Dizziness panick attacks I'm Onli 19 :'(

Hi there: im a 19 year old girl and i am suffering from headaches every single day. I had viral meningiters when i was 14 and ever since i have had a long list of health problems. I cant seem to get through a full day without havin to lie down or rest its really getting to me as i can't seem to find a soloution i have been to the docotors numerous amounts of times and they tell me different things. i have taken lots of different tablets and nothing seems to work!! My symptoms are dizzy when standing and lying down, i get flashing lights in my eyes all day everyday, my eyes hurt, I am forever sleeping and alweys feeling tired & feel sick and pankicky i am worried about my head as it feels like there is lots of pressure in it and my neck is tight and its stopping me from doing every day to day activities :( Just want some answers! I would like to have a CT scan but dont no how i would go around havin one as my Gp puts it down to anxiety! i feel like its onli me in the world suffering from this :(

My Gp says that I am suffering from anxiety, And says that i could be getting migranes and then says i have floaters in my eyes where the gel at the back of my eye is split letting cells float across my eye and thats the flashes i see but no final answer to whats wrong with me just wondering if anyone can help and knows and understands what im going through! Just want to live a normal teenage life :( Many Thanks Charlotte

Hi Charlipop and welcome to healing well!,

The dizziness, flashing lights, head pressure and tight neck can all be symptoms of a migraine. You may want to be more insistent with your GP about getting tests done to see why you are getting such debilitating migraines. Otherwise, I would suggest getting a second or third opinion. While anxiety is uncomfortable and can lead to migraines, you can usually find relief from things like fast-acting ibuprofen or Tylenol.

I understand wanting to lead a normal teenage life. I missed out when I had my first panic attack at 15 which drastically changed the course of my life. I do suffer from bad headaches and migraines, but no to the extent that you describe.

If your affliction is caused by anxiety, rest assured you are not alone and that you have found a wonderful site to help support you through your struggles and subsequent healing.

People do tend to develop panic disorders in late adolescents and early twenties.

A possible reason you may feel dizzy when having a panic attack or are under stress is due to tension affecting the semicircular canal system in your inner ear, which regulates balance. If the sensation lasts for more than a few seconds, I encourage you to consult a doctor or more specifically an otolaryngologist to rule out anything that may be affecting your inner-ear.

I'm not sure what you mean by tablets. The medicine or supplements you take depend very much on the affliction you actually have. If it is migraines, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice. The same goes for anxiety if you wish to go the pharmaceutical route. Otherwise, there are many supplements that have been found to be helpful for anxiety (just mind any contraindications) such as: vitamin B complex, vitamin C and calcium-magnesium.

Of course, there are also many therapies and relaxation techniques that are helpful in overcoming anxiety and controlling stress levels.

Please know that with a little work, you can go back to living a normal teenage life and that you have found a support system here at HW that is more than ready to encourage and support you. But first, I would insist on eliminating any other causes for your migraines. Although starting to reduce any stress levels you have can only help.

Best of Luck,

DarkWolf

Hi again CP. I hope that you are feeling well today:) To answer your questions regarding panic and anxiety...panic attacks are typically said to peak in about 10 min times, then they start to taper off. Well, I did not find that to be true in my case. As with anything there are variants, and for me, they could be much longer (lasting hours and cycling endlessly it seemed) or one could start, then suddenly stop, withing a minute or two...so everyone, and every attack, is different.

The harder question to answer is how long does anxiety last? I have to honestly tell you that it is usually a chronic condition. Once it starts, it is usually something that you will have to deal with as an ongoing issue. For example, I sought treatment and no longer have panic attacks, but I still have to be careful to manage my stress levels so that I don't get overwhelmed and let anxiety get a foothold.

I encourage you to get the help that you need, and get going with the things that you want and need to do:) You absolutely can attend college, and will do really well, I'm sure! There are people who battle anxiety in all walks of life from students to professionals...it is not something that has to hold you back...just something that needs to be managed;)

Be well and keep posting!
S.C.

I am really sorry that you had another attack  

I am not familiar with that medication...maybe someone else can advise you regarding that...but I do still recommend and endorse some form of therapy for long-term treatment of anxiety and panic!  Try to look into it if you can.

Take care,
S.C.

Hi Charli, and welcome back:)...thanks for updating us on your scan, I hope that your results will come back quickly, and that you are able to be calm while waiting for them (be sure and let us know once you find out.)

I am sorry that you are still having the anxiety attacks and depression. Were you able to look into therapy options to treat those conditions? I hope that you can, it will really make a difference to learn the tools that manage those feelings!

Did you start school this month? If so, how is it going? :)

Post back and let us know what else is going on with you...we will be here to listen and support!

Take care, and glad that you are back:)
S.C.

HEY THANKS sooo much for the replies.. i beeen sooo ill the past few days its horrid :( just wanna cry LOTS.. been the docs and hospital and beeen given lodsa different tabs and perscriptions.
I hav started to see a behavioural therapist hu is going to help me manage my attacks.
i HAD A REALLLY BAD attack the other day and had go hospital as i cudnt control it and had to have diazipam:( uuurrrgh
i am speakin to someone about past problems i dont seem to be worrying but im worrying about my head lately as i cnt stand sit lie down or even SLEEEEP its soo unfair i am sooo dizzy the docs says its vertigo... then migrane and then depresion.anxiety just wanna no what it is./ Im worred about taking anti depressants becus i dont wanna be on them :(
i feeel as thought im in a bubble and not really here its sooo weird.. i cnt stand up for long and my college is really being affected :( just wanna scream for help.
Its affecting my social life and family life as i cnt go out and do absaloutly ANYTHING has anyone else ever been like this :( waaaa im onli young pleaaaase advice for dizzyness guys :(
I BEEN given amitrptaline for depression but once agen im not depressed she sed this will help anxiety :/ hhmmm hope to hear from u guys soon... was soo nice ur reply s.c and kristin sooo sorry to hear about ur friend its one of the worst thing ya can ever have EVER :(
will be sure to keep u posted in the near future and my scan date is the 10th :) of october 12 days and counting !!! YAYYYY hopefully will get an answer :/ Take care everyone :) xxxx cud do with a nice chat :)