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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 5/28/2013 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. This is a bit long but I need help. 3.5 weeks ago I was congested with pain in right eye and prescribed amoxicillin with another ingredient in it along with nasal spray and Claritin for what i was told was a sinus infection. Prior to going to the doctor I was already taking alka seltzer plus, Tylenol cold and DayQuil along with amoxicillin due to a fever I had one day. I have always been a worrier especially when it comes to my health. The doctor made mention of my thyroid which I had no knowledge of and told me to read up on it and return after the infection was over for blood work. Well that was a big mistake. I proceeded to read for 2 days straight and was in a frenzy scaring myself to pieces. On the 3rd day I started to experience what I believe to be lightheadedness. (No spinning) this continued for a week. The lightheadedness has subsided a little but is not fully gone. I would get an occasional headache but took Motrin and it went away. I literally cannot stop searching the web and everyday I feel something. I have taken at least 12 different medications at some point or another in 4 weeks some containing similar ingredients. For the last 5 days I have a headache that never goes. Motrin, naproxen, Tylenol, excedrin eases it but it comes back. It starts mild in the morning but progresses through the day. I have been to the doctor 3 times. Is it possible that all these medications are giving me an adverse reaction? I'm so scared that it might be a brain tumor. The pain is in the back of my head, sometimes forehead and right eye. I have occasional ear discomfort. I also have great pain in my neck and shoulder blades. I have also had heart palpitations, chest pain and tightness. i spend nearly everyday dwelling on what-ifs. i find myself sweating alot especially in my head and neck area.What makes it worse is that I continue to google everything further scaring myself. All my bloodwork iis normal as per my doctor. I visited an ENT who stated other than a little redness in my right ear, everything was normal. I had my eyes checked which as per the specialist stated I had a little redness and gave me drops. They took pictures of the back of my eyes and said that I must return for a glaucoma exam due to family history. I have an appointment with the cardiologist June 5. I'm scheduled to see the neurologist tomorrow. Sorry for the long story but please offer any insight. Is this truly anxiety or is it worse?
Posted 5/28/2013 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
I saw that you mentioned several specialists in your post. Is this care being coordinated through a primary care provider? Or are you scheduling directly with the specialists? Sometimes, it's best if a medical professional is looking at all of your results together, so that they can look at the "big picture."

Have you ever talked to a doctor about the possibility of having issues with anxiety?
Posted 5/28/2013 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Yes. My doctor has been referring me. He also gave me a referral for a therapist as he believes this is all contributed to anxiety. I believe what scares me the most is this headache for the last 5 days. Before that I was feeling a bit better. I'm freaking out over this. I feel so restricted.
Posted 5/28/2013 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
I went through something similar with an ent. I did have a sinus infection and I started having trouble swallowing after I was done with medicine then they prescribed me a steroid and after that was done I still couldn't swallow well. I was convinced I had throat cancer or something but I didn't. I also was having chest pains from searching the web. I called and made an appointment with the cardiologist and I did every possible test they can do and I was normal . He recommended I go see someone for
Stress. He said I was to young (I'm 21) to be that stressed . I sill fight the fear of death and believing I have something. I try to just keep reminding
Myself
It's more
Likely mind over matter. I have gone to a therapist for 3 sessions and its already helping. I now only have like 5-7 panic attacks a week compared to probably 30 a week. There not as severe either. I try my hardest not to look stuff at night Espicially I know that's had but that's what I suggest. I know it will get better because I've lived through it. I would ask your doctor to recommend someone I think it would help.
Posted 5/28/2013 4:03 AM (GMT 0)
I believe that's my biggest problem. I continue to read and google each symptom I feel. Now that I have this daily headache for 5 days that doesn't respond to OTC medication, all I think is brain tumor. I have an appointment with a therapist this week.
Posted 5/28/2013 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
Firstly, I'm sorry to hear how stressed out you are!

I can definitely understand. My husband has been dealing with anxiety for years. I've apparently been in denial of it for quite some time. ;)

It's amazing how extreme the symptoms of anxiety can be. I thought I was having heart trouble. I went into the doctor sure that I'd be sent to the hospital. My husband was diagnosed with anxiety after we went to the ER sure that HE was having a heart attack. My point is, the symptoms of anxiety can be frightening and everyone here understands. Know that you are not alone.

Keep in mind that I have no more medical expertise than you, but I would advise continuing to let your PCP work on diagnosis. Try to go see that therapist and see if it is anxiety. Resist looking up symptoms online, if you possibly can. That just makes the worry so much worse. Try and trust that your care providers are doing the investigating for you - it sounds like they're being very thorough.

I've had some pretty extreme headaches from anxiety. I just commented on another post that I had taken so much Excedrin at one time that I started bruising all over and I couldn't understand why it wouldn't help. I guess it didn't help because the headache was from anxiety. The anxiety needed treatment, not the headache.

Welcome to the group. I've only been here a couple of days myself, but there are some very wise folks here. I'm not one of them! haha BUT, I do understand. I'll be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. :)
Posted 5/28/2013 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Wow! I took so long responding several more comments had been made before I finished. lol
Posted 5/28/2013 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah. I believe the whole headache thing has me the most afraid. It doesn't help that I have mixed so much medication.
Posted 5/28/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi WWiRW and welcome.

I am sorry to hear that you are going through so much at the moment.

I am glad to hear that you are getting everything checked out medically, as this is the first step that one should take.

However, you will most likely find that a lot of your symptoms are due to anxiety, made worse by the gooogle searching, which can end up downright frigtening! (we have all been there, done that.)

Instead of symptome searching (which we all have taken an oath not to do anymore!) why not put your energy towards checking out our Resource Guide here and trying some of the self-help ideas there?

You will find the Resources on the main page here, 1st post. Give the breathing and relaxation exercises a try, everyday for a week and see if you note any improvement.

Meanwhile, you can ask your doctor about a therapy referral to help you to deal with the anxiety. It sounds as if you could benefit from CBT, which is a highly effective method of treating health anxiety and similar worries.

Until then, keep posting and trying to keep the focus off of the 'what if' thoughts of what might be going on. You will find out soon enough, and you are doing all that you can to manage the issue...including coming here for support...so feel good about taking these positive steps!

It is going to be allright. Keep us updated, and we will be here to help you along this journey.:)

Scaredy Cat
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