Do I have anxiety?

[bcb1200]

Hi folks:

Just wondering your thoughts on whether or not I've had anxiety.  I'm a 35 YO Male.  I have slight hypertension which I take 150 mg of Avapro for.   I also have GERD for which I take 40MG of Nexium.

About a month ago I started feeling very spacey / dizzy.  Not so much a vertigo like dizziness.  It was more of a "drunk" feeling.  I also would get hot flashes, cold chills, occasional sweating, and red face / ears.   I also sometimes have "head pressure" where it feels like someone is pushing on the top of my head with 2 fingers.  I sometimes feel "heavy."

I attributed to something GI related, and am actually having an upper GI and Gallbladder exam next week.

I first thought of it being Anxiety about a week ago.  To help deal with this I went to Chiropractor for the first time.  I thought it would help me.  He did some adjustments to my back, neck, and jaw (which had been out for 16 years.)

Other than being sore in the jaw, I felt great over the weekend.  Pretty much normal, aside from a head cold.

I then got my second adjustment yesterday.  Same adjustments.  Neck, back, jaw.  After leaving the Chiropractors I felt a little dizzy.  I immediately thought I he did something like I've read where people can have strokes from neck manipulation.   The dizziness got worse, I felt drunk, and started sweating.  

Later...I calmed down, and now feel better.  But I still feel "heavy" / dizzy and have minor pain / pressure on the top of my head.

Could this be Anxiety?  Or could the Chiropractor have tweaked something?   I felt fine before the secound visit.

If Anxiety, could it be related to my Nexium?   I"ve been on it a while, but I noticed 2 weeks ago my symptoms were much worse when I took a double dose.   I got in an argument with my wife while on 80mg Nexium and I swear I could feel the adrenaline rush come from me feet up through my head like someone threw a switch.

I have never had Anxiety before this.  

Your thoughts?  Anxiety?  GI?  Chiropractor? Or all three?  

[bcb1200]

I should explain some in more detail.  This whole thing started back in November.  I was in Germany had got sick. Just thought it was a stomach bug.  Sweating, nausea, etc.  Happened after eating fatty German food.  My nexium had run out when this happened.  Afterwards, the nausea subsided but I was left a little spacey at times.  Once my Nexium arrived, all was well.

But...it happened again in Feb.  ANother trip to Germany and similar symptoms.   The "dizziness", etc, happened after just like before.

I've been to GErmany dozens of time without issues.  So my doctor told me to go to a GI.  I explained what happened and also told him about the dizziness.

They are running all sorts of tests (celiacs, malabsorption, etc) and I will be able to at least know it is or isn't GERD related after upper GI.

So...thanks for the feedback.  I definitely think some of it is Anxiety based.  As I tend to "feel" worse when I am focused on it and thinking about it too much.  I do better when I don't spend times on these boards otherwise I can convince myself I have everything, and I feel really bad.  

[RubyWitch]

I will assume that your BP is well under control and the Nexium has helped with the GERD. Who decided that you should have the upper GI and gallbladder check? Were they aware at that time of the symptoms you mention below?

You wrote:

"About a month ago I started feeling very spacey / dizzy.  Not so much a vertigo like dizziness.  It was more of a "drunk" feeling.  I also would get hot flashes, cold chills, occasional sweating, and red face / ears.   I also sometimes have "head pressure" where it feels like someone is pushing on the top of my head with 2 fingers.  I sometimes feel "heavy."

Many of the symptoms you describe above could be related to anxiety, but they could also be caused by a number of other issues as well, which is why I think you should revisit your doctor and discuss these symptoms. I am not qualified to tell you this is just anxiety and no real doctor would tell you that either without first actually seeing you and giving you a thorough exam.

I seriously doubt the chiro did anything to harm you. It sounds more like you had another episode of whatever is going on with you, not anything the chiro did.

I doubt the Nexium has anything to do with anxiety, if that is even what you have. You do say though that your symptoms were much worse when you took a "double dose." I would advise not doing that again. That you got in a fight with your wife while on this double dose and the adrenalin really kicked your butt may be what happens when you take a double dose..........the adrenalin, not the fight. Or maybe it caused the fight, too, what do I know?
My thoughts...............confused, probably much like you. I say go back to your doctor and hash this out with him. You have a lot going on and a lot of questions I can't answer.
If this turns out to be anxiety, come back, because we can definitely help you with that! There is also a GERD Forum you might want to check out.
Please let us know what you find out, OK?
I wish you the best
Peace
Greenlydia