Not sure what I have is anxiety or not!

[Alice25]

Hello, I'm Alice. And I thought the best possible place to gain insight on anxiety would be here :)

After looking round on the internet I didn't find any cases of anxiety being caused by pain... Then I turned to youtube and most people on there said they felt nervous/afraid/threatened before an attack. Also in the videos of people actually having a panic attack, most are able to speak too. Can you speak during yours?

Mine starts off with a dull backache which rapidly develops into full blown 'labour' type back pain in which I can't say a word and literally have to just breathe(make myself breathe) to get through it. I do feel like I'm dying, I break out into a cold sweat and all my muscles tense up I'm that stressed with the pain of it. With the breathing and high pulse It does feels similar to a heart attack or something.

So I am basically wondering, do I actually have a back problem that in turn causes an anxiety attack or is this just major back pain with similar side effects. How can I tell the difference?? :S Do some of you have physical pain with anxiety attacks?

[andydroid]

Hi Alice, I'm Andy, it's nice to meet you!

How often do these anxiety attacks occur? Are they triggered by anything in particular? When did this begin to happen?

It sounds rather scary :( I think I would tell this to your primary doctor. It is better to be safe than sorry.

[Alice25]

Hello Andy, they happen generally from once a month to three months apart. I've only had three attacks so far and my one yesterday was by far the worse lasting 40 minutes! They've all be triggered by pain in my back which starts of dull and builds up quickly. I'm 24, am active(like to run) and they started about a year ago....

[Im-Suffering]

they started about a year ago....

A year ago.

See a doctor. The physical sensations will grow proportionate to the mental worry (and the degree of avoidance). Since you like to run, take Nike's advice, 'just do it'. And stop running away from your problems. The 40 minute 'surprise' episode will thus grow in duration and severity over time, literally forcing a resolution. If you only understood yourself (know who you are)you would take better care, out of self-love.

This is not an anxiety question, it's as much 'out of the blue' as someone coming to this board saying, 'I have the flu, and I've been googling and you-tubing all day every day, is this anxiety?"

Do you understand. Rhetorical.

Now, the OP has left out 3\4 of the story including if she has been to the doctor. But let her post set an example, whether she has been or not, to those of you reading this, (yes you) that procrastinate and delay acting in your best interests out of fear and worry or shame, guilt, blame. Let it stand on its own merits as a general overall problem in the ability to advocate in ones best interest or highest regard. And so each post here is as much about the reader as the original poster, who all-ways stands as an example to learn from (lesson). Remember this as you read the threads. There is a rhyme and reason.

If you want the opposite experience to the OP or any post you read (and to a larger degree anything or anyone in life), then you must think and act the opposite of how they do, simple enough, you see.

Strong message here.

[Alice25]

I've not left anything out of the story 'Im-Suffering' :) I am sat here feeling a bit like a naughty school girl that has had a telling off!! I came for advice, wondering whether others have experienced pain with their anxiety or there's actually something wrong with my back. I've just never experienced anything like it. And the reason I think it could possibly be a panic attack is because my brother has suffered with them over the last few years... His symptoms are alike, minus the pain.

I haven't visited the doctor yet as I do not have them frequent enough to feel like it's affecting my life yet. But at the same time I think it's better to be safe than sorry and go get a checkup. Like I've said I've only had three of these attacks over the past year the first two more minor. So I'm not exactly sure what they are yet. I looked at you-tube once yesterday after the attack(was feeling a bit freaked out after my 40min episode as you do).

I have other important things that occupy my mind too so please don't state(as if you know me) that I worry all day everyday about this stuff...Also who exactly are you to say that I do not know who I am or how take care of myself!??

I would like to think if i can take care of others elderly/the sick(nurse) I can take care of myself =) I eat well and lets face it why would I do any running if i wasn't bothered about my health?!! :S You are not actually giving me any solid advice, rather just using my post as an excuse to point the finger for god knows what reason, so i guess the problem lies with you :)

[Im-Suffering]

I haven't visited the doctor yet as I do not have them frequent enough to feel like it's affecting my life yet. But at the same time I think it's better to be safe than sorry and go get a checkup.

I have other important things that occupy my mind too so please don't state(as if you know me) that I worry all day everyday about this stuff...Also who exactly are you to say that I do not know who I am or how take care of myself

Regardless of your opinion of me. Yes, a checkup will resolve the issue. That is symbolic of the care/love you show to self, where taking care of others is different indeed.

Many do neglect themselves while showing great care for others.

Pain is a trigger, a call to arms, of sorts. I am also glad your brother is pain free, while he works out his own issues.

[iclash]

40 minutes is not normal for a panic attack. This sounds neurological.

[ctb1988]

Hey Alice!
To be simple.... there are only two possibilities: either something is physically wrong or there isn't! Either way, your symptoms will likely get worse if you don't get to the bottom of it. You do seem pretty proactive about taking care of yourself, so I would most definitely pay a visit to your doctor and explain what is going on. If there is something really wrong (which there very well could be), you're much better off in their hands and they'll get you healthy. If there isn't anything wrong, you'll have the peace of mind that you're *just* dealing with anxiety. It is way too easy for people dealing with anxiety to play the "what if" game with their health. If what you're experiencing is a panic attack, they'll only get worse and become more frequent if you're left dealing with this important uncertainty.

Even though the symptoms of panic attacks do have similarities across the board, everyone experiences them a little differently. The last poster is right- 40 minutes for a full blown panic attack is kind of a long time. But I have had plenty of times where I've had "come downs" from panic attacks where I'm still feeling incredibly anxious and not right for that long. I am able to talk during my panic attacks, but I do so very minimally because breathing properly can be such a chore. If you get the all clear from the doctor, I'm sure your anxiety about this issue will subside (or manifest itself in a different way, haha).

Make an appointment with your doctor and good luck! Please keep us posted.