Need some serious help

Mental health
1

I am not sure where to post this, but I have the most insane symptoms lately and they have been recurring for about 2-3 months. I want to apologize if this is a long read, but I need serious help. I was told at the ER that I am having a panic attack, but I am a fairly smart guy (applying for an internship at NASA after I finish my degree next semester in computer science). I have tried to diagnose this on my own, and my body is doing things that seem way too third-party. I am also a fairly happy guy, I don't see how in any way, shape, or form that this could be psychological. 

I was referred to a neurologist after I talked to my general physician. He has ran an MRI, EEG, and an I believe an EMG (They shocked the crap out of me with a two prong device, I don't remember what it was called. It was to check my nerves.). I see him on the 24th to see what he found, but I am worried that everything will be normal. This is the letter that I wrote to him, because I don't think that I expressed the severity of this enough to my GP.

"Problems: Apparently I am not getting the severity of this through to people. This is a recurring event (daily). It has gotten worse, and I feel symptoms almost as soon as I wake up. It happens almost every time that I sit down and guaranteed every time that I lie down (sleeping is a real pain).

Symptoms:  I honestly can’t put what is happening into words. These onsets  start  at the back base of my skull, climbs up and completely numbs my face within 1 second.  Random limbs (second toe, random fingers, entire arm etc.) randomly go numb for probably the next 7-8 ish hours or until I get sleep. The side effects happen all throughout the day. Lips tingle, severe stiffness in most muscles, especially in the left side of my neck after it happens.  My brain feels like it’s throbbing, and almost melting. There is no way that I can put this feeling into words. My scalp does its own thing, but I feel like I can actually feel my brain doing crazy things that it shouldn’t be doing. It’s almost as if you were stretching it like Silly Putty. When I wake up in the morning I feel it tickling as if you had butterflys in your stomach, but they’re in your brain, and it pretty much just gets worse from that point on.

Using metaphors, it feels like every body part that I have is trying to escape through my head. It’s almost like if we have a soul it were to leave your body. An extreme rush of blood to the head. At first I thought that an organ in my body failed and I was just watching the rest of it shut down.

After it happens I try my best to stay alert, but I am very disoriented. It’s hard to speak, I have to manually swallow (relax throat muscle and make sure that saliva goes down my throat), as well as manually cough throughout the rest of the day. It’s almost like I forgot how to do things like that.

I don’t feel that it is psychiatric, it feels way too third-party and comes at the most random times. I am a well put together guy, and this just makes absolutely no sense. I don’t see it being a panic attack. I have narrowed it down to either something is seriously broken, or an allergic reaction, or maybe a pinched nerve or something; I’m definitely not a doctor."

One question that I was wanting to ask you guys: I have been smoking for almost 12 years, and cigarettes hane never agreed with me. If this were to be an allergic reaction to nicotine, what would randomly make the fairly same symptoms go from 0 to 100? Nicotene has always made me disoriented and left me lightheaded etc., but this on an extremely abnormal level. I thought that I might have ingested a chemical (deodorant, shampoo, Clortimazol etc.) but Poison Control said that there is no way that those things would cause it. 

As mentioned, it feels extremely 3rd party, and there are too many symptoms to list (unless you guys are interested in knowing). I would like to add that these random limbs go numb out of the blue. My body is just doing some weird stuff. If you need anymore info please let me know, but after 3 months knowing that unmedicated and sometimes even medicated I need to call 911. Please help lol

2

Hi Jerry - It's past the 24th now so have you had your results back?

I agree with you, this doesn't sound like a typical panic attack - to me it sounds physical but I'm definitely not a doctor either :P 

I really wouldn't of thought that the smoking could of caused it, as you've been smoking for 12 years without problems (lightheadedness is normal, nicotine rush). Let me know how you're getting on and if you've had results back x

3

Unless you are very wealthy you will find many road blocks to attain the scans and knowledge you are seeking.insurance wont cover it all. At the rate it going as you do this search you will just start acquiring pre existing conditions and price your way out of insurance all together. Thats if you live in the USA. So keep that in mind. Many things have changed the past few months. Not in a good way at all.

otherwise i believe youll be on waiting list for who knows how long and just know science is in its infancy. They dont know that much. They dont even know what to look for most of the time. So they do the same standard tests and scans. Rule out the standard stuff. All they know to do.  They really do not know . Neck down they have made a lot of progress but thats it. Somewhere out there im sire there are a handful of spectacular medical,professionals but that will require extensive research to locate them and get on their waiting lists.

try a rhematoid doctor. But a good one. They will run about three hours of tests and more bloodwork then you knew existed. But be be careful because panic disorders and mental illness can coincide with physical ailments as well. Not saying you have either but saying that absolutely occurs. 

Look you can have a intolerance or sensitivity to anything. Gmos, addidtives, mercury levels, radiation...the chemicals you consume or breathe. Thats why six month clean diet is recommended. To remove a lot of that stuff. And to live in a more isolated nature filled area.  And to detox your system. But you can look into that. Just a different route to take.

good luck. I hope you figure this all out. I hope we all do.