A month of Dizziness, Lightheadedness, and Anxiety

Mental health
1

Hey Guys. 

I'm posting here because I'm a bit lost and worried. 

About a month ago I had 2 pretty severe Panic Attacks. I used to have them a lot when I was younger but learned to cope with them and I seemed to grow out of them. I've always have anxiety issues but once again as I got older the better I would cope with them. 

After the panic attacks I started getting these spells of Dizziness and being a bit distanced. After doing some research it seems Brain Fog is what best describes my issues. Feeling like I'm out of touch with reality, dizzy, lightheadedness, panic-ey, and lately I've had a loss of appetite, I can feel that I'm hungry but the thought of eating doesn't sit right (could be from the stress) Sometimes it feels like my hands are a bit fumbly but I play video games fine and type at a very fast speed just fine. I also gave myself a Gait and Rhomberg coordination test to make sure something wasn't wrong which I did fine with. (read how to online) 

The symptoms come and go but they are present more than not.

 I finally got so worried I went to the ER. They gave me an EKG which the doctor said I didn't really even need to take. After waiting a few hours for the doctor he told me I had anxiety issues and something called Respritory Alkalosis caused by anxiety, Respritory alkalosis is caused from me breathing short and fast which deprives my blood levels of carbon dioxide and messes with the PH levels in my blood and is the casue of my dizzyness, lightheadedness, and small muscle tremors/tingles. He said I could breath into a paper bag to raise the levels in my blood but that doesn't seem to do much for me.

I make music and played a show last weekend and felt totally fine all night (expect for a few mini spells of slight dizzyness) but as soon as I got home I felt weird and out of sorts again. I usually feel okay if I keep busy or am doing something I like or hanging with friends. 

My worry is he did no testing to make sure this was my issue and blew me off like I was compeltely fine. 

I'm still experiancing these issues on a daily basis and the panic is the worst part. My brain is worrying me that I have some terminal issue and it's really getting to me. I have a Dr. appointment on Jan 3rd at a Primary Care physician but I'm worried something is wrong and I need to get it fixed sooner. 

My biggest questions are: Are any of these symptoms worrying for a terminal issue? 

Should I go back to the ER or wait until my Dr Appointment? 

Everyone is telling me this is Anxiety but the panic is really getting to me and the Dr. blowing it all off didn't help and wasn't nearly as reassuring as I wanted him to be. 

Everything I've read online says don't listen to your anxiety and listen to the Dr. but he could be wrong... and that's what's freaking me out. 

Some insight would be awesome. 

2

First, I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I've been an anxiety sufferer for 20 years and know how awful it can be. I am currently in the process of figuring out some potentially scary health stuff and my anxiety is horrible.

To me this sounds like very classic anxiety. Just the fact that there are times when you feel better (playing a show with minimal symptoms, hanging with friends and feeling a bit better) points to anxiety. A terminal issue would almost certainly not come and go with varying degrees of discomfort. "What if" thinking is also a sign of panic and anxiety and can make symptoms seem more acute and uncomfrotable (what if Dr. missed somehting, what if these feeling don't go away".

I hope your appointment ("only" 10 days from now) will give you some comfort and your PCP is able to offer some help and reassurence.

Until then be gentle with yourself. This stuff sucks and it's draining and you are doing the best you can.

3

Hi It could be due to anxiety but the best way to find out is to ask for an ecg and thythym strip or aa holter test to check your heart rate over 24 to 48 hours as your signs and symptoms could be due to a cardiac arrhythmia that can be easily treated. I do not wish to alarm you but you asked for some insight into this, I am a trained nurse.

 

4

Hi ImAnon,

I can completely relate to all of your symptoms, and your health anxiety that feels completely perpetuated every new symptom bringing more anxiety! It's a viscious circle I feel! I too had doubts that it was just anxiety causing all my problems, docs said it, parents, friends, hospital after having panic attacks and being hooked up to ECG machines! But my Blood tests came back clear...It's so hard to believe that your body can have such strong physical problems, from a perpetual way of thinking.

I've been feeling lightheaded, trembling, palpitations, dry mouth, can't sleep properly, tingles and pins needles in hands, chest pains, even had my whole right leg go numb!?!!

I've of course, then get myself all worked up, thinking I'm diabetic, have some killer disease, think I'm gonna need leg amputated, heart attack, you name it, I've thought I've had it! So again went back to the docs and just had a break down. Telling them how overwhelmed I am with this constant health fear, the worse I feel the worse my anxiety gets and the doc decided to prescribe me some Sertraline medication.

I'm only on day 4 now but I have seen small improvements. I hated starting it, as the stigma with pills isn't something I ever wanted to be involved in, but I'm so fed up of my mind causing me such physical discomfort I'm ready to try anything if it helps me gain some control of my thoughts.

Reassurance from me, or others on here will help temporarily but come tomorrow or another day and you'll get a spell of a symptom and you'll be back thinking the worst, I know I was like that anyway.

Just please take comfort in knowing so many including me are going through the same or different symptoms of anxiety, as that is 99% what this all is, try to take control of your thoughts and if you find keeping busy helps take your focus off things then do more like that!

I won one of those stupid metal puzzles in a cracker yesterday where you have to get out the hoop from the puzzle, it took me hours but i swear the whole time I was trying to get that loop off I didn't have one symptom!

Have a lovely Xmas and try relax!

5

Hey there! I've been dealing with GAD and health anxiety for months now and I can assure you this is just your anxiety as I've experienced each and every symptom anxiety can cause and each time I'd get so freaked out until I finally realise it's all due to anxiety. It's a vicious circle and can be really exhausting to you and your body. The past days I've been having the same. I went out with a friend and was feeling dizzy/lightheaded and weak, as if my legs didn't want me to walk. I seriously felt like I was gonna faint multiple times and I was freaking out that I had something really bad with my health. When I came back home I still felt it and even had a little bit of fever (37.0 C which is no fever but I bet it was caused by anxiety) at night I felt better and more calm. I assure you it's just anxiety. As for the tingling and numbness, I had that in my head and my hands. Best of luck,you're not alone and I wish you to get out of this horrific state soon! You and all of us!

6

Thank you all for the kind words and reassurance. 

To those suggesting an ECG, When I went to the ER the first thing they had me do was take an EKG. 

The Doctor said everything was perfect and I didn't really even need to have an EKG done. 

I'd be open to requesting an ECG but I'd hate to go through an annoying test for a pointless reason. 

Most of my symptoms have been improving since I've been reminding myself it's all anxiety (thanks to this forum) 

I started getting these little headaches and head pressures that come and go and that's been a big trigger for me lately. 

But after reading more posts here about these symptoms being HIGHLEY related to anxiety i'm starting to feel better about this as well. 

7

Just reading these posts helps me realise I'm not alone.Unless you have been through anxiety related symptoms,its hard to make others understand how it can take over your life and turn it into a living nightmare

I'm currently suffering major dizzyness ..mind fog

After a panic attack at work that came on with no warning reducing me to a quivering wreck,needing to attend hospital convinced I was having heart attack..Its my second attack in 3 yrs , after medication last time I had no recurrence and thought it was a one off.But it returned with a vengeance...its been a week im still suffering the after affects...I'm sure just like me its hard to believe that just the wrong thought process builds up to physical symptoms that can ruin your life

I'm to return to doctors today ..will proberly be medicated as its not settling down ...I don't mind anything to relieve the fog...

8

I am just like that. It comforts one to read your post. Thanks! I will post my problems and maybe someone can relate and calm me down. 

9

 I hope someone can identify with my problems and give advice. A month ago while at the computer (I am on for many hours a day), I felt an electrical buzz/zap in my head for a split second. I was slightly dizzy inside my head and when I moved my eyes right and left I was dizzier. SInce then I have had weird symptoms come and go RANDOMLY, during the day, very rarely while sleeping/lying down: heavy tired eyes, especially on the right side, which comes and goes randomly (I call it rock-cloud eye), lightheadedness and/or slight dizziness-not vertigo. Occasionally nausea. Neck is a bit achy and when I move my head in yoga circles, it makes a grinding noise, so I dont do that. I noticed that I clench my teeth a lot and lean forward in a stressful position while at the screen- as though I am about to head for combat or something! The weird thing is that sometimes I am just fine, think it is over and gone and then boom. Some days are really good, others bad, some mixed... I am wearing a neck sponge roll thing to see if it is from my neck. 

At first it caused me to panic as I did not know when these symptoms would happen, and if I would suddenly faint and worse... I cannot study as I should and am way behind in my research.

I saw my internist, an eye specialist and a neurologist. They were not impressed, Neuro felt there was no need for a CT scan. He told me to take valerian to be calmer. I go to an ENT on Sun evening. I am sick of this, want my life back and scared and worried.  sad

Edit

 

10

Hey Lana, 

I just read your post and it resonated in a huge way with me. I have had a lot of the same symptoms. My strongest symptom is a feeling like I am rocking on a boat all the time. Basically every little headache, shooting pain or anything else I feel, I fear the worst. I have been to the ER and had an EKG, blood work and a chest x-ray, all normal. I just recently saw an ENT and he also did not seem impressed and basically they all think it's anxiety related. I go in for my follow-up with the ENT on wednesday after a VNG so I will keep posted on whats up. 

Have you been able to find any relief? I just want you to know you are not alone! I have been battling depression as well, so I am sure that's not helping the situation. 

Best of luck :D 

11

Thanks for sharing. I joined a few dizzy/ vestibular groups on FB. I also saw an ENT and went back to my Dr. nobody thinks much of it. I think it is improving. I started getting other symptoms like tingly feet but they say anxiety. My Dr did give me a very light dose of Xanax once a day. Hard to know if it helps but I hardly have tingling and do sleep better. Keep me updated. It is a horrible thing and does cause anxiety.

12

Recent years Is a lot of research on these things.. for me it helped a LOT reading books. How to be happy in the 2010/2020s by Victor Hagen was the most important one for me. Read whatever works for you

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13

Hello ImAnon,

I'm sorry about what you are going through and I'm writing because it all sounds familiar to me.  Have you looked into MCS or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity? I started having these symptoms for the first time this year. I was having brain fog, confusion, lack of appetite, nausea.  My sensitivity was to my new car's interior.  It took me a month to figure out what was wrong with me.  I quickly sold the car but I researched this condition and learned of all the other things that could trigger these problems such as new carpeting, pesticides, cleansers, solvents, new furniture. There's even the condition of electrical sensitivity to things such as  cell phones, computers, and power lines.

More recently, I was feeling brave and test drove another car, this time I was sick for 3 days.  First, I almost passed out. I then experienced bouts of crying for the first few hours, memory loss, anxiety and depression like no other I have felt before, and a weird pressure feeling on my forehead.  I also experience problems with articulation and coordination. It's awful and scary and I feel disabled and am unable to work.  All in all it took about 10 days to feel like me again just from a 15 minute exposure to the toxins in the car that I am sensitive to.

Please look into this condition and research what may be chemical triggers in your environment.  I don't want anyone to have to suffer from this.

Best wishes to you.

14

I too have had all these symptoms. It helps to know I'm not alone, but I hate to think of another person suffering like this. It has taken over my life lately, it comes out of nowhere. I don't even feel stressed & suddenly I'm light headed, feel faint & nauseus. I've had ekg's, mri's, cat scans, I've seen specialists. None of them can give me an answer. Last appt at ent he suggested MdDS. Now I'm waiting for vestibular physiotherapy. Hoping this helps a little. 

15

Hey everyone, I have been suffering with this random rockiness and dizziness since May and have done every test in the book, I finally was referred to an ENT and took a VNG test which confirmed I am suffering from Vestibular Neuritis. I highly recommend joining us over at this FB group Vestibular Hope, It was made by a couple people who were suffering from VN and have since recovered. There are tons of people who have similar symptoms listed in this threat. . Joining this group has seriously helped me not feel alone in battling this and has given me great recommendations for what to do.   - 

 

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16

I’m lost and frustrated. In August, i had my first panic attack, where on a dizziness scale of 1-10 (10 being i can’t drive) i was at a 10. The panic attack was from going back to work and having to see my ex boyfriend of 4 years. My doctor gave me 0.5mg of Xanax 3x a day for two weeks and was confident i would be back to my normal self. The Xanax instantly cleared up the dizziness. 3+ months later, i am dizzy on a daily basis at about an 8 from the second i wake up to the second i go to bed. The only thing that takes it away is the Xanax. The Xanax takes my dizziness from an 8 to a 1. I’m also on latuda/seroquel (just switched to see if the dizziness would go away). It’s  so bad my psychiatrist has recommended i take a leave of absence from my job, whereas I’m suffering every day unless i take the Xanax. The thing is, currently I’m not stressed about anything that major and my anxiety isn’t crazy high either. My stress and anxiety is nothing that I shouldn’t be able to handle. I’ve seen a general doctor and neurologist and both say They can’t do anything and it’s probably my medicine. I want to trust my psychiatrist, but after 3+ months of being miserable, i don’t know what to do. I’ve had to stop playing sports, working out, going out socially, my dizziness has taken over my daily life. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated, i am worried that there is no easy answer to curing this...

17

It is hard to know if the anxiety causes the dizziness or the other way around and either way, they cause each other. You may want to investigate if you have a vestibular issue, inner ear problem. It can happen after a long car drive, cruise or plane trip, or after a cold, a virus can damage your inner ear even if you never felt a thing in your ear, or a silent migraine...in those cases, vestibular exercises can help the brain compensate. For anxiety, I recommend going to a psychologist who will do cognitive behavioral therapy and/or mindfulness. You can also download apps for meditation and mindfulness which helps a lot. It helps by getting rid of stress hormones released which then cause all the symptoms.

18

Hey there, everyone. Seems like I’m just like everyone here and wanted to share my story and get your thoughts. 

About 3 months ago my wife and I moved across the country back to my hometown after I had been gone for around 5 years. A week after we got here I got the news of my fathers passing, whom I didn’t have the greatest relationship with. My brother and I immediately went in to override planning a funeral, getting possession of his items that the bank had seized because his house had been foreclosed. In the midst of all of this my wife and I are adjusting to new jobs, new schools, new location, you name it.

After the funeral and some of the things with my dad had calmed down, I started to genuinely feel better. I knew I was sad and upset but physically and mentally I was ready to continue my life, as an exciting chapter has started.

About two months later i began experiencing some chest pressure that drove me crazy, it wasn’t painful and I could still work out, just it’s presence worried me. This drove me to the ER on two occasions. Both times they did EKGs, blood work, and x rays. I even had an echocardiogram done that came back normal. After all of this I began feeling better for a few weeks and life slowly went back to “normal”.

Then I got this slow onset of shakiness and chills most days and nights, even worse at night. I eventually lost my appetite entirely, which is still gone. I went to the doctor and they told me I was experiencing traumatic life event disorder, or something to that degree. They prescribed me Celexa and Adavan. I took the Celexa midday and adavan at night. After about three days I turned into a zombie and had less of an appetite than before. I went back in and saw another doctor who told me to stop taking the celexa as I have limited symptoms of depression. She also upped the dose of my adavan to 1mg. 

Since, I’ve had good hours and bad hours, most of the good hours come from reading forums like this one and the bad hours come from reading about what my symptoms could be - you know Dr. Google who will scare the hope right out of you. 

Anyways, I just wanted to share my story and see if anyone has any input. What freaks me out is that I was doing okay for so long. 

I’m 23 y/o prior military married with no kids. 

19

I have similar, I recmmend seeing a psychologist for CBT and Mindfulness alng with a medication. Im on xanax xr .5 once a day. Meditating and mindfulness helps a lot. ALso acupuncture.

20

hello nicole. i wanted to tell you that the anxiety isn’t gonna fade without psychological help. i have the same problem with you and imaatron for at least 4 months. it’s pretty bad and really hopeless. but i need to tell you that pills can erase the symptoms for a while and then they come back. thats because you just “cover” the problem and you dont fight it. or at least try psychologist and not psychiatrists (cause the tend to focus on pills rather your anxiety).