opinion on psychiatrist

[rockerapple]

hi
i have been dealing with anxiety for a long time now.  the first time i realized i was having panic attacks was about 12 years ago.  i understand now why i was having them.  but right now i feel lost and can't find my way out.  
in september i had a miscarriage and ended it with the father.  at the same time i was working 5-6 days a week and going to school for five of those days.  i was upset and i let it out and cried and i felt like it wasn't affecting me anymore.  in november i became weak and dizzy and began having heart palpitations.  i had an overall sense of feeling gross and almost swollen, especially after drinking coffee or sleeping.  ever since then i have developed new symptoms...eyes heart and feel swollen, fatigue, sore throat, hot flashes, chest pains. i had tests done...ECG, dizzy tests, bloodwork, thyroid, heart monitor, x-rays, etc. and all have come back normal, except they found i had almsot no iron in my blood.  my doctor has said that low iron will not cause dizziness, while friends have said otherwise from personal experience.
my questions:
is it possible that the dizziness is iron related or triggered by some sort of unconciuos anxiety?  i did not feel anxiuos at the time, although personal problems and issues were happening at the time.  
i don't like asking for help and don't beilev in therapy but am feeling like its my last resort.  can someone like me actually benefit fromtherapy?
i have also begun taking ativan, which has helped with some symptoms. but my eyes feel like they are swollen and tense and i get sore throats.
any comments/suggestions are appreciated. please.

[JSGeare]

I'm no doctor, but the notion that low iron would NOT cause (or contribute to) dizziness sounds "contra" to me. If memory serves, pernicious anemia is a sort of worst case scenario, because the condition involves not just iron deficiency, but metabolic action with other vitamins. The problem is that the condition often goes undiagnosed. It would make complete sense to me that panic and anxiety would ride shotgun with a condition of low iron -and all the consequences thereof.

Now, if your iron is "low" only in the sense that it is lower than normal, but not low enough to manifest in any particular symptoms, that's another thing. But what you reported was "almost no iron."

My opinion -and what I would do if it were I- is to regard the iorn deficiency as a smoking gun until someone shows you differently. That means a second opinion, and hopefully with a specialist who is skilled in the blood. That's just my opinion.

We'll get back to the anxiety connections later, for right now, get your butt out the door to a specialist for the iron thing. Go. Now. Move.

[savygaby]

Yes, anemia can cause dizziness are you taking anything to get the iron levels up. I don't know i have all sorts of weird symptoms with my anxiety and have had medical tests which came back normal. If the ativan helps i woulds continue taking it, do you see a therapist? I would also say stay away from caffeine, also anxiety could cause dizziness as well.

[Jerzeegal]

First let me say I am sorry about your miscarriage, having been through one I understanding how difficult it can be.

You could certainly be having anxiety which may be causing the dizziness. Keep in mind that while you may not necessarily "feel" anxious it doesn't mean it's not there. :-)
Based on what I have read there are two components to anxiety - trait anxiety which the level of anxiety that is constant, a feature of your personality. Then there is state anxiety which is situational.

To be honest one of most important things you can do for yourself is to ask for help. :-)
Ativan may be used to treat anxiety and there are other meds out there that may work better it's just a matter of finding what works for you, but I am a firm believer in talk therapy as well. We all need to ask for help at some point in our lives so please do so and keep coming here. There is a wealth of information in the posts.
good luck

[rockerapple]

My iron lvel was at 14, where it is supposed to be between 100-300, which is considered normal.  However, my hemoglobin was in normal range, making me NOT anemic.  I have spoken with a few people who have had just low iron and they have said they had the dizziness.  A lady my mom works with was in the same boat as me, and one of the doctors she saw said low iron couldcause many symptoms that we were both experiencing.  But because it is not a popular opinion it leaves me searching for whats actually wrong, and then come the panic attacks.  I am currently takingiron supplements and have nottouched caffeine in a long time...I miss it so but it was making me worse.
I have never seen any sort of therapist and am very stubborn on the matter.
The ativan does help...but to a certain extent.  I still fell anxious at times, even when I'm on it and it is still holding me back from many everyday activities.  But a psychiatrist could diagnose my situation and suggest medication accordingly right?
Thank you for your reply...It helps.

[rockerapple]

Thank you for your reply.  I'm pretty sure my doctor is fed up with me so I am seeking a second opinion from a female doctor.  In November my iron was at 14, two weeks ago I had it checked again and it is at 52. So it is going up and the dizziness has greatly improved.  Still feel dizzy at times, but before it was constant.
This forum has begun to help me already and I am grateful for everyones comments and posts.  It's good to know you're not alone.

Thanks.

[savygaby]

I think you should see a psychiatrist they can prescribe you medication and help you figure where the anxiety comes from, I am in therapy and it helps aloe. Just give in and go, it will be ok

[savygaby]

I think you should see a psychiatrist they can prescribe you medication and help you figure where the anxiety comes from, I am in therapy and it helps aloe. Just give in and go, it will be ok

[rockerapple]

thanks for the suggestion