Is Something There? or Am I Crazy

Last year I felt the same way. I thought it was anxiety because I have experienced anxiety attacks in the past. On Friday November 28, my husband was gone on a day trip to a friends, I went to the store, started feeling the same way you described. I came home, and for some odd reason took my blood pressure, it was thru the roof. I tried to relax, and as the evening progressed it did not go down. When my husband got home, he took me to the hospital. Because I told the staff that I thought it was anxiety induced they just monitored me. They drew blood and then did nothing else. My blood pressure came down at one point during the night and they sent me home telling me that it was anxiety, gave me Xanax and sent me on my way. My blood pressure remained elevated thru the weekend and on Monday I went to my doctor who promptly started me on blood pressure medicine, within days, my symptoms were gone and I was feeling better than I had in months.

I would suggest that you purchase a blood pressure monitor and take your blood pressure once a day and write it down. If you begin to have symptoms that you described take your blood pressure, then try to find a doctor that will listen to you.

Trust your gut.

~K.~

Hi D., no you are not crazy! I am a psych nurse practitioner and see these type of reports from clients pushed to the side by the treating clinician, lots of times telling the client it is all in their head! Please, don't take that chance, many medical conditions are missed because of this. Please, talk to your medical provider and tell him/her you want an EKG of the heart (just to make sure it is working well) and that you want a comprehensive thyroid test completed, TSH, Free T4 and T3. To make sure your thyroid is doing what it should be doing. Good luck, hope that this helps and all my best, Cindy. A web site I just came upon is pretty informative you may want to look at is: www.askdrjones.com. Cindy

I have been dealing with this exact same thing. Once I went to a cardiologist and had the wierd heartbeats checked out that help. Turned out I had premature beats as someone else here mentioned. But once I understood what they were and knowing they weren't life threatening gave me a peace of mind, so I quick having the panic attacks in response to those heartbeats. However I still had random anxiety and panic attacks. After researching the anxiety meds, I knew I didn't want to be on those long term. I Googled 'natural cures for anxiety' and found a lot of info. One thing in particular that I discovered is that those with anxiety are often deficient in magnesium and vit. c. I weened off the Xanax (slowly, or that in itself will cause panic attacks) and began taking these supplements. That has helped me. So, I would start with the cardiologist to rule out anything serious and do your own research, there's a lot of good info out there! You aren't crazy! It's amazing how many of us are out there dealing with this! Good luck!

Hi D.!

I too have anxiety. Mine started when I was 31. I quit my full-time job as a social worker to stay home with my son who was not quite a year old. I was used to working all day and into the evenings sometimes with a case load of 25 people I used to feel like something was seriously wrong with my health. I started worrying about having a heart attack, cancer, basically whatever I saw or heard about. I got light-headed as if things weren't quite real. My heart would start racing or palpitating and I was afraid I was going to pass out. I got to the point where I was so worried that I wouldn't eat much which lead to acid reflux and diarrhea. I ended up losing 17 pounds in a month. I saw doctors and had a stress test, endoscopy and colonoscopy. Each doctor I saw said it was anxiety. I started Prozac which has been helpful. I went off the medication when I got pregnant with my second son. It was a difficult pregnancy which did not help my anxiety. So I got back on it because I could not be the kind of mother I wanted to be to my kids if I was panicking about keeling over dead all the time. I am now 42 and have resolved myself that my life is much more enjoyable when I take the medicne. I also read a book by Lucinda Bassett called "From Panic to Power" which was really helpful. She also has a CD series that sounds really good. You might check on ebay for that. Well, I hope that it helps to know that someone else has experienced what you are going through and NO! You are Not crazy!

Best of Luck!

T.

You know your body best.

For the anxiety, I HIGHLY recommend counseling. I have gone to a counselor on and off for years. It started when I was dealing with infertility issues. Vicki (my counselor) was able to alay some of my fears with just one sentence or thought and it seemed totally seamless. We would be talking and sometimes I would just have that "Ahhh Haaa" moment. I still think about some of the things she said to help me get through the day.

If they haven't already (they should have!) be sure they get a full thryoid panel (blood test) to rule out any thyroid issues. That can cause a myriad of symptoms you mention. Then you might want to go ahead and get the Holter monitor done (the 24-48 hour heart monitor). Even if it is a totally normal result, it might help you. Sometimes, just the peace of mind of knowing that physiologically everything is a-ok can be enough to make a symptom stop.
Any reason you stopped the meds on your own? That can really make symptoms worse, depending on which med it was...
Hope you're feeling better soon.

I think you've got some great ideas to go over. I wanted to mention, I used to have these problems (still do, but not NEARLY as bad). I used to take an anti anxiety medicine that I only took when I needed it. I liked that a lot, so I didn't feel I was on it all the time. It was potentially addictive, but that made me extra careful to only take it when I needed it. It helped a lot. But the thing that really helped was when I went off the pill. Are you using a hormonal birth control? If so, maybe you could look into something different, something with less hormones, something more localized, etc. Along with the thyroid thing (which is hormonal too), you may want to look into your other hormones.

I hope you figure something out. I know how desperate you feel and sort of silly about it at the same time.

K.

My grandmother had something she called panic attacks, it sounds somewhat the same.
I do have another idea, it could be a hormone imbalance. Oprah had a segment on her show and I've been trying to find someone to help me get the natural hormones they talk about on her show. I know you don't want to hear it, but a when you read about menopause a lot of the symptoms are what you are experiencing, even the heart palpitations. There is a pharmacy here in KC that conducts seminars that talk about the problem. Menopause can pop up at any time because it is a change in hormones, so you can have the symptoms very young, it can also make you feel anxiety. The problem here in the midwest is finding a doctor that knows enough about it to give you a prescription for what you need. At the seminar they have a list of doctors that they work with, I'm at the point of getting an appointment with one of them, you can explore the subject some at this site: www.starkpharmacies.com

Good Morning D., No hon your Not Crazy at all. There are times when I do not take my meds ( forgot or got busy oops)
I get light headed, loose my balanced, dizzy and nauseous. I Stopped Cold turkey on a med, was not a good idea to be sure. After a hideous few days I was ok. The other Mama's are very knowledgeable on this subject. No one person can understand what you are feeling unless they have been there, done that, have the bumper sticker and hat to prove it. When I had to go on depression medication I was feeling so ashamed. Why was this happening to me a typically happy carefree person. Something definitely changed in my life.. I got a DIL for h3ll...lol Working on the relationship WHEN she wants too.

Nothing to be ashamed of to take medications to help with the quality of our daily lives. My mom had things like you described for a long time happening to her also. And Yeah they (Dr) said it was all in her head. Unfortunately some Medical professionals do not take Women's health seriously. I have been to a Woman Dr. for years now and I wouldn't go back to a male Dr. if I was paid too. ( well maybe If it was HUGE Bucks...lol ) Women will listen and understand what we are actually saying. That has been my experience any way. I never get the brush off from my Dr. she listens and finds the root of the problem, whether it is mental
(stinking thinking), diet, lack of exercise, exhaustion, what ever it is she is willing to listen and not tell me it's in my head.

God Bless you D., you will be OK. Don't let anyone tell you your crazy!! If they do ask them if they want to join the Club, theres a big fan base out there!! I did something silly the other day and someone ask me waht I was thinking. I said I was thinking of Going Crazy! Short trip wanna come wiff me?!?!?!

Big Hugs
K. Nana of 5

D.: I'm sorry you are having this trouble. If you have anxiety (and your symptoms describe anxiety perfectly) you need to see a liscensed psychologist or psychiatrist rather than a medical doctor. A psychologist/psychiatrist may be able to pin-point the cause of your anxiety and help you to rid yourself of it so that you don't have to take medication for the rest of your life.

Good luck.

Hey D.,
I would have to agree with Kathy G. on the whole "natural remedies". Ditto on all of your symptoms, I'm right there with you. Night sweats and day heat flashes to boot! UGH. I am not old enough for menopause ...lol....but that is what it almost feels like. I have always been very even tempered and the totally "out there" anxiety over stupid little things, and outbursts of hatefulness is so not me, but lately....when not on my supplements, it all starts to rush in. Soo my suggestion as usual , is chiropractic treatments/adjustments , a diet free from any type of soda pop especially diet sodas ( read online about aspertame and the strange whakko side effects ) , double your water intake because a brain with more oxygen is happier. Our supplements are by "Standard Process" and I take these
Min-Chex: calcium/niacin/vit. B6, and Iodine ...for the mental forgetfulness and hateful outbursts or bows of low , low , lows.
Standard Process : OVEX P- a Quality Vit C
ORCHEX - Mag. and mix of other B's
FERROFOOD -More Vit C mixed w/B12 & Iron
CONGAPLEX - Vitamins A,C and Calicum/ Magnesium also
Biotics Research brand : B12-2000 \helps for just the everyday and has folic acid / B6 mixed in as well.

So I agree, you definitely sound deficient in your minerals and more water. When I am not "on" my whole family suffers and I hate not being myself. I make sure I eat "before" I am hungry and take the minerals throughout the day just to maintain normal behavior. As per the anxiety definitely find a counselor who can encourage you in some relaxtion techniques and ways to cope when the onset of the heart palpatations come on, especially if you are working fulltime, bless your heart. THAT has to be hard in and of itself and then trying to cope with the racing heart. Anyways, I also agree with those folks who said to do your own research into the most effective treatments/vs./ symptoms. Make sure to check "who" and "what side" the information is coming from, because alot of the medical sites are "funded" by the pharm. companies , thus they will be heavy minded on their product of course. Just food for thought on that choice. Starting here is great too because there are so many great ladies out there, so just know you are never , never alone nor are you the ONLY one with this obvisouly. I totally think women all deal with a level of anxiety that unfortunately not much is known about so the "experts" tend to write us off and just tell us to go pop some pill and we should feel better, you know what I mean? I am just not one of those. So I do alot of research , check with my own resident DC, and check in with my own body symptoms and do what works for me. You can get through this.

Hope that helps.
S.

I agree with Karen B. Find a woman doctor if at all possible.

I currently go to a woman nurse practitioner.
You need someone who will listen to you, and check you out thoroughly, not chalk it all up to female hysteria.

While it could be, and probably is anxiety, (I have it too, have had for many years, and it is exactly as you describe) there are a number of other physical conditions that should be ruled out just to be sure. Those symptoms can fit a lot of conditions.
Anxiety is just the most likely.

Oh, and BTW, you do not have to have problems in your life to have panic attacks/anxiety. As another Mamma mentioned, it often is a chemical imbalance, which is an actual physical issue just like any other.

Is there a reason you stopped taking your medication? Just stopping medication can make things worse. Maybe you could go back on the medication & after you feel better, THEN try to figure things out while you can think & function. Also, have you considered talking to a therapist? They can help you figure things out, including coordinating with a doctor to rule out thyroid problems, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, heart problems, ADHD, OCD, stress, etc.

You DESERVE to find the solution to better health!

Also, DON'T deny yourself medical care because you are worried what your SO will think. You are not crazy, you are feeling these symptoms, so you NEED to identify why.

Good luck!
J.

I to deal with high anxiety and panic attacks that sounds more of what your dealing with my heart does funny stuff all the time and I freak out I've done ekg's and the heart monitor for 24 hrs thing and they never find anything wrong with my heart. Hope things get better!

Belive it or not I have the same symptoms and more and it is anxiety and depression.I have had several testing done and it all seems not to match up with anything that could be fatal cancer or something serious not saying that depression and anxiety isn't serious because it is.But that there isn't any other medical condition I have for these strange symptoms.It is very hard and diffucult to live with it's as if nobody understands what you are going through or feeling and I can try to explain it till i'm blue in the face.But unless you have it and can speak one on one with that person you feel all alone and almost ashamed to have a chemical imbalnce.I think it's funny when others comment that it's all in your head well because it is it's called seratonion and noropronephine that have went bonkers

Ever heard of stress? I am curious do you have ADD? I get heart palpitations, fun aren't they. I actually haven't for the past week which is strange in itself. They are caused by stress and aren't life threatening. My doctor told me they would go away after my divorce was final. No such luck. Then again I work full time, take 18 hours a semester at SLU and raise four kids to be viable members of society. A bit stressful. I used to figure they would go away when I die.

So far as the depression my Adderall takes care of those symptoms. The reason I asked if you are ADD is that when I am working on a project even if I don't take my Adderall I have no problems because the project itself stimulates production of the chemicals that are lacking at times. Can't spell them correctly.

Good luck.

Hi D.-
I've had something very similar and I think it's just stress. It's amazing how your body reacts to stress, even if you don't consciously think you're stressed. As long as your doctor has checked you out and everything's OK, I wouldn't worry about it, it will pass when you're not thinking about it! Good luck!

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www.livefamilydreams.com

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I had a time when I was feeling quite anxious way too often and before counseling or medication, my doctor suggested my reading a book called "When Your Body Gets the Blues". I ended up borrowing it so many times from the library, I finally bought it. The book has many great ideas just to help your body...written by a female doctor and a female nurse practitioner. I did well with it but did end up going to counseling and took some medications as well. But I feel that the information from the book helped me get off the meds sooner. Everyone gave great advice, I just love this book and thought I'd share it. Good luck!