Hey everyone! This is something I’ve been struggling with for a few years now and I would love some advice/experiences/opinions from you lovely people out there in internet land.
Here it goes:
I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety/panic disorder when I was 16. I was never medicated and therapy was short lived due to funds.
I ended up becoming a Bartender at 21 in the fine dining restaurant industry and I believe started self medicating with alcohol. I had no other known health issues at the time other than past anemia due to heavy periods.
At age 28 (2013) I moved into a home with black mold (didn’t know at the time) and started having sudden and extreme symptoms occur.
Sleep paralysis and insomnia , GI issues (gut and bowl), anxiety and depression, mood swings and anger, I gained 50lbs in a few months with no changes in diet or exercise (175lbs at the heaviest), full body rash, cognitive decline, brain fog, extreme fatigue, memory and concentration issues, hair thinning, tachycardia and palpitations, shortness of breath, air hunger, burning itchy eyes, respotory issues, etc.
It was so bad I quit my job of 3 years.
I went to the ER with a HR of 180bpm one night. I was given phenobarbital as the only thing they had to go on was the fact that I drank a good amount of wine every night. HR wouldn’t go under 150bpm and they kept me for 3 days - then discharged with no real diagnosis. I had elevated liver levels, low potassium, and anemia.
I continued drinking (due to the physical and mental issues I was experiencing) - despite knowing I shouldn’t.
Over the next few years I kept experiencing boughts of very high HR that brought me to the ER. HR in the 160’s Shaking, dizziness, chest pains etc. EKGs normal.
A few times I had some low potassium, and the last time I had a slightly abnormal Thyroid test.
I have been sober now for 13 months - but my symptoms persist. I have lost a huge amount of weight (I’m now 116lbs and 5’9). I am constantly nauseated and fell full - and sick if I eat more than a small meal. I have insomnia/muscle wasting as well.
Simply getting up and waking around my house leaves my HR at 150+ and I need to sit down. I am becoming progressively more home bound since having these attacks of high HR when out in public alone is terrifying.
My last ER doctor wanted me on a 14 day heart monitor (suspected SVT or afib) and to see a Cardiologist. My GP (who is new and still in training) is only giving me a 48h Monitor and an echocardiogram. He said my Thyroid test wasn’t off enough to medicate. I was prescribed anti depressants a year ago but didn’t end up taking them as I am a bit fearful of medication.
A year ago I had a procedure to remove precancerous cervical cells and am due for a yearly check up with that.
I have a family history of Mental illness. Mother is bipolar (possibly BPD) and an alcoholic. Brother is also bipolar and Schizoeffective. I have what I believe to be a lot of PTSD from childhood Trauma. I have been seeing a therapist now for a few years and she believes I have a physical problem that needs treatment from a physician.
My point is:
How do I know if my current experiences are due to Panic/Anxiety disorder and depression - or something physical like an endocrine disorder or cardiovascular issue. Is it possible for anxiety alone to cause all of my symptoms? What tests should I ask for to rule out a physical health issue? I don’t know if I can relax until I feel like my problem isn’t due to an underlying illness.
I’m starting to get anxiety just from constantly worrying about my health and symptoms and the severity.
This has become debilitating, embarrassing, frustrating, excruciating and my quality of life and health are diminishing rapidly.
Thanks for listening to my story.
Any advice, opinions, experiences or suggestions welcome!!!