more weird symptoms stuff!

[Kire]

Alright, so it's been over a month since my serious panic attacks (if that's what it was) and now things are still there but getting better. I no longer have random cold spells around my body (woohoo!), but still, they're still there, and I wanted to check in with the other stress sufferers.

I get these random stings, like someone had poked me w/ a needle, or punched me there, and then it's gone. I also get little tingling pricks in different areas, and there was a throb in my back. Each of these come and go real quick, but sometimes (like on the side of my head) the pain leaves a weird feeling like that area was asleep.

Here's the areas that get hit the most...chest, right temple, left temple, left oblique, right oblique, left calf, left jawline, sometimes finger tips and toes. The chest ones hurt the most I think, but are gone just as fast. I saw the doc again, I checked out ok, and he suggested a nerve conduction test or a MRI to check for MS, but he doesn't think it's MS because I don't have any of the other symptoms (trouble seeing, balance, stuff like that). I am reluctant to do these tests because I don't know how much of my insurance will cover.

So, am I still ok? These random painful shocks are annoying as hell. This is a question for those who have also had these stress symptoms or know of people who have had 'em. Thanks for your help.

[Kirin]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

When I get stressed, I usually experience pain like that in either my temples (accompanied with dizziness) or lower abdomen (with sharp pangs that come and go). Have you considered taking a prescription anti-anxiety drug? Once I started one, I don't have those attacks nearly as often, unless the situation I'm in is truly dire. I know being medicated isn't for everyone, but it certainly helped my situation. Hope you get better.

[Valkysas]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

I think a lot of this might be caused by the stress in your life.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

Yeah it is possible it's all psychological and not physiological, so you might want to see if you're suffering from anxiety or high stress. So it might be worth asking your doctor if he thinks seeing a therapist would help. Or just try taking like an hour a day and just completely relaxing, not think about anything just sit in a hot bath or something. Might help take the edge off. I know I usually make it a point to not let things bother me too much, but right now I also don't have a whole lot to really stress over either.

But certainly sounds like anxiety might be something to look into, and while I don't really like the idea of taking drugs to magically fix things, it might be worth a try.

[Kirin]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

But certainly sounds like anxiety might be something to look into, and while I don't really like the idea of taking drugs to magically fix things, it might be worth a try.

Drugs aren't a magic fix-- they only work (in my opinion) when in the combination of the doctor-therapist-drug triad. I was in therapy for several weeks before my counselor even suggested medication, and it was several weeks after that before I actually started a medication regimen. I initally balked at the idea, because I didn't like the thought of being able to function only if I have my medicine. What truly helps is going to a person, like a counselor, who can take a look at your life from an arbitrary standpoint and help you sort stuff out. Even if you do decide medication is right for you, the most dangerous thing to do is start taking the meds, then stop seeing your counselor because you think you're "cured"-- after all, the drugs only alleviate symptoms, not eliminate the cause.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

Drugs aren't a magic fix-- they only work (in my opinion) when in the combination of the doctor-therapist-drug triad. I was in therapy for several weeks before my counselor even suggested medication, and it was several weeks after that before I actually started a medication regimen. I initally balked at the idea, because I didn't like the thought of being able to function only if I have my medicine. What truly helps is going to a person, like a counselor, who can take a look at your life from an arbitrary standpoint and help you sort stuff out. Even if you do decide medication is right for you, the most dangerous thing to do is start taking the meds, then stop seeing your counselor because you think you're "cured"-- after all, the drugs only alleviate symptoms, not eliminate the cause.

Yeah that's what I was meaning to say, but you put it much better.

[IRC]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

I think a lot of this might be caused by the stress in your life.

Or the stress about your stress-induced symptoms.

[Kire]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

well the good news is that an MRI and nerve conduction test is 100% covered under my current insurance. I'll get it if this keeps goin'.

[IRC]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

I say you start looking into cosmetive surgery. That'll solve all your problems.

[Alzar]

Re: more weird symptoms stuff!

SELF-TEST FOR HYPOCHONDRIA

Whiteley Index is a widely used test to find hypochondria. As with all tests the result must be interpreted cautiously. A high score is an indication that you could profit from talking this over with your doctor.

Below is a list of questions about your health. For each one, please circle the number indicating how much this is true for you.

1 = Not at all

2 = A little bit

3 = Moderately

4 = Quite a bit

5 = A great deal

1: Do you worry a lot about your health?

1 2 3 4 5

2: Do you think there is something seriously wrong with your body?

1 2 3 4 5

3: Is it hard for you to forget about yourself and think about all sorts of other things?

1 2 3 4 5

4: If you feel ill and someone tells you that you are looking better, do you become annoyed?

1 2 3 4 5

5: Do you find that you are often aware of various things happening in your body?

1 2 3 4 5

6: Are you bothered by many aches and pains?

1 2 3 4 5

7: Are you afraid of illness?

1 2 3 4 5

8: Do you worry about your health more than most people?

1 2 3 4 5

9: Do you get the feeling that people are not taking your illnesses seriously enough?

1 2 3 4 5

10: Is it hard for you to believe the doctor when he/she tells you there is nothing for you to worry about?

1 2 3 4 5

11: Do you often worry about the possibility that you have a serious illness?

1 2 3 4 5

12: If a disease is brought to your attention (through the radio, TV, newspapers, or someone you know), do you worry about getting it yourself?

1 2 3 4 5

13: Do you find that you are bothered by may different symptoms?

1 2 3 4 5

14: Do you often have the symptoms of a very serious disease?

1 2 3 4 5

The Whitely Index score is found by summing the responses to each question. The higher the score the more hypochondriacal you are likely to be. There is no set cutoff score, but healthy people without health anxiety generally have a score of 21 +/- 7 (14 to 28). Patients with hypochondria are found to have a score of 44 +/- 11 (32 to 55). These numbers are merely indications to help you find out if you have hypochondria. If your score is high we suggest you talk to your doctor about it - may be he can advice you where to find help.

Notice that if you are depressed you also might get a high score, and your hypochondriacal ideas might be secondary to your depression. The same is true if you have a specific or general anxiety disorder. In both instances you can talk to your doctor about this.