Wave84
06-20-2010, 09:31 AM
Hey guys, I've been meaning to post here for awhile but I thought it may be another sign of defeat...
Anyway, my situation is a bit more frustrating than normal because I'm living abroad right now and I don't speak the local language. I'd love to see a doctor (or several) about this but the only way I can do so is if someone comes from my company and translates... it's all very uncomfortable. I have to rely on the internet for information about this, which can be a very bad thing.
I try not to Google too many things as I tend to get fixated on having some kind of illness that I don't already have.
Anyway, I have seen various doctors about this in two countries (South Korea and here in Japan). I went to the emergency room twice and the doctors just brushed me off (after X-rays and tests of course but they looked to be really bothered by a 25-year-old dude thinking he's having a heart attack). I also have been to various clinics. As far as medication, I've only been put on one that helped me sleep and that's it.
I've had several X-rays, EKGs, urine tests and blood tests. Every single time the doctor told me I was fine. I'm a relatively fit 25-year-old male so they seem to think I'm a hypocondriac (I might be).
My anxiety was a bit better for awhile, especially when my life started slowing down a bit. I just moved here so that would explain a rise in anxiety. I don't have panic attacks anymore though I did have quite a few before I got some help.
Panic attack symptoms:
- I had major heart palpitations
- Difficulty breathing (thinking about it way too much)
- Minor chest pain
- Bumps that formed on my chest and neck (right side)
Anxiety symptoms: (some of these aren't common which is why I'm posting)
- Jaw pain (this went away but my jaw still feels weird)
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart palpitations (these have gotten a lot better but still happen)
- Joint pain (ankles and wrists)
- A really weird one... Jock itch. It's bad too. I need to get it looked at but am too embarrassed (and yes, I've ruled out STDs. It's definitely Jock).
- General feeling of depression / futility
- Lethargy
- Constipation
- Hyper sensitivity to my body
- Anxiety (well, duh)
- Random bumps that appear for short periods of time and are a little itchy (another one I've never heard of being associated with Anxiety)
- My right foot gets a burning sensation at times (this one freaks me out, it's the only thing left that almost causes a panic attack)
- Feeling bloated
- Acid reflux / indigestion
...and there are probably more if I think about it.
I've always been a high-anxiety person. It started to become a problem when I moved overseas. A large part of the reason I moved to Japan from Korea is because Korea made it a hell of a lot worse (not the best place to live for a lot of reasons).
Anyway, if you think this isn't anxiety and is something else, let me know. In my weaker moments I'll Google random things that I'm worried it might be, such as Heart Enlargement. I know it's not an on coming heart attack because one of the doctors I saw (one I paid a lot to see) told me that if it was a heart attack, A) I'd know it and B) It'd feel nothing like an anxiety attack, my arm would go numb and I'd have horrible chest pain.
I'm trying to quit smoking too, hopefully that will help. I'm just afraid the actual quitting phase will make the anxiety go nuts.
All advice is appreciated, peace out!
Anyway, my situation is a bit more frustrating than normal because I'm living abroad right now and I don't speak the local language. I'd love to see a doctor (or several) about this but the only way I can do so is if someone comes from my company and translates... it's all very uncomfortable. I have to rely on the internet for information about this, which can be a very bad thing.
I try not to Google too many things as I tend to get fixated on having some kind of illness that I don't already have.
Anyway, I have seen various doctors about this in two countries (South Korea and here in Japan). I went to the emergency room twice and the doctors just brushed me off (after X-rays and tests of course but they looked to be really bothered by a 25-year-old dude thinking he's having a heart attack). I also have been to various clinics. As far as medication, I've only been put on one that helped me sleep and that's it.
I've had several X-rays, EKGs, urine tests and blood tests. Every single time the doctor told me I was fine. I'm a relatively fit 25-year-old male so they seem to think I'm a hypocondriac (I might be).
My anxiety was a bit better for awhile, especially when my life started slowing down a bit. I just moved here so that would explain a rise in anxiety. I don't have panic attacks anymore though I did have quite a few before I got some help.
Panic attack symptoms:
- I had major heart palpitations
- Difficulty breathing (thinking about it way too much)
- Minor chest pain
- Bumps that formed on my chest and neck (right side)
Anxiety symptoms: (some of these aren't common which is why I'm posting)
- Jaw pain (this went away but my jaw still feels weird)
- Difficulty breathing
- Heart palpitations (these have gotten a lot better but still happen)
- Joint pain (ankles and wrists)
- A really weird one... Jock itch. It's bad too. I need to get it looked at but am too embarrassed (and yes, I've ruled out STDs. It's definitely Jock).
- General feeling of depression / futility
- Lethargy
- Constipation
- Hyper sensitivity to my body
- Anxiety (well, duh)
- Random bumps that appear for short periods of time and are a little itchy (another one I've never heard of being associated with Anxiety)
- My right foot gets a burning sensation at times (this one freaks me out, it's the only thing left that almost causes a panic attack)
- Feeling bloated
- Acid reflux / indigestion
...and there are probably more if I think about it.
I've always been a high-anxiety person. It started to become a problem when I moved overseas. A large part of the reason I moved to Japan from Korea is because Korea made it a hell of a lot worse (not the best place to live for a lot of reasons).
Anyway, if you think this isn't anxiety and is something else, let me know. In my weaker moments I'll Google random things that I'm worried it might be, such as Heart Enlargement. I know it's not an on coming heart attack because one of the doctors I saw (one I paid a lot to see) told me that if it was a heart attack, A) I'd know it and B) It'd feel nothing like an anxiety attack, my arm would go numb and I'd have horrible chest pain.
I'm trying to quit smoking too, hopefully that will help. I'm just afraid the actual quitting phase will make the anxiety go nuts.
All advice is appreciated, peace out!