Question:

hi lately i’v been worrying about all kinds of illnesses and diseases that i think i might have.  is this because suffering from anxiety makes one more sensitive to pain etc.   i feel a little lump in my neck and face and freak out and think i’m got some lymph node cancer.  then i get palpitations and think it’s my heart.  i get tired and think its me.  the list goes on and on and on.  i just wish i could stop worrying about every symptom i get. then i also worry about being on clonazepam for almost 6 years.  surely this cannot be good if you read all the scary stuff about it. guess i’m just an old worry pot (although i’m not really that old yet kim

Response:

Kim- I have been feeling the same way. I took Xanax for almost 2 years after my doctor kept trying to make me take SSRI’s, which create serious side effects, similar to the things that happen when you take hallucinogenics. I am not taking anything now, since I stopped taking Xanax last August, and the anxiety and hypochondriasis is worse than ever. I’m trying to deal with it on my own but now it’s affecting my ability to function. I wish I could help, but I’m still searching for answers myself. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi lately i’v been worrying about all kinds of illnesses and diseases that i think i might have.  is this because suffering from anxiety makes one more sensitive to pain etc.   i feel a little lump in my neck and face and freak out and think i’m got some lymph node cancer.  then i get palpitations and think it’s my heart.  i get tired and think its me.  the list goes on and on and on.  i just wish i could stop worrying about every symptom i get. then i also worry about being on clonazepam for almost 6 years.  surely this cannot be good if you read all the scary stuff about it. guess i’m just an old worry pot (although i’m not really that old yet kim

Response:

my doctor kept trying to make me take SSRI’s, which create serious side effects, similar to the things that happen when you take hallucinogenics. I

Huh?  Is there any truth in this statement there medical folks? I’ve taken my fair share of hallucinogens in my younger days, and have never experienced anything remotely similar on any SSRI.  Active effect or SE wise.   Jess "Who would ever buy frozen vegetables?"  A. G. Monks when asked to be the primary investor in Bird’s Eye Foods.

Response:

I’ve taken hallucinogenics too, and I’m very sensitive to drugs so I don’t take them anymore, prescription or otherwise. I get very strong visual hallucinations on pot. So at least I don’t have to worry about being a drug addict.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my doctor kept trying to make me take SSRI’s, which create serious side effects, similar to the things that happen when you take hallucinogenics. I Huh?  Is there any truth in this statement there medical folks? I’ve taken my fair share of hallucinogens in my younger days, and have never experienced anything remotely similar on any SSRI.  Active effect or SE wise. Jess "Who would ever buy frozen vegetables?"  A. G. Monks when asked to be the primary investor in Bird’s Eye Foods.

Response:

I used to be a major hypochondriac until I found out I actually had a lot of stuff wrong with me.  But it was never anything really serious like I suspected.  But I kept going to doctors and they kept actually finding things wrong with me when I think I was just a hypochondriac.  They found in the past 6 years, hypothyroid, allergies, asthma, vitamin B-12 deficiency and fibromyalgia.  No wonder I thought I was sick!  I thought I might have lupus or some kind of cancer or immune deficiency for a long time, but nothing that serious, just that which I listed. Sasha – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi lately i’v been worrying about all kinds of illnesses and diseases that i think i might have.  is this because suffering from anxiety makes one more sensitive to pain etc.   i feel a little lump in my neck and face and freak out and think i’m got some lymph node cancer.  then i get palpitations and think it’s my heart.  i get tired and think its me.  the list goes on and on and on.  i just wish i could stop worrying about every symptom i get. then i also worry about being on clonazepam for almost 6 years.  surely this cannot be good if you read all the scary stuff about it. guess i’m just an old worry pot (although i’m not really that old yet kim

Response:

hi lately i’v been worrying about all kinds of illnesses and diseases that i think i might have.  is this because suffering from anxiety makes one more sensitive to pain etc.   i feel a little lump in my neck and face and freak out and think i’m got some lymph node cancer.  then i get palpitations and think it’s my heart.  i get tired and think its me.  the list goes on and on and on.  i just wish i could stop worrying about every symptom i get. then i also worry about being on clonazepam for almost 6 years.  surely this cannot be good if you read all the scary stuff about it. guess i’m just an old worry pot (although i’m not really that old yet kim

Hypochondria is very common among anxiety sufferers. A good way to treat it is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). See, for instance: http://www.cognitivetherapy.com Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

my doctor kept trying to make me take SSRI’s, which create serious side effects, similar to the things that happen when you take hallucinogenics. I Huh?  Is there any truth in this statement there medical folks? I’ve taken my fair share of hallucinogens in my younger days, and have never experienced anything remotely similar on any SSRI.  Active effect or SE wise.  

Same here. Most hallucinogens are serotonin agonists (among other things) but they work in a totally different way. AFAIK the original poster’s reaction to SSRI’s  is uncommon but then *nothing* amazes me anymore when it comes to PAD. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Huh?  Is there any truth in this statement there medical folks? I’ve taken my fair share of hallucinogens in my younger days, and have never experienced anything remotely similar on any SSRI.  

those med phobs please skip: yes and no the drugs do not have instrinsic hallucinogenic properties but any drug that effects the brain can cause hallucinations or oher psychoticform responses in anyone who has the sensitivity to express one. Some people feel stimulated by xanax but not by ativan. Some people get an amphetamine reaction to zoloft -some people have rage responses on various drugs-it boils down to anything is possible-If one has a "borderline" or limited personality disorder (meaning a mild case that is undiagnosed) they may respond in an untoward way to any psychotropic drug-if they have undiagnosed bi=polar the same is true and if they just metabolize these compounds a ceratin way and process them through their brains a certian way, they can feel like they are stoned, high, on a bad trip without specific hallucinations but hallucinatory ideations or changes in vision, perceptions including sight, taste, hearing, or motoric functions like speaking, walking etc… these drugs are potent and can have all kinds of responses. It may be difficult to determine if the responses are pharmacogenic or autogenic but after a few trials one can reasonably conclude that certain classes or types of meds just don’t work for that person. LM

Response:

Huh?  Is there any truth in this statement there medical folks? I’ve taken my fair share of hallucinogens in my younger days, and have never experienced anything remotely similar on any SSRI.   those med phobs please skip:

That was what I was thinking in much simpler terms LOL….kind of along the lines of ‘your mileage may vary’… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -yes and no the drugs do not have instrinsic hallucinogenic properties but any drug that effects the brain can cause hallucinations or oher psychoticform responses in anyone who has the sensitivity to express one. Some people feel stimulated by xanax but not by ativan. Some people get an amphetamine reaction to zoloft -some people have rage responses on various drugs-it boils down to anything is possible-If one has a "borderline" or limited personality disorder (meaning a mild case that is undiagnosed) they may respond in an untoward way to any psychotropic drug-if they have undiagnosed bi=polar the same is true and if they just metabolize these compounds a ceratin way and process them through their brains a certian way, they can feel like they are stoned, high, on a bad trip without specific hallucinations but hallucinatory ideations or changes in vision, perceptions including sight, taste, hearing, or motoric functions like speaking, walking etc… these drugs are potent and can have all kinds of responses. It may be difficult to determine if the responses are pharmacogenic or autogenic but after a few trials one can reasonably conclude that certain classes or types of meds just don’t work for that person. LM

Response:

hi melissa so glad to hear i’m not the only one.  i’m going to go for a complete medical check-up and if nothing’s wrong go back to CBT.  i went for cbt last year but gave it up as it costs a fortune in South Africa! i’m also stopping work in 3 weeks time and hope things will get better.  you know after i had my baby three years ago my anxiety disappeared for almost a year.  it was the most wonderful feeling and i wish i could be like that again.  i used to be on paxil but all ad’s make me feel 100 times worse. won’t go that route again.   in the meantime i’m still taking clonazepam but dunno if that’s the answer. as soon as you find the answer share it. kim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kim- I have been feeling the same way. I took Xanax for almost 2 years after my doctor kept trying to make me take SSRI’s, which create serious side effects, similar to the things that happen when you take hallucinogenics. I am not taking anything now, since I stopped taking Xanax last August, and the anxiety and hypochondriasis is worse than ever. I’m trying to deal with it on my own but now it’s affecting my ability to function. I wish I could help, but I’m still searching for answers myself. hi lately i’v been worrying about all kinds of illnesses and diseases that i think i might have.  is this because suffering from anxiety makes one more sensitive to pain etc.   i feel a little lump in my neck and face and freak out and think i’m got some lymph node cancer.  then i get palpitations and think it’s my heart.  i get tired and think its me.  the list goes on and on and on.  i just wish i could stop worrying about every symptom i get. then i also worry about being on clonazepam for almost 6 years.  surely this cannot be good if you read all the scary stuff about it. guess i’m just an old worry pot (although i’m not really that old yet kim

Response:

i’m also sensitive to meds and it sucks!!!  so many people take ssri’s and are just fine.  why can’t i be one of those?????? kim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve taken hallucinogenics too, and I’m very sensitive to drugs so I don’t take them anymore, prescription or otherwise. I get very strong visual hallucinations on pot. So at least I don’t have to worry about being a drug addict. my doctor kept trying to make me take SSRI’s, which create serious side effects, similar to the things that happen when you take hallucinogenics. I Huh?  Is there any truth in this statement there medical folks? I’ve taken my fair share of hallucinogens in my younger days, and have never experienced anything remotely similar on any SSRI.  Active effect or SE wise. Jess "Who would ever buy frozen vegetables?"  A. G. Monks when asked to be the primary investor in Bird’s Eye Foods.

Response:

Hi Sasha Thanks for the feedback.  I think something might be wrong but most probably nothing serious.  The thing that freaks me out is that I feel little lumps in my neck and arms and nobody else has  this thing.  Last time I mentioned it to my doc she said it was nothing.  I actually want to see another doc cos I’m certain that once your doctor knows you have anxiety they think you worry too much etc. Kim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I used to be a major hypochondriac until I found out I actually had a lot of stuff wrong with me.  But it was never anything really serious like I suspected.  But I kept going to doctors and they kept actually finding things wrong with me when I think I was just a hypochondriac.  They found in the past 6 years, hypothyroid, allergies, asthma, vitamin B-12 deficiency and fibromyalgia.  No wonder I thought I was sick!  I thought I might have lupus or some kind of cancer or immune deficiency for a long time, but nothing that serious, just that which I listed. Sasha hi lately i’v been worrying about all kinds of illnesses and diseases that i think i might have.  is this because suffering from anxiety makes one more sensitive to pain etc.   i feel a little lump in my neck and face and freak out and think i’m got some lymph node cancer.  then i get palpitations and think it’s my heart.  i get tired and think its me.  the list goes on and on and on.  i just wish i could stop worrying about every symptom i get. then i also worry about being on clonazepam for almost 6 years.  surely this cannot be good if you read all the scary stuff about it. guess i’m just an old worry pot (although i’m not really that old yet kim

Response:

says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -hi lately i’v been worrying about all kinds of illnesses and diseases that i think i might have.  is this because suffering from anxiety makes one more sensitive to pain etc.   i feel a little lump in my neck and face and freak out and think i’m got some lymph node cancer.  then i get palpitations and think it’s my heart.  i get tired and think its me.  the list goes on and on and on.  i just wish i could stop worrying about every symptom i get. then i also worry about being on clonazepam for almost 6 years.  surely this cannot be good if you read all the scary stuff about it. guess i’m just

an old worry pot (although i’m not really that old yet kim

The other day I went to a baby shower, and when I got home my ear itched, so I put my hand up to it and there seemed to be some kind of thick dried substance on my earlobe.  I got the adrenalin rush.  My first thought was that I had some kind of horrible suppurating ear infection, then that I’d had a stroke and was hemmoraging from the ear!  Or…ebola? It was my earring.  I don’t get out much and forgot I was wearing them. I’ll never change. Dot : )

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It was my earring.  I don’t get out much and forgot I was wearing them.

LOL!!!! Dot, I’m honestly laughing out loud. What a great story you’ve told on yourself.  :-) All of us who have had our hypochondriac moments can identify with your vivid imagination and worst-case scenarios. xxoo Anne

Response:

i’m also sensitive to meds and it sucks!!!  so many people take ssri’s and are just fine.  why can’t i be one of those?????? kim

Have you tried one of the tricyclic antidepressants or newer meds like Effexor? All the SSRIs I’ve tried, Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil, have has me spinning like a toy top, but I can take very high doses of TCAs with few side effects, and no mania. Just a thought Ian

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