HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Anxiety or ?

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/11/2015 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
I had a chest pain with dizziness episode about 4 weeks ago. My husband was concerned and called for ambulance. I had already been seen by a cardiologist because of having episodes of feeling faint and dizzy. They said everything was good at ER and I was released within hours. I had several more tests ran by cardiologist and the only thing they discovered was I failed my tilt table test but I cannot recall what the medical term is. It's basically where I feel faint under stress or pressure. My symptoms are far beyond that diagnosis and my cardiologist told me I'm having anxiety. My Pcp said same and prescribed me Prozac. I've been takin it for almost a month. It's 10 mg. I went to the ER again about 3 weeks ago because I felt so dizzy, off balance, and muscle spasm in my leg and felt like I pulled a muscle. They did a CT scan with dye of my chest to check for blood clots and short 10 minute MRI of my head. They said everything looked good and he gave me a script for Xanax. I'm going to ENT next week to have ears checked to make sure it's not causing dizziness. When I say dizziness I mean the feeling of being on a boat 24/7.

I have tingling feeling on my head all day and throbbing in my head. The strange feelings in my head occur in different places and sometimes I have numbness and tingling at base of my neck. Tingling in my arms and nausea on and off all day, especially after I eat.

My symptoms start within 20 mins of waking and last until I go to sleep. Is it realistic to have symptoms of anxiety 24/7? Is there any relief from this if it is anxiety and does it ever get better?
Posted 7/11/2015 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi SF and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of your recent symptoms...I understand how scary and confusing this can be...not fun.;(

Was your diagnosis from the tilt test orthostatic hypotension?(drop in blood pressure upon standing)

If so, you very well could be experiencing your symptoms in combination with anxiety...and yes, this could account for you feeling dizzy much of the time.

It sounds like you have had enough tests as to rule out other conditions that could be the cause...

...and add to that, two doctors both giving you the same anxiety dx...and I would say you have your answer, and should focus your energy on anxiety management.

Are you currently looking into a treatment program? If not, let me know if you need recommendations for how to get started.:)  This could be as simple as asking your doctor about your options!  Medication and/or theray...as well as self help can all be considered.


There is help and hope...be encouraged!  Check out our Resoursces here at the top of the main page, and keep posting for support!

Talk soon,


S.C.

Posted 7/11/2015 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Heya. Seems pretty high on the scale of anxiety. Welcome to the forum. I understand you feel all lost and confused. I did when i first found out. Please slowly accept the problem and with coping skills it is manageable. Do not let it worry you too much as it might become some other form of anxiety. Again, anxiety is something like a miswiring of our brain chemicals. If i had to put it, it's like the exhaust fumes of a car being relayed back to the engine and causing it to heat up faster. As for your question on does it get better, i'd say yes. Understanding yourself, physically and mentally is key. Also, talking about it really does wonders. You have come to the right place. Do not worry. Rest, meditate and maybe make some lifestyle changes. It's all good. Oh and about it being 24/7, it will get better over time as you cope better.
Posted 7/11/2015 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear you are having all these symptoms at the moment.

Anxiety can cause all sorts of symptoms including the ones you mentioned and as SC said you have had two doctors giving you an anxiety diagnosis so I also feel this is what is causing your symptoms.

The good news is lots can be done to help with anxiety such as taking medication which I already see you are taking Prozac 10mg. 10mg is a low dose so may be worthwhile speaking with your doctor about increasing I am on Prozac and know that it works better on anxiety at a higher dose say 40mg-60mg I am on 60mg. When you are at the doctor speak to them about talking therapy such as CBT or Mindfulness as these both get brilliant results when treating anxiety.

In the meantime have a look at our resources thread for some useful links to self help guides and keep posting here we are here for you.

Hibee
Posted 7/11/2015 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
Check for gluten intolerance, since you get nausea after eating.
Best.S
Posted 7/11/2015 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your quick reponse. It helps to talk with those feeling the same things. I find myself not talking to my husband about this and i pretend that everythings ok so people don't start thinking i'm losing it. I have a very demanding job and my husband and i work opposite hours during the week so i'm left at home with 4 little's by myself. I find myself starting to panick when my husband starts back to his work schedule each week because i'm alone with the kids and i'm afraid of having a panic attack or passing out when no one's there. I try not to stress anyone out by telling them how i feel in my family so i just deal with it, which is making me have anxiety 24 hrs a day, everyday. It helps to vent here. Thanks for listening.

The medical term for what i was diagnosed with at the cardiologist is vasovagal syncope or neurocardiogenic syncope. I guess it just means that my blood pressure gets low at times because it has a hard time pumping blood to my brain fast enough and makes me feel faint, etc. He told me it can easily be controlled by drinking 3-4 gatorades a day for the sodium content. The sodium will keep my blood pressure up so the blood doesn't pool towards my legs, etc. It seems very minor and is not life threatening. But, from what i've read, this diagnosis is brought on by stress and stress triggers the faintness, etc. I really think I started having the panic attacks and anxiety symptoms and this issue was just stumbled upon in trying to figure out whats wrong.

I've wondered about the mg's on prozac. My doc said that was her favorite and safest prescrip to start out using but i don't think it's doing anything at all to help my symptoms. Interestingly enough, this prescrip is recommended for the vasovagal syncope issue also and is often prescribed to treat it. I need to go back and have her increase the dosage.

Posted 7/11/2015 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Stressfree, You've already received excellent advice that I agree with, so I just wanted to stop by and say Welcome!!

Keep posting with us and we will walk this journey with you. You are now apart of our family!
Posted 7/11/2015 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Just wondering if you are on any statins?  I was on Lipitor and had to stop due to symptoms like yours also I'm taking Prozac.
Posted 7/11/2015 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
No, i'm not taking any other meds beside the prozac and a script for xanax that i've only used once so far. I'm terrible about taking meds because i don't like to feel any different while taking them. I can't win for losing :(.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply