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Panic attack and numbness in my hand

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Posted 11/15/2014 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
I am only 14 years old and just over two months ago i had my first panic attack. A blood test was taken and they said it is just anxiety. But a while after, i started having a weird numb feeling in my left arm. A brain scan was taken and everything seemed fine. But now on top of this numb feeling that comes unexpectedly, i had shooting pains in my right temple, and tired eyes, and i get these weird tension headaches as well where it feels as if there is something pushing on my head. I also feel like i have a fever. My grandpa died of brain tumours and i am so scared that because it runs in the family, i will have them too! I am scared of being around many electronic devices because i think that is a major cause of this, and days ago i was at a concert and i started worrying so much. But since these have been going on and off my anxiety started getting better. But today I woke up in the middle of the night with a COMPLETE NUMBNESS in my left hand!!! I don't know what to do!!! This is definitely more than mere anxiety!?I think "the brain scan was taken almost 1, 2 months ago, could something have happened since then or not??"
Posted 11/15/2014 6:50 AM (GMT 0)
Dearest Worrynob,
I wish I could sit with you and just be there for you and give you some hugs and maybe let you cry if you felt like it. Believe it or not...anxiety CAN CAUSE all the symptoms you have described... I think you should visit with your doctor and tell him/her all of the things (actually write down a list so you don't forget and then fret about it later) because it will RELIEVE YOUR MIND just going through the act of TALKING to him or her.
I, in my own opinion, do NOT BELIEVE in 'inheriting things' like you described... We are subjected to SO MUCH fear on the media that it is a wonder we feel 'normal' at all! :)
Are you talking with a therapist? I think you would benefit to be able to talk this all out with some objective person who will not criticize you for anything you would want to say. I hope you will consider this.
Please take good care now....maybe ask your doctor about a therapist when you go to see him, which I hope will be soon...just for your own sake...Please. Please do this.
Sending love and understanding,
Bettsann
Posted 11/15/2014 6:58 AM (GMT 0)
Panic attacks and anxiety cause strange sensations in your arms. Tingling and numbness included. It sounds like you're also having migraines. Does the numbness come right before the pains start? Or during the painful episodes? I have migraines with auras and that sounds like what you're describing. Are the tension headaches behind yours eyes and/or in your temples? Maybe one or both sides? People oftentimes confuse what they think are tension headaches with what are actually migraine headaches.

I know we always advise against this but look up "migraine phases" and I think you'll find the answer to what's been happening to you. Also meet with your doctor and tell him about the headaches because he May be able to help with pain management.

Your complete numbers was probably caused by sleeping on your arm wrong. Happens all the time to many of us :) happened to me last night!

You'll be alright sweetie, nothing sounds out of the ordinary to me.

I just posted a thread on the forum "migraine with aura questions" if you want to chat more and see similar experiences there :)
Posted 11/15/2014 8:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much to both of you! Yes, i am seeing a physiotherapist and a psychologist every once in a while. Everyone says I am "too young" to have tumours but I have read a book "the fault in our stars" about people who have exactly that and are just a bit older than me! I am trying to distance myself from those sort of books or tv shows about "medicine" because the more I know, the more I worry. My left arm also feels really weak. My headaches are weird, they are sometimes in my temples, or sometimes i get shooting pains behind my ears, sometimes it lasts a while, sometimes it's quick. I can't help thinking that there is a tumour growing. Also, sometimes I get complete numbness only in two fingers (the pinkie and the one next to it) and this happens often when I wake up.
Posted 11/15/2014 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Worrynob,
The numbness in those two fingers, I really get quite often. Years ago, I visited a neurologist for that issue alone, and he told me that this is very common and usually happens because of bad posture/bad sleeping habits. It is nothing serious, but I know it creates anxiety.

I hope you feel better soon <3 Please keep posting and let us know how you feel.
So we can give as much support as we can. Hug
Posted 11/15/2014 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have gotten that numbness too in my left pinky and ring finger because I lean on my elbow a lot. It's called "cubital tunnel syndrome". It's not a big deal it's similar to carpal tunnel syndrome which causes numbness in the thumb, pointer and middle. I have this is my right hand.. Definitely not related to the brain. At first I was freaked out but now I feel better knowing its specific to my arms. It's worst upon waking up from sleep.

These past few months my health anxiety has been severe. It causes you to be hyper vigilant and notice every little pain in your body. My arms ached, felt weak, my whole body hurt all the time. I got a lot of headaches.

You'll be amazed how different you feel when anxiety is absent. Anxiety can cause so many bodily sensations it's crazy. Anxiety makes me feel like I'm dying. Im not. I'm healthy.

You're healthy too. The Fault In Our Stars is the great exception to tbe rule. But do ask about your headaches for peace of mind. They do not sound tumor related to me though.
Posted 11/15/2014 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 34 and read the same book and it stresses me out not only for myself, but my little boy. We should really avoid that stuff!! Panic and anxiety can cause muscle tension, which can also cause nerves to get pinched, which can also cause tingling sensations in multiple areas of the body. Try not to panic. If you had a scan two months ago, you have nothing to worry about!
Posted 11/15/2014 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
It's weird because sometimes I feel normal and suddenly I get the symptoms without even being anxious beforehand.
Rrakkma, AJG25 and Park12 and Bettsann: thank you! I really appreciate your support; I am just so scared of being sick, I really want to be one of those people who lives long and really makes a difference in this world...
My family tells me that tumours take years to develop... Is this true? I hope it's true, and not white lies.
I want to know that I have at least that much more time to not worry, thank you <3
Posted 11/15/2014 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think any of us are qualified to say how tumors develop, but if you have questions it may not be a bad idea to call your doctor and ask the questions that are on your mind. In my non-medical opinion, if you just had a scan two months ago, the chances of there now being a tumor are slim to NONE! :-)
Posted 11/15/2014 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much! :) God bless you all. For helping me through a hard time <3
I hope that's true! Do you think that having my electronic devices nearby is dangerous? I am scared of being in big crowds such as concerts because some say it is dangerous, but I don't know..
Posted 11/15/2014 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi WN

I know how scared you are about this currently...

Symptoms vary...but yes, I have heard all of what you describe many times before...

What is important is shifting your focus away from your symptoms...and toward your recovery.

Two things you know for sure, right?

1) You have been given a clean bill of health from your doctor...yeah! Embrace that truth!

2) You have anxiety. This causes symptoms, and health worries...adding to the symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

These can compliment and reinforce what you are learning through therapy. It takes some effort to go through all of them...there are several modules to cover in one of the links...and the suggested exercises will need to be practice regularly...but it will be well worth it!

Health Anxiety - A Self Help Guide:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hypochondria/pages/introduction.aspx

Helping health Anxiety
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?info_id=53

Health Anxiety- The Super Scanner
http://www.get.gg/docs/superscanner

Help break the cycle by doing the work in those links! smile

...as far as concerts? They are not dangerous per say...but for some people may increas anxiety due to the crowds and hyper-stimulation.

Please take the time to try the coping skills I have suggested. They will help.
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