ANXIETY ? LET'S MAKE A LIST OF SYMPTOMS AND TESTS TAKEN TO HELP EVERYONE.

[Lightwise]

Reading everyone's concerns on this message board (along with my concerns) I thought it might be a good experiment(and a helpful reference guide for everyone) to list ALL the symptoms they have had and ALL the tests that have come back normal and ALL the specialists they have seen that have concluded that it was all anxiety. If you can put it in a LIST FORM with no back story so it is easy to reference that would be great. The idea here is that we can help eachother by revealing the range of symptoms that anxiety can produce ... this might ease all of our minds and help us get back to the life we were intended to live ... HAPPY and HEALTHY : )
Here is my list:

SYMPTOMS:
FATIGUE
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
FOGGY HEAD, CONCENTRATION PROBLEMS
FREQUENT URINATION
PINS AND NEEDLES FEELING
IMBALANCE WHILE WALKING
HEAVY HEAD
PAIN BEHIND THE EYES
COLD TOES/COLD FINGERS
PALPITATIONS
SOME SHAKINESS/CLUMSINESS
FLOATERS IN VISION

TESTS TAKEN THAT CAME BACK NORMAL:
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
EKG
BRAIN MRI
EYE EXAM
EAR EXAM
EMERGENCY ROOM EKG
4 BLOOD TESTS
STANDARD PHYSICAL

DOCTORS/SPECIALISTS I'VE SEEN WHO SAY IT'S ALL ANXIETY RELATED:
MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR
NEUROLOGIST
NUTRITIONIST
THERAPIST
CARDIOLOGIST
EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR
PSYCHIATRIST (FRIEND)

[rasticle]

Here is my list:

Symptoms:
Palpatations
Tightness in Chest
Dizzyness(Vertigo)
IBS
Hypertension
Insomnia
Fatigue
Brain Fog
Trouble Consentrating

Tests:
Chest X-ray
Echocardiogram
EKG
Holter Monitor
Abdominal Ultrasound
Blood Studies
Urine metanephrine assay
MRI of Brain
Liver Biopsy

Doctors:
Endocrinologist
Cardiologist
Interist
Psyciatrist
Gastroenterologist
Counselor

This all means Anxiety = $$

[PlateletGal]

Do you have anxiety ?

[rasticle]

I have anxiety and hypertension.

[tanns]

SYMPTOMS:

nausea
chest pain
shortness of breath
dizziness
palpitations
horrible headaches

TESTS DONE:

EKG (4)
ER visit (2)/test for lung clot, EKG, blood workup,
Echocardiogram(3)
CT-Angiogram
Stress Test
Nuclear Stress Test
HIDA Scan
Small bowel series
Endoscopy
Colonoscopy

DOCTORS WHO THINK ANXIETY

Cardiologist(3)
Family Practitioner(3)
Gastro
ER docs

Unfortunately, after a year of tests and a small fortune, I still am unable to completely accept anxiety as my diagnosis.  

My chest pain is too real and happens BEFORE the anxiety starts.  

[Lightwise]

Is your dizziness all the time or just when you panic ?

[tanns]

It doesn't seem to be related to anxiety or panic attacks.  It just will happen.  For no apparent reason.  It's just another reason why I can't accept the anxiety diagnosis.  Also, I have shortness of breath that happens out of the blue.  For example, I was just brushing my teeth and started to feel so out of breath.  This is crazy.  I was just brushing teeth, not stressed about anything or feeling any anxiety.  But once the shortness of breath happened my mind goes nuts.

[rasticle]

The scary thing about anxiety is that you can have symptoms anytime anywhere.  They can all happen independly and seem unassociated.  Thats what was happening to me... but realizing its just anxiety and taking meds really helped me out a ton!

[baskets145]

I have anxiety attacks.  I saw a therapist to help me find out what causes them and found out that most times it is a chemical imbalance.  I found out I had 3 times the testostrone in my body.  Also, ended up having a dermoid on my ovary.   The therapist helped me to manage the attacks.  Also, since I have leveled my testostrone levels and had the dermoid removed I have done better.  Anxiety is when your body gets too much of the chemical that causes your fight or flight senses.  I also realized that there were some things in my past that also triggered them.  Please continue to seek help.  I now take Zoloft and spirotalactin (sp) and it has helped me so much.  

Good luck.

[Aruba417]

Symptoms:

PALPITATIONS
HEART "THOMPING"
FAST HEARTRATE
HEADACHES
NAUSEA
JAW TIGHTNESS/ACHINESS
ACHES IN BACK/CHEST/SHOULDER (LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE)
TINGLING IN FACE/EYES
TINGLING IN ARMS/LEGS
CHILLS
TREMBLING
FEELING LIKE I'M ABOUT TO DIE
RESTLESSNESS

Normal tests:
EKG
ECHOCARDIOGRAM
HOLTER MONITOR - 2 WEEKS
STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAM
BLOOD WORK
MRI
CT SCAN
CHEST XRAYS

[Aruba417]

Doctors/Specialists Seen:
Cardiologist
Psychiatrist
Neurologist
Primary Care

[Aruba417]

My chest pain also happens before any other symptoms. I feel that first, THAT'S why I start to panic.

[Jenny Wren]

My symptoms:

LEGS/BACK TINGLING
FACIAL TINGLING
INTERNAL VIBRATION
HEART PALPITATIONS
MIGRAINES
STIFF NECK/SHOULDERS
FATIQUE

Tests that I have had done:

UPPER GI SERIES
HEPATIBILIARY SCAN
COLONOSCOPY
LUMBAR MRI
C-SPINE MRI---BULGING DISK FOUND
BRAIN MRI W/ AND W/O CONTRAST--SINUS INFECTION
BLOODWORK INCLUDES;
EBV---POSITIVE
CMV--NEGATIVE
CBC--NORMAL
SED RATE--NORMAL
ANA--NORMAL
CHOLESTEROL--NORMAL
THYROID--NORMAL
METABOLIC PANEL--NORMAL
EKG--NORMAL
CHEST X-RAY--NORMAL
LUNG SCAN--NORMAL
ARTERIAL BLOOD GASES--LOW BECAUSE OF HYPERVENTILATION
LYME DISEASE--NORMAL

I just wish the bug crawling feelings would go away, and stay away forever.  Next round of testing will be EMG, SSEP, AND VEP.
Hopefully I don't have to get the lumbar puncture, I'm not to fond of needles.

[Jenny Wren]

Forgot to add docs visited:


CHIROPRATORS
PHYSICAL THERAPY
FAMILY DOCTOR
NEUROLOGIST
HOPEFULLY I CAN GET A SHRINK ALSO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lightwise]

What Lyme test did you take and with what kind of doctor. If you took the basic ELISA test, that is not enough. You need to get a Westen Blot test done by a top lab like Igenex. I know this sounds like I'm being too picky, but that is the only way to test for Lyme correctly. Also, you need to see a Lyme Literate Doctor (usually referred to as an LLMD). What area of the country are you in ?

I hope and pray you feel better.

[Jenny Wren]

I already have an appt at a LLMD in Jan.  I live in PA.

[suzi-q]

SYMPTOMS

HEADACHE
PANIC ATTACKS
DIZZINESS
LIGHTHEADEDNESS
NAUSEA
TREMBLING
TINGLING IN HANDS AND FEET
TINGLING IN FACE AND MOUTH
HEART PALPITATIONS
(I am sure there are more!)

TESTS

EKG
CAT SCAN OF BRAIN
MRI OF BRAIN
BLOOD WORK TO INCLUDE:  lymes disease, lupus, AIDS, MS, (and many other diseases I don't know!)

DOCTORS

REGULAR PHYSICIAN
HEMOTOLOGIST
CARDIOLOGIST
OPTHOMOLOGIST
EARS NOSE AND THROAT
ALLERGIST
NEUROLOGIST (two of them!!)

finally:  PSYCHOLOGIST and her husband, a PSYCHIATRIST!!!

[anxietyellie]

For all of you looking for a list of anxiety symptoms here is a really good website for you to check out:
www.anxietycentre.com
Click on the Anxiety Symptoms Page and scroll down.  You won't believe what symptoms it can cause!!!

[AWadd]

My List:

CONSTANT SYMPTOMS:
-Fatigue
-Joiny, Muscle, and Tendon Pain
-Tiredness
-Balance Problems


EPISODIC SYMPTOMS:
-Throat Tightness
-Dizziness (Severe)
-Palpitations
-Fear
-Nausea
-Chills
-Hot Flashes

[tazmaniac67]

My Symptoms:
Flush feeling in chest
Elevated heart rate
Feeling like I can't get my breath
Sense of doom

Tests I've had that were good:
EKG (2)
48 hr. Holter
Treadmill Stress Test
Chest X-Ray (2)
Full blood panel

Dr.s Seen:
E.R. doctor
Cardiologist
Family Physician
Occupational Health doctor

[MominCanada]

Hi, it was nice to come across your posting.  I keep thinking I have the same diseases that others people feel they have (ie, lupus, MS, chronic fatigue syndrome, lyme disease, fybromyalgia) with the same types of symptoms.  I go on Feb. 1 for an MRI (that day can't come soon enough) and then to the Neurologist on Feb. 6th.  I am HOPING it is only anxiety...isn't it sad to wish that...but it is much better than what I am imagining these days.  I don't know how long the waits are in the USA for MRI's but this has been the longest 2 months in my life.  (and that is a very SHORT time to wait for an MRI in Canada)

SYMPTOMS ARE:

-Fatigue (lots--worse in a.m. gets better thru day)
-Leg, foot and arm on left side has occasional heaviness that comes and goes
-muscle twitches all over body
-heart palpitations
-migraines (have had 10 yrs +)
-sore muscles
-muscle weakness
-cold hands (sometimes clammy)
-cold feet (sometimes clammy)
-excessive armpit sweating
-vivid dreams
-hard time falling asleep and staying asleep
-lost 14 lbs in 2 months
-loss of appetite
-one eye seems unclear at times
-glands on back of head sometimes pop up and get sore
-unbalanced
-clumsy (feel like hands don't work properly sometimes)

TESTS DONE:

-Blood (incl. thyroid)-normal
-Yearly Eye exam-normal
-CAT scan -normal
-Chest x-ray-normal

DOCTORS SEEN:
-Family Doctor
-ER Doc who did CAT scan with migraine
-2nd ER doc when I went in with the symptoms above (she thinks it is stress related)
-Pshychologist (who agreed that lots of those are anxiety related but did not dismiss until other tests are performed)
-Nurse friend (thinks it is anxiety or Chronic Fatigue)

[karatekid123]

Sypmtoms:

Headaches
Muscle tension in neck and chest
dizziness/lightheadedness
irrational thoughts/fears
dry mouth
racing heart
cold extremities
depersonilization
weakness
shaking/trembling
trouble concentrating/thinking
blurry vision
hand/feet/face numbness or tingling
nausea
muscle pains


doctors seen:

ER docs
family doctor
psychiatrist
2 therapists

[jennifer24]

Hi my name is Jen 26 yrs old, and i have had an anxiety disorder since i was 19yrs old.I have also seen alot of Dr's about heart palpatations, sweating pain in chest, and shortness of breath. I have also gone for tons of test blood test, heart test, and they tell me its anxiety as well.
My biggest concern now is i still get heart palpatations, chest pain and now for the past week I can't breath, cant get enough oxygen, this has happened to me before and eventually I got back to normal, i don't know is it underlying stress that is causing this breathlessness??? I don't have a racing heart, and i'm not really worried about anything! I'm afraid to go back to the dr's just for them to think that i am a hypocondriact,my file must be huge with all the visits.
I was at work the other day and i couldn't catch my breath it was like i had just gone running...it was so difficult to breath and embarrassing because i was always gasping for air i could barely talk with customers. Has anyone experienced this before or give me advice on what i should do? Thank you

[Derelict]

SYMPTOMS

PALPITATIONS-- (RANDOM FLUTTERS EVERYDAY EVEN WHEN ITS NOT FULL BLOWN PANIC)

CONSTANT FEAR OF "THAT ONE FATAL PALPITATION"

DIZZINESS

HYPERVENTILATION

FEELING LIKE I COULD DIE AT ANY MOMENT EVERYDAY

SHORTNESS OF BREATH


TESTS DONE

ER EKG    NORMAL

ER BLOOD WORK    NORMAL

ER CHEST X RAY    NORMAL

STRESS ECHO   NORMAL

ABOUT 4 OTHER EKGS   NORMAL

OTHER BLOODWORK    NORMAL


WHAT THE HELL IS CAUSING THESE PALPITATIONS!  THEY SAY STRESS AND PANIC CAUSES PALPITATIONS BUT ITS BECAUSE OF MY PALPITATIONS THAT I HAVE STRESS AND PANIC!  SO YOU CAN SEE THE PROBLEM I HAVE ACCEPTING MY ANXIETY IS THE CAUSE!  

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF UNDERLYING STRESS CAN CAUSE DAILY PALPITATIONS UNRELATED TO A DIRECT PANIC EPISODE?  

DOCTERS SAY -- PANIC = PALPITATIONS
MY REALITY -- PALPITATIONS = PANIC  

PLEASE ADVISE          
THANKS    DEREK

[lavenderlady4556]

Here's my list:

Heart pounding-fast heart rate
chest pain (no always- not recently)
hand and feet pricks, numbness
dizziness
shortness of breath
unable to focus- kinda dazed feeling
stomach upset
Hot when attack and cold after
Shakes
Uncontrollable fear of the worst thing happening (pass out, die, go crazy)

Tests I had done
Complete physical- normal
EKG- normal
24h Holter monitor- normal- though fast
Echo- normal
Tilt test- POSITIVE- i passed out after drugs were in me
(DX: neurocardiogenic syncope but when looking it up it just doesnt fit my symptoms. Treatment was nothing, to lie down if about to pass out and that it should correct itself on its own)

DR's Ive seen
2 PCP
cardiologist

[Raine9]

SYMPTOMS:

Shortness of breath
Difficulty swallowing
Racing thoughts
Negative thoughts
Difficulty concentrating
Insomnia


TESTS:

Chest x-ray
Pulmonary Function Tests
Numerous blood tests
Upper endoscopy

All normal, so far....

[lavenderlady4556]

I just have to say that this was a great idea. I saw some postings that included things that I have felt but never linked to panic! Knowing that panic is something that I have to face on my own some times will make me feel separated and distant from those around me and who I "was." But it really helps to know Im not as alone as I feel.

[ARobses]

I feel a kind of relife stubbleing across this site, and all of you. I have been suffering from severe anxitey and panic attacks for almost 4 years. i am affraid of telling a doctor about these for fear of them thinking i am crazy and looseing my daughter. They hit me at anytime of bay driving.... watching my daughter playing is one of the worst times they hit, I will be sitting ther thinking how lucky i am to have a beatiful little girl and then they come...And i am sure to die and never see her agin, or right befor i go to bed..seeing as i am up on the net rresearchin head pains because i have hade a bad head ache for the last 3 days and i am sure i have brain tumors or something horible like that. It is thoughts and panic like this that keep me up to the wee hours of the morning afraid to sleep and no wake. I was hopeing for your help theses are my symptoms.

Heartpuoding fast heart rate
shortness of breath
dizziness
raceing thoughts
feeling like i could be dead any second
shaking
blurred vision at times
neck and back pains

[ARobses]

clamey palms
a feeling of scared all the time
Headahces
nausea


I took the test at www.anxietycentre.com and got a 71 dose this sound like severe anxiety to all of you?

   Thanks for listening

[Ginasouthcarolina]

Symptoms.

Headache

shaky hands

heart flip flops

shortness of breath

tingling all over

adrenaline bursts

shaking from the inside

panic!!!

loss of balance

feeling of unreality

muscle tention all over

speech slurred

nausea

stomach ache

blurred vision

heart pounding

the list goes on and on..

Tests..

ekg--to many to list all normal

echo--2--first normal 2nd showed very slight regurgatation in valves

ct scan of brain...normal

mri brain...normal

blood work..all normal

chest xray..normal

Hiv test...negative

blood cancer tests...negative.

upper gi-- acid reflux

lower gi --IBS

syciatric evaluation---normal anxiety

[7essa]

-Constant dizziness (24/7)

-Feeling faint

-Slow thought process

-Fast heart rate

-Excessive sweating

-IBS

-Shortness of breath

-Nausea

-Fatigue

-Headaches

_____

-CBC

-Chest x-ray

-CT scan of head

-Mono test

-EKG

All came out clear.

[DonnieD]

Here is mine to add to the list:

1) both sides of Jaws tight - weird pain sensation in Jaws
2) Chest feels tight and heavy
3) Feel like I can't breathe right
4) Slight light headedness
5) feelings of I am going to die
6) Anxious about going to bed to sleep
7) one upper arm might feel ache and feel heavy.
8) strange scalp muscle spams about 1" in diameter that will stay in one area for a few days then go away.
9) Heart starts to beat fast and think I was having a heart attack.
10) fears of heart attachs
11) fears of stroke
12) basic Health Anxieties

Test:
EKG , EKG showed NO signs.
Myocardial Nuclear Scan and was normal - showed no problems and no damage.

This is all that I can think of now.

[Barbarella]

PVC'S severe at times

Tachycardia (in the past)

Anxiety (used to have severe panic attacks now under control WITHOUT meds, thanks to Dr. Weeks's books)

dizziness kind of within, floating feeling

Sever muscle pains

Severe neck pain and stiffness

Burning sensation on scalp

Burning sensation in feet

Burning sensation on tongue (severe)

BP spikes as high as 255/160/ 240/130 despite Beta Blockers (now off of them)

Every stomach symptom under the sun, especially severe gas and burning of the stomach lining

Worrying about everything "what if"

Waking up at nights at times with anxiety, not due to a bad dream, but just for the hell of it I guess

Chills

Unsteady when walking

Mouth/lips tingling

Face tingling

Facial pain

Ear pain (from nerves going through there not from an ear infection)


TESTS:

EKG

Echo

TEE

CT scan of stomach, lungs and heart

bloodwork to check every illness under the sun

upper GI

lower GI

Kidney x-ray -  reacted highly allergic

Kidney scan

24 hour kidney test

and I'm sure there were more I forgot


Doctors:

Internist

Cardiologist

Hematologist

Neurologist

Hypertension Specialist

Urologist

Pulmonary Specialist

Shrink - one time, forget it, most of them need a shrink themselves.  I know others have been helped by shrinks, not for me.

Several Psychologists - didn't help.  I was open and eager of any help I could get.  In other words I did not start a session with a negative attitude.

After 15 yrs of living in a hell hole of panic attack/anxiety I finally found out about these books I mentioned above, that was 30 yrs ago.

[Peachycat]

Hmmmm, I fear my list may be too long so I will just add a few I haven't already read about or that are the major ones.

Fear of dying randomly.
Shaking (inside and out)
Tight throat
Feeling like I can't breathe
Sore tongue
Heart pounding
Insomnia
Irritable bowel syndrome (I relate this as an affect from the years of anxiety wrecking havoc on my body)

I don't take meds.

I am in the process of blood work etc. I need to see an allergist though, cause my mouth tingles and I know I have allergies and am afraid I'm going to die when I eat. I had tons of tests as a child due to my anxiety. All I had was a few allergies, minor ones at that.

[treeman]

Here is my list: Muscle twitching
                          Neck pain and back pain
                          Fluttering in middle of my chest
                          Bad headaches which I think comes from my neck tension
                          Feeling agitated
                          Can't concentrate at times
                          Feeling like I am going to lose all control
                          Feeling like it is impossible to relax
                          Sleeping is always a difficult thing
                          Obsessing over things that could be wrong with me.
                          Intrusive or unwanted thoughts
                          Constantly worrying about my well being


                         Dr's I have seen: Family Dr's 4
                         Phsychiatrists  2
                         Heart Dr's 1
                        


                        I have had almost every test imaginable.  All normal

[wishiknewbetter]

I have had

IBS
Chest tightness
Muscle spasms
tingling throughout legs and arms
neck stiffness
underarm pain/arm pain
feeling I have several different undetectable diseases
inability to sleep
panic attacks
pacing
stomach problems.
random ear pains
difficulty swallowing(feeling as if a piece of food would not go down)

I have not had tests yet, but was told I had OCD/Anxiety Disorders after my third trip to the Emergency Room for something that had no meaning. When I get insurance(2 weeks) Ill be going to the doctor...the psychologist.

[beth24]

i have:
muscle twitching
eye floaters and eye pain
difficulty swallowing
extreme sweating underarms and palms,sometimes feet
shaking
sore jaw,teeth
dry mouth
hot and cold
loss of appetite
paranoia and irrational OCD
sudden, intense pain at back of my head, like an axe just split it open,lasts 1-2 mins
cant relax
i have constant worry there is something wrong and the dr is too stupid to find it
i had one ocular migraine but never had one since.
im also a chronic marijuana user..
i live in aust.

Drs: GP numerous times
Neurologist 3 times
emerg room 1 time
Opthalmologist 2 times
Optometrist 2 times

Tests:  MRI,  CT Scan,  ECG brain scan,   blood tests
i had recently given up on drs but its winter here and my new cold is getting worse, causing me further distress. might have to go back for a checkup  :)

[be still my beating heart 13]

Physical Symptoms:

Daily/Random:

Fatigue
Dizziness
Tingling (feet, calves, hands, forearms, face, tounge, and sometimes inside body cavity or in heart)
Pounding heart beat
Extra heart beats (palps increasing over the years)
Chest pain / tightness
Short of breath
Difficulty swallowing (lump in throat that won't go away)
Cold hands and feet
Flushing (mostly chest, face, but also full body at times)
Headaches
Trembling / Shaking
Sunburned / Electric Shock feeling (patches of skin, tounge, scalp)
Fear of dying / impending doom (CONSTANTLY)
Racing thoughts (my mind is a riotous cacophony of noise)
Ringing in ears
Visual disturbances (floaters, fuzzy edges, white flashes, edge of vision "pulses" with heart beat)
Inability to fall asleep when exhausted OR unable to STAY asleep

These feelings happen every day in any given combination of symptoms, with no rhyme or reason.

Description of my "symptoms" during a typical panic attack in order:

Rapid POUNDING Heart Rate
Feeling like I'm about to die
Cold hands, feet / Coldness creeps up arms and legs approaching my body cavity
Lightheaded / Dizzy
Hands Tremble / Knees shaking
Chest feels tight / Short of breath followed by a cold numb feeling in chest wall
Feeling of heartbeat disappears / Check pulse still there but very faint and rapid

At that point I go to bed and allow it to pass.  In the beginning (7years ago) I was convinced that one of these "attacks" would eventually kill me.  Through all of my visits to doctors and having many tests run they have all concluded it is anxiety and panic disorder.

Doctors I have seen:

ER Doctors (too many to count)
2 Primary Care Physcians
Cardiologist (same one 5 times)
Neurologist

Tests I've had performed:

ECG's (too many to count)
Stress Test
Echocardiogram (ultrasound of heart)
Event recorder (one month)
Upper GI
MRI of brain
2 Chest X-rays
Chest CT Scan
Abdominal CT Scan
Blood work (too many to cover here, all normal)

After all of these tests they have NEVER found anything wrong with me!  Everyone always says anxiety.  I was agoraphobic at one point (before I accepted it as anxiety disorder), but still have social anxiety, and I am a hypocodriac with EXTREME health anxiety focused mainly on my heart.  Reading others lists has reassured me that it is just anxiety.  Thanks to all for sharing!

[DonnieD]

when will a comprehensive table be made?

[PAD001]

Dear all,

About 10 days ago, I had my first panick attack.. on a perfect saturday morning. I can say with confidence this was one of the most horrifying experiences I had ever been through.

Since I didnt know what was happening to me, I hyperventilated. Then went to ER, only to be diagnosed as suffering from Anxity/panick attack.

Afterwards, I met with my PCP, and he prescribed Ativan (as needed for attacks) and Paxil (once a day).

There are several things that I am confused about:

(1) It appears all of a sudden the frequency of episodes has increased since the first outbreak. Is that normal? I experience 2-3 attacks now daily, not severe, but with tingling in hands/feet, sweating, and heavy heart. But it appears I am more aware of the disorder, so am having more attacks. Is that true?

(2) What do you do if you see an attack coming at work? I took Ativan for one yesterday, and had to take the day off. That is terrible.

(3) I feel terrible in the morning when I wake up, if I take Paxil at night. Today I vomitted. Do you recommend any other med that I can talk to my PCP about?

(4) Is there a specific timing I can take the med to avoid attacks during work hours?

(5) How many people go from sudden outbreak to no attacks after continued preventive meds like Paxil?

I am very nervous, as this has started to affect my routine life. My poor wife is always on her toes..

Please help?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> My symptoms>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Shortness of breath / hyperventilation
Pounding/heavy heart
Sweating in palms/feet
Tingling sensation in back, head, arms, palms
Sometimes, chest pain (left side) just before the attack, kind of sharp pain

Meds:
Paxil
Ativan OR Klonopin

[gismatrix]

I have had this brain fog, pressure in the head, fatigue, anxiety/depression thing for almost 9 months now.  I have had every test in the book.  All I can say here is that doctors have so many labels and names for 'conditions' that they can't solve it is ridiculous.   There has to be something organic going on with me and they say nope...you are just too stressed and have to start exercising more and eating right.  What garbage!  I did have a great deal of stress...two ablations with complications then I finally got better, only to have this happen to me.  All the doctors think it was because of my medical history that I am just hypo now.  Don't give up folks.  I have had a negative elisa for Lyme, but I suspect that this could still be my trouble.  I could be wrong, but either way, it is a real problem.  Something is plaguing me, and it is more than my own thoughts.  If anyone finds any answers, please post them here or send them to my namesake at hotmail.  

[johanni]

[johanni]

My symptoms:
chest pain
arm pain
shortnessof breath
palpitations
diziness
Feelings of unreality

Tests Done:
4 stress echoes
2 Nuke tests
cardiac cath
2 64ct angios
numerous ekgs
brain ct scan

All tests normal!
All my doctors put it down to anxiety and the mind playing its tricks on the body.

[Andy1988]

My Symptoms:

Pounding heart
Dizziness
Tiredness
Throbbing sensation constantly in hands/head/feet

Tests Taken:

4 ECG's (everything fine)
2 Blood tests (everything fine)

[Ginasouthcarolina]

symptoms;

dizziness
palptations
foggy headed
sence of doom
lump in throut
muscle aches
headaches
feeling of in a dream state
shacky
mouth chatter
slurred speach ( stumble on my words)


test taken

mri brain -normal
cat scan brain-normal
ekgs to many to count --all normal
blood tests--normal ( high choleserol)
echo cardiogram--normal with trace regurgatation in 3 valves
cardiac ct scan of arteries--no blockage
emergency visit---had burst of nsvt (non sustained ventricular tachagardia)
ana-normal
lymes-normal
hiv-negative
breast mri---normal no cancer

doctors who think its all anxiety

cardiologist
primary
gastro
nuerologist
emergency doctor
theropist


meds taking

klonopin .5 mg 3x aday
nexium 40mg 1x a day
asidophilis ----vitamin
fish oil 1000 mg 1x a day
weening of zoloft 25 mg every other day

[Totalmess]

important background note: have not worked in 15 months:::;

Heart fluttering randomly, sometimes lasting hours..

Tense in neck,jaws shoulders

Feel muscles (like a whole leg or arm) pulling in towards body and tensing up

Extreme anti-socialism (feel ashamed walking down street,etc., avoid people I know)

Cannot wait in lines (as soon as I get in the store I glance at the register. Today, there was no one in line but suddenly 2 people stood in line--I hadn't even done my shopping yet!-- and instantly I got all---aaaarrrrrgh!. The whole time I am in line I fret over each second of the people's transactions)

Cannot handle bad drivers--even when they are BEHIND ME or GOING THE OTHER WAY!!

Soon after I get up,read paper, have coffee,etc, I go back to bed. Lay around or sleep 20 hrs/day

Will do nothing constructive then fret about conditions(totally clustered apt, etc.)

Heavy sighing at anytime--it even catches ME by surprise

When arriving in a group function I cannot avoid, immediately start belching or deep loud yawning

Absolutely know activity

No energy but plenty of anger energy in a split second

Tests: None

Recently started taking Celexa and Wellbutrin

[Shanb1]

I too have had many panic attack related situations, and have feared that there is more wrong with me than I thought.  Sometimes it was so hard to decide what was actually "real" or what was in my head.  I had my worst episode in college when I was 21, I literally thought I would never be able to function like that.  After getting on Celexa (40mg - this will differ depending on your severity) and it changed my life.  It took a good month to stop having the full blown panic attacks, but life did get back to normal.  I know that there are times when you think, "what if I have to feel like this forever", well, you won't.  This too shall pass, I promise.  I had all of your symptoms, I went to the ER 6 times in one month - I know how serious it can be and how terrifying it is.  After 3 years of Celexa.  I eventually stop taking the medicine.  I just recently, now 27, have decided to get back on it to weed away the little anxiety that has started to creep its ugly head once again.  I am not having near the symptoms I had before because I fully understand my disease.  Don't get me wrong, I do still have some symptoms and fear the all mighty "DEATH", but I have gotten back on Celexa about 2.5 weeks ago and I already feel much better.  If you are still feeling the way you are after about 4 to 6 weeks on your meds, than you may need to have your doc up your meds or get a medication that works for.  There are so many antidepressants out there, that sometimes your body needs to adapt to right drug to feel the full effect.  Remember, your doctor is there to help you, so don't develop more anxiety by calling them and telling them how you are still feeling.  They don't think you are hypochondriac, because they understand what you are feeling and dealing with.  And, if they don't, find a new doctor that is willing to work out all the kinks with you.  They do exist.  I have a doctor that I can call on the phone, and that is priceless when you are dealing with anxiety.  I think all of us on this site is to have someone tell us that, "it's going to be okay".  So let me be the first to say, "you will be okay and you are not dying of anything, this really will pass".

[threesacharm]

SYMPTOMS:
-fatigue
-shortness of breath
-chest pains(randomly)
-feel like throat is closing sometimes
-difficulty swallowing
-heart palpatations(fluttering)
-racing heart
-feeling like i will pass out
-headaches
-head pains
-ALWAYS worried that these symptoms are life threatening

TESTS:
EKG-normal
CMP-nomal
heart monitor-normal
waiting on thyroid, cholesterol, and sugar tests.

DOCS that say anxiety:
Family doc
er docs
psychologist

[HockeyShark]

Wow...

I have had Panic Attacks for YEARS. Since i was little. I am 42 now and my Mother just passed away suddenly in late july, so i am having Panic/Anxiety/Depression ripping through me like knife on a daily and even hourly basis.

Syptoms (symptoms)? Many.But the Worst?:

FEAR/TERROR, for hours and hours some times, just a feeling of impending doom and terror. Like Im in some sort of dream and can't wake up

Nightmares- Horrible things, that wake me into a deep panic attack. I can't even escape them while sleeping.

Palpatations

Dizziness

Sweating, always hot.

Shakey, Weakness.

vision trouble

Sinus pain

Headache.

FEAR...did i mention FEAR!?!?!?!

I am on Lexapro and Klonipin, and when i go to the ER I am given Ativan.

Tests?

EKG, Bloodtests, treadmill, observation, X-Rays, Thyroid, Liver and kidney function, HDL/LDL Colestorol, BP....

Colestorol is a bit high, BP can go a bit high during attacks, but all else looks ok.

LAst friday I was taken to the ER with severe terror, non ending after several hours. I was given a Psych evaluation in a locked unit, and the doctor said I was one of the worst cases he has ever seen in 25 years of medicine.

[jojo19]

ok now ive had many of the symtoms you all have listed, and i do suffer with panick attacks and agoraphobia and was wonderind if any of you with blurred vision have ever experienced it in one eye?? i get like a tightness or numb feeling around my eye and have experienced blurred vision in that eye, ive had the tight or numb feeling before just not sure about the blurred vision so if any of you know what im talking about i love to see that im not the only one!!!

[rachelrowe333]

you're not alone it happens to me all the time especially durring a panic episode. Durring really severe attacks my eyes even go completely black and I have to be dragged out of wherever I happen to be at the time. So I just quit going anywhere. I've tried everything from hypnonsis, to forcing myself to go into public places, to every pill under the sun and absolutely nothing has worked for me. I am currently on celexa welbutrin xl and just switched from xanax to klonopin. xanax just calmed me down a bit I still wasnt able to function normally on it and still couldnt step foot into a public place w/o having a panic attack, in some cases it actually made my panic worse because I feel disoriented anyways and xanax just adds to that. Ive been on klonopin 1 day now and Im not doing so good, I took .5 last night and I started to feel really anxious around 9 this morning so I took .25 and it messed me up so bad I almost had to leave work. I decided to just try and get through it and now 1:45 it has worn off a bit. I feel mellow but the panic just constantly lingers with me. I have also started therapy which also triggers my full blown panic attacks. I am at my wits end I cant live like this I dont know what to do or how to get control of my body and mind back. if anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it

[horror_enthusiast]

I have read all of your posts and I have most and or all of your symptoms which I don't have time to list now (will later, work ending soon) but I there are a few symptoms that I've experienced that I haven't yet read here........for example............(1.) arm paralysis (both arms). They're either completely movable yet numb without feeling or unmovable, (2.) freezing cold electrical shocking sensations in my left arm, (3.) mild to severe arm tremors, (4.) head and jaw numbness, (5.) I've lost my sence of carbonation in sodas, (6.) freezing icicle finger tips -look like I'd been dead for 6hrs or so, etc.

I've had every test known to man and they've all come back normal. My PCP, Cardio, Neuro etc all shrug off to anxiety but none can explain the loss of my arms which lead me to believe that this is not an anxiety/panic disorder. Most of my symptoms point to strokes or TIA's (mini strokes) but by the time I reach the ER the symptoms subside. I'm not saying saying that TIA's are the problem but I certainly have 98% of the symptoms and they're almost imposible to diagnose. High BP too.

I have PCOS. I believe that is the underlying cause for all of these problems. My hormones are greatly out of balance and I am producing WAY too much male testosterone and it's messing with my whole system. I think the answer lies with my Hormone Specialist only. I think if she can figure out how to get my hormones back in balance then everything else will correct itself and fall back into place.

[pdro]

sounds as though lots of test beeing done, none of us are dying or about to die. we all MUST keep beliveing that these are only symptom SYMPTOMS of our anxeties, i feel like im going to die every night with my nightmares and very bad chest pains(oh my poor wife) but i havent yet and this is been going on for 6 months or more. im writing this to help myself and anybody else who reads it. the more we want to get better and expect things to get back to normal the worse things will get if we put to much pressure on ourselves. we have anxiety and thats that worring more and googling more and stressing more well leads to more anxiety oh yer and if we do die cant be much worse than what some of us are going through anyway.all im trying to say is lets give ourselves a break  we are all normal , i know its easyer said than done but lets keep on saying it to ourselves. sorry about the spelling errors im a builder not a writer, hope everyone feels better soon and hang tough

[gottafeelbetta]

My symptoms that happen all the time throughout the day not as a panic attack:

[OneScaredBuckeye]

Count me in.  My symptoms:

Tingling in my feet like electric needles (this bothers me the most)

Total FEAR of anything medical, any illness, and most of all death (I think about death a lot, it colors everthing in my life)

Feeling like I can't breathe

Tight throat and inability to swallow well, feel like I'm choking

Some irregular heartbeats

Constant tension

Feeling like I'm going to scream and run from wherever I am

Worry, worry, worry about "the what ifs" and "the end" and "Is everything okay with my family" "Is everything okay at home"

"Butterflies" in stomach

Can't eat

(I'm sure there are more, but those are the main ones)

Tests:

Not much yet, BP is very good 118/60, pulse 50 (I use an exercise bike ninety minutes a day)

EKGs, normal

Blood work, anemic (taking iron tablets, B-12, B-6, Folic acid, Magnesium, Potassium, Flaxseed Oil)

The other night I had an episode where part of my vision was blacked out in one eye for about a minute or less.  My PCP thinks it was probably a TIA, so now I've been living in a state of constant terror, afraid I'll have a stroke any minute, even afraid to go to sleep.  I'll be having an echocardiogram and a carotid duplex, plus bloodwork.  Terrified of the results and have been setting up "worst case" scenarios.

Doctors:

PCP (says it's anxiety except for the possible TIA)

Rehabilitation Specialist (for the tingling in feet, said I probably have some muscle imbalance and sent me for physical therapy, waste of time and money)

Psychologist (says it's anxiety, but he was nuts and a predator)

Orthopedic Surgeon (said the tingling was caused by a tiny bit of arthritis in spine - nuts to that, it's caused by stress)

A doctor in Switzerland (Total stress)

Urologist (did not care about stress levels, just told me I had a kidney stone that he would "watch" - this stressed me, of course, because I'm terrified of medical things, but it's nothing compared to a possible TIA)

Physical Therapist (panic)

Medications:  Valium 10 mg. once or twice a day, Inderal 20 mg. once or twice a day, Prilosec for GERD (works wonders for me), all the vitamins listed above, a daily baby aspirin because of the possible TIA, Neurontin for the tingling feet, Paxil 20 mg. (I took it once before and it worked wonders, but this time, it seems to be making me worse, then I'm terrified about the possible TIA, not much could help but anesthesia)

I hope we all feel better.  Good luck to all of us.

[gottafeelbetta]

depersonalization
derealisation
flashes in my eye sight
floaters
sense that things are moving around me when the are still(like i catch something moving out of the corner of my eye)
scared that i may hallucinate
feelin of panic
scared i am going crazy
irrational fears/cumpulsions
feeling thta at any moment i am gonna loose touch with reality.
insomnia
depression
scary disturbing strange thoughts that make no sense
racing thoughts
shaking
feeling of doom

[mddie]

[mddie]

Hi

You have all the symptoms I have, especially the feet, does it feel weird when you get out of bed and put them on the floor, like all the nerves are on edge?  Well, after I lost a baby I was found to have a low store of b12 and I was put on injections, now I have had anxiety for 20 years and it could be realted to this b12 problem , perhaps I've always had it and only just found it because a lck of b12 can cause tingling in feet, anxiety, blurry vision etc... I also have been waking up with one eye blurred only for 5 minutes at the most but my doc thinks it's due to the migraines I suffer from.  Did the doc tell you your b12 score?  If it's under 200, you may need injections because b12 is no good in tablet form if you have low b12 because it can't be absorbed.  Maybe think about properly ruling that out!

[OneScaredBuckeye]

Thanks for your message, mddie.  No, my doctor didn't tell me my B-12 score, but I'll certainly ask and if it's low, I'll ask for injections, which I'll sure he'll give me.  I've been taking B-12 tablets, but didn't know I couldn't absorb it.  I read that Prilosec, which I take, inhibits B-12 absorption.  Terrible!  The package insert says nothing about that.  And I know I'm anemic, but I think I need B-12 to absorb the iron.  I know I don't eat many foods that contain B-12.

Yes, my feet do feel like all the nerves are on edge.  I know this is anxiety related.  When I wake up, I'm usually asleep one minute, then awake the next, but if I wake up slowly (like a relaxed person), I realize my feet aren't tingling, but then the tingling and pulse pounding in them starts and just gets stronger and stronger.  Still, I think a B-12 deficiency has something to do with the whole thing and I'll certainly ask for injections.

If I go out somewhere and manage to relax (not much chance of that but it has happened), my feet feel fine.  They also feel fine when I exercise or am in a hot bath, but I've been told my circulation is fine so I think this is due to the movement or hot water relaxing the nerves.

Thank you for your message.  I appreciate it.  I hope you feel better.  I hope we all feel better.

[Marilyn24]

I am sooo glad i came across this post. Im not going to even list all my things because every single one of them have been in every single one of your all's posts lol

The main one that i have the most trouble dealing with and just accepting that its anxiety (some one else had the same thought as me) is because of the heart palitations. ESPECIALLY since they come when im not even having any attacks or stessed situations. Along with the palpitations and 'pounding' heart..i get this one that almost scares me more than those, its where my heart bearly feels like its beating at all...almost like its just a really weak gush. and that will always sent me into to an attack. Does anyone else get that one too?

My Holter monitor and ECCO came back normal but im finding it hard to belive that there is nothing wrong with my heart.

This ones kinda funny, i just started getting this one last month, cant even remember what my doctor called it...but its when you think you start to panic you cant do something physical and then you mind actually makes it not be able to do it because youve convinced your self you cant.. ex...mine: one day out of the blue i started to think i couldnt swallow, and i started to panic, but because i was so terrified i couldnt swallow i was actually physically not able to do it...so i did the only thing i could to prove me wrong...I grabbed a water bottle and just started chugging..forcing my body to just react like it was supposed to. it was seriously one of the scariest things ever at the time though.

[geri1966]

fatigue                                                                                                                                      
high blood pressure
foggy head
floater in vision
dizzyness
buzzing in feet
internal vibration

2 MRI's
1 Cat scan
bloodwork
2 EKGS
2 chest x-rays
seen neurologist twice in five years, all test came back normal

[daisy0102]

blurred vision
spots flashes floaters sparkles pattern hallucinations on waking
pins & needles
hot spots on skin
muscle aches and pains mainly lower back, chest shoulders
adrenaline rushes
tight chest
palpitations
tight throat
waking up with a choking sensation
trouble falling to sleep
health anxiety
worried all the time
butterflies in stomach
pinched ears inside by throat

had several normal blood tests
thyroid normal
chest x-ray normal
lyme test?? no results back yet
blood pressure normal
doctor thinks im mad and does not seem slightly concerned that there is anything wrong with me
other doctors have said tension and anxiety is the cause of all my symptoms

[SCAREDTODEATH39]

[markv]

This is an excellent thread! Thanks to the OP and everybody who posted all their symptoms... Somebody should create another thread about best treatments for this symptoms!

[Imagine865]

My symptoms:
severe social anxiety especially when standing
panic attacks
clenched jaw and overall tension throughout body most of the day
shaking and bobbling
jerking motions
collapsing
disorientation
blanking out
loss of focus; inability to concentrate
waking up startled sometimes several times a night
feeling of suffocating
heart palpitations
easily startled by noise, light
uncomfortable standing/light headed
tingling of extremities
heat waves
dread
flat emotionally/not happy ; not sad
triangular light flashes in eyes for extended periods up to an hour
very low blood pressure which drops when standing
lose my breath momentarily
sometimes have difficulty swallowing [infrequent]
somtimes briefly don't recognize where I am when driving in familiar places

Tests and doctors
eye/ear/nose
neurologist
cardiologist
psychoanalyst
osteopath
md - general

thallium stress
table tilt
mri
cat scan
ekg
eeg
many blood and urine tests
the most disgusting eye and ear tests imaginable [filling the ears with water until it's impossible to speak/put in a spinning chair in a dark room with bright lights darting around
ALL NEGATIVE

Happy to know, I am not alone in these symptoms.

My question is, is it the medicine or the anxiety that causes all these symptoms?
I am taking Xanax .5; originally 4x per day. Now taking .25 2 x per day. Symptoms worse than ever. Could it be the withdrawal from Xanax  or  is it the return of anxiety because of the reduction in Xanax.

[Elizabethbayboy]

Hopefully this helps all of you as i seem to have a new symptom not listed here...

1. GERD ( gastro-oesophugul reflux disease) where your stomach acid rushes up into the
oesophugus and burns the lining. Can cause (globus) sensation which is the something caught feeling. To relieve this i take Nexium 20mg x 2 a day.
I seem to have anxiety periods:
2. Obsession of breathing. Sometimes tight and constricted, light and to shallow, to hard to gt a full breathe.. A desire to use an asthma puffer but never usually works much.
3. Dizzy
4. Frightened at symptoms
5. Needing to escape social situations, percieved escape if threatened.
6. Avoiding friends, scared they will see changes.
7. Acid washing into the throat, makes it itchy, feels like something is stuck
8. Needing to grab onto something if out in public and frightened.

[myeboys]

Please help - does anyone ever head weird head feelings - like a zap or jolt that feels electric  like? I am freaking out - you don't think it is a brain tumor or epilepsy??? Please help - do you think it could  be from anxiety???

[treeman]

Hello Myeboys.    I get  what feels like electrical shocks in my head when my anxiety is bad. Usually  happens a night when I move suddenly turning my head. I have had this symptom for many years. I have told my Dr and he said it sounded like some weird muscle contractions involving my eyes. It is kind of freaky. But I have gotten used to them. Sometimes they don't even happen at all. I hope this helps

[RyanFeelsBad]

i dont know but i always get this crackiling in my neck  when i turn it at times been to doctors been in psy hosp. been to the best heart hosp in the country Debora and everyone says sorry its anxiety i have come up with the conclusion that doctors dont know. anxiety is more like a phenomenom than a sickness to me beacuse lots of people have it but cant truly be explained .it scares me it upsets me it makes me feel bad but if i can or anyone can look past those feeling i also feel special like maybe it is something un explainable and weird maybe its having to much knowledge to much understanding to much belief we use more of our brain witch causes us to have these feeling but if harnesed correctly imagine what you can do togeher we all can get through this and as long as you think like that nothing is impossibe

[staley]

Pain in neck, shoulders, chest, back, hips, and calves, panic/anxiety attacks, floaters in vision, eye pain, joint pain, jaw pain, IBS, cold fingers/toes. Sometimes the pain is