Still on edge today...blah

Hey everyone! Just wanted to pop in and get some things written here. It tends to help. I was feeling anxious yesterday, for whatever reason (some known, others not). I'm not feeling terrible today, actually feeling a good bit better compared to yesterday. Here's what's going on at the moment...

I've been getting some palpitations. Nothing abnormal for me, but they tend to mess with my anxiety when it's already elevated. I'm sure you all know how that goes. When I get up and around I generally feel fine, but then I may feel a palpitation or two. Combined with a mild lightheaded sensation, that sets off alarms for anxiety - go figure. I've also been experiencing various aches and pains since yesterday. Again, nothing abnormal for me, but with a heightened state of anxiety it's not a good combination. Particularly in my left shoulder, combined with some localized numbness / tingling in my left hand. The numbness and tingling are fairly common for me, and it's apparently due to minor nerve problems.

I'm usually perfectly fine with experiencing these symptoms, but anxiety causes me to perceive them as much worse than they are. Anxiety is good at that, isn't it? I had some of these pains yesterday when my anxiety was much worse, but I'm glad the anxiety has at least died down some. When I get up and around I almost feel like I'm weak, though that's likely perceived and not clinical weakness (e.g. I can walk fine, perform other routine tasks like I always do).

I actually wonder if it's happening because this is about the time it started yesterday as well. My anxiety / panic attacks tend to follow a pattern where they'll start around the same time (or in the same environment) where the first one happened. They gradually decrease in intensity, and eventually they disappear altogether. So I suppose that's what's happening now.

Rosy said:

I experience the same thing. I'm glad you mentioned that they follow a pattern. Mine does too. I can almost set the time what will happen. Anxiety is the pits and I get the pains too. usually my shoulder and arms.. I also get pressure in my head. Not always a headache but definitely pressure. I have sinus problems so I get all that good stuff in the head at the same time. lol lol I have free floating anxiety GAD, and that means I get it sometimes for no reason. Of course when I get it, all sorts of weird things get into my head and I can worry about anything for no reason. lol I hate that but it happens. At least we know what is going on and ride it out. Hoping for a good day for you and me too.

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Yep, I also get head pressure sometimes with anxiety! That's never bothered me though. I'm only ever bothered at all by palpitations mixed with certain other symptoms. I don't have sinus problems, but I do have minor nerve issues that certainly exacerbate these things.

I also have a lot of tension, I guess because I'm not as physically active as I should be. Not nearly as sedentary as I used to be, but I still don't have any exercise routine. Tension means I'm prone to those stupid headaches sometimes.

Thanks for the reply! I hope you have a good day as well.

Rosy said:

Thank you. I also have the palpitations too. They bother me. Maybe because I am a lot older now and not as active. lol lol

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Haha, that makes sense. I used to worry about them a whole lot more than I do now. Now I can generally ignore them, only worried about them when I'm already anxious.

qwerty4 said:

Hope you are feeling a bit less anxious by now. We all know those feelings I guess. It sucks You seem to have developed some good coping strategies though!

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Thanks! I do feel better today. I'm pretty sure (unless it's coincidental) that the recent uptick in anxiety was caused by excess caffeine consumption. LoL. I've only had two drinks with caffeine today, and I feel significantly better. I felt fine last night then had a glass of tea and the anxiety set off again.