Aches and Pains - Anxiety Message Board

NathanF41 · 05-24-2005, 09:58 AM

Does anybody get aches and pains with their anxiety? For the past two months I have had aching in my left side....right underneath the rib cage in front, around the side a little, and sometimes a bit in the back. It's almost like and aching/tightening. Also have aching in my right ankle, on my left hamstring, my left buttock, and have this weird muscle contraction feeling below my left shin bone.

Anyone experience anything like this? The pain in my side is the more worrisome of these pains to me. When I went to the doctor she indicated not to worry about it and that when you're anxious it often time manifests noticing things that you normally wouldn't really think about. May be true, but the side pain does exist enough for me to poke and prod my side more than I would any other time.

Comptons · 05-24-2005, 10:13 AM

I don't have pains like you describe - but I never doubt the power of anxiety. It can certainly cause differing symptoms in everyone. Good Luck!

michaeldallas · 05-24-2005, 11:21 AM

Hi Nathan, I do get aches and pains, many times sharp pains in random places. I get them in my buttocks, my leg, my neck, head, arm, shoulder, etc. I think they are definitely stress/anxiety related.

Michael

mbarwiko · 05-24-2005, 12:27 PM

MichaelDallas, I know exactly what you're talking about. I had an unprotected sexual encounter with a guy I know. He told me he's clean and doesn't have HIV but I have been freaking out about it for a month and a half now. I started getting anxiety attacks after I would go out drinking and not taking care of myself back in March. I thought I was going to die. I even went to the emergency room. Then I couldn't stay off of the internet and thought I had ALS, MS and even Leukemia. Then when I thought about my encounter of course I thought about HIV and other STD's. I got tested for everything two weeks after that and then again a couple weeks ago. Everything came out negative and other blood tests came out just fine. The doctors told me it's anxiety and that I should just relax or start taking Lexapro. They gave me samples but I haven't been taking them. I am going to get retested in June when I go back to the doctors for another monthly check-up. I am experiencing different symptoms every week, this week I'm constantly getting sharp and dull pains throughout my body and I'm constantly checking my lymph nodes. They don't hurt and they aren't swollen but I swear the more I stress about them I feel like they could get swollen. Does that make sense? Anyway, I hope things go well with you and with me. Write back and we'll discuss more!

michaeldallas · 05-24-2005, 01:14 PM

Hey there mbarwiko, looks like we are in a similar situation...I take it you read my other post on my HIV paranoia??? It has been crazy. I had one encounter, very low risk from my understanding. I started to get paranoid and stress about it, and boom, at 9 days, i panicked. I had a massive hot flash, couldnt swallow, completely lost my appetite to the point that I didnt eat for days. My arms started getting this burning sensation, and I started to get these random aches and sharp pains, every from my head, neck, arms, back, legs, etc. I know that alot of it is caused by anxiety. If I am busy doing something, i feel fine. If I sit and think, that is when I start to freak out and convince myself I have HIV. The symptoms start to come back too. I also got a sore throat, starting about 12 days after my encounter, which really does freak me out. I really hope that I am ok, and I hope you are as well. I know you will be. Please get back to me when you get a chance.

Michael