What's happening to me?

Hi everyone.

I just need to vent a little. I have OCD (repetitive thoughts, ticks) and panic attacks (rare). Ten months ago I had a bad fall on my head. I slipped on my tile floor after swimming in the pool. Ever since then I've been having gradual problems that no one can explain and I'm beginning to wonder whether or not they are indeed physical or just mental in my head - as in the fall made my OCD/panic disorder worse.

Following my fall, I began complaining about a lumpy feeling in my throat. A week after that I had a panic attack in which the left side of my throat felt like it exploded. I have become extremely sensitive to smells like smoke, perfume, etc..., they cause instant anxiety/panic in my head. I am also unable to lift anything remotely heavy (ex: small bottle of water) without tension going into the left side of my neck and into my head which causes pressure. When that happens, I have to nod my head continuously until it stops.

These are all very physical and have been getting worse for the last ten months. They happen randomly in public, when I'm alone, etc.... I've had an MRI of my brain, CT scan, an ECHO, electro reading of my heart.

I only take 1 medication for my blood pressure called Bisoprolol Fumarate. I started taking it after I fell when the doctor said my old stuff (Maxide) wasn't working. I'm not sure if it's a cause of any of this, I'm just throwing that out there.

It's gotten to the point where I can hardly teach my classes anymore. I constantly have to put pressure on my throat (left side) when I feel pressure there... it helps somewhat. I have an appointment a neurologist tomorrow. I'm hoping to get an EEG.

With all of the above tests done, nothing unusual has been found. People keep asking me if I'm just panicking, having a midlife crisis, is it my OCD, etc.... I'm emphatic that it's not. I know what panicking (mentally) feels like for me. I live in my body and what I'm feeling is either real or a super-hyped morphed anxiety that I've never had before.

You're thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting desperate for answers.

Thanks.

- Jesse

I'm so sorry you're experiencing so many horrible physical symptoms right now. I think it is definitely worth it to get the EEG in order to rule everything out.

You mentioned that you take the Bisoprolol Fumarate, which is the only medication you take for blood pressure. Are you on any medications besides the Bisoprolol Fumarate, and have you talked to your doctor about your symptoms being possible side effects of this medication? (Just so you know, I know nothing about this medication and I am definitely not a doctor.)

It's also possible that if you're on other meds besides Bisoprolol Fumarate that there's a drug interaction going on or that it's a side effect of a different medication you are on.

I've also heard about anxiety getting worse after a serious illness or injury, so it's possible that it's that. It might be worth it to talk to a psychiatrist or therapist in order to figure out how to deal with these new symptoms.

I hope you feel better and that 2013 is a better year for you.

Av

Thanks for the support and recommendations. I'm trying to remain calm when the symptoms come, deep breathing helps sometimes. The support is nice.