So for the last 7 weeks I have been suffering from constant tension headaches, unexplainable sensations, groggy feelings all on the right hand side of my body. Ive done blood tests, seen 3 different doctors and still no closer to an answer. I am seeing a neurologist soon but in the meantime they want to put me on anti depressants because they cant explain my symptoms and think it could be stress.
This makes sense in some ways. Since my onset of symptoms, I have worried about anything from cancer to ALS. But when my symptoms first started, I had nothing to be stressed about, uni aside, which I felt was fairly under control. I do have muscle twitches and wake up to a tight feeling on my face, which are signs of anxiety, I believe, however, some of my symptoms aren’t. My heartbeat never seems to lose control when resting either, even when my other symptoms are present.
I wondered if normal anxiety sensations were exclusively related to heart rate or if the heart can remain constant during anxiety activity. Also, has anyone with a history of anxiety recognise these symptoms and/or think this could be anxiety related or does it sound more like a separate problem. I’m thinking antidepressants are worth a try but my worry is if its something more serious I shouldn’t waste time waiting for antidepressants to kick in.
i’m not sure of your age but let’s do some fact checking first.
First of all, you have seen three different doctors and there is no serious diagnosis.
Secondly, ALS is NOT a sensory disease. so you would not get sensations. That is what the neurologist told me recently.
Also, none of your symptoms point to cancer. Besides, something would have showed up in your blood work.
On the other hand, your symptoms do sound like symptoms of anxiety and stress. Tension headache, sensations, groggy feeling or what some people call brain fog. All of those can definitely be related to anxiety. i have had all of your symptoms many times over the years and I’m very healthy. I do have underlying anxiety and stress and I’ve had it my whole life. But you can learn how to control it.
everyone experiences anxiety differently. You can have anxiety and have a perfectly normal heartbeat. Other people will experience a rapid heartbeat.
Sometimes we have underlying anxiety that we may not be consciously aware of so it comes out as these symptoms. Think about what in your life could possibly be causing you stress.
it May be helpful to speak with a counselor to sort all of this out and to find out how you can control and manage this.
i would recommend taking the anti-depressants. They can take up to six weeks or more to make a difference in how you feel. There’s no indication that you have anything serious since you’ve been to the doctor and they don’t seem concerned. If they were concerned they would have ordered more tests. Anxiety can really fool us into thinking we have something serious.
there is a saying that goes “don’t believe everything you think”. Very true! Our mind is a powerful thing and we can make ourselves sick just by our thoughts. Take care of yourself! you’re going to be OK! 
