Physical Symptoms

Hi everyone. It's been quite some time since my last post, as my anxiety seemed to subside, not comepletely, but it was bareable for a while. The past two weeks have been hell, for the lack of a better word. I've had three panic attacks in which I didn't have the typical pounding heart and shortness of breath. It was like I went numb all over. My head ached, my legs felt like jello, I had brain fog, and I felt like I was going to vomit. My first question is, have any of you had an attack like this one? 

During these past two weeks, I've had a constant headache. Some of the aches were sharp, and my scalp felt tender, and some of them were also tension headaches (those I know all too well). I've also felt dizzy, like I could pass out at any second. I didn't, of course. I then googled my symptoms, which I know is a big "no no," but I did it. I convinced myself I either had a brain aneurysm, MS, or a brain tumor. 

A little back story on me is that I've had countless ECGs, an echocardiogram, a stress test, blood work, and a 24 hour holter monitor text. I used to think I had heart issues, but all of that came back normal. I also had an extensive eye exam with a field test because of my headaches and the result was "no sign of neurological defect." So, thank God, everything was normal. Still, I find myself obsessing over my health, and convincing myself that something is seriously wrong with my brain. I have muscle spasms and twitching, and almost constant brain fog. 

Three years ago, my husband passed away. I had to give him CPR and all of that until the ambulance arrived. My symptoms started out of no where right at a year after that happened, and I can't seem to shake them. I find myself thinking constantly, about everything, and I'm so fearful that if something is wrong, I won't get to watch our son grow up. Does anyone else feel this way? Is this anxiety? Or is it something more? 

I know exactly how you feel lol it's funny reading this bc you sound just like me.

I've had anxiety for almost 10 years now, I'm 28. I've gone through all the typical anxiety health worries just like you're having, and I STILL get them -_- but I'm getting better handling it at least.

Most of my health anxiety started last year after my mother in law died suddenly. She had breast cancer and was only in her 2nd treatment of chemo, she looked completely normal still and after her 2nd treatment she came out of the room and collapsed and that was it. It took 7 months for the coroner to finally figure out what killed her and that she had a heart attack. The 7 months of not knowing what the heck happened to her really affected me, I started worrying if I would just drop dead at any minute too. Having the answer now helps a little, but not as much as I hoped.

Anyway, back to you lol. I had the same worries about a brain tumor etc, and very similar symptoms of dizzyness, tension headaches, even some facial tightness/numbness. I freaked myself out with worry and then eventually had an MRI and everything was normal. Since then I haven't had any of those symptoms, now it's moved to chest pains (which I've had already in the past too), but I swear I think they came back now after hearing the cause of death for my mother in law was a heart attack! -___- God this is annoying!!

But I really think all of your symptoms have to do with your anxiety and that you obv are fine bc you had tests done, etc. and everything came back normal. If something was wrong one of those tests would have shown it. I have been trying deep breathing techniques and guided mediation off youtube, maybe try that?

ashd,

   First off, please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of your husband. 

   While I am not a doctor, it sounds like the symptoms you have described in your post are severe anxiety symptoms. also, have you been examined to see if the passing of your husband and having to perform CPR on him may have caused PTSD? I ask, because that had to be a very traumatic experience for you.

   Like you, I (although it sounds like you got past it) have convinced myself that there is something wrong with my heart. As embarrassing as it is to admit, it has become an obsession. I get palpitations, clammy sweats, nausea and my head never feels "right" (hard to explain...kind of a lightheaded/minor dizzy feeling). I had a stress test two years ago and the cardiologist said I passed and that he didn't even need to see me again. I have had several EKG's and all come back completely normal. Even though my results have been great, I still have that "what if they missed something" thought running around in my head.

My doctor feels I am healthy physically, but that I have severe health anxiety/panic disorder and has started me on Sertraline 25 mg 6 days ago. Let me tell you....the side effects of the Sertraline are not pleasant, but I am committed to giving the medication a chance.

Are you, currently, taking any medication or seeking therapy for what appears to be the reoccurrence of your anxiety?

My thoughts are with you and if you ever need to talk or vent, please reach out. You are not alone in this.

Thank you so much for this reply. It really helps knowing that people are feeling the same things, even though I wouldn't wish anxiety on anyone. I'm really sorry to hear about your mother in law. I think since we're anxiety prone, any traumatic event throws us back into the cycle. I've thought about having an MRI to ease my mind, but the eye doctor I saw for the field test found his wife's MS and temporal brain tumor on a girl I know, so I feel confident that if there had been something, he would have seen it. Not to mention, I feel like health anxiety hops around. Once we find out everything is good with one area, our symptoms move and we become obsessed with another area. 

I totally agree, I think the traumatic events we both went through def lead to the health anxiety issues. I always had anxiety but never health anxiety until that happened.

And yes, you're so right! As soon as we realize we arent dying and don't have a tumor or heart issue or w.e haha, it goes away and then a new weird symptom shows up!! It's so annoying!

Hi Mike- I have severe anxiety that came on suddenly and started on 25 mg of Sertraline as well. Are you having any sleep issues by chance?

Hi Jill.

Slight insomnia, but nothing horrible.

Most of my symptoms are increased anxiety, intermittent sweating, nausea and minor heart palpitations.

How long have you been taking the Sertraline? Do you have any other issues besides sleep?

Yes I do, but my thyroid has me with all this anxiety 😢

Have you checked your Thyroid and/or Cortisol level? 

Though I would have to think that it is all due to anxiety from the stressful and traumatic event you encountered, it can't hurt to have everything possible checked. Check thyroid levels and everything like that just to be sure. I would bet money these are just physical anxiety symptoms, which are no better because there is no magical pill you can throw at it without consequence. God bless and I pray you start to feel better

 

Hello,

Just reading through this thread as I experience a lot of problems similar to the original poster:

-Tension headaches (everyday)

-Head Pressure

-Brain Fog

-Dizziness / Light-headed

-Balance feeling off (like walking on sponges)

-A general feeling of 'being out of it' (Hard to describe - like in a daze)

I have these feelings most when in environments where am not happy. I thought it may be down to work being sat at a desk in front of a monitor most of the day, but have also had these issues when outside. The head pressure feeling seems to build during the working day, by the time I go home it is terrible.

If any of this sounds familiar it may be of some re-assurance that I have seen doctors / neurologists / had head MRI scan - all came back clean. Been presecribed with meds for the heacahces (Amittriptyline) but unfortunately still have problems....