Akute Angst

Gehirngesundheit
1

Hello,

I'm looking for advice/reassurance re my health. Very long history (years), but to summarise:

Had extreme, constant headaches for years - pressure, pain, tingling, not a pain as such. Convinced I had a tumour, blood clo or similar. Diagnosed by neurologist with chronic migraines 12 weeks ago. Changed my medication, including strong course of steroids.

Headaches cleared, replaced by ever worsening chest pains - diagnosed as gastritis caused by steroids.

Chest pains now improving, but still occasional pounding/fast heart beat, etc.

6 weeks ago started to feel dizzy when sitting down/standing up, and 5 days ago dizziness became constant. At same time headaches returned, more extreme than ever - not a pain, "just" pressure and tingling. Tingling throughout body some times, like a feeling of electricity flowing through me.

Aged 54, I feel my life has been destroyed. I'm fully aware of how anxious I feel - slowly the anxiety has taken over my life. I'm obsessed with my health, constantly feel like I'm about to die. It's all I ever think and talk about, and is turning all family and friends away from me.

Had MRI 6/7 weeks ago. See neurologist in 2 weeks for results and to review migraines. See cardiologist in 2 weeks (to rule out heart problem), have ENT appointment in 2 weeks (re dizziness). Also due tests re gastritis.

Have been to GP/hospital 6 times in 11/12 days; keep being reassured there's nothing seriously wrong, and I want to believe. But the symptoms persist, and the pains/sensations are real. I don't know what's real or imaginary anymore. I'm drowning in anxiety.

Nothing makes sense anymore. The logical me understands sysmptoms just can't start and stop for no reason, but this isn't helping - feel like I'm going mad.

Had 3 sessions for CBT 4 months ago - was told I didn't need it!

Any/all advice appreciated.

2

Du bist damit nicht allein. Ich weiß, das ist keine Lösung, aber du hast über 40 Millionen Menschen in derselben Situation und es ist schrecklich.

Googele Ingwer gegen Schwindel. Ich verwende Ingwer, rohen Ingwer,

CBT ist gut für leicht ängstliche Menschen. DBT ist besser, nachdem du einen Panikanfall hattest. Diese Ärzte verstehen einfach nicht, dass das Folter ist. Sie haben keine Antworten oder Tests dafür. Wenn es kommt und geht, wäre das ein Warnsignal für eine Angststörung.

Es ist schwierig, aber es lohnt sich, eine saubere Diät oder eine entzündungshemmende Diät zu machen. Sieh in drei Monaten, ob dir das hilft. Zumindest hilft es dem Körper. Den Geist habe ich noch nicht gemeistert. Ich habe diagnostizierte Leiden und bestehende Angstzustände, und das alles saugt einfach. Aber seltsamerweise habe ich auch gute Tage. Ich liebe gute Tage.

Der Schmerz ist real. Die Symptome sind real. Es ist nur so, dass sie dich nicht umbringen und sich mit der Zeit von selbst erholen. Es ist nicht "alles im Kopf", das ist es nicht. Adrenalinausschüttungen haben eine Ursache und Wirkung. Aber es ist die Einstellung, die dich durchs Leben trägt. Es erfordert viel Veränderung. Nicht einfach oder vielleicht ist es einfach und keiner von uns merkt es, wer weiß.

3

Thank you for replying, and for your help and support.

Do you mind if I ask for further advice?

It's now my 7th day having (my latest) almost continuous headache (strange pressure, tingling, like a tight band/vice around my scalp). I've had a few short breaks, but whenever these occur (like today) I get another symptom(s). So I've had continuous tingling in my chest, spreading down my torso and both arms. My head still hurts, but not as much, then as my chest eases, my head becomes more intense.

In general terms I've had this pattern for years - one thing hurts, then either clears by itself or tests show I'm ok, then something else hurts. I keep going round in circles, the impact on/of my mental health continually spiralling out of control.

Do you know if this is common? Are there any simple steps to start to reverse the process? Do you know of any health conditions that jump or move from one part of the body to another (and then back again, and then back again, ...), the pain somehow always seeming to get stronger, but never strong enough to cause me to collapse/pass out?

I've probably always been a thinker/worrier, about lots of things, and I admit to stressful things happening around me - for example my son was born with serious heart condition (now 23, doing great after valve replacement surgery), and ex-wife (mother of my children) died 3 years ago (my daughter still can't face this). But in the past 18 months all I have done is tnink about my health and my impending doom. Everyone says it is stress and anxiety, and nothing takes the pain away.

Thank you

4

Hi Chris,

Boy can I empathise with you!..

Over the last six years..

6years ago had chronic migraines, had MRI diagnosed as Cluster Headaches treatment -Naramig

Also chronic Health Anxiety - Citalopram and two full courses of CBT

Had tight throat making it difficult to swallow, Six endoscopys (camera up nose to check throat), one gastroscopy (camera down throat to stomach), five oesophageal biopsies to check for acid reflux damage - All clear diagnosed as pharyngeal spasm or globus hystericus as it used to be known.

Was lined up for a video flouroscopy but had a meltdown in xray theatre because J had read up on the long term effects of ionising radiation.

Had blood in stool, hospital for flexible sigmoidoscopy, camera up jacksy, diagnosed as nothing to worry about.

Felt like i still needed to urinate when bladder emptied, had camera down uretha into bladder, all clear

Trod on a disarded needle in a dark footpath tunnel. Had to go to AnE tetanus and Hep B jabs then refferred to Sexual Health Clinic for four monthly blood tests for HIV, Hep B, Hep C, Syphillis (all contractable from infected needle). - All were clear

Bad palpitations, had 24hr ECG and ultrasound heart scan - All good

Right now I am struggling with chronic anxiety, depression and PTSD and over the last month am having really bad panic attacks 3 of then requiring ambulance.

On Naramig, 150mg Sertraline, 5mg Diazepam and Zopiclone (as i struggle to sleep)

What I am trying to say here is Anxiety is like a cup slowly filling up with water at each anxiety inducing event until it overflows and you have a breakdown (Where I am now)

Ps Ive also tried Mindfulness, Relaxation, Self Help and am currently in counseling with a psycotherapist.

I am 52

5

Thank you for your advice.

Sorry to hear you are suffering - it sonds like we are living parallel lives with similar experiences. I've had some of the tests you refer to, though at the time (4-5 years ago) my health concerns seemed purely physical and not related to anxiety/mental health.

Knowing other people are in a similar situation brings some comfort, and I hope this helps you as well.

I hope there is a way forward for both of us.

6

Hi CHRIS; have you tried taking a magnesium supplement, it helps with headaches, and also relaxes the body...you could google this and see what you think...magnesium 365 is supposed to be good..another thing would be  low b12, that can cause dizziness and tingling all over..low vitamin D as well...if you havant already got all these checked..it would be a good idea. xxxx.

7

I'm glad I posted my initial concerns - getting support and suggestions gives me hope (though I don't feel any better yet).

I'm not aware of specific tests for vitamin and mineral deficiencies (I am vegetarian), but I assume doctors checked these through the various blood tests I've had - just, for example, as I've been tested for diabetes.

I think I've reached some sort of crisis point, and I need to take stock of where I am and how to harness the advice I've been given.

I also need to try to differentiate between what is real and what is not. By that I mean what symptoms are caused by a physical ailment, and what are caused/heightened by anxiety, stress, etc.