Psychologist appointment - What now?

[artspaz]

I've been searching for a diagnosis for my painful neck spasms, muscle cramping in my leg that made it difficult to walk, migraines and blurring vision for about a year now. I've had multiple MRI's, blood work, a spinal tap, EEGs EMGs and came up with nothing. I resolved myself never to know but the symptoms still weren't going away and it started making working as a teacher very difficult. My neurologist finally put me on Xanyx and the symptoms went away over night. Finally, I was elated that I got some relief. So the neurologist says he thinks it's anxiety. Even though, as a teacher I still was experiencing symptoms when in July when I was relaxing pool side in the sun. I don't feel anxious. Maybe I'm suppressing it so much that my body is trying to find a way to express it. It's mysterious and confusing. All I know is that I can not control it or think my way out of it.  Anyways, my husband and I want to have another child but you can't be on Xanyx while you are pregnant. My neuro said he couldn't prescribe anything else because it was out of his realm of expertise. So, in a couple of weeks I'm going to go to a psychologist. Any suggestions on how to handle this? What questions should I ask?  

[Lulu54]

Hi Artspaz,
Working as a teacher is a stressful occupation, even in the most peaceful setting.  You are responsible for children, who constantly need supervision and direction.  You have to be on your feet most of the time, with little opportunity to rest.  You even have to schedule your bathroom breaks to fit into the school schedule.  All of these can be sources of quiet stress building in your body.

Life outside of work can also add stress-  even simple things like turning on the television news or reading the paper heaps tons of stress when you see headlines of war, and violence, and the economy.  


That the xanax worked immediately for you is pretty telling - I'm glad it gave you relief for your symptoms.  

The skilled psychologist will lead the discussion - you don't have to think of questions.  

Please be aware though that if you are taking xanax regularly, when you decide to stop taking it to work on pregnancy (or any other reason for stopping) you need to be weaned/tapered off of it.  Sudden withdrawal from Xanax can cause serious problems, so you will want to talk to the psychologist about this.

good luck,
Lulu