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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 6/8/2016 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

So I was pretty bad a few months ago. I was put on Prozac, which made me a million times worse. I stopped after about 2 weeks and aroudn the same time had an endoscopy which showed reflux and esophogitis.

Once i got this Dx, i started to feel better. Went on meds for the reflux, and the lump and gagging in my throat went away. I stayed away from doctors for weeks.

All this time, I have been taking xanax pretty much daily. Also started therapy.

So i was going along doing ok. I decided to get the MRIs that my ortho ordered for me because of some shoulder pain (cervical spine and right shoulder). I had been putting it off, wanting to limit my going for tests.

So the MRI comes back and shows pretty basic stuff. But, there is this line: Small round foci of high T2 signal in C3 and C7 are nonspecific but probably benign such as atypical hemangiomas in this
age group.


yes, it literally says "probably benign" also this is the radiologist report, not from my doctor. But, i have had the worst head pressure over the last week, along with tingling left arm and hand. Over the last two days, my left thumb has started to twitch. So I am now super afraid that something neurological is going on.

I am seeing a neuro tomorrow morning. I was trying to hard to not give in to running to doctors with every little thing but again this is feeling overbearing. I feel a little like a failure.
Posted 6/8/2016 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
M.,

I am sure your follow up will show only good and manageable things.

Stay positive and keep up the great work of reaching your health goals...body and mind.

Keep us updated and know we are here in support!

S.C.
Posted 6/8/2016 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
If something were seriously wrong, they would indicate that. We'll never know why some doctor's use choice verbiage like that, but I am confident all is a-okay, and you will have some relief for your shoulder pain!

When I had my first pap smear, it came back "slightly abnormal." My doctor wrote "possible dysplasia, possible Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion." WHAT?! I freaked out. Cried. But when I met with him the next time he just said "unless it comes from my mouth directly, ignore every single note that's written." It turned out that everything was just fine :).
Posted 6/9/2016 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I agree with Blu if there was something wrong they would indicate that to you I have got a few Lipoma's which are all benign.

Double up on your coping skills to help with the anxiety.

Hibee
Posted 6/9/2016 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
The hemangionas are quite common in that area and yes most of the time benign. I know when my anxiety and panic flares up that I get neurological type symptoms to especially the head pressure. So keep trying to use your coping skills and know that everything will be ok
Posted 6/12/2016 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
So i saw my ortho. He thinks bulging discs in my neck are causing or at least contributing to the tingling in my arm and thumb twitches.

The head pressure is still persisting. It's been almost a week.

I actually cancelled the neuro appt because I calmed down and didn't want to start the circle of seeing docs up again. Hope on made the right move there. The pressure is really bothering me.
Posted 6/12/2016 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
M.,

Sounds like you are getting the answers you need...and will be able to come up with a management plan that works to relieve your symptoms! This is great news. :)

I think your decision to cancel your appointment with the neurologist is a step towards your recovery! If your regular doctor has given you a clean bill of health, and did not see a reason for you to pursue things with a specialist...then this is a pivotal part of your dealing with the health anxiety...well done!

(I deal with the head pressure symptom as well...it comes and goes)

Thanks for the update...and keep up the great work!

S.C.
Posted 6/28/2016 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
hi again.

So the head pressure got al ittle better, but has been coming back with a vengeance the last few days. I took antibiotics and all that. didn't do anything. Last week it got to the point where I was really getting into a depression because of it. Crying a lot, feeling like it's just never going to end.

I haven't gone back to my doctor over it. I have seen my therapist, and am once again seeing a psychiatrist either tomorrow or friday ( i actually made appts. with 2 different ones. not sure if im going to go to tomorrow or friday. or both. i dont know). My therapist has also recommended i see a nutritionist, which I am warming up to.

I have been going through some intrusive thought issues over the last few weeks too, but it all started with the headaches then slowly devolved into a bigger issue. still kind of stuck as to how to believe that these annoying pressure headaches are not something serious when they so mess with my quality of life.

One theory that I have is that I'm dependent on Xanax. Been taking it or Ativan pretty consistently since last October. Not large amounts or anything (.5 a day, .25 at a time, TOPS .75), but daily. I think I am starting to notice that the headaches come on at intervals, and that it could possibly be that they are coming on as the xanax is leaving my system from my last dose. Or I could be making all that up. Who knows anymore? That's why I am seeing a psychiatrist who has some speciality in addiction as well.

Anyway I guess I'm just updating to vent and see if there are any opinions out there.

thanks for listening.
Posted 6/28/2016 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi M.,

Sorry to hear about the returning head pressure. ..frustrating and no fun, I know. :(

However, I am glad to hear of your upcoming appointment. ..and am certain you will get some good direction and answers needed for you to move fowl and feel your best.

Please let us know how it goes...and let us keep you in support.:)

S.C.
Posted 6/28/2016 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Head pressure, I am pretty sure, is because of the stress you were doing over your dxs. It's very common.

Your Doctor would be alarmed if if was something suspicious.
Radiologists are writing those "small notes" to the drs and these are not final dx. These are just the things they interpret on the scans.

That one radiologist wrote "nephrocalsinosis?" on the report and was immediately dismissed by my dr since my kidney functions are over 100%. The thing he saw was actually a birth defect in my kidneys -later revealed by an ob/gyn on ultrasound- which makes kidney's inner shape look different and cloudy.
So, radiologists just note things down.

But be sure to discuss the report with neurologist, you will feel relieved.
Please keep us updated! <3 Good luck!
Posted 6/28/2016 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Don't your mind play tricks on you, try coping skills when you start to feel weird. I'm pretty sure your doctor will tell you it's nothing and you will see your symptoms disappear. Don't underestimate the power of your mind, I did many many times and it isn't a fun experience.
Posted 7/2/2016 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again.

So I saw two different psychs. Well, the first one they did the old switcheroo and I saw a nurse practicioner who had her head in her laptop the whole time. Gave me a pee test and said come back in a month.

Second one was great. Listened to me, seemed to actually be attempting a diagnosis. He landed on anxiety and OCD as primary issue. Since I don't have like big panic Attacks and more sustained worry he suspects OCD is the largest element. This makes sense to me. So he prescribed Luvox which apparently is gold standard for OCD. I started today. I'm optimistic, but nauseous. Really hate starting up new Meds but I'm gonna try to stick it out. Here's to hoping.
Posted 7/3/2016 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
M.,

Well, I say go with the second guy, LOL! ;p

Just kidding...of course you have, and I am so glad you had a second choice!! Sounds like you are on your way to getting to where you want and need to be.

Sorry you are not feeling the best with the nausea...

...this will pass with time...hang in there.

We are here to cheer you on, so keep us updated with your start up and progress.

High fives!

S.C.
Posted 7/3/2016 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot S.C. I am going to stay positive. I made a small error this morning and got a little too far into reading about side effects from Luvox but I am just gonna take it and forget it. If I feel bad I'll deal with it. Gotta stop the cycle.
Posted 7/3/2016 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Remember if you were reading user reviews...they are going to be tipped in the negative direction...because people just tend to write about a tough experience over a good one!

So for every negative review... there are plenty of positive ones that go unreported!

S.C.
Posted 7/4/2016 11:30 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah I know. I try now to just google "Luvox success stories" if anything. There are actually a lot more positive than there are negative so that's good. I just can't stand the start up period. Day 3 and feeling blah but gonna stick it out.
Posted 7/5/2016 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Good job...keep up the efforts, and hopefully you are going to have a med that performs really well for you!

Fingers crossed, and sending encouragement.:)

S.C.
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