I might have an anxiey disorder, I can not usually go into restaurants, large stores, grocery stores or any other large buliding. I have not been inside a mall since 1977, when I was 20 years old. I hate to leave my house or to go into other people's homes. Until recently I had a job where I worked at home, after losing that because of money cutback's. I can not go out and apply for a job. I do raise dogs still, at home and love it. I have a room mate who has lived with me for 5 years now and she does all of the shopping ect.... I can every now and then, bring myself to go with her, but I always end up in bed for days hurting all over like the flu, if I try it. What is so strange is that I really do like people and I even worked for a friend for a short time as a bartender, once I felt like I was at home there and got to know all the customers I had no problems. Why though all the pain? If I even think I have to leave my house I worry about it for days and work myself up until all of my muscles are tense and I have horrible headache. I do a little better if I don't know I am going to have to go out though, and have no time to worry. I used to be a social creature, but the only socialization I did was while intoxicated, I quit drinking 3 years ago so now do not even have that anymore. I am not complaining about missing it though I could care less if I ever leave my house again. My PCP just put me on ativan because I was upset about my thyroid cancer returning, will this ativan help me with the other disorder? It is 1 mg I guess 2 times a day. Should I tell a doctor about this it bothers my parents and room mate a lot but I don't care if I have a social life.

Hi Benzi,
Anxiety can definately cause physical pain. I have similar symptoms, but not as severe. I'm ok going shopping or to the grocery store, but when it comes to parties or social situations I have a hard time dealing. For example, last weekend we went to my in-laws for my mother in law's b-day. All of my husbands family was there. I worried myself sick over it. My worrying usually starts the day before a social event...I get so nauseous I start to vomit along with horrible tension headaches. I also get what I call "internal shivers" before and during social situations. I hate it! I've been taking Valium on an as needed basis for a year now and I've found it really helps if I take 10mg about 30 minutes before going to any social event. It helps me to relax and not feel so uptight. It even helps my tension headaches since valium is also a muscle relaxer. Do you think that Ativan is helping you? I believe it's in the same class as valium, so it should help you relax when you're going to be around people. My usual dose of valium is 5mg, but my Dr. ok'd me to take 10mg on occasion.

Take care, hilery

I wanted to add one more thing. I've also had thyroid cancer and since I've had my TT and been on synthroid...I've noticed my anxiety has gotten a lot worse. I know that most thyroid cancer patients are kept a little hyper-so maybe that's causing part of your anxiety problems. Just a thought. :)

yes I am up and down on my meds and either up or down it causes anxiety, this is about the time when most of my real trouble started. The ativan helped with the pain, I have only taken two doses though, but feel much more loose and less muscle tension. I slept better last night too and did not have the usual waking up trembling and nightmares. Right now I am waiting for all the appts endos, scans ect.... to see if cancer is back so maybe the PCP gave me the right thing for this anxiety. Trouble is, is that I had the anxiety before I knew the cancer had most likely came back. so......