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Does anyone get stuck in cycles of persistent symptoms for months?

Seryn

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Between last October to Feb this year I dealt with chronic tension headaches. My only symptom, but it was everyday like a band was around my head. Even if I thought I was calm it would be there day after day. Meds made zero difference the only thing that helped was applying a heat pad to the back of my head. Deep down I knew it was anxiety/stress related but I still had the worries all the time. One day a Dr friend said something and it literally snapped me out of it and they stopped instantly. This cycle has happened before with a headache and another time also constant stomach problems such as chronic heartburn. I'll have the symptom relentlessly for months, then it just stops and it's gone.

My legs...urgh my legs. This is the worst chronic symptom I've had. I've never ever experienced a anxiety/stress response in my legs before. Never had a single issue with my legs so this one is really making me believe something is wrong. My ankles ache, my shins ache and my calf muscles ache. So bad to the point I can barely stretch the area the muscle feels like a tight, swollen elastic band. It started because my ankles were swollen one day in late April which made me panic and worry and prod and poke and Google blah blah you no the drill for days. Then the leg issues started. It's a mixture of intense aching or feeling mildly swollen, like whenever you've had sunburn and you just feel inflamed and spongey. Drs don't seem concerned but I have bloods soon (absolutely petrified I hate needles and have already cancelled once).

I'm definitely seeking reassurance right now but uuurgh does anyone else get stuck in a cycle of one symptom constantly to the point where it's chronic and there everyday no matter how you think you feel. I'm convinced it's something really bad. However a part of me knows this could all be anxiety. For example. When I saw my first Dr and he didn't seem concerned, for two weeks I barely felt it after, then when my bloods were due I started worrying again. The fact it pretty much went and I wasn't thinking about it shows me it's probably anxiety but last night it was so bad. I'm not imagining it my shins and calves were so tight I had to stretch because I was struggling to walk and it's such an intense almost buzz of stiffness and swelling but I wouldn't ever label it as pain?

I'm also getting flare ups of hives too which is lovely. I did pull something in my back a while ago and I'm wondering if it's related to that? For a month my whole back and up my spine also felt swollen but that's stopped now. Can a back injury cause this? I'm convinced I have some sort of autoimmune disease or heart/liver or kidney problems.

Does anyone else get stuck in one continuous symptom like this? I'm even noticing holding my phone gives me muscle problems in my fingers now too. I'm obviously very tense, even though I don't feel like I'm tensing in the slightest right now. Everything I read says these symptoms are common during a panic attack. But I'm not having a panic attack it's literally there constantly.
 

Phillies Phan

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When it comes to muscles and other soft tissues, everything’s connected. When we strain our muscles due to tensing up due to anxiety, it’s not just the neck, or head, or low back, or calf, or quads…it’s all of them. If you think of it that way, as I do, it makes total sense.

I’ve been where you are and I finally understand the connection for all my aches and pains with tensing my body constantly, usually subconsciously. If somehow we can calm down, the aches would subside..by the way, if you figure out how to do the calm thing, pass that along to me (and most on this board)
 

shay1988

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Yes me! I'm doing it right now! My left foot is tingling and feels frozen! But it's warm to the touch! And it's driving me mad! I'm having a really hard time with it right now! I'm freaking out! Like what caused this all of sudden! And I googled it and shouldn't have!!!!
 

Sweet T

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Anxiety is crazy huh? It’s just that bit of doubt that keeps you on edge. Your head muscles were tense for months. Does it make sense that your leg muscles are doing the same? Just a thought.

A couple of years ago I was convinced I had peripheral artery disease. I was convinced bc my feet were swelling up. Once I read the symptoms and saw tingling legs, then I had that. My legs were tingly all of the time. I don’t recall what made it go away. Likely my next health anxiety scare.
I'm now getting those famous tension headaches so I understand. I can only think the worst. It’s no fun but I’m trying not to Google.
Good luck.
 
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NatashaK

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I have had a headache since last Wednesday, feels like a tension headache that doesnt go no matter what I do, I dont really feel anxious at the moment but its not shifting! I get achey legs and calfs, when I walk my ankles ache too.... Very odd!
 

Seryn

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When it comes to muscles and other soft tissues, everything’s connected. When we strain our muscles due to tensing up due to anxiety, it’s not just the neck, or head, or low back, or calf, or quads…it’s all of them. If you think of it that way, as I do, it makes total sense.

I’ve been where you are and I finally understand the connection for all my aches and pains with tensing my body constantly, usually subconsciously. If somehow we can calm down, the aches would subside..by the way, if you figure out how to do the calm thing, pass that along to me (and most on this board)
Thanks for your reply. I totally get this and think this is what my problem is I just seem to have absolutely no control over it. I can never feel myself tensing. Most of the time I'm doing something nice or I think I feel relaxed but it's still there! On the other hand I do feel stressed and worried but the majority of time that's because of a chronic ache I'm always experiencing. Everything online says this is normal when we're experiencing panic....Ive had panic disorder and I keep panic attacks to a minimum and can bring them down in 10mins. This is constant and not related to panic attacks. I think negatively alot and Def have GAD when I'm sitting still for long or do too much my calves go insanely stiff.
Yes me! I'm doing it right now! My left foot is tingling and feels frozen! But it's warm to the touch! And it's driving me mad! I'm having a really hard time with it right now! I'm freaking out! Like what caused this all of sudden! And I googled it and shouldn't have!!!!
Hope it's gone now. Google makes me absolutely terrified!
Anxiety is crazy huh? It’s just that bit of doubt that keeps you on edge. Your head muscles were tense for months. Does it make sense that your leg muscles are doing the same? Just a thought.

A couple of years ago I was convinced I had peripheral artery disease. I was convinced bc my feet were swelling up. Once I read the symptoms and saw tingling legs, then I had that. My legs were tingly all of the time. I don’t recall what made it go away. Likely my next health anxiety scare.
I'm now getting those famous tension headaches so I understand. I can only think the worst. It’s no fun but I’m trying not to Google.
Good luck.
Yes you're right my leg muscles are definitely doing the same as my head. I just hope there isn't an underlying reason why. I do wonder if that constant thought is what keeps it going. But genuinely sometimes I let that thought go but it doesn't make a difference. PAD is one thing I'm getting tested for as my Dad has it. But my feelings are nothing like what he gets. He's absolutely fine unless he walks for more than 10mins or uphill. He has to stop for 10mins then it goes at rest or pottering he feels absolutely nothing. Mines there regardless of what I do constantly. I hope your tension headaches don't last much longer!
I have had a headache since last Wednesday, feels like a tension headache that doesnt go no matter what I do, I dont really feel anxious at the moment but its not shifting! I get achey legs and calfs, when I walk my ankles ache too.... Very odd!
This sounds just like what I get. Does anything help you? I have to stretch my legs like a weirdo walking around my house doing lunges just to stretch my calves because the muscles are so incredibly tight!
 
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AuntieDee

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It’s amazing and scary how our bodies reacte to constant anxiety and stress. I get stuff like this all the time, I tell myself I’m relaxed, what do I have to be stressed about blah blah blah. The way I understand it, is my body is so use to being tense anticipating the next panic attack or looking for the next dire symptom that no matter how relaxed I may think I am, I’m still always in a state of fright, flight, freeze or fawn, so I’m constantly tensing without know it. It sucks. My shoulders are always super stiff, my neck, jaw etc. one of the ways that was suggested to me and i found to help was/is regular good therapeutic massages. If you can, try to find a really good massage therapist, I know it can be expensive, but sometimes you can find an amazing one that will work with you on a sliding scale. I’ve been seeing one for about a year now every two weeks, and it has helped like you would not believe. They have completely changed my life. By taking care of the physical reaction my body has to stress it has help my mental health tenfold. I am now able to manage my panic where my good days far out way my bad days. btw I dont use any meds for my mental health. For that alone it is well worth the money I spend for the massage. This has been my experience, i can say it has worked for me, perhaps it is an avenue you can explore.
 

Sweet T

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It’s amazing and scary how our bodies reacte to constant anxiety and stress. I get stuff like this all the time, I tell myself I’m relaxed, what do I have to be stressed about blah blah blah. The way I understand it, is my body is so use to being tense anticipating the next panic attack or looking for the next dire symptom that no matter how relaxed I may think I am, I’m still always in a state of fright, flight, freeze or fawn, so I’m constantly tensing without know it. It sucks. My shoulders are always super stiff, my neck, jaw etc. one of the ways that was suggested to me and i found to help was/is regular good therapeutic massages. If you can, try to find a really good massage therapist, I know it can be expensive, but sometimes you can find an amazing one that will work with you on a sliding scale. I’ve been seeing one for about a year now every two weeks, and it has helped like you would not believe. They have completely changed my life. By taking care of the physical reaction my body has to stress it has help my mental health tenfold. I am now able to manage my panic where my good days far out way my bad days. btw I dont use any meds for my mental health. For that alone it is well worth the money I spend for the massage. This has been my experience, i can say it has worked for me, perhaps it is an avenue you can explore.
Glad you’ve found something that works for you. I love the thought of a massage but I don’t love lying on my stomach for that long. Plus I don’t love the idea of someone touching me. I wish I felt differently. I’ve called around but I can’t find anyone to do a chair massage.
Thx for sharing.
 

Seryn

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Yeh I live in the UK and it's all backwards here. Drugs I can get completely free, any prescription. They throw antidepressants at you. Any form of massage on the NHS the waiting list would be years or I'd have to pay, which is hard work as I'm a single mum to teens and my wage just goes on keeping them alive!

I'm going to try swimming and follow some stretching YouTube videos for a week. I realised I have the flexibility of a 90year old right now. I just can't bend much at all it's quite shocking.

I'm also worried as this is effecting my work. I've noticed I'm not wanting to sit at my desk because the leg stiffness and swelling feeling is awful when I do (makes no sense I've been an illustrator for 6 years,) why now all of a sudden am I getting such intense stiffness. I'm falling behind in work because I'm scared to be at my desk. My mind is trying to tell me it's making this "disease" worse.
 

Sweet T

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Yeh I live in the UK and it's all backwards here. Drugs I can get completely free, any prescription. They throw antidepressants at you. Any form of massage on the NHS the waiting list would be years or I'd have to pay, which is hard work as I'm a single mum to teens and my wage just goes on keeping them alive!

I'm going to try swimming and follow some stretching YouTube videos for a week. I realised I have the flexibility of a 90year old right now. I just can't bend much at all it's quite shocking.

I'm also worried as this is effecting my work. I've noticed I'm not wanting to sit at my desk because the leg stiffness and swelling feeling is awful when I do (makes no sense I've been an illustrator for 6 years,) why now all of a sudden am I getting such intense stiffness. I'm falling behind in work because I'm scared to be at my desk. My mind is trying to tell me it's making this "disease" worse.
I completely understand and sympathize friend.
While out for a walk yesterday I counted up all of the cancers I’ve been sure I have over the last 10 years or so. The count was 15. Plus another 5 for things like heart issues (Afib etc), MS, Parkinson’s at the like. I feel so sorry for my poor brain. It’s been stuck in fear mode for way too long.
 

bin_tenn

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A lot of "symptoms" are very normal "sensations" that we incorrectly attribute to anxiety, or to physical ailments in the case of health anxiety. The fact is we're all human, and the body is not perfect. We all experience aches, pains, unexplained bruises, blurry vision, headaches, dizziness, heart racing / palpitations, etc at various points. Those things are usually just enough to remind us that we're human and that we're alive.

When we're in the throes of health anxiety, we have heightened awareness of our body and all the strange (but normal) things it may be doing. This is very familiar to me as well. Any time I'm experienced heightened anxiety I notice things that I know for a fact have happened many times before, but during the anxiety episode it feels "different". It's "the one".

All of that is basically a long way of saying that practicing acceptance is very helpful in coping with anxiety. Expecting to not feel different sensations, sometimes for what feels like an extended time, is unrealistic. Again, that's something I can relate to personally, I know exactly how it feels. The difference, for me, is that I've been able to significantly tame those periods of anxiety through acceptance and other common techniques.
 
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