Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

worried!!anxiety or something more?

Iam a 27 year old mother of 2 children and in 2010 i was diagnosed with mild chronic fatigue syndrome.At that time,i was drinking a lot of caffeine drinks to cope with the tiredness.Last year(2011),i became even more exhausted and starting suffering from panic attacks.The doctor put me on a beta blocker and advised to cut down the caffeine(which i have).I felt a bit better after taking the medication but then started experiencing swallowing difficulties.At first,it felt like i had a lump in my throat then i felt like i wasnt able to swallow.The doc put me on a mild antidepressant,which worked a little,but i came off them as they were making me feel extremely sick.Im still on the beta blockers which do help a little.The doc thinks i am suffering from anxiety,prob caused by the chronic fatigue.I have had some weight loss,i lost about a stone but have not lost anymore so far.All bloods etc have come back normal but iam very worried.I have been having trouble sleeping the last few months..if im sleeping i will wake up gasping for air,as if iam under water.This also happens when im just about to drop off to sleep.I have also been experiencing dizzy spells and it feels as if my legs are numb or stuck in mud when im trying to walk.It got so bad today that i had to turn back home.I have also been experiencing shortness of breath when walking,combined with tight chest and throat.I am off to see doc again in 2 days,so im hoping he will shed some light again as i feel as if im going mad lol.Does anyone else have similar symptoms?
17 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
4325533 tn?1352828098
My menopause is causing me such extreme anxiety and depression, I had to go on anti-depressants. I just couldn't handle it. In fact, in my 2nd week today. Still having terrible insomnia -- which I have to take Ambien to get 4-hours sleep -- I gulp or gasp for air just as I'm drifting to sleep otherwise; every five minutes. Hopefully, it will end soon. Night sweats (hot flashes) are constant . . . unfortunately, this can go on for years, I am told! I'm very tired a lot of the time -- due to Ambien and/or the insomnia. Always needed seven (7) hours sleep. Now lucky if I get four.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hope you are feeling better..yes when i have been started on new meds it takes me a long time to get used to them.When i first started on the beta blockers my speech was rather slurred and i felt woozy all the time!my thryroid and glucose test came back okay.i feel not too bad,iam eating more and feel as if im starting to gain weight slowly thank god!still got the swallowing issue but its not as bad!x
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
glad to hear your getn some better...i didnt like the ativan so they put me on effexer xr for pere menapause symptoms but it makes me real sleepy but yet when i go to bed i only sleep like 4 hours
and it makes me feel real loopy in the head....yea as long as i dont think about the swallowing issue it doesnt seem that bad! hope you get your heart rate and thyroid straightened out...best of luck to you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hiya so sorry i took so long replying as had no internet connection!! appointment went okay..had my bloods done yesterday to check thyroid and diabetes sowill be waiting a few days for them.Doctor advised me to carry on with the beta blocker until christmas.My blood pressure was low but my heart rate was twice over lol.Been getting a lot of headaches and dizzy spells recently but he says there is a number of causes for that including..my low bp,high heart rate but he seems to think my anxiety has come from the high heart rate.I am showing signs of an underactive thyroid although tests done on that 12 months ago were normal.My swallowing anxiety seems to have improved but not gone away.it seems to be better when im not thinking about it like you say!!glad everything is going good with you so far!.let me know how you get on!i will let you all know how i get on!x
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
so how did your appointment go?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
good luck today!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
sorry you had to postpone your appointment but if it means you getn the doctor you like and understands you then its prob worth the wait.i started taking my ativan yesterday one in the morning and then a xanex last night to help me sleep and it worked great so far...then after a week im suppose to come off of xanex all together so hopefully that will work out ok. yea this menopause stuff can drive you crazy and i know what you mean about the swallowing i can just be sitting here and go to swallow and it feels like my throat locks up or something..sometimes i think the more i think about it the worse it gets lol but its hard not to expecially when you got food in your mouth and afraid to swallow bc your afraid you gonna choke!!  anxiety can defintielty do crazy things to the mind and body!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your comments,i had to put back my appointment until monday.Im quite glad though because the doctor that was there today was a locum,and i would rather see my usual one as he is so understanding.Feel not too bad today,manages to eat a baked potato last night without any swallowing difficulties but i know that will not last!.I was told to go on antidepressants when first told i had cfs but declined but had to when i had the anxiety.I have come off them now,they did work but i did not like the sickness feel that came with it.I think if you do decide to go on them,opt for a low dosage(10mg).My sister started her menapause a few years ago,age 32,and she was suffering from a lot of anxiety when she was going through it.You are spot on about the swallowing.It is awful..and it happens when im not eating too.I could be speaking to someone and find im unable to swallow!That adds more stress i think.I never ever thought anxiety could cause so much problems!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
best of luck to you, they want to put me on anti depressants to bc they say if i am starting to go thru menapause with my anxiety everything will seem 10 times worse..but i really dont wanna go on anti depressants but i might have to...i think i can handle everythng myself but my body is telling me different, i just hate taking new medications and yes the not feeling like you can swallow is scary as crap! hope we both can find some relief soon!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have always been a very anxious person,but it got worse juggling the cfs with everyday life.This is when the panic attacks set in!!.Unable to swallow is a horrible feeling isnt it,and i honestly thought my heart would stop as it was beating that fast!.Everytime i go and see my doctor,he always says its anxiety but like you,i feel as if i am going crazy!I came off my antidepressant as they were making me ill,but beta blocker does help me a little.Thank you, i will be going to see him in the morning so will keep you all updated!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have the trouble swallowing and trouble sleeping at times and the doctors all say its my anxiety...my heart gets to beating real fast and my mind wont stop racing and its a very scary feeling..i had all kinds of blood work to and it shows i am in per menopause at 38 years old...sometimes i feel like im going crazy...i take xanex and have for about 10yrs or better now the doc wants me to go on lorazapam while gradually coming off xanex but im kinda scared to do it...hope everything turns out ok.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks! Yes that did cross my mind.Another thing that came up was GERD?!!.I googled my symptoms(always bad to do sometimes lol) and that popped up.Must say,i do have some symptoms of this GERD!Sometimes it feels as though i have a bubble or trapped burp in my throat.Jesus,feels like i have every symptom going!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Another to have them look for is acid reflux. There's a fine line between anxiety symptoms and reflux! I have the same issues with lump in throat tightness of chest feels tough to breathe. Have them check it out :-)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you very much.I know i had thyroid tested about ten months ago,but things change dont they lol,so i will be asking the doctor for more tests to be done.They have also done tests for anemia(as i am quite pale all the time)but always normal!!x
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Get your thyroid checked. TSH .. Free T4 free T3 and you thyroid antibodies checked
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi many thanks for your reply.I have not had any allergy tests as of yet but i think i will mention it to my doctor.I have not had any tightness of the chest/throat for a few days now,but the last time i noticed it,i was rushing about in a hurry trying to get things done so i am certain its stress/anxiety.I do not think it could be asthma(although my sister suffers from it)but i think i will mention that,too. I had been been feeling ill with chronic fatigue symptoms since 2006,after endless trips to the doctors and numerous tests,was told i had it in 2010.I had adapted to the tiredness and achy feeling but was under a bit of stress(looking after my little ones and i am currently studying social work degree)so i think all that combined took its toll.I could not walk up the stairs without dizziness and a racing heart and started having panic attacks out of the blue.Luckily,i went to see my doctor when i was right in the middle of a panic attack,was put on ecg and thats when i was put on a beta blocker,which has stopped the panic attacks.I feel better than i did a year ago,but not 100%.Still quite anxious,but i always have been!.I also have very low self esteem!.I have had lots of bloods done,but i think i will request more as the last ones i had done were about 10 months ago(they were normal).I have also had a 7 day heart monitor test done which came back normal.Feel not too bad today,legs do not feel numb and only woke up once gasping.I do not drink alcohol as i became extremely sensitive to it.I do smoke 4 cigs per day.I mum has not long been diagnosed with diabetes,so i think il ask them about that,although  i was tested for that before.I do sometimes have a pain at the top of my stomach(just below the rib cage)feels like a burning pain??.worse after i have eaten and lie down.Also makes me feel quite nauseous.I do not have heartburn much,but acid reflux wakes me up at night from time to time.Well i hope the doc is ready for me tomorrow because i think he will need a drink after seeing me tomorrow lol!!xx
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, many of us that have anxiety have these symptoms. I am glad to hear that you will be seeing the Dr again. I hope they do more testing. Just to rule anything else out. Have you been checked for asthma, allergies, things like that?  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?