Health - Cannabis induced chest pain/arm numbness, please read

[Aoffke]

Been reading this site for over 2 years, first time poster. This post is long, but please read it.

SWIM seems to have acquired, over the years, a very unpleasant response to THC. SWIM really wants to solve this issue, as cannabis has been such a good friend over the years. SWIM apologizes in advance for the length of this post, but SWIM wants to make sure that all data is presented so that we can best find a solution for not only SWIM, but also the many others that suffer from this same reaction.

First, some background. SWIM is 26, Male, ~150lbs. Blood pressure consistenly 130/90. Sedentary lifestyle until Jan 2008 where a demanding daily exercise regimen began (approx 800kcal/daily burned in exercise). Began using cannabis in 2004, with daily use beginning early 2005. Use was entirely via volcano vaporizer (not smoked), and escalated to approximately 18grams/month.

When SWIM gets THC in SWIM's bloodstream, the following effects currently result, in this progressing order:

- Stomach fullness / bloating
- Constant burping
- A pinching/squeezing/burning pain that seems to move around the stomach and heart area
- Left arm numbness / pain alleviated by pushing on the nerves in the arm
- Left leg numbness / pain alleviated by pushing on nerves in leg
- Pressure headache, feeling as if head is in a vice, sometimes burning pain at top of spine
- Sensation of left arm and leg being colder than rest of body
- A sense of diminished control over movement of left arm and leg
- Dizziness
- Sometimes a slight sensation of shortness of breath
- There have been a few occasions where this has escalated to a full panic attack, primarily as a response to the above.


The above symptoms did not appear spontaneously, but very slowly over time. I will recount the relevant history:

Mid 2005- SWIM experiences a very emotionally traumatic life experience, and becomes depressed. Begins taking SSRI Celexa 10mg/daily.

Fall 2005-Stops THC use cold turkey in desire to pass drug test. SWIM begins regular use of dextromethorphan. After over a month of THC abstinence at the peak of a 880mg DXM trip, SWIM's judgement fails and he takes 2 hits off the vaporizer. A full scale panic attack ensues. Mind racing 100000mph, heart rate ~200bpm, SWIM kept asking significant other "Will you hate me if I die tonight? Because I think I am going to die tonight". After 4 hours of insanity, this dies down. No chest pain was experienced.

Early 2006-To assist work and concentration, SWIM acquires a large quantity of pharmaceutical ephedrine. On night of first use, SWIM ingests 4x25mg ephedrine tablets (SWIM now knows this was a bad idea) and uses approximately 2 grams of cannabis via vaporizer. No negative effects other than sweating and tooth grinding. After the effects wear off (approx 6 hours later), SWIM takes 1x25mg ephedrine tablet and drinks a Coca-Cola. SWIM spontaneously feels chest pain, and a burning sensation from the heart, out to the left arm, up the shoulder and into the neck. Panic ensues, and SWIM fears he is experiencing a heart attack. After breathing slowly and calming down, the pain subsides. Next morning, as a test, SWIM ingests 1x25mg ephedrine tablet. Panic does not ensue, but similar chest pains occured. SWIM decides to never take ephedrine again.

Mar-April 2006-SWIM begins feeling stomach bloating and right side stomach pain after using THC. This usually progressed into heartburn. Calcium based antacids relieve the pain slighly, only to cause it to return more heavily. H2 blockers ineffective. SWIM goes to the doctor who believes the problem is Acid reflux and prescribes Omeprazole (prilosec). At this point, symptoms are only noticed during THC intoxication. Prilosec helps the problem very slightly, but seems to induce indigestion and nausea when not intoxicated.

May 2006-SWIM goes overseas for 2 weeks and notices that the heartburn and stomach distress are gone. No THC is available during the trip. Upon returning from the trip, SWIM tries THC again and chest pain and heartburn occur even worse than before. SWIM decides to stop using THC regularly. SWIM also discontinues (cold turkey) use of the SSRI Celexa.

Mid 2006-SWIM is at an acquaintance's house and has enjoyed a couple of glasses of red wine. SWIM decides to partake of a few hits from a vaporizer, and immediately notices pain/numbness in his left arm. It is nerve pain that is alleviated by pinching the nerve at the elbow in the arm. This is the first occurrence of arm pain.

Late 2006-Due to the dysphoria induced by THC, SWIM tries using it only very sporadically and begins drinking alcohol heavily as a replacement.

Early 2007-SWIM bakes brownies in an attempt to determine if the reaction is smoking/vaporizing related, or only THC related. Brownies induce the same response, but less intensely, because the effects come on so gradually. However, the consistent chest pain, arm pain, arm numbness, etc all occur.

May 2007-SWIM is concerned for his heart, so books an appointment with his PCP. SWIM has white coat syndrome, and so always presents with significantly elevated blood pressure at the doctor's office. BP reading of 165/110 causes doctor to call for an EKG. EKG is normal, except for sinus tachycardia (heart rate about 100bpm, likely induced by anxiety). Doctor says SWIM is fine and should just take Prilosec. Blood and urine tests all come back normal.

July 2007-SWIM attempts to use THC again on a camping trip. Prior to smoking, SWIM ingests in excess of 2 bottles of wine throughout the day, and takes a couple of .25mg Alprazolam (Xanax) pills. Smoking THC results in *NO* negative effects: No pain, no numbness, no headache. SWIM even managed to roll and smoke a couple of blunts that were embedded with mass quantities of hash, and still had no negative effects. SWIM believes that Ethanol and Xanax alleviate the reaction induced by THC.

Later July 2007-SWIM attempts to smoke a few hits from a pipe after ingesting approx 1 bottle of red wine. A terrible panic attack ensues, accompanied by a splitting headache, chest pain, arm an leg numbness. SWIM wishes to go to the doctor but given that SWIM was with his mother in law who did not know about SWIM's drug use, SWIM did not. SWIM decides that alcohol alone does not alleviate the symptoms, and that red wine causes the symptoms to be worse, rather than something like vodka.

Fall 2007-SWIM begins to notice chest pain and arm numbness when NOT using THC. After spicy meals, ingestion of coffee, or ingestion of caffeine. SWIM goes to doctor for another EKG and blood/urine tests. EKG and tests come back normal. SWIM admits to doctor that the pain is the absolute worst after use of cannabis, and explains that Xanax alleviates the symptoms. Doctor urges SWIM to no longer use cannabis, and reluctantly prescribes Xanax (schedule 4 controlled substance) to an admitted drug user. Doc says to "only take the pills if you really need them. Don't take them for fun."

2008- SWIM decides that perhaps his sedentary lifestyle is the culprit, and begins an exercise regimen. Exercise makes SWIM feel healthier, and SWIM loses approx 15lbs over the course of 4 months, but this does nothing to stop the dysphoria induced by THC.


For the past 18 months SWIM has been researching this issue. I have read literally every thread on this site, and on every other drug related board that could possibly apply to this issue. I have read every possible Usenet post about this issue. I have read about the cannabinoid receptor system, the way vasopressors affect the sympathetic nervous system, the effects of THC on stomach motility, acid production, and esophageal sphincter function. I have read countless medical journals and studies, about any number of various topics, such as the effects of alprazolam on acid reflux, on esophageal spasm, on hiatal hernia sufferers, etc.

I have found scores and scores of people that seem to have the same symptoms, but none of them have truly found a working solution other than "stop smoking cannabis". I have tried various pharmaceuticals and chemicals, none of which seem to entirely eliminate the problem (except one combo).

Here is what I know makes the problem worse:
- Cannabis use
- Anticipating the negative reaction
- Thinking and focusing on the problem/symptoms
- Previously consumed spicy food, coffee, caffeine
- Bad set and setting
- Laying down
- Laying on left side
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Here is what I know partially alleviates symptoms:
- Benzodiazepines
- Alcohol
- Phenibut
- Sitting straight up as opposed to lying supine
- Good set and setting
- Keeping my mind distracted; Not thinking about the problem

No significant effect:
- Atenolol (Beta blocker)
- Metoclopramide (Dopamine blocker "Reglan", induces gastric emptying, antiemetic)
- H2 blockers (famotidine, etc)
- Proton-pump inhibitors (Omeprazole, etc)
- Antacids (Rolaids etc... They help for a few minutes, it seems, and then stop. Or this is placebo).


The only sure fire way for SWIM to use THC without the negative effects is this: Consume at least 3 drinks of clear alcohol (For example, 3 vodka martinis), consume at least 2x.25mg Alprazolam tablets, and then use THC (preferably ingested and not smoked). This formula has worked on several occasions, but causes SWIM to use Alprazolam much faster than he can get it prescribed, and SWIM much prefers the clean THC intoxication compared to the hazy, stupifying Alcohol+Alprazolam intoxication.

SWIM has noticed on many occasions that the problem doesn't begin to occur until SWIM thinks about it. In fact, many times SWIM has smoked and consciously is amazed that he feels no negative symptoms, and at this point the symptoms come on full force. SWIM has had a panic attack several times as a result of this reaction, but would like to clarify that in general, no panic occurs. The pain and numbness is felt, but SWIM is not in a panic, and his heart rate remains relatively normal.

SWIM believes this indicates that the problem is psycho-somatic, but is not certain. The intensity of the burning/pinching/squeezing pain is very disconcerting. The pain is very real and very troubling. SWIM is concerned that he may have caused some sort of heart damage as a result of the Ephedrine experiment, and that the THC merely loads the heart in some way to cause this pain. However, SWIM daily gets his heart into the 170bpm range during Cardio exercise, and feels none of this pain.

SWIM has concluded that some part of the problem is gastrointestinal in nature, but SWIM is not sure whether this is the cause or result of the problem. For example, is THC inducing anxiety, that causes acid reflux? Or is THC causing acid or bile reflux, resulting in anxiety? Or, is THC inducing some sort of heart problem, that causes anxiety and hence acid reflux? SWIM is truly having trouble determining the cause-and-effect nature of the problem. The discomfort/pressure/pain is so intense that SWIM cannot seem to shake the idea that his is heart related, despite having 2 EKGs and blood/urine tests to the contrary.


Does anyone else on here have these symptoms? Or have a friend with similar symptoms?

Have you been able to cure this in any way?

Any insight?



SWIM just really wants his friend THC back. They've had so many good times together.

Thanks in advance for any comments, SWIM truly appreciates it.

[Coconut]

What is SWIY playing at? Tell him to go to a doctor now and explain these symptoms to them.

[Nature Boy]

That was a very finely detailed post. By the sounds of it, this is something of a mystery. I would suspect that it is gastrointestinal problem mainly because of the reaction to spicy foods and caffeine although it's clear that your illness is also tied in with anxiety and possibly heart issues. Seeing as you've been given the all clear in regards to the health of your heart, I'm stumped.

I guess the only way forward from here, as far as THC is concerned, is to somehow gain control of the effects. This would require lower dosing and a determination not to panic. Quitting THC entirely is probably the best option but if you work at it, you might be able to get the better of this. Pain and numbness of the arms is a very bad sign though. If I were in SWIY's shoes I would have to give serious consideration to never using marijuana again if it appears to be the main cause of these symptoms.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good Advice

[Bezzz]

Classic signs of anxiety, swim has also suffered with this problem. The only way to defeat it is mentally, swim knows that sounds really obvious/patronising but it really is the only way to do it except by taking benzos which swiy has listed as helping the problem.

The more swim reads this post the more it sounds identical to the same situation he was in, ALL of the same symptoms were experienced and the same checks made. Basically swiyour brain has been "programmed" to panic as soon as it senses cannabis and you think of panic, Swim stopped using weed for nearly a year and started back on it by only smoking a few tokes of a joint then building up gradually. Don't go mad and smoke a whole one to yourself or you'll set the whole thing off. This "reprogrammed" his brain to learn to accept canabis again. Sounds like psycobabble, but this is how swim saw it from his point of view......


Best thing to do is give it a break swim says. Good luck!

Reputation Comments on this post:

Interesting.

[ihavequestions]

it could be an axiety or a panic attack. sometimes weed can do that. swim would reccommend that swiy go to the doc just to rule anything out for sure. if they find no heart problems than next time it happens swiy can be sure that its just the bud

[Aoffke]

Thanks for the responses, SWIM appreciates it.

I spoke with SWIM and he tried to experiment with THC again (without Alcohol/benzos), using deep breathing exercises to calm himself. Reportedly SWIM smoked a few hits from a bubbler, and felt mild stomach/chest discomfort which he could partially alleviate by diaphram breathing.

Thinking this was working, SWIM (in the name of science) tried smoking an entire additional bowl. SWIM seemed to be feeling fine, but after thinking to himself "Wow, I am pretty stoned", he realized he was feeling the beginning of a panic attack, and started thinking he was tripping out. SWIM distracted himself and felt better for a few minutes, but every time he thought about the intensity of the high, a near panic attack ensued. This occured about 4 or 5 times, and each time SWIM managed to avoid the attack by deep breathing and telling himself "It's all in your head".

SWIM believes that somehow the THC induces some sort of gastrointestinal discomfort, which over time SWIM's brain has associated with a thought of dread/heart attack, and anxiety/panic ensues.

SWIM would also like to add that a couple of months ago, SWIM ingested 30mg of morphine sulfate, and then smoked quite a bit, with absolutely no anxiety or pain of any sort. SWIM supposes this is to be expected, but thought it might be significant.

[snapper]

THC has strong anticholinergic effects, raising heart rate and blood pressure. It or other chemicals in herb could also have effects on heart rhythm and could be triggering an arrythmia (ie-afib, aflutter, atrial tachycardia, etc). SWIM thinks that this problem is cardiac related. An ekc in a dr's office will not catch a hidden arrythmia, especially one brought on by something that SWIY does not take before seeing a white coat. It could also be anxiety or a GI problem (sounds like GERD if anything)but the left sided pain and numbness is inconsistent with this. For a diagnosis, SWIM thinks that SWIY should have an EKG run stoned, or even better a holter or event monitor with some THC experiences while these devices are on board. A baseline and stress echocardiogram would also be a good idea. There is a recent study which showed a correlation between increased risk of heart attack from THC which seems to be a reasonable .. SWIM thinks it is somewhere on this forum and will link it later.
BTW, all symptoms described (GI and neuromuscular) are consistent with a cardiac problem... There could be multiple problems going on as well. Cannabis could be triggering gastroesophageal reflux at the same time as a heart problem making it hard to discern which is going on, and anxiety is likely a 3rd problem (understandable given the symptoms).

[Aoffke]

SWIM has a PPO and is going to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist.

SWIM says thanks for the insight.

Will report back any results.

[ATWA]

Originally Posted by snapper

THC has strong anticholinergic effects, raising heart rate and blood pressure. It or other chemicals in herb could also have effects on heart rhythm and could be triggering an arrythmia (ie-afib, aflutter, atrial tachycardia, etc). SWIM thinks that this problem is cardiac related. An ekc in a dr's office will not catch a hidden arrythmia, especially one brought on by something that SWIY does not take before seeing a white coat. It could also be anxiety or a GI problem (sounds like GERD if anything)but the left sided pain and numbness is inconsistent with this. For a diagnosis, SWIM thinks that SWIY should have an EKG run stoned, or even better a holter or event monitor with some THC experiences while these devices are on board. A baseline and stress echocardiogram would also be a good idea. There is a recent study which showed a correlation between increased risk of heart attack from THC which seems to be a reasonable .. SWIM thinks it is somewhere on this forum and will link it later.
BTW, all symptoms described (GI and neuromuscular) are consistent with a cardiac problem... There could be multiple problems going on as well. Cannabis could be triggering gastroesophageal reflux at the same time as a heart problem making it hard to discern which is going on, and anxiety is likely a 3rd problem (understandable given the symptoms).

Good but one must also consider that coupled with any actual and real symptoms that SWim is amplifying in Swim's head and hyperventilates and gets himself all worked up and hysterical in a way. Obsessive and all worked up. I am not discounting the statements you made however Swim has so many many symptoms and makes a laborious post one must consider that some of this is not of organic etiology or is and is being amplified.

[keeron]

swim has recently viewed another thread with the same problems, swim just wants to say he has the exact same problems... swim thinks its anxiety and the problems are in the mind and brought on by paniccing and thinking about these too much... swim doesnt have that much advice apart from valerian root tablets relieve the weird stomach feeling and just calm swim down and 5-htp tablets relieve the anxiety feelings swims advice is just to stop smoking...

swim wants to know do ya arms feel numb not near ya hands but near the armpit area???

its just weird and really annoying and its like swim cant control his body no more especieally my arms they feel annoying swim is just pissed off and wish these feelings would fuck off.. and also swim gets spasms mainly in the legs. swim is just annoyed all the time... peacee

[Aoffke]

SWIM gets transient numbness throughout his arm, including the armpit area. He seems, in fact, to get pain in pretty much every part of his left chest/abdomen but the pain seems to move around. SWIM also feels like he loses some level of control over the left side of his body, like the limbs are bloated or heavy, sort of like the feeling of a tourniquet.

SWIM went to the doc and had a bunch of tests done (again) and a chest x-ray. Results have not come back yet.

[Aoffke]

Results were all normal, including ekg, chest xray, thyroid, cardio CRP, etc.

SWIM thinks he should perhaps try an upper endoscopy, as the doc doesn't seem to think it is possible that there is anything wrong with his heart.

[corporate_gre]

swim also suffers from chest tightening around his heart, spasming in his legs and tingling numbness at times in his arms, swim consumes regular doses on cannabis, tobacco and caffine in his diet and is pretty sure all three contribute to these effects, but is also sure his tobacco and caffine consumption contribute more so.
does anyone agree/disagree?

[untampit]

Someone who cannot read the rules asked me,

"Any progress with that thing ?
I just registered the forum just for this post because I have the same thing.
I feel kinda ok , when I don't eat on time i feel like shit.
When I wake up in the morning i have very very bad taste in mouth.
I take 2 omeprazol / day on empty stomach.
They diagnose me with gastric reflux or something like that I will need to do the tests again.
i`m telling you people, if i smoke 1 joint right now I feel like dying.I just feel that I can control if to die or not,I must stay very focused.
My friend who also had the same issue, managed to get over it after 4-5 months of eating only allowed things ( that guy was afraid to chew one piece of bread ).But he had a begining of ulcer.
Anyway, I thot i an use vaporizer to smoke and feel good, now after I see your post i`m thinking I will pay for nothing....
Seriously, I will give all my money to get rid of this thing
P.S. : That guy who managed to get over it, can smoke now in decent limit.He can get high but if he makes excfess he has the same feeling.
The left side thing might be the esophagus inflamating, and pressing on some artery that goes behind him.....this is my opinion....i will go for further tests in 1-2 weeks.God bless us and help us get over this."

[Zerokewl777]

No one here is a doctor... That could be a big problem... You take the advice of sum stoners on a fourm you could die... tis not the place. go to a doctor.

[Illuminated]

different swim, maybe same problem.. SWIM used thc on daily bases since 2006, Lately there has been a dry season for a half year or so (Lebanon war 2, and now gaza again) SWIM litteraly smoke shit for half year. This weekend SWIM recived some deluxe hash and the effects wasnt very pleasnt.
it may be somthing psychological, SWIM also got fierd last week after almost 3 years and SWIM lives under "room for rent" conditions at his parents home from choice.
fresh water and deep breaths while standing relives the pain a little bit for SWIM

[rswoods]

i have a swim with the same problem. he went to the doc and they said he was fine too. its very mysterious and unsettling. my swim has been able to smoke just a little at a time and be OK, but if my swim goes over his limit he gets a panic attack. since he smokes every day and occasionally goes over his limit, he has had a lot of these panic attacks since jan 2008 when they started. he has learned what they feel like coming on and has learned to ignore any weird feelings.

for the record, his started when he smoked some extra-potent bud mixed w/ tobacco in jan08. that was the last time he smoked tobacco and he does no other drugs except caffeine. my SWIMs symptoms have been getting stronger lately and he thinks its related to an increase in his caffiene intake. could it possibly be related to mixing stimulants like caffiene and tobacco with the thc?

id like to stay in touch w/ anyone else who has this so we can hopefully resolve it.

[LSDMAN]

Marijuana has stimulant effects. It raises your heartrate expecially if your not an avid smoker. Also if you dont have a high tolerance for THC it will effect you even worse than normally.

Do you get these feelings just when smoking marijuana? Do you exercise regularlly (jogging+)? If you do do you get these feelings at all when you elevate your heartrate with anything else?

I would suggest a stress test with a Cardiologist.

[jrizzo4prez]

ey man,, any1 with this awfull problem.. HERE IT GOES.. I have alot of sympothy for those with this problem cause this has HAPPENED TO ME... this goes out to you SWIM or any1 that had this problem... ANXIETY is the cause of this.. DEF.. i would give YA'LL link to this site that explains all of the symptoms but this site wont let me.. but i can tell off hand that YOU do not have anything to worry about.. millions of people smoke evryday and dont have this problem.. i can explain why..

it all started a month when i came back to my girlfriends school to stay with my her when it started.. i smoked and all of the classic symptoms happend,, tightness, heart rate racing, heart palpitions,, ect.. SCARY VERY SCARY!!! well i thought i was having a heart attack cause i USE TO SMOKE EVERY DAY.. and all of a sudden this happens.. so i think i smoke myself to sum horrible cardiac state.. well at that same time my life had sum unexpected turns including my dad's passing, my friends passing, and me loosing my job.. well i ignored that and still thought it was sometthing wrong with my heart and everything else.. i went to the ER, the did every test and NOTHING.. im like wtf...? so i quit smoking cold turkey.. well the symptoms came back and i wasnt smoking anymore,, and than i had a DRUG FREE anxiety attack (panic attack) i thought it was my blood pressure.. while the doc said it was a little high he said it was cause of me being in the ER. REMEMBER TOP NUMBER HIGH AND BOTTOM NUMBER LOWER FOR BLOOD PRESSURE:EXMPL,, (140/80) normal for a young adult.. (im 23) . So, while im wondering what is going wrong the doc comes in is like are U under stress and it funny,, I TEARED UP AND SAID YES.. he told me that i had a anxiety attack, and the STRESS in my life is affecting my body.. and most important the BRAIN.. this is when i knew i had to excercise and see if he was right and he was,, I PLAYED A WHOLE GAME OF INTENSE BASKETBALL AND FELT FINE,, actually better..

So my advice to people with this scary ass problem is to adress their STRESS in their life and problems cause your MIND IS YOUR TEMPLE.. it has more to do with your body do we think.. if you are always depressed and listen to depressing music you might get sick or feel sick which goes into what i was explainning before.. ANXIETY CAN CAUSE MANY WEIRD things to go happen in ones body.. I DO NOT TAKE ANY DRUGS FOR IT for my own reasons but if i get in a bad fight with my girl and i feel like im getting a
axiety attack i take maybe 1 xanax,, partly cause your mind can be trained alot easier than your body.. i think of the phrase UR ONLY AS GOOD AS U FEEL.. AXIETY CAUSES OVER 100 DIFFERENT kinds of symptoms including muscle tension which i get, numbness tinglyness, chest pains, evrything you get SWIM..LOL.. RELAX BROTHA,, i know what you're going thru.. i've been to the ER 3 times.. and it was such a waste..

SO for any 1 who is feeling any tenglyness, numbness, chest pains, ect, look up GAD on the internet and get HELP,, AND RELAX, RELAX.. i know its the WEED.. but you should def. STOP for awhile and resolve your life problems and if you dont think YOU'RE in control, come back to WEED but GRADUALLY cause. DONT GO CRAZY WITH IT.. and with anything MODERATION is the key.. AXIETY IS DEF THE CAUSE.. UNLESS YOU HAVENT GOTTEN CLEARED BY A PHYSICIAN.. so go get out and get some fresh air and excersize and find out what bothering.. Its God's way of telling you got some ISSUES TO ATTEND TO.. so RELAX AND TAKE A BIG BREATH.. EVERYTHING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT..... MUCH LOVE BRANDON

jrizzo4prez added 13 Minutes and 55 Seconds later...

ANYONE WHO IS FREAKING OUT.. RELAX ITS IN YOUR HEAD


Anxiety Symptoms, Anxiety Attack Symptoms (Panic Attack Symptoms), Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety symptoms, anxiety attack symptoms: There are over 100 symptoms of anxiety.

Because each person has a unique chemical make up, the type, number, intensity, and frequency of anxiety symptoms will vary from person to person. For example, one person may have just one mild anxiety symptom, whereas another may have all anxiety symptoms and to great severity. All combinations are common.
Common anxiety symptoms include:

Body (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the body in general):

Allergy problems, increase in allergies (number, sensitivity, reactions, lengthier reactions)
Back pain, stiffness, tension, pressure, soreness, spasms, immobility in the back or back muscles
Blanching (looking pale, loss of color in the face or skin)
Blushing, turning red, flushed face, flushed skin, blushing, red face or skin
Body jolts, body zaps, electric jolt feeling in body, intense body tremor or “body shake”
Body temperature increase or decrease, change in body temperature
Burning skin, itchy, “crawly,” prickly or other skin sensations, skin sensitivity, numbness on the skin
Burning skin sensation on the face, neck, ears, scalp, or shoulders
Chest pain, chest tightness
Choking
Chronic Fatigue, exhaustion, super tired, worn out
Clumsiness, feeling clumsy, co-ordination problems with the limbs or body
Cold chills, feeling cold
Craving sugar, sweets, chocolate, usual craving for sugar and sweets
Difficulty speaking, moving mouth, talking, co-ordination problems with the mouth or tongue
Dizziness, feeling lightheaded
Dizzy, feeling dizzy
Electric shock feeling, body zaps
Excess of energy, you feel you can’t relax
Falling sensation, feel like your are falling or dropping even though you aren't
Feel like you are going to pass out or faint
Feeling cold or chilled
Feel wrong, different, foreign, odd, or strange
Flu-like symptoms, general malaise, feel ill, like you are coming down with a flu
Flushed face, red face, flushed skin
Head Zaps
Heart palpitations, racing heart
Hyperactivity, excess energy, nervous energy
Increased or decreased sex drive
Infection - increased infections, persistent infection
Muscles that vibrate, jitter, tremor, or shake when used
Muscle twitching
Nausea
Nausea vomiting
Neck, back, shoulder pain, tightness/stiffness
Night sweats, waking up in a sweat, profusely sweating at night
No energy, feeling lethargic, tired
Numbness
Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling
Numbness and tingling, and other skin sensations on hands, feet, face, head, or any other places on the body
Persistent muscle tension, stiffness
Pounding heart, heart feels like it is beating too hard
Pulsing or throbbing muscles. Pulsing or throbbing sensation.
Rib or rib cage tightness, pressure, or feeling like a tight band around the rib cage
Sexual Dysfunction, sexual uninterest
Shooting pains, stabbing pains, and odd pressures in the neck, head, or face
Shooting pains in the face
Shooting pains in the scalp or head
Skipped heart beats
Sore or tight scalp or back of the neck
Startle easily
Sweating, uncontrollable profuse sweating
The floor feels like it is moving either down or up for no reason
Tightness in the ribs or rib cage area, may also feel like a tight band around the ribs or rib cage area.
Tingling sensations, anywhere on the body, including the hands, feet, legs, arms, head, mouth, chest, groin area
Trembling or shaking
Twitching
Unsteadiness, dizziness, feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Urgency to urinate, frequent urination, sudden urge to go to the washroom (similar to urinary tract or prostate infection symptoms)
Warm spells
Weak - feel weak, weakness, low energy, light, soft, like you may faint
Weak legs, arms, or muscles
Weight loss, weight gain
Chest (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the chest area):

Chest pain or discomfort
Concern about the heart
Feel like you have to force yourself to breath
Find it hard to breath, feeling smothered, shortness of breath
Frequent yawning to try and catch your breath
Heart Palpitations – beating hard or too fast, rapid heartbeat
Heart - Irregular heart rhythms, flutters or ‘skipped’ beats, tickle in the chest that makes you cough
Pounding heart, heart feels like it is beating too hard
Rib or rib cage tightness, pressure, or feeling like a tight band around the rib cage
Emotions (see mood) (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with emotions, mood, and feelings)

Fears (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with fear):

A heightened fear of what people think of you
Afraid of being trapped in a place with no exits
Constant feeling of being overwhelmed.
Fear of being in public
Fear of dying
Fear of losing control
Fear of impending doom
Fear of making mistakes or making a fool of yourself to others
Fear of passing out
Fear that you are losing your mind
Fears about irrational things, objects, circumstances, or situations
Fears of going crazy, of dying, of impending doom, of normal things, unusual feelings and emotions, unusually frightening thoughts or feelings
Heightened self awareness, or self-consciousness
Need to find nearest washrooms before you can feel comfortable
Need to seat near exits
Head (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the head):

Burning, itchy, tight scalp
Dizziness
Dizzy
Dizziness or light-headedness
Frequent headaches, migraine headaches
Feeling like there is a tight band around your head, pressure, tightness
Head, neck or shoulder pain, tightness/stiffness
Head zaps, head tremors
Giddiness
Numbness
Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling
Shooting pains, stabbing pains, and odd pressures in the neck, head, or face
Shooting pains in the face
Shooting pains in the scalp or head
When you close your eyes you feel like are beginning to, or will, float upwards
Sore jaw that feels like a tooth ache
TMJ (Temporo-Mandibular Joint) - clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth
Hearing (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with hearing):

Reduced hearing, frequent or intermittent reduced hearing or deafness in one or both ears
Low rumbling sounds
Ringing in the ears, noises in the ears, noises in the head
Pulsing in the ears, throbbing sound in the ear(s)
Mind (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the mind and thinking):

Afraid of everything
Altered state of reality, consciousness, or universe feeling
Deja Vu, a feeling like you've done or experienced something before
Depersonalization
Derealization
Desensitization
Difficulty thinking, speaking, forming thoughts, following conversations
Disorientation
Fear of going crazy
Fear of losing control
Fear of impending doom
Feelings of unreality
Frequent feeling of being overwhelmed, or that there is just too much to handle or do
Having difficulty concentrating
Nightmares, bad dreams
Obsession about sensations or getting better
Repetitive thinking or incessant ‘mind chatter’
Spaced out feelings, feeling spaced out
"Stuck" thoughts; thoughts, mental images, concepts, songs, or melodies that "stick" in your mind and replay over and over again.
Trapped in your mind feeling
Underlying anxiety, apprehension, or fear
You often feel you are carrying the world on your shoulders
Mood / Emotions (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with mood, emotions, and feelings):

Always feeling angry and lack of patience
Depersonalization
Depression
Dramatic mood swings (emotional flipping)
Emotionally blunted, flat, or numb
Emotional "flipping" (dramatic mood swings)
Emotions feel wrong
Everything is scary, frightening
Feeling down in the dumps
Feeling like things are unreal or dreamlike
Frequently being on edge or 'grouchy'
Frequently feel like crying for no apparent reason
Have no feelings about things you used to
Not feeling like yourself, detached from loved ones, emotionally numb
Underlying anxiety, apprehension, or fear
You feel like you are under pressure all the time
Mouth/Stomach (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the mouth and stomach):

A ‘tinny’, ‘metallic’ or ‘ammonia’, or unusual smell or taste
Aerophagia (swallowing too much air, stomach distention, belching)
Choking
Constant craving for sugar or sweets
Constipation
Diarrhea
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty talking, pronouncing certain letters or sounds, mouth feels like it isn't moving right, slurred speech
Dry mouth
Feeling like you can’t swallow properly or that something will get caught in your throat
Feeling like your tongue is swollen
Frequent upset stomach, bloating, gaseous
IBS
Lack of appetite or taste
Lump in the throat, tight throat, something stuck in your throat
Mouth muscles twitching/jumping
Nausea
Nausea vomiting
Nausea or abdominal stress
Numbness
Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling
The thought of eating makes you nauseous
Tight throat, lump in throat
Tongue symptoms - Tingly, “stretched,” numb, frozen, itchy, “crawly,” burning, twitching, “jumpy,” aching, sore, or swollen tongue (when it isn’t).
Urgency to urinate, frequent urination, sudden urge to go to the washroom
Vomiting
Skin (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with the skin):

Burning skin sensations, skin sensitivity
Numbness
Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling
Skin problems, infections, rashes
Sleep (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with sleep):

Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Frequent bad, bizarre, or crazy dreams
Hearing sounds in your head that jolt you awake
Insomnia, or waking up ill in the middle of the night
Jolting awake
Waking up in a panic attack
You feel worse in the mornings
Sight (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with sight):

Distorted, foggy, or blurred vision
Dry, watery or itchy eyes
Eye tricks, seeing things our of the corner of your eye that isn’t there, stars, flashes
Eyes sensitive to light
Spots in the vision
Flashing lights when eyes are closed
Your depth perception feels wrong
Touch (anxiety symptoms commonly associated with touch):

Burning skin sensations, skin sensitivity
Feeling cold or chilled
Numbness
Numbness tingling, numbness and tingling
Pain
Tingling, pins and needles feelings
Other anxiety symptoms are described as:
Being like a hypochondriac, muscle twinges, worry all the time, tingles, gagging, tightness in the chest, tongue twitches, shaky, breath lump, heart beat problems, head tingles, itchy tingling in arms and legs, and so many more.

In addition to these anxiety symptoms, you may also find yourself worrying compulsively about:
• Having a heart attack
• Having a serious undetected illness
• Dying prematurely
• Going insane or losing your mind
• Suddenly snapping
• Losing it
• Uncontrollably harming yourself or someone you love
• Losing control of your thoughts and actions
• Being embarrassed or making a fool out of yourself
• Losing control
• Fainting in public
• Not breathing properly
• Losing control of reality
• Choking or suffocating
• Being alone