Physical illness or anxiety?

[calmseeker]

Hi,

Got my knickers in a twist trying to work out if my symptoms are anxiety or something else, and google just scares me when I seek clarification! Tried speaking with GP about symptoms and instead of relief I have found myself even more frustrated.

Ocular migraines, dizziness, nausea, forgetfulness, insomnia, headaches, numbness, panic. Anxiety? Something else?

Trying to get some answers so I can get some relief but I am feeling a little let down by my doc (nice guy). At least after three years of suffering these symptoms he sent me for an MRI.

Feeling a little overwhelmed today I guess....

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

Anxiety is a serious illness, more than many think. It takes short medium and long term remedy and that remedy, a cure or semi cure is possible. The traditional treatments for anxiety are proven and if you feel you need a second opinion by all means seek it.

In 1987 I was initially diagnosed with a heart attack at 31yo. 3 months later it was changed to panic attack. In 2003 I was diagnosed with ADHD, after 6 years of taking the wrong medicine, I was diagnosed with bipolar2 and dysthymia by two other psychiatrists. Amazing. The changes with the right medicines was dramatic and wonderful.

Anxiety. We'll stick with that at this time as we cannot diagnose, we are people with MI ourselves. But from my experience with anxiety there are many things you can do yourself to assist you in recovery. Please read the first post of the following threads-

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/anxiety-how-l-eliminated-it

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/anxiety-it-can-be-overcome

That will help you a lot I think. Relaxation, change of employment, regular holidays.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/holidays

My best holidays now is caravanning. But there are cheaper ways of getting away for a night or two.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/inexpensive-recovery-idea---cam...

Protection- protection from toxic people might be an issue for you. It was for me and still is, however I identified with my deficiencies and acted upon them

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/relationship-and-family-issues/fortress-of-s...

So I hope you get value out of a little reading as a start towards your own attempts to recover,

Repost anytime and chat away.

TonyWK

[calmseeker]

Hi TonyWK,

Thanks for sharing some of your story with me. It demonstrates that it might be a bit of a long road to sort things out but maybe there's some relief at the end.

I suppose I am feeling a little 'ripped off ' today. My MRI showed a tiny tumour. As terrified as I was to hear this, I thought, well that must definitely be the answer to all these uncomfortable symptoms I am having. Turns out that's not the case. Docs say its causing none of the symptoms. Apparently its just sitting on my pituitary gland, growing very slowly and not interfering with hormones or anything else. So I feel that in my endeavours to investigate why on earth I have been feeling so awful, I have just happened upon this tumour. Now I feel that I have added something else to the endless list of things I worry about. This finding has also created a degree of health anxiety which I hadn't experienced before. I find myself terrified at the thought of any further testing of any sort, my head spins with 'what if they find something else'.

I suppose I have been quite shocked at the physical symptoms that anxiety can cause. Its both interesting and uncomfortable how interrelated body and brain are.

I am keen to read the threads you have pointed out to me.

CS

[blondguy]

Hello Calmseeker]

TonyWK has provided excellent references in his post above that are a huge help to our recovery

The MRI result is not a result you, I or anyone would expect....as many people go through all the physiological tests prior as anxiety symptoms do mimic heart...brain..digestive symptoms

I used to have chronic anxiety attacks followed by depression for 37 years and it's a horrible place to be in CS

Depending on the level of anxiety....it can effect....

• Our Adrenaline flow....thus causing heart palpitations....Confusion...Inability to concentrate...headaches..
• Our digestive system is the most sympathetic to anxiety issues...nausea...diarrhea....loss of appetite..ugh
• Sleep problems can occur....cold/hot sweats....waking up at silly hours which leave us vulnerable to more anxiety the next day.....and yes it can be a vicious circle.....unfortunately

Im sorry about your diagnosis CS. If you wish to discuss your feelings to the MRI outcome you are more than welcome. I do hope the prognosis is good news

Your privacy and well being are paramount to the Beyond Blue forums CS

I do hope you can continue to be part of the forum family 🙂

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Tucy]

Hi calmseeker

I have travelled your road and still travel it although to a lesser extent. I spent 6 years going to doctors saying there was something wrong with me and they just kept saying it was depression and anxiety and panic disorder. No I said that can't be what I am feeling cannot possibly be related to that. I pushed against it for years getting more anxious thinking they hadn't found what was lurking in my body. I too had a pituitary adenoma diagnosed on MRI and was also told it was small, common and unless I get other symptoms don't need to worry. I do need a follow up MRI but don't want to go in case they find something else. I do take medication which I have found numbs my emotional response so I suppose in some ways I don't feel me anymore but then I don't think I have for a long time. If I can watch Wilson get lost in the waves in Castaway and not cry then I know the meds are working.

I found comfort and solace in nature. Simply walking my dog smelling the flowers and leaves, watching the birds fly and call out as they carry themselves high up in the sky. Or watch my hens like little velociraptors hunting lizards and clucking really excitedly when they catch one. Sounds really corny but it is those small moments of mindfulness where for that brief moment I am truly present and grounded. To not be distracted with might be or what has been and simply be.

I wish you luck with your journey.

[calmseeker]

Hi Tucy,

Isnt it strange to be told 'you have a brain tumour but don't stress, its not doing anything". I think I was catatonic for a month before I started trying to gather some information. As a person without private cover I am relying on the public system for assistance, therefore I am told it will be 2021 before I am able to see a neuro. I also found it alarming that a GP could give a person with pre existing panic disorder such a diagnosis then send them on their way.

Do you think you will have a follow up MRI Tucy? I absolutely understand the concerns you have in doing so. I think I have developed a bit of a phobia regarding having tests done since the tumour diagnosis.

I too find some solace in nature. That is, when I can relax enough to be able to focus on it. At this point in time the anxiety is so savage I am unable to do all those wonderful sounding things that people suggest for helping anxiety. The candles, the relaxation music, the nature walks and appreciation etc. I am considering medication and hopefully this will give my brain the space it needs in order to undertake these things.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me, I feel grateful when I feel that someone understands.

[calmseeker]

Thank you for your thoughts Paul.

Agreed! TonyWK has some wonderful advice and insight. Its so very helpful.

After months of not believing that the symptoms I am experiencing could possibly be all down to anxiety, and after months of being fearful and sceptical about taking anti depressants, I think I may be surrendering to the notion that these physical symptoms are indeed anxiety related. I came to this conclusion yesterday after a particularly uncomfortable day of nausea, headaches, over thinking , dizziness and panic. I was so yuck that I took a particular anti anxiety medication which I only allow myself to use the anxiety reaches ridiculous levels. Within an hour I noticed all the physical symptoms were gone. I had the blessing of feeling normal, my thoughts slowed to what I would consider a person without MI would think like, nausea gone, dizziness gone, headache gone. Hmm, maybe trying an anti depressant will be necessary, I would dearly love the feeling of 'normal' more often.

I hope you Paul are in a calm place after your journey through anxiety? I very much appreciate your best wishes.

CS

[blondguy]

Hey CS

Thanks for your very kind response! Like yourself I didnt know that anxiety related feelings could cause the physiological symptoms they do....Unfortunately they can

I tried all of the various natural remedies and my anxiety symptoms didnt budge. In my post above I mentioned "I used to have chronic anxiety attacks". They did reduce when I started on a low dose of an SSRI....I also take an 'anti anxiety' med when required if my anxiety spikes....like you mentioned above

Thankyou for asking if I am in a calm place CS....and yes...a lot better than I used to be years ago. Just per my own anxiety issues....my AD's helped me save my career...peace of mind....my personal life and provided me with a solid platform on which I could heal more effectively using a couple of excellent counsellors 🙂

There is sometimes some 'leftover anxiety' yet with the low dose meds and 4 weekly visits with my crackerjack GP I had an approx 90% reduction in the severity of my symptoms..yay!

The good news! Anxiety symptoms do decrease over time with ongoing counseling...patience...and a strong determination to heal..(and meds as per our doctors recommendation

I hope your weekend has been good to you CS! (there is no such thing as a dumb question on the forums....If you have queries please ask away)

my kind thoughts

Paul

[calmseeker]

Paul, I am wondering how long you felt it took before you started noticing a decrease in your depression and anxiety symptoms once you began on your anti depressants? I hear you when you say your benefits were in conjunction with other things as well. I hear and read that the improvements happen at different times for different people, I am trying to convince myself to give AD's a go. I was on a particular AD that was described as 'mild' by my GP and therefore he has recommended something else as it didn't seem to be working for me. I have been off that particular 'mild' med for over 2 years now.

My main concern with starting this med would be the stories I hear about med AD's actually increasing the anxiety symptoms in the first few weeks, this terrifies me as I can barely handle the panic I am experiencing right now.

GP's can obviously give good info, but hearing from a soldier who has fought the war is so helpful ! 🙂

[blondguy]

Hey calmseeker!

Thanks for posting back and saying hello 🙂

You asked "I am wondering how long you felt it took before you started noticing a decrease in your depression and anxiety symptoms once you began on your anti depressants"? This is an excellent question CS....

I was prescribed AD's (SSRI's) for chronic anxiety attacks.....Just for me the meds took about a week to work. It was a great feeling to drive without having panic attacks in traffic. I still had to have counseling after starting the meds as they are never a fix all...unfortunately

The stories/opinions you have read may be the result of some people experiencing anxiety only because they have started taking the meds and are over sensitised and 'looking' for an adverse reaction

Just for myself The AD's are no different to taking meds for any physiological condition. Just a note that anxiety and depression are both partially physical conditions as they are chemically based

any questions are always welcome CS 🙂

Thankyou so much for your last sentence too! It has been a rocky road to recovery

my kind thoughts

Paul