Does anyone else feel like maybe their anxiety is actually some strange underlying disease that their doctor just hasn't uncovered yet? This is my biggest fear. I feel like maybe I have some obscure disease. Maybe its not just anxiety. I have had a physical, ECG, EKG. All normal.

Hi steph,
i also feel this way alot, and have seen the doc. and had the same tests done to me "i.e. Blood work, EKG," i have found that i have a faint heart mermor, but am told that it is nothing to worry about at this point in my life. but i can really relate with where u r coming from, it seem to me that i have been put on so many different med's, paxil, effexor, lexapro, lamictal" and it feels to me that none of these meds have helped me with my anxiety and depression. i have even been going to see a therapist and a phycologest, but yes there still is still this sinking feeling that something else is wrong because nothing else is working.

chances r that u and i are in good heath, and i realize that.

StephGirl,

I have worried about this too...in the past.

At one time I had SEVERE anxiety, panic episodes, agoraphobia...and I constantly thought this.

I wondered this, and then I totally recovered!
I am having a "set back" 8 years later...but I no longer worry about that particular issue. The reason being is because I had some EXTREME symptoms and was a mega rollercoaster the first go round. Then I recovered with the help of this program. This time I don't worry about that specifically because I remember all the weird, crazy symptoms I had and know that if it was some serious disease, I wouldn't have just "snapped out of it" so to speak.

If you have had all the tests...I think it's safe to say that it really is only anxiety.

Hi Steph,
I too have some of these issues. I have benign PVC's, (Have had all the tests to make sure it's nothing else), They just keep me in constant fear. I have had other issues in the past, and I've always been the type to say "what if" they've missed something? I'm hoping this program is going to help me get over it. It sucks to wake up every morning, and the very 1st thought in my brain is, "when am I going to have another PVC?" BAM....I start having them...and then I feel anxiety all day. I always have the feeling that I'm not getting enough air in my lungs. I take Xanax when I need it...and Atenolol for my PVC's. But that's it. I sure would like to wake up and look forward to a day with no anxiety for once. Good luck to you.

Hello Steph

I too worry about having some disease or im dying slowly or something. Im new to the prgram and I soon to be a different person. But this is my biggest fear as well. Dying, Choking, etc.. Your not alone. I always feel like I should always go to the my Doctor, and But I dont because I just dont want him to think im weird or something, which is silly, but is just who I am right now. I really dont have much advice to you because I feel the same way. But you are def not alone!

Hi All,
I too get benign PVC's occasionally and I totally understand the fear!! I am a paramedic and have even gone so far as to put myself on the EKG at work just to make sure it is nothing else!! I have had the EKG's, 2-D doppler echocardiogram and seen a cardiologist several times- everything is normal- yet every time I get them the anxiety is overwhelming!!! Most of my anxiety revolves around health matters and irritable bowel. There have been times where my entire day revolved around the fear of having to go to the bathroom!! I am new to the program too (waiting for mine to arrive actually) and can't wait to get started on it. Good Luck to you and you are definately NOT alone!

Hey Everyone,
Reading your posts makes me feel at home because I go through EXACTLY the same thing. I'm 26 and basically get blood work done twice a year...full panels. I have also had several EKGs, an echo & even a treadmill stress test. They all came back normal. Apparently I have a "functional heart murmur" which the doctor said it's basically nothing. Although I constantly receive medical reassurance, I can't seem to relax or get it through my mind that I'm ok. I even hate exercising now because I'm afraid when my heart rate speeds up, it will start palpitating. I don't ever like to exert myself for the same reason. Living in Las Vegas is awful because the heat makes me feel worse. Anyone else get extra anxious in the heat? I'm so annoyed & frustrated because I'm 26 & should be loving life like I used to. I used to be very social, out at bars, clubs, living the life up and now I hate going to bars. I get very panicky. I had an awful panic attack at a club here in Vegas. My heart had the most irregular beat for about 30 minutes and the minute I go to the ER & they gave me an EKG, it was normal & fine. I've started taking a multi-vitamin which has helped because I read being vitamin B deficient can cause these anxious feelings. I just hate dooming myself before I even do anything!! Any advice?? Anything that works??!

I feel the same way. I've had everything in the book in the past year and I've developed GERD from worrying so much. GERD is pretty painful. I go in cycles of hypochondriasis.. I'll be fine for a little while and then I'll discover something wrong. Last week my boyfriend touched my neck and found a little bump and told me I should have my doctor look at it. He's had Hodgkin's disease before and now I'm freaking out. Especially since this "lump" has been there for at least 2 years. I made an appt for next friday the 5th but everyday until then I've been a complete mess.. crying.. worrying.. constantly looking up the symptoms online.. I keep telling myself that it's nothing and if it was cancer I'd know by now! It's just a little pea sized lump that is hard and movable under the skin (I think it's cyst) but I'm terrified it's something more.. Until the 5th I'm going to have trouble eating and sleeping What do ya'll think?

I had something very similar on my neck for years, I mean five or six. At that time I wasnt suffering from anxiety so It really didnt bother me. I finally got it checked out and it was nothing! Just a cyst and only a cyst. The chances are astronomical that it is anything at all especially after two years. I am sure you are fine!

JMS- It is quite likely that it is just a lipoma...a fatty deposit under the skin. They are quite common, and nothing to worry about. I am not saying that people shouldn't have them looked at...but, try and not obsess and worry yourself. It sounds just like the couple I have on my neck. Other than my anxiety and depression issues, I am in excellent health. I eat well, and am not overweight or anything. I don't quite understand the "why?" behind people of normal healthy weight getting these fatty deposits, but they do and they are nothing to worry about...not a health threat.
Also, I heard a great little tidbit that I keep reminding myself of when my mind starts really going...and boy can I think of EVERY possiblity!
***People who worry, somehow feel that the worry is going to solve something....that by worrying we will either go back and change something or prevent it in the future.
**Just remember that worry is not going to fix anything, and that in fact it only makes things worse...your frame of mind, and not to mention, it impacts your health.

THink healthy thoughts, healing thoughts...maybe try envisioining them shrinking and do not even entertain the idea of them being cancerous.

Worry is not knowledge, it is not an answer. So, try and relax and know that what is most likely is that it is probably (as nasty as it may sound) a lipoma...just a little lump of fat.
Don't forget about your relaxation cd. It really helps me when my mind starts going in high speed!
Take Care

Thanks for your kind words Bill and Rachel.. I feel better about the situation and I post what happens when I do find out.. whether it be a little fatty or a cyst lol!

Hello everyone,

It seems that the heart is a major source of anxiety for many of us. My anxiety for a long time centered on my heart. A few years ago I began experiencing some chest wall pain. I went to my doctor and he basically told me that it was nothing more than an inflammation of the cartilage that connects the rib to the breast bone. He still put me through an ekg, echo cardiogram, and a stress test. I too have a mild benign MVP (heart murmur) but other than that all is fine. But during times of stress I would feel the pain more and think that it was my heart. This began an awful cycle where I would go the doctor (many times) or ER(once)and do all the tests again. The anxiety/panic and negative thoughts (i.e. no confidence in my physical well being) robbed me of the simple fact that I was fine and should be enjoying my life...each present moment of it. Interestingly, I also became afraid of exerting myself for fear of becoming winded or my heart rate going up. This is ridiculous, because if you are otherwise healthy with no restrictions on exercising you're supposed to get a little winded when you’re running or biking etc.. and of course our heart rate is supposed to increase, that is normal. Just watch a seasoned professional athlete run the bases or run it in for a touchdown, those guys are panting, and sometimes they receive oxygen on the sidelines. I just started my third session and I’m amazed that after such a short time I have found out just how in the dark I was about how I was really conversing with myself. So much doubt about how things are or could be and very little positive reinforcement or self talk as session three refers to it.

Take care and enjoy your good health!

Unfortunately, I can totally relate! I go from one thing to another... been the gambit of heart problems, brain tumors and the like.

Working in the healthcare field, maybe I can provide some info for you about the "bump" behind your ear. These ARE NOT uncommon... if it is moveable and doesn't hurt, GREAT SIGN! Also, what a lot of people do not realize, there are muscle attachments behind the ear, too, and if they spasm, can cause a little "bump". Don't go looking for things... but, there are many more symptoms to lymphoma than one small "bump". I feel sure next Friday your mind will be put at ease, but until then, I hope I have provided some peace. Honestly, these little inflammations are QUITE COMMON in the healthiest of people.

Chances are also that it IS NOT a lipoma behind your ear. While lipomas *benign fatty tumors* can be anywhere, they are normally in the extremities and abdomen where your fat cells are of greatest amount.

Good luck to you... and, enjoy your weekend!!

gs.cmc.....you are TOTALLY RIGHT! It's so funny how for me, the heart is SUCH a sense of anxiety. We have so many other organs and such, but I only focus on my heart. It's probably because it responds the most to my panic...palpitating, racing, etc. and I'm extra sensitive so any little thing I feel, I FREAK OUT. I, like you did, hate to exert myself for fear of it going out of control or having an irregular beat. I have even gotten to the point where I will watch football & watch them run & think "Wow, aren't they worried about how their heart is feeling right now?" Even watching the runners during the olympics made me anxious!! How ridiculous can I be?!?!?!

So I went to the doctor today and he's sending me to a specialist for my bump =( I cried and felt really embarassed.. he told me he was 99% sure it was nothing especially if it's been there for over a year and hasnt grown or hurt. I'm still concerned that a specialist has to look at it though. Is this just my anxiety getting the best of me?