Having a bad time

I have been having a bad couple of days. I keep getting these wierd feelings in my head. I feel dizzy and almost like a numbing sensation in my head. I felt like I might pass out in the shower this morning and then again at work today while talking with a customer. Im really scared about it, it is like I go from one strange symptom to another. I am suppose to start celexa for anxiety and Im afraid to becuz Im already having these dizzy strange feelings. Could this be my anxiety  just coming out in a different way. I have GERD and recently starting taking 40mg of prilosec. Any advice is welcome.

 

I am really sorry to hear you are going through this. The nastiest part of anxiety is the vast array of ways it can express itself. I too suffer dizziness as a side affect of anxiety. I always seem to struggle with the question; which came first, the anxiety attacks or the dizziness? The truth is usually the anxiety, we just recognize the symptoms sometimes before the cause.

As Scaredy Cat pointed out, breathing exercises are amazing. The are my most powerful weapon against anxiety.

I understand being afraid to start a medication, my anxiety makes it hard for me to take over the counter stuff. But, this is a case where you need to trust in your doctor. There are risks, minor ones, and your doc knows them. They also know you and want you to be happy. Make sure you share your concerns with them, communication is really important, but at a point you have to realize your anxiety holds too much sway, and just have faith in your doctors orders.

When I had my first battle with anxiety I had no idea what I was up against. In a way I refused to believe all the things I was feeling were in my head, my psyche couldn't possibly be responsible for all the things I was feeling. I had so many unnecessary test done, and suffered so much from my own requests. It wasn't until I started taking a medication that worked did I realize that it was side affects from that hellish beast; anxiety. My friends, family, and doctor could see what the cloud of fear would not let me.

I am not a medical professional, nor am I saying my experience is the same as yours. It just seems that anxiety can keep us far from logic and I just wanted to share my experience being led astray. We, more than most, must trust in those around us.

Also, if your therapist isn't a good fit, try another. If they are a professional, they will understand. Sometimes you have to try more than one person to find the right fit. It took me a good 4 or 5 different therapists before I found one that I felt really understood and treated me the way I wanted to be treated. You are the most important person in this experience, so you need to be happy and comfortable. Talk to your therapist about it. In my humble opinion.

Hi there, I also had weird sensations in my head, kind of just like what you described. The very first time it happened I was having an anxiety attack. It was my first anxiety attack in a very long time and this symptom was completely different to what I had experienced before so it really freaked me out. It happened of its own accord the first time, but later, as I started to worry more about it, it could happen just by worrying if it was going to happen..if that makes any sense! I became over sensitive to any sensation around my head for a long time thereafter..sensations and feelings can appear out of the blue, but try to assess if you were feeling anxious just before the feelings appeared. There are so many different ways that anxiety can effect us it is bizarre! if you are sure that you are ok physically then try not to worry much about it, and remember that it will pass

So still getting the weird feelings in my head and an awful headache off and on. Maybe Im thinking about it too much. I took a half of xanax this morning and still feel (like a cat hanging from a curtain.) That is the best way to explain how I feel. Im shaky and nervous all day. I hate this feeling. There is alot of stress in my life right now and Im not sure how to get it under control. Wish I could just be normal, took my daughter to the beach today and I was looking around at people wondering does anyone feel like me. My head or stomach would hurt and I think oh God what if something happens to me here, will anyone get me help, who will take care of my daughter. It's so depressing and I watch the other people thinking they all look normal and in control and just enjoying a day at the beach.

I empathize. I've gone through bouts of so many symptoms, and it always ends up being chalked up to anxiety and panic. It can really mimic an insane slew of conditions. Everytime I think something is going wrong with me physically, the conclusion is almost always anxiety. As a sidenote, I've also recently started taking Prilosec for GERD. And if I'm not mistaken anxiety and panic can end up leading to the condition.

Try to take comfort in knowing anxiety/panic can create these types of feelings. In fact, lightheadedness and dizziness are two of the top symptoms of panic attacks. I've probably experienced the entire gamut of panic attack symptoms in my life, and it seems like the list is endless. It can truly have you convinced you are really sick, which in reality its panic/anxiety.

Feel better and know we support and understand. :)

Hello I am so sorry that you are having panic attacks. One never knows when one will hit you. I cant look up and turn the ceiling fan on, or like you in the shower. My ENT doctor ordered a scan of my brain. I had a bubble on the right side of my head in a vein. Was sent back later that day for an MRA for a closer look. Thats when they discovered lesions in both white and grey matter. The bubble was not considered dangerous and of course tests were sent to my neurologist. Still no answer why my neuropathy in my feet. I still have panic attacks when I get very upset. In one of many trips to ER a woman doctor started me on Valiam. I take it 3 times a day and dont have an attack unless I feel so stressed. I still cant look up with dizziness, and I shower sitting on s tall stool. If I am gone from home longer than I expected and am late on the valiam I start having the physical symptoms and could easily have major panic attack. I am just amazed how that med. controls how my body and mind can be helped so much by a tiny little pill......I would suggest you share how you feel when you look up and experience dizziness. I was lucky I had the brain scan so now doctor can watch any progress. . Im sorry for writing so much. I just wanted to share what the dizziness might be, and also see about taking valiam instead of zanax. Good luck and will check in and see how you are doing.......Cathy

Nikcin3,

I did go to private therapy, but there are good on-line, DVD programs and books available for self-guided CBT work.

In our Resources we have some links to Moodgym and E-couch...both are good. There are also the Linden Method and the Lucinda Bassett programs available through Amazin (DVD's) and of course there are a lot of books that you can check out from the library, or puchase.

I recommend doing whatever you can possibly afford...any of these options are helpful and going to benefit you.:)

Talk to you soon,

S.C.

That is interesting and very well could be it. Everyone if different and sensitive to different medications, so I am glad that you looked up possible side-effects!

Let us know how you are feeling after being off of it for awhile. If it turns out to be the Prilosec, then you will want to talk to your doctor about a possible alternative that will treat your gastro issues...but leave you symptom/anxiety free!

Keep us posted,

S.C.