Hi guys, I'm new to the forum, so apologies if I make any mistakes, regarding posting in the wrong section etc. Anyways, I was looking to get some help from you guys to shed some light with some stuff that's going on with me. I've been having these symptoms on and off for the last 6 years, it all started when I had a panic attack, at the start of 2012. Now before you say, it's all anxiety and nothing else, I'll explain a little more on why it could be a little more than that. After this panic attack, I started having these strange symptoms such as facial weakness, for example, my face literally droops to one side, my nose also curves to one side and my eyes look low and almost closed, as if I'm on drugs (I also don't take any rec drugs or drink alcohol). Not only that but my forehead feels weighed down, almost as I can't raise my eyebrows to look slightly more normal, and this gives me a furrowed look as if i'm angry at something or someone. My skin became dryer than the death valley air, as did my eyes, and it would be so hard to keep my eyes open. Now to give you some context I was 16 in 2012 when this started, and for some reason (even when I was 16) I had a niggling doubt that it was a little more than just anxiety. I've had anxiety on and off since then and I've taken st johns wort in the past and also citalopram. Both did help a little with my mood, but the other symptoms still remained. Another thing with my eyes is that 90% of the time, my eyes feel drunk, like I can't concentrate and focus my eyes, and I've developed a horrible light sensitivity as well. I've been to the opticians, to get my eyes checked, and everything checks out fine, so I'm absolutely stumped. the reason I've ruled out depression and anxiety is, because I don't feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts, and although my anxiety at the start was pretty bad, I got that under control, and it's pretty much non-existent, but the symptoms I described were still there, and bare in mind, I never had them up until that anxiety attack in 2012, its like a switch went off and a domino effect happened. I do have some pretty bad brain fog now and then and my libido is a hit and a miss. Anyhow, thank you guys if you took the time out to read this, and any comments and views are welcome.
Hi have you been checked by doctor if not then that's be ya first part.. Anxiety is nasty gives out lots of false symptoms... They make us believe we are dying.... I've suffered health anxiety since I was 18 but I was brilliant for past 15 +yrs and now this yr it's back with vengeance.. Plz do go and checked out by a doctor
Hi Veronica, i'm sorry to hear about your anxiety coming back, feel free to message me abut anything. And to answer your question, yes I have been to the doctors, he was the one that prescribed me citalopram. Another thing about my doctor is, I've probably mentioned anxiety once or twice, and since then, he's seemed to have taken that and ran with it. Every time I go to him about something that's going on, he winds it back to anxiety, for example, all of a sudden, about 2 years ago I got a really itchy and flaky scalp, and when I asked him what I should do about it, because it driving me nuts, he replied with "why do you care about?" meaning he was trying to egg me on in admitting that's it's just anxiety and I should calm down. He'll literally prescribe anti-depressants for a gunshot wound. it's ridiculous. I do get that anxiety can make you believe you're dying of something, or you have a disease etc. but my symptoms are right in front of me, I can literally see my symptoms, so I don't if I can put it down to anxiety, because i'm freaking out about, I've just gradually noticed these symptoms, and i'd like to get to the bottom of it, is that too much to ask these doctors?
Hi.john if i were you i would get a second opinion the doctor doesnt seem very helpful best wishes jeff
Hey John,
I would find a neurologist to help you. I would also find a dermatologist for your skin. You said you were on citalopram in the past. What dosage were you on?