Never felt this kind of anxiety before.

Mental health
1

For the past couple of months now, I have been dealing with what I now know is health anxiety... It all started when I had a really bad migraine every single day for a month straight (I get chronic migraines but this was more intense and unlike anything I've ever felt) behind my eyes and shooting pains every morning when I woke up. I began freaking out about this and convinced myself I had Menengitis or a brain tumor. After this, I began getting different physical symptoms such as sore throat, stiff neck, muscle pains and spasms, chest pains like CRAZY, couldn't breathe in properly, fatigue. I wasn't able to sleep without thinking I was dying or going to have a heart attack / stroke. The list goes on. I went to various doctors including the ER, was on antibiotics for a bit for a sinus infection and got an EKG done, all was fine. My neurologist had me do 2 MRIs, one for the brain which was fine and one for the thoracic spine. I then found out I have a thoracic disc herniation, which could be why I was feeling sharp pains in my back. My neurologist just started me on anti-depressants (nortriptyline 10mg) for the migraines since Topamax wasn't working for me. Of course I looked up ALL of the side effects of anti depressants and freaked out. I am now seeing a therapist, and speaking with her has been helping me a bit. But what is crazy is that with all of the physical symptoms I have experienced... I have never felt like this before. 2 nights ago, I got chest pains driving home from work and then muscle pain. When I got home, I felt EXHAUSTED and my entire body felt HOT and I was so scared something was wrong with me. After this, I got so lightheaded and felt "out of my body" almost and I began to cry hysterically. I thought I was going to either die or faint. My entire body began to shake uncontrollably along with eye twitches on my right side. It was unbelievably scary, would this be an anxiety attack? It was so intense. I've never experienced this before. Then, last night when I was walking outside...I got incredibly lightheaded with a terrible migraine / neck ache but I tried to calm myself down and it slowly went away and I felt okay. But I am terrified of these things happening again.

My question is this..has anyone experienced anything similiar to this before? And could my anxiety be WORSENING because of the anti depressants? I am also on birth control and I am wondering if maybe I should go off of it, since it's known to cause depression and other effects. If these maybe are worsening how I feel, I want off of them ASAP. I've only been on the anti depressants for about a week now, so it hasn't been long.

Also, my thoracic disc herniation has been freaking me out so bad that I think about to die from it somehow, or it'll get worse.. travel to my brain and I will have a stroke. I am going to see a physical therapist to help myself...since I keep getting the shooting pains in the back area, and my arm gets tingly and numb. I even have felt some pain in my ribcage on the same side. And chest pains. It's all on the left side so I keep assuming I must have heart complications or something is severely wrong. It's been driving me so insane and I feel I might be making things worse by worrying 24/7. It's honestly terrible.

I realize this is a long post, but I do hope someone reads this and relates to my story. This forum is wonderful for speaking to people and getting opinions!

2

sara

If you have a herniated disk you will need anti-inflamatories to decrease the swelling and pain, they may need to operate in the future and they would prefer to avoid that.

It sounnds like you are suffering anxiety attacks and this will ost probably feel you have many conditions that are causing you so much pain.

Your Citalopram will take upwards of five weeks to give relief so you are going to have to be patient. If the disk is nipped you could ask for pain medication and training in the use of TENS MACHINES, so it may be be a good idea to ask see a pysio who will introduce you to Mindfulness a Relaxation Technique.

We are always around

3

Thank you for your response! That makes sense! I made an appointment with a physical therapist this week so I am hoping it helps the pain I am getting with this and puts me more at ease. I guess I will have to wait for the medication to take effect.

4

Hi Sara. All you describe sounds like anxiety/panick attacks. I have experienced all the symptoms you describe in various combinations. Also when I doctor put me on Mirtazapine (I can't tolerate serotonin in SSRIs) it made my symptoms worse for about 2 weeks before it started working. Calm down dear. I know exactly how you feel, been there million times. It gonna get better, please remember this next time when you'll have an attack. Say to yourself it gonna go away soon. Hugs Terri

5

Hi Sara. All you describe sounds like anxiety/panick attacks. I have experienced all the symptoms you describe in various combinations. Also when I doctor put me on Mirtazapine (I can't tolerate serotonin in SSRIs) it made my symptoms worse for about 2 weeks before it started working. Calm down dear. I know exactly how you feel, been there million times. It gonna get better, please remember this next time when you'll have an attack. Say to yourself it gonna go away soon. Hugs Terri

6

You are so kind! Thank you for your response. I'm wondering if that is what's happening with the medication I'm on. I feel really out of it and have the sort of exhaustion I've never experienced. More like a mental exhaustion. Is there anything other than your medication that you do to help yourself? I try to say positive talk to myself, and try to ease myself as well. But since I am so new to this, it scares me half to death!

7

Well, you've been having a lot of problems, lately, Saraanne, and that's an understatement.

Are you menopausal or approaching it at the moment? It can cause the most awful headaches.

Regarding the herniated disc, you absolutely won't die from it. I promise.

The nortryptilene - it's essential that you take it. Forget the side effects. They only happen to few people and they go away by weeks four to five.

As a nurse, I really do urge you to take the medication. The drug companies put all that stuff on the leaflet in case of litigation.

I think you should come off the Pill, but you must discuss it with your doctor, of course. And you'll need an alternative method of contraception whilst not on the Pill, unless you doctor is happy for you to stay on it.

All the chest pains, my darling, are stress-related. We know this because you've had lots of tests an our heart was fine. So learn to deal with the stress and anxiety - don't let it beat you.

Just noticed something else - it is absolutely impossible for a herniated disc to travel to the brain and cause damage. JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN, OK?

Sorry this is a disjointed reply but I see that are also having pins and needles and occasional L sided chest pains. Classic symptoms of anxiety. No more, no less.

The anti depressant may take eight weeks to kick in, so keep taking them, and don't think to yourself 'these are useless' and chuck them out.

Do please continue to post so that we can help and support you.

love Tess xx

 

8

Thank you so much for your reply! You made me feel loads better I have been so nervous about the herniated disc since I've been feeling "out of it" and sometimes lightheaded the past 2 or 3 days. I am seeing a physical therapist in 2 days so I hope it will put my mind at ease with all of this.. since I feel exhausted (which my sister said could be my mind and body being exhausted by the anxiety I've been dealing with since it takes a toll on you) and neck pain, and the muscle pains with both arms. I realize it's probably due to the herniation, but of course my mind goes to "what is wrong? Is it going to make me paralyzed?" And I freak out. (As you have seen) it really is terrible being this worried and this anxious about EVERYTHING! Trying to stay as calm as possible. And I am going to take your advice on continuing the anti depressants, and I do want off of the birth control for sure. And I just turned 28, no menopause just yet!

9

If you have herniated disks in the neck you will suffer pins and needles in diffeent parts of the body. You will most probably suffrer headaches and soreness.The disks themselves will be out of position and they may fuse the spine  and remove the damaged disk.

Your Specialist will give you Amytryptalene these are AD and will reduce or control your pins and needles.

If your pain is chronic ask your GP if you can attend a Pain Clinic they will help to control your pain with coping exersises. They will also arrange future treatment plans

I have gone through all of the above and yes depression and anxiety do effect most sufferers, medication will most probably be given like Tramadol.

If the Pain Clinic does not give you a TENS they can purchased at most chemists or on the web. Try Body Clock, if you need this machin you can get the VAT back because of disability

10

You are so helpful, thank you! I am going to a physical therapist starting tomorrow, so that puts me more at ease. Makes complete sense why I would be feeling those things and thank you for explaining because my anxiety has been CRAZY over this whole herniation fiasco, and possibly making my pain worse! I've been so drowsy and "out of it" so I do believe my anxiety is making me feel 100% worse.

I will keep all of your advice in mind...thank you!