre sensations, posted by RedbeardNC on July 15, 2007, at 23:00:25
I think I'm more aware of body feelings than some people, and more likely to notice something out of the ordinary, even if only slightly out of the ordinary. That sometimes causes me trouble. :( I hate going to doctors because of that.
I think CBT would help a lot with this. Have you ever read "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook"? And most therapists are familiar with CBT and can help.
After a thorough physical to rule out actual physical problems of course.
Posted by B2chica on July 19, 2007, at 10:41:41
In reply to Hypochondria and bizarre sensations, posted by RedbeardNC on July 15, 2007, at 23:00:25
hi RB nice to have you join us.
although it is important that you get yourself all checked out i wanted to mention something. a couple years ago i gained lots of weight and i started having this sensation of i swear my heart was doing flip-flops in my chest...like it was going to explode...VERY scary. my doc told me it was GERD and started me on nexium...within a week it stopped completely, i lost weight and haven't had those sensations since. (and btw i was only on the meds for several months...not permanant) last year my DH also had similar sensations..he got prilosecOTC and that worked for him.
NOW, i'm not saying that's what it is for you. because anxiety could MOST definately do that too. (as could other ailments) but i had to mention it because it sounded so similar. and since you mentioned it commonly happens 1/2 hour after you eat and you think your diet and smoking could be part of it...HTH
b2c.
This is the end of the thread.
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