Anxiety? Depression? Physical?

Mental health
1

To start this off I am typing on a phone. First post as well. Will do my best to keep it neat. Also I have been to the doctor/er/specialists 34 times combined in the last year.

I am usually pretty happy go lucky but I have just been feeling horrible physically before all the mental stuff happened. I used to be depressed and anxious a lot but I got rid of that. The physical symptoms have been horrible and the doctors have said Anxiety anxiety anxiety. I've literally lost vision, had migrained, and even infection symptoms. I have had multiple blood tests: cortisol levels, thyroid, vitamin levels, CAC, you name it. But they can never find anything wrong. As I mentioned I have symptoms of infections all the time. Such as green phlegm, yellow urine, even thrush on my tongue like what?

How can this all be just anxiety? BELOW is a few of my prominent symptoms. Yes it's only a few. Id like to emphasis that I don't have an major stressors in my life except medical stuff. But I used to be stressed a lot.

FATIGUE: Every day almost constantly.

WEAKNESS: off and on through out the day everyday.

HEADACHES: specifically neck and shoulder tension that causes headaches.

SINUS?: severe pressure in the sinuses. Teeth clenching happens without even thinking about it. Most likely as I sleep as well however there is always a horrible pressure above the roof of my mouth.

PRESSURE: usually coincides with headaches all over the head.

BODY PAIN: wide spread body pain. Literally randomly over.

CHEST: chest heaviness and occasional pain left side only.

JAW PAIN: Daily.

NUMBNESS: Tingling and numbness all day sometimes severe and very annoying.

HOT FLASHES: Occasionally

FLUSHED FACE: When symptoms get severe usually with severe lightheadedness.

DREAD: Sense of impending doom when symptoms flare.

ANXIETY: I do tend to think about my symptoms uncontrollably through out the day.

DEPRESSION: I feel sad and I do cry sometimes. Not as often as anxiety.

EMOTIONAL NUMBNESS: Recently I haven't been able to feel happy just existing and I just feel that something bad is wrong and I contemplate dying.

SUICIDE: For the first time in my life I have been very suicidal due to feeling all these things.

2

Are you in the UK? I am unsure why the drs have not come up with a diagnosis. U mentioned thrush. This is very incapacitating and usually treatable. Have you taken any supplements/vitamins at all?

 

3

Hi. I’m not a professional, but I have dealt with anxiety, depression, and panic.  Everything you described can def be from anxiety.  The body reacts to anxiety in crazy ways. Everyone is different. Have you started any medicine for anxiety? I think it would help your racing thoughts. Good luck. 

4

Hi PrimalHunter

We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologies for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.

If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

Kindest regards

Patient

5

I am in a very similar situation. I have come to accept that I don’t believe my symptoms to be due to any underlying medical cause (like you, I have had blood work and even a CT scan on my brain for a tumor). There is a specific type of anxiety related to fearing ones physical health is in jeopardy, which then causes a terrible spiral effect: physical symptoms -> anxiety -> worse physical symptoms -> more anxiety and so on and so on. It’s awful.

Also like you, this seemed to sort of come out of nowhere for me. I can look at some different life factors that “may” have contributed, but feeling like the extreme, “can’t function in life, churning stomach, want to cry” anxiety just came on so suddenly and unexpectedly makes me feel even more paranoid and panicked. I don’t have a family history of mental illness and have never been on meds before for anxiety or depression (and I’m 38).

All that to say, I feel much the same way as you. And it is an awful, dark, scary place. Here’s what I try to focus on:

1) I keep telling myself I will not feel this way forever. It can absolutely feel like that isn’t true. And then there’s panic that maybe the panic and anxiety will never go away and I’ll never be able to love a “normal” life again. But that’s simply untrue. You must remind yourself, even in the pit, “I will not feel like this forever.”

2) I’m seeing a therapist and have started medication. Anxiety and depression are real diseases that require medical support. Reach out to whoever will listen and beat support you. And don’t stop reaching out until you get the help you need.

3) I read recently that thoughts precede feelings. That really struck me. Whenever my anxiety seems to really flare (usually begins with a burning sensation in my heart or a sour churning in my stomach), I immediately try to recognize what I was thinking about right before the “feelings” arose. Doing this has made me realize that, almost always, it’s when I recognize I’m feeling ok and then FEAR the anxiety will come back and I’ll be in the dark place again. So right now, my biggest anxiety-inducing factor is the anxiety over feeling intense anxiety. It’s really an awful disease.

Don’t know if any of that helps. But know you are not alone... and you will get through this. Laughter and happy days ARE in your future.

6

You should get checked for a sleep disorder. Maybe apnoeas or teeth grinding? They cause a lot of those symptoms.  

7

I am in the UK. I have had no physical diagnosis yet which syucks because I have been experiencing chronic and severe head and neck pain before the other anxiety symptoms manifested. NHS really screws you over too. Having an insincere doctor makes it worse. I have been kicked out and told not to come back to the ER.

8

Forgive me for improper spelling. I have been put on amitrptylene, duloxetine, sertrolene. They only amplify and make my symptoms worse. They have also In my opinion increased depression and bad thoughts.

9

I am honestly terrified. Even typing this I just think the worst I feel as if I have no one to talk to about thisstuff. The doctors just look at me like I'm crazy and I try to tell them how severe my symptoms are but, they just give me another prescription and send me on my way. I have been in the ER due to severe head pain, neck pain, vision loss blurred speech, out of no where. They made me wait purposely for 6 hours before they saw me and sent me home. I confirmed this because I went in for similar issues on a different day and I over heard the doctor tell the nurse "Make him wait until all the other patients are gone. If he is still here do his ops.' NO LIE. At that moment I felt completely hopeless and suicidal. I just feel like the worst will happen and ill never get better. I'm so lost. Wish I could sue or something to get that kind of doctor out of there but technically the only evidence I have is my dads word and maybe other people who may have overheard. Just a horrible experience for a few months now. Sorry for rambling.

10

You have a reply coming but it is being moderated temporarily. If there is a way I can message you ill explain. But based on your reply you seem very knowledgeable and I have no one to talk to about this stuff

11

Also I have taken Magnesium zinc, D3, C, Krill oil, primrose oil, gone gluten free, eat more frequently (6 meals a day. I am doing my best to manage everything. I am struggling so horribly. It is very incapacitating I literally cant do anything. Going to my appointments is a struggle. I had to cancel an MRI due to the pain and immobility I was experiencing.

12

I have sleep apnea but I have been using a CPAP for a while and it is great. As for the teeth grinding I can totally seeing that be a thing. I grind my teeth but I'm not sure how frequently when I sleep. But when I bite down sometimes my jaw tenses. I thought lockjaw but according to the GP he says "Lockjaw is more severe and chronic." Losing hope in what my GP says though so who knows.

13

I am very sorry to hear this .

Try to put the nasty negative thoughts to the back of your mind . Deep breathing helps believe it or not!

I am not a dr but recognise thru my own experience that some drugs can worsen the signs and symptoms you are experiencing.

DULOXETINE.

This can cause a lot of spasms, bad dreams, fear, tingling, numbness, suicidal ideation and I had one tablet and ended up going to the emergency drs who told me to stop taking it immediately.

If you have been taking it for a while then you will need to seek medical advice on how to get off it safely.

OPIODS. These are things like cod3eine, co codamol, neurophen plus which contains codeine.

​I was oput on this for severe back pain and it caused SUCH dreadful side effects including a severe migrainous headache and throbbing in my eye for five months. I then discovered from a neurologist specialising in migraine that the codeine was responsible. 

The feeling you have will pass but as PATIENT has said please contact someone such as the Samaritans or the local crisis team based at your hospital for immediarte help. Samaritans no is 115 123 if in UK.

Take care. I came thru this and worse, we are all here to support each other. Always remember that tomorrow is another day. Hope is important.

 

14

Make sure it’s working. Get regular downloads and check ups. I work in sleep medicine and lots of ppl on cpap still have lots of apnoeas. It’s important to ensure you’re getting good sleep.  Even invest in a pulse oximeter to monitor your oxygen levels while u sleep. It’s a really easy way to check up on your cpap. Without sleep , everything is worse. Specifically anxiety, racing heart and palpitations.  Make sure you’re diet is good. Limit salt and sugar and caffeine. 

You can get mouth guards if you’re teeth grinding. 

15

A dentist can assist you with the teeth grinding.

16

Sorry Tanya saw your response after sending mine re dentist. xxx

17

Sounds like you are doing a good job trying to fight this.  Don't stop!  How long have you been taking the meds?  It does take a while for the meds to get in your system (3-6 weeks).  Symtoms do seem to be worse before better.  When I started my meds, it was terrible.  Hallucinations, drugged feeling, couldn't function.  My doctor put me on a lower dose of medication,  so the side effects weren't as bad.  I gradually increased by 10mg and now I'm at 40mg.  Takes longer, but the side effects aren't as bad. Do you have family or friends for support.  Talking to people and getting feed back on this group, really helps. Sometimes it seems like a GP doesn't really understand mental issues.  See if you can find a therepist to talk to.  Keep strong and keep fighting.  Realize this is a chemical imbalance in the brain and the thoughts ARE NOT REAL your body is just reacting to what IT THINKS IS HAPPENING.  Your thoughts control your feelings and behaviors. Keep positive and strong thoughts!  Keep fighting until you find the right combination of meds and support.  YOU CAN AND WILL GET BETTER!  Call the help line as often as needed. Positive support helps! Samaritans no is 115 123 if in UK.

18

Please try to focus on positive thinking. The Dr had no right to say that and you have nothing to reproach yourself for.

Remember if it was not for patients there would be no need for drs/nurses, hospitals etc.

The hospital has a duty of care!

 

19

Tried to send you a link to the phenome of opiod induced hyperalgesia. This is why the US is clamping down on the prescribing of opiates including morphine, codeine, even neurophen plus has codeine in it. This causes addiction. Big profits .

20

I apologize if I don't post to everyone who replied as I haven't had the energy to do so recently. How ever I would like to say thank you to everyone who replied. Getting compassion from everyone dealing with similar issues is a huge boost mentally. I would like to give you all a minor update.

So the past few days I have felt absolutely horrible same symptoms as above but I've done some research on my own based on a few symptoms. I noticed that when my symptoms are at their worst my face is always blood red. I have been doing research on hypertension due to anxiety and due to other reasons. According to numerous articles the stress response amplifies blood pressure no matter if you suffer from high or low. If you suffer from anxiety often (I do apparently) you technically have highblood pressure a lot. This can cause damage to blood vessels in your face, brain. neck, and even other organs. DO NOT LET THIS ALARM YOU as damage is reversible. How ever I have literally been researching many things intensively over the last few days. Chronic hypotension (High blood pressure) can cause Muscle weakness, chronic fatigue, head ache, head pressure, blurry vision, breathing problems, and of course red face (along with many other symptoms. I went to my doctor with this and he agrees it is high blood pressure related on some levels. Meaning, if I do have an elevated blood pressure already anxiety (Generalized anxiety) can make that worse which can lead to the constant headaches. So currently I am going under numerous tests blood, and urine related. To see if anything dangerous could be causing it such as Vasculitis. I know this is a long post but blood pressure can be a silent symptom as in you might not get red face like I do but it literally causes all the symptoms that doctors tell us is anxiety. I'm not saying you have High blood pressure or even I do but its worth a read. ANY DAMAGE caused by HBP is reversible. Just get it checked out. More than just a blood pressure monitor.

Remedies that have helped me with my anxiety. Lavender oil, peppermint oil (for muscle tension), 12 Bean soup, blueberries, deep breathing, no added salt to foods(If I absolutely need salt ill add low sodium chicken broth to everything.) and leafy greens specifically spinach. I feel like my anxiety is under control at least most of it. Now I'm just trying to get over the symptoms I believe it caused. HOPEFULLY Its nothing serious. At the same time I just want to to figure out what it is. It has been way too long. If anyone as any updates on any findings please let me know. It helps us all out. Love you guys.