What could be happening to me?

I am 29 & at the first of the year I experienced some sort of attack. My chest hurt first and didn't stop I felt dizzy (been getting dizzy for a few years now) . Ive always been really athletic and healthy besides pre teen anxiety nothing serious no meds required. I have had 3more attacks since the first one each time a new symptom besides my chest hasn't hurt on the last 2 but they become more progressive and aggressive  and my whole body cramps up starting with one hand. (usually right hand)  then 2 seconds later the rest follows  and balls up. Face hands feet all tingle left side of body affected the most afterwards. Can not make a fist with left hand it takes all I got to make it happen. Attacks seemed to be anxiety by doc in hospital. I went when i first had the chest pain and dizziness but I think something deeper since attacks are nothing like I have ever experienced before and new symptoms just appeared in attacks after first one. Body left immoible for hours and unable to do anything of the norm for a few days. Never experienced so much pain and my tolorence for pain is very high. Could this be relsted i hsve not been able to sit up straight or stand straight straight in years like my back isnt strong enough to hold its own in years even being athletic.Need best advice.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

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 a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Anxiety is a psychological and physiological condition with a multitude of symptoms. They include heart palpitations, muscle tension, fatigue, nausea, chest pain, shortness of breath, headaches, and GI symptoms such as diarrhea to name a few. Anxiety can also be accompanied with panic attacks such as a feeling of impending doom or death.

Anytime someone has unilateral numbness and/or weakness, the concern is for a vascular event. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a vascular condition in which a deficit occurs transiently and leaves no permanent deficit and has normal neuroimaging. The symptoms and signs of TIAs are similar to those of stroke. For example, numbness or tingling or weakness of one side of the body, difficulty speaking, difficulty with grabbing objects (i.e., difficulty controlling where hand goes), vision changes or loss, asymmetry of smiling, etc are all presentations of stroke. Stroke is a neurological emergency. The treatment for stroke is time based. Thus, if a person has the symptoms of a stroke, they or someone else should call 9-1-1 ASAP.

Preventative stroke measures are also encouraged in patients who are at risk for stroke. These people are those who are older in age, smokers, have high cholesterol or blood pressure, vascular disease (coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease), prior stroke, family history of stroke, diabetes, etc.

It is difficult to say whether your symptoms are TIAs or anxiety based on the description you provide. Additionally, there are other conditions can cause similar presentations such as migraines, seizures, electrolyte/vitamin abnormalities, etc. Most likely they are anxiety related given the recurrence (but TIAs can be recurrent), and you do mention that you have a history of anxiety. I am assuming you have been evaluated for this. If you have not, I would recommend that you be evaluated for your anxiety by your PCP, but also for your stroke risk factors. You probably should have basic lab work performed such as complete blood count, metabolic profile, thyroid studies, and vitamin B12. If you ever have an episode of stroke signs and symptoms, you should be evaluated immediately at your local emergency department.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[SKSmallwood]

News update my left hand has a twitch in the thumb and fore finger. Its quite annoying. But it goes away and comes back. It has been alittle easier to make a fist now also I wanted to add memory loss over the last year or so. I have always had a great memory to rely on and now it seems that I forget to much and can't remember what I have said to minutes or an hour ago or making phone calls get confused alot on what I was going to do or something of that nature. I thought it to be natural but it is becoming pretty fustrating.

[SKSmallwood]

Thanks for the advice I will go see my pcp and see what he has to say.