Nightmares and joint pain.

i am 29 years old and seem to have some kind of health trouble all the time.currently, i am going to a physical therapist for what my doctor thinks is bursitis (though both my joint and right buttock hurt) but my right sholder blade hurts too. i am also taking protonix after abdominal pain could not be diagnosed.... well, for the past month and a half i have been having terrible nightmares almost EVERY night.they are VERY vivid- and i dread going to sleep because of this.right now i am taking 5 mg of paxil, 200 mg of celexa (which doesn't help), 40 mg of protonix--and calcium and prenatal vitamins (i don't plan on becoming pregnant). i am REALLY scared about my nightmares--i have a psychiatric history of depression and hypochondria (i am convinced i have bone cancer right now)-- should i see a neurologist about these nightmares?what is the likely hood i have an undiagnosed illness causing these nightmares? do nightmares usually mean something serious??? please help me.

[Forum-M.D.-DT]

After reading your question carefully, I can tell you that I suspect, without a doubt, that you are dealing with a problem with chronic Anxiety. My first thought is why 5mg of Paxil? This is a very low dose and as you will read within the content of this response, there are treatments for anxiety. Paxil is one of them and I would recommend speaking with your doctor about a "regular" dose of Paxil (20mg/day). You also have symtpoms of Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Both of which are common in patients with chronic anxiety. My feeling is this ... controlling your anxiety will, in addition to helping to reduce nightmares, will help you "feel" better in general.

Anxiety is a common emotional state causing feelings of worry, apprehension, or uneasiness. Physical symptoms may be present as well. These include increases in heart rate and breathing rate, tremulousness, sweating or fatigue. We all experience stress or anxiety at some time or another in our lives. It

[dgraves]

Thank you for such a clear explanation of this disorder.  I recently went to the doctor for various aches and pains and I believe this is what I suffer from.  I am working on a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, daily exercise (for those aches and pains), and relaxing in the evenings by reading (my favorite past time).  

It is wonderful to have a physician truly understand the effects and stress!   Wish there were more doctors like you.

Catherine

[Tomasello_MD]

It is my pleasure to have been able to help you with this problem. I wish you well and please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Dean M. Tomasello, M.D.

[amulbaby]

it is normal nothing to worry it is salt deffiency

[Tomasello_MD]

Salt deficiency?? .. NO. Salt deficiency does not cause nightmares. Please disregard the comment from "amulbaby". The comments from "amulbaby" are vague and, in general, incorrect.

[tanana]

A related discussion, Effexor during pregnancy was started.