While I admit to being a lifetime "worrier", in the past 4 months, since my diagnosis of arthritis in my spine, I started having full-blown anxiety attacks. I am constantly anxious and frustrated about the limitations this disease is putting on me - what if I can't function at work because of the pain and get fired, what if my husband leaves me because I can't do the things I used to; when the pain is really bad I suspect the doctors made a mistake and in reality I must have bone cancer!

Now on top of the arthritis, with the anxiety attacks I get nauseau, weak legs, palpitations and feel like I'm going to pass out.

I feel like I am trying to get two demons under control, and I am overwhelmed, and going in 100 different directions trying to find some comfort.

Anyone else have the same problem and any suggestions on how to ease either the physical or mental pain?

Hi, I can relate to your health anxiety. Last year I had all these weird symptoms including not being able to open my eyes in the morning for a few seconds. That took me to the opthamologist who said he thought I should see a neurologist since he thought I had MS. Ahhhhhhh! That sent me into a spiral of anxiety and depression and medical tests. After all was said and done, it was all from stress. All my weird muscle spasms, eye problems, twitching, tingling, etc. All from stress. So, #1 I would recommend you DON'T GOOGLE YOUR SYMPTOMS!! I had myself dead and buried with all the stuff I found online. It only exacerbated the problem. Secondly, I would check into the Arthritis Foundation to see if they can recommend a local exercise program designed for arthritis. Water exercise is really good for this. And I would do all that you can to de-stress your life. Make a plan of action to attack the stress. Get massages, talk to friends, do relaxation exercises, etc. etc. The stress you harbor will only make the arthritis pain worse. So attack the stress and the pain may lessen. I truly relate to your situation since I was there. But now I feel kind of foolish letting the "what ifs" ruin a good part of last year with all my worrying and stress. I hope you're feeling better soon!

boy can I relate. We need to talk more. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 16 years ago , right after the birth of my first child, and i lived in hell for 5 years. the pain was over bearing, plus I worked 3 jobs and a new baby. I can also so relate to the jelly legs and dizziness and unbalanced feeling, these are my worst symptoms,worsened by fatigue. Which one of the significant symptoms of RA is fatigue. I am battling panic attacks and agoraphobia, so I can totally relate to you. I am fighting as hard as I can to overcome these sensations, but the unbalanced feeling and jelly legs are too much. Also my legs are weak due to toxicity from medication I used to take for my Ra, now I do all natural, so I think thats why the panic hits me there, it preys on our weaknesses. I can only say to educate yourself and keep doing as much as you can and find some things to make you happy. I know it is hard, the limitations and things we have to give up to the arthritis is hard to deal with at times. And the pain is so exhausting, hard to put one foot in front of the other some days.Good luck to you.my email if you want to talk is lyonfam@peoplepc.com

I have severe arthritis of the neck, back, knees and hips and even ribs at the costochondral junction from a motor vehicle accident in 1996. I live with chronic pain. I take medications also for my anxiety with panic disorder and depression. I would advise that you try everything including alternative medicine for pain except taking preparations by mouth for which we do not have any controlled studies. Gentle exercise has been very helpful for me. I read all the material about my problems and attended a lot of seminars as well in my community in West Orange. Physical therapy will help and especially if followed up with exercise at the gym to maintain the effects. Doing this program will help with the anxiety. Turn the 'what if' to the 'so what if' It would help to take baby steps to a pain free life. Though I clinically and radiologically have arthritis, I don't think of it nor has it affected my functioning. The regular exercise takes care of what used to be pain. I hardly take any pain meds. There is hope.