Hello, and welcome!

Everything you've described can be a symptom of anxiety. It's overwhelming and ridiculous how many things anxiety can cause.

Check out anxietycenter.com for a comprehensive listing.

I can't make a recommendation on medication, except to go with what your doctor recommends. If you're dissatisfied with that, you can try going to a psychologist (I believe they can prescribe meds; if not then it's psychiatrist, I can never keep them straight). They have a bit more knowledge about the different meds and how they impact different symptoms.

Klonopin is a benzo, similar to ativan, which I take for panic attacks. Is the script to take "as needed" or is it a daily regimen? Usually with drugs like that, it's an as-needed thing. I take a small dose of ativan when I have an actual panic attack and it usually does the job and helps me calm down. I also am on Zoloft, which has been very helpful so far - moreso than I expected.

Don't worry about getting addicted. Stay within your doctor's recommended dosage and you'll be fine. For Ativan, it's only at higher level doses that addiction becomes a problem. I take .5mg. Sometimes it takes two of those but it works.

It's always best to consult your doctor. Also, as you're new(ish) to anxiety, it's helpful to understand that this condition feels very awful and life-threatening, even though it isn't. Read up at anxietycenter for all the symptoms it can cause: you'll be amazed. I was at first. I couldn't believe a mental disorder could do all those physical things, but many of us are living proof that it can.

You can also do natural things to lower your anxiety levels. Avoid sugar and caffeine, and alcohol for starters. Get plenty of sleep (you'll be amazed at the difference this makes). Talk therapy can help as well.

And most of all, if your doc believes this is the problem, and has run tests to rule out physical causes, try to accept his diagnosis. Many of us get stuck on mental cycles where we don't accept it, we don't believe it, because the symptoms are so visceral and real and scary, and they change so often, sometimes dramatically and without reason. If you can accept that sooner, you'll have a much easier time dealing with the issue.

Best wishes to you, and post here anytime. These are great people here, and there's a lot of encouragement and support to be found.

I agree with grimms.

It's hard to diagnosis anxiety without ruling out the other physical symptoms causes. I'd suggest keeping a journal to help you see the patterns of your pain, which will help you reduce your resting anxiety level naturally.

Best wishes, and welcome to this great group!

thanks for all the info. Had a pretty rough day today. Work seems to be a huge trigger for me. Had a headaches pretty much all day and had alot of muscle weakness in my arms. The tight throat pains i get are also very scary. Cant wait to talk to my doctor to see what he thinks. Ive had mri's done, seen a chiro for the headaches, nothing seemed to work. Anxiety is the only other thing I can think of. I too cannot believe that it can cause all these physical symptoms. I feel like im losing my mind. I dont even feel anxious when some of these symptoms start. Thank you so much for the kind words!

It happens to the most of us. I, for one, know that most of the sensations I feel are caused by anxiety and yet sometimes, I still believe my thoughts and would think so much about them. It's a mental cycle that we all get sucked in. The reason being is because sometimes it is easier to give in to our obsessive thoughts than moving on.

But as far as feeling them when you are not anxious, it's totally normal. With us anxiety sufferers, worrying was a thought and then it became a habit. SO at times we worry and don't even realized we are doing so. To top it off, we have over-worked nerves. Worrying releases adrenaline to your body, There are two ways to burn adrenaline: Burn the energy or slowly wait for your blood to get rid of it. Hence, the panicky feeling we get out of nowhere. The little sensations are reactions from your nerves with little off-shoot of adrenaline.

Thanks everyone for all the info. I was put on citalopram (generic celexa) Started it last night 20mg. Did not sleep much and today have a headaches and nauseous, have not eaten anything yet today. Also feel dizzy and blurred vision while typing this. Is any of this normal and will it get better??

Benk, it seems like you've highlighted some of the more common side effects. Im on day 5 of it and I've had nausea to spare... also a touch dizzy here and there, supressed appetite (from the nausea mostly), lots of yawning (though not drowsy), and sweaty feet. Of all the possible side effects, I end up with "extra stinky feet syndrome". Sleeping difficulties (both trouble sleeping and staying awake) and blurred vision were also mentioned in comments and side effect sites. I find the mild brain cruise very beneficial so far. I've noticed an improvement in my perception of things, and I can find my way out of anxiety more readily. I hope this doesn't wear off after my body becomes acclimated to the drug.