Is it just anxiety or real health problem?

[aeunjoo]

Hello,

I have not felt good for 4 years now. I've been to numerous doctors. So far the only diagnosis has been that I have lots of allergies and lots of food sensitivities. So recently I went to a psychologist, and he said he thought my "illness" was a medical problem.

My symptoms have been dizziness, feeling off balanced, very faint, sometimes tremors, weakness (mostly in my legs), fatigue, migraines, blurry vision, light sensitivity, now constant anxiety (I never can relax), panic attacks, and the list goes on . I'm becoming agoraphobic. I'm even now having a hard time relaxing when friends come over. I just don't know what to do anymore!

Could this just be anxiety? If so...what can I do? I've tried breathing and such. The psychologist said we could try neurofeedback, but he wasn't sure if it would work.

Can anyone here help me?

Thanks for your time!!

[potor]

I definitely believe that you may have anxiety related issues. The problem with our anxiety disorders is that the more we worry about them, the more they manifest themselves into more symptoms. It's a crazy circle to break. If you have been to doctors, and have had them not find anything, them your symptoms are probably caused by your anxiety. The first thing is to believe that this is true. Once that you can convince yourself that the physical things are real but only symptoms of anxiety and not other things, will you truly start to recover. I've had many of the symptoms you have mentioned, they sometimes last months. The dizziness, the off balance, the electrical shocks feeling in the head, the tremors, the not being able to relax, the tension in the neck, the chest pains. The dizziness thing has come and gone my whole adult life. I have had many brain scans, eegs, etc. and they are always negative. I got to where I didn't want to be alone, where I didn't want to go to the store, etc. in fear something would happen to me.

The last time I had a bout of this (although I'm in one right now, but different symptoms) I had been dizzy for about 4 months straight. All tests negative. I went and saw a very understanding and caring neurologist who actually talked and listened to me for about an hour before he did any examination. He watched how I held my shoulders while I talked, how I breathed, what brought the emotions out. Then after examining me, he explained exactly what I needed to hear. He said that I was such a tensed up mess, that my whole body, shoulders and neck were one big knot, that no wonder I was dizzy all the time. I was constricting the blood flow, or nerves or whatever, breathing very shallow and never coming up for air when I talked. He said many people complain of the shock feeling in the head, and that it is nothing to be alarmed with. He suggested a massage therapist for my neck to loosen up the knots. He suggested a counselor to help me deal with whatever it was that I was dealing with. And do you know, that just for a doctor to explain to me what was happening, and BELIEVING it, made the symptoms disappear. And yes, I followed his advice and still go to monthly massages. The counselor I only saw twice and I didn't feel she understood anxiety so I stopped going. If my dizziness ever returns, I know that it is anxiety.

With anxiety, it's a creature that tries to scare you. Now that it knows dizziness no longer can rile me up, it has now turned to chest pressure, irregular heart beats and has me freaked out about my heart. Well, after an EKG and stress test my heart is fine. Yesterday my doctor assured me that it was just my anxiety roaring its ugly head again. He had me talk about what was happening in my life etc. I bawled like a baby and let it all out. He prescribed Santa for the bad times. He wants me to go back to the gym, (I stopped going because I thought it was my heart), he wants me to start doing something with my hands that I enjoy and get my mind on something enjoyable. So we'll see if it works.

I hope this helps, you can get better. Knowing others go through the same things really does help.

Get well soon!

[aeunjoo]

Thanks!

I just have a couple of questions for you. It sounds like you still go to the doctors a lot...is that true? Will this ever end?

Have you tried any homeopathic type stuff? Does anything help? I've tried breathing, but I rally haven't seen any improvements.

Also, can this cause a drastic change in blood pressure? The last time I went to the doctors they took my blood pressure while lying down and it was 112/70 and 65 beats per minute (which is high for me) and then they took it while stand up and it went to 122/? And 100 beats per minute.

Thanks for any and all information!!!!

[woong]

I am new here. I highly recommend you check out your hormone levels as well. You could have a hormone imbalance. Even just a slight one will cause anxiety. That's what happened to me. In my case I had extremely high cortisol. Because, you see I personally do not believe generalized anxiety causes panic attacks etc. I think it is something chemical. Also check out the Complete Candida Yeast Guidebook by Jeanne Marie Martin. Your allergies make me suspect.

You see Xantax, which is what they prescribe for panic attacks is actually GABA. GABA is made naturally by your body. Why is your body not making enough GABA? That is the question for everyone.

I also found eating seretonin producing foods (potato, etc.) extremely helpful on some days.

[pope]

sounds like your symptoms could be anxiety. I would ask yourself this, does the symptoms come and go? Are they only during certain times?? like when you are driving? getting ready to go somewhere? anticipating something? Do they ever go away when you are distracted by something, for example, into a really good movie?

Also, do you have any anxiety disorders in your family? These things can be inherited.

I suffered for years with symptoms but until I have my first panic attack and ran right to the emergency room. There, I was diagnosed with anxiety. I did not even know what anxiety meant. Sure enough, the symptoms are very real...it is real.