Anxiety or something else!!??

Sorry so long!

So I am trying to figure out what is going on and have seen my doctor multiple times since July. It all with having bouts of being severely lightheaded and not feeling well. Also, my HR has increased, have had palpitations and started losing weight. My doctor ran some tests and said it was just anxiety and panic attacks. I have had moderate anxiety my whole life, but never an attack and I am now 30. I did go through a move with my family across the country, but it went pretty smoothly and I didn't feel very stressed out.

A month later I had lower right rib pain that did not go away after 2 weeks and I went to the doctors. She ran blood work and had an ultrasound done on my gallbladder. My blood work came up with high band cells and had to visit a hematologist/oncologist. Now that really caused severe anxiety for me. Before I saw that specialist my weight dropped from 125 to 117. I felt very unwell and fatigued at that time. I haven't weighed that little for over 15 years. It was scary. I am always around 130. I saw the specialist and he wasn't concerned. I also had an ct scan of my abdomen and was fine.

The thing that concerns me is that I have had widespread pain since I lost all that weight. All my joints are cracking all the time. Just movement in the car makes my neck and back crack. My back muscles have been tight since July and I have spasms all the time now. I have had a pinched nerves in my neck and nothing is helping. My joints ache around my body and my arm and fingers have felt like they have fallen asleep on and off. My doctor said it was normal and from the pinched nerve. I have tender spots on my head. My muscles are especially tight where the aching joint is.

I have been to a chiropractor and she has helped a little. My doctor has run arthritic tests, lyme test and an ANA and they are all negative. She refuses to check my vitamin levels. She chalks it all up to anxiety. She seems to not refer me anywhere else unless a test comes up positive. I have seen a GI doctor and thngs checked out there. He told me I should see a rheumatologist. It is frustrating! Just not sure if anxiety over a long time can do this or I brought out an autoimmune problem with the bought of stress.

Hi Jrayh and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of the health concerns/anxiety you have been through lately. It is scary and confusing to experience so many symptoms and not be able to pin down the cause.

The good news is that all of your tests. ..with the exception of the one with a high count. (what kind? your post reads bands cells...I am guessing that's a typo?)

However, a specialist has given you the all clear as far as a.physical health concern...

...so now perhaps it is time to try treating this as an anxiety issue...and see if you get relief from your symptoms.

What if anything have you tried thus far? Has your doctor suggested meds or therapy?

Seeing how you respond to treatment for anxiety may be the next logical step.

if you have success (with time) then you have found the answers you need...

...if not, then you can continue to pursue things in the medical direction.

For coping skills you can get started on right away, please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page. These can help lower your overall anxiety levels.

Post with us anytime for anxiety support, and keep us updated on your progress, okay?

Scaredy Cat

Yes, I was guessing the high count was a WBC, due to a passing virus/infection...(I was not familiar with the term band cells, sorry for the confusion.)

Okay...sounds like you have some experience with anxiety in the past...

...and with the current panic disorder symptoms...I think you will do well to pursue anxiety/panic treatment.

Anxiety can and does have a profound effect on us physical...and can manifest in different ways over time.

So although you have never felt this way previously, it is not unusual for symptoms to morph or increase at any point.

Setting up more therapy with the psychologist and getting started on some self help from our Resources should be a beneficial move for you.

Keep posting.:)

S.C.

Thanks for the responses again! Tickbit2013, I have thought about getting the testing done through igenex just for piece of mind. I had traveled from the west coast to the midwest and down south in June. We stayed in some not so great hotels that were pet friendly and who knows what could be lurking there. I also had picked off a tick off of my dog in April. That was is WA state, so I know there is a tick population there. I have a friend who has been on the east and west coast with the National Forests and said lyme is definitely present on the west coast and suggested I be tested again. We also spent time in Ohio where I know there has been confirmed lyme cases in the county where I was. My question if it could be lyme, could my symptoms come and go and not be debilitating? I have never had health issues my whole life and never went to the doctor unless I had strep. All of these things are out of nowhere. Not knowing what is going on I feel like is the main culprit of my anxiety for the past 3 months.