Neurological problem or just anxiety?

[monkeybishop123]

In June 08 I suffered with my first panic attack and since then nothing has been the same. I had heart palpatations on a daily basis and was terrified of doing anything.
My symptoms have changed a lot over time, I suffer with this strange bubble feeling inside my head that prevents me from getting on woth my life, i was so worried about it that i had a CT scan, it came back normal. Ive also had EKG's and blood tests and ive seen 5 different doctors.
At the moment I am experiencing numbness, like my neck and jaw have been frozen, some burning pains, headaches and involuntary eye movements.  Ive been to an Optician who says all my eyes look fine. This has been pretty constant for the last 2 weeks.
Im also experiencing some strange headrushes, not like when you stand up too fast more like a zap. It fills me with fear every time it happens, its like theres something crazy happening in my head, it only lasts a few seconds but its so intense that i just have to screw up my eyes and put my head in my hands. It just feels like theres something going wooosshhh in my head and everything seems very unreal all of a sudden, Im frightened that it could be something neurological or a seizure. Ive had a simple neurology exam involving reflexes etc that all seemed to be ok. I know I have some anxiety and agrophobia problems, Is this just a strange type of panic attack??
Thanks.
Oh, im a 22yr old female, I dont drink or smoke.

[SadieSunflower]

Do you find that these symptoms are worse when you are walking around or standing than when you are sitting or lying down? In some ways it sounds like a mild autonomic disorder.

Autonomic disorders cause dizziness, foggy head, headache, nausea, and anxiety.

I believe that people are generally able to tell the difference between anxiety and when something wrong with their body. Trust your instincts!

[pittysing]

Hi. I'm a 24-year-old female and I can completely relate to what is going on with you. About two months ago I started having numbness in my left hand which eventually spread to my arm, neck, and jaw. Since that time in October, I have had multiple symptoms. At different times I have experienced excruciating chest pains, heart palpitations, panic attacks, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, more numbness (first on the left side of my head/face, then on the right side), sinking and "electric shock" feelings in my chest and head, nausea, insomnia, stomach troubles, and on and on. Even as I type this the right side of my head is tingling.

The reason I have listed all my symptoms is to let you know that every doctor I have seen (eight, including an ER visit) has chalked it up to anxiety. I too have had multiple tests (blood tests, EKG, echocardiogram, MRI, CT scan, plus countless physical exams) and no doctor can find anything wrong. There are times when I believe I am dying because I feel like my body can't possibly handle the strange sensations in my chest and/or head. It is absolutely ridiculous what stress and anxiety can do to our bodies. And I know in my case at least, once I feel a physical symptom, the anxiety only increases ten-fold, causing more and more symptoms. It's a vicious cycle, and it gets to the point where all I think about night and day are what symptoms I'm having at the moment and all the terrible things they could mean.

I have no medical experience and can't say for sure what's going on with you. But I can say I understand how you feel and what it's like to deal with frightening symptoms on a daily basis. I would recommend a more extensive neurological exam to either figure out the problem (if it's neurological) or at the very least put your mind at ease (if it's anxiety). I'm praying for you and I wish you the best of luck in feeling better.

[Rob2008]

btw, it definately doesn't sound like MS....I have often wondered about seizures for myself though...Something is definitely wrong,  2 years into these symptoms I started having heaviness in my chest and heart palpitations as well.   A very foggy headed feeling  "derealization" and chronic nausea symptoms as well.     If I told a doctor about ALL of these symptoms,   I would instantly be tossed into the psychiatric arena.....But the symptoms are real;   and, frankly I'm sick and tired of people walking around suggesting that depression and anxiety causes these sort of symptoms;  I think it's the **other way around**

[Rob2008]

niamac,  something you mentioned grabbed my attention.   3 years ago I started having constant pressure in my head,  constantly blocked nose,     and brief episodes like you describe.      It's sort of like a quick tingling in my head with dizziness and feeling of unreality...it usually lasts 5-10 seconds.   I wish I knew what it was.     Please reply

[monkeybishop123]

Is there a possibility of it being seizures or MS?

It just seems crazy  to me that it could all be down to anxiety.

Thanks for the reply.

[Neuro Forum]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.

Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history I can not comment on the cause of your symptoms, and I can not say for sure whether or not this is strictly related to anxiety or is neurologic. However, I will try to provide you with some ideas.

Some of your symptoms do sound more anxiety related. For example, the wave you feel coming over you with dizziness is probably anxiety. However, other potential causes could be lower blood pressure due for example to dehydration, or blood sugar, heart arrhythmias etc. If you have been checked for these and related conidtions, as it sounds like you did with the tests you mention above, and the results were normal, then these can be excluded as a cause.

You mention that you have headaches and neck symptoms. Depending on the nature of your headache (its quality, location, intensity, duration etc) and associated symptoms (such as nausea etc) you could be having migraines or tension type headaches. Another potential cause of headaches with neck pain is that you could have some neck muscle tightness leading to your headaches. Headaches are a highly treatable condition so it is important you keep a diary of these and then discuss them with your doctor, a neurologist would be able to help you with these if you have not yet seen one for the headaches.

You mention some abnormal eye movements and you were evaluated by an optemetrist. I recommend you see an actual doctor (opthalmologist) if this is possible as the evaluation would probably be more extensive and if he/she tells you there is nothing wrong you can be more confident after having seen him/her than only an optemtrist (optemetrists are great, but they are not doctors!)

If you have been diagnosed with anxiety, it is important to understand that this is a highly treatable condition. certain medications such as antidepressants can be used for the long term treatment of anxiety (other medications such as xanax and valium do help anxiety but are not good long term solutions). You may benefit from evaluation by a psychiatrist and a counselor (psychologist) to help you manage your symptoms.

Thank you for using the forum I hope you find this information useful good luck.

[adge23]

I would have to say, my first thought would be anxiety but i'm not a doctor. I am a 23 yr old female and over the last two years, i have suffered so many odd and unxplainable symptoms that i don't even know if i could count them all.  I used to get this feeling i called a wave and it felt like it overcame me like dizziness, only lasted a few seconds and was gone. It also terrified me. I have been to a few different doctors and gotten many blood tets, ct scans, mri of my brain and more.  Nothing has ever shown anything is wrong with me. I have also had a panic attack and have been told i have anxiety.

All i can say is i have serached high and low for a diagnosis and i have come to the conclusion that it is all likely anxiety.  I hope it helps to know your not the ony one going through somthing like his.  Please consider seeing a professional for anxiety treatment and explaning all your odd symptoms.  I also found it helped when i googled anxiety symptoms.  I have found in soem way or another, almost every symptom i had was on that list. I hope this helps.  Once i sought treatment for anxiety (not medicine but counselling) i found my symptoms came less frequetly and less evere.  Maybe anxiety medication would also help.  Take Care, i hope you feel better soon! :)