19 year old, white, male.
This is kind of long. But I’m desperate and I need help. Thank you for your time!
First of all, a brief history of my medical issues.
6 years ago, I started having chest and back pains.
• Visited many doctors: Cardiologist, General Physicians, Chiropractors
- Figured out it was skeletal issues
• Found an osteopath who was able to "adjust" me every few weeks. Good temporary relief.
Began seeking out a more permanent solution.
• Heard of The Yardly Institute - a specialty chiropractic center that focuses on the Atlas bone
- Turns out my atlas bone was twisted 5.5 degrees, and was pinching my spinal cords, causing all kinds of pain
- They were able to adjust it, making me feel normal again.
- Unfortunately, the adjustments haven't really been holding, and I've been having to be adjusted every week or so.
Naturally, this has caused me some stress. I am constantly tired and unmotivated to do anything. I find myself short of breath, and in pain when simply standing. I loose balance, as if I were out at sea - my legs feel like they’re swaying underneath me. It’s difficult to walk very far because of this.
A month or so ago, I began having these strange attacks:
- Heart rate elevates significantly
- Excessive shivering/shaking. (Feels like adrenaline throbbing throughout my entire body.)
- I get clammy and cold to the touch
- Short of breath
- Pressure in head, like blood isn't escaping
- Pressure in chest and shoulders
- Naturally, very fearful of death.
- Absolutely no energy. I can barely move without being exhausted.
- Very dizzy + a lot of vertigo.
The first time it happened, I went into the ER, fearing heart problems again. They tested heart, blood, lungs, and did X-rays. Everything came back perfectly fine. They gave me some anti-anxiety medicine via IV in the hospital which seemed to calm me down and made me feel normal again. They dismissed me from the hospital without any medication because they didn’t want to say it was anxiety without more proof.
A few weeks later, I saw my life-long physician. He seemed to think it was anxiety, and gave me some minor anxiety medicine: Fluoxetine Tablets USP (10mg). I take these once a day, and they seem to calm me down overall, but do not prevent the attacks.
ALSO, I think the attacks I’m getting now that I’m on Fluoxentine are different than the attack I had which put me in the ER, even if they were extremely similar.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed something a bit concerning. Exactly 24 hours after I masturbate, one of the attacks happen. I notice that it originates in the back of my head, right where my neck connects to my skull. It always happens as I’m trying to fall asleep. Everything tenses up, and I feel as if I have to clench every muscle in my body in order to relieve this throbbing, dizzying sensation. It hits hard at first, causing me to jolt up, as if I wasn’t in control of my muscles, and then settles into the shaking, pressure, and clamminess. It comes in waves, each wave lasting 5+ minutes until it works it’s way all the way through my body after 3-5 cycles. I often have to hold someone’s hand or have physical contact with something sturdy in order to feel stable.
It is absolutely miserable and terrifying.
The last time I felt one of these attacks coming on, I was able to stand up, clench a pillow, and walk around for 4 hours, which prevented the full attack from kicking in. I was able to sleep eventually, but as soon as I woke up, all the symptoms came back, and the attack hit me. It’s was like I was able to hold it back long enough to sleep, but it HAD to get through my system, so it did so as soon as I was conscious again.
As far as diet and exercise: I do cardio nearly every day as well as take multi vitamins, fish oil, D, and C. I haven’t had alcohol or a smoke since my ER visit, but I hardly ever drink or smoke anyway. I’ve also avoided caffeine except for the occasional soft drink. I eat healthy, especially of late. I try to limit cheap, processed food, as well as sugar, just because I feel like it only makes my symptoms worse. I have been tested for allergies and anemia, both of which came back negative.
Some more - possibly helpful - information:
1. Throughout all these skeletal issues, I have had my neck cracked and twisted in many ways by doctors and myself. I try not to crack it, but sometimes, It helps reduce tension that builds up.
2. Occasionally, I get muscle twitches. My tricept, under my eye, my neck, etc. They don’t go away until I wake up the next morning.
3. For the last 6 months, I have been trying to find work and a car. On top of this, I am hung up on a girl. I want to ask her out, but I am unable because of all these physical and work/car issues. Spiritually, I am constantly terrified and confused. Basically, I have major worry about my future, and I can’t fix it.
4. My anxiety and symptoms always get worse near the end of the day. Sometimes, I can’t focus on anything during the evening’s without feeling vertigo/dizziness.
5. I’ll often wake up with symptoms, but they’ll go away as soon as I eat breakfast.
I do apologize for this post’s length. You have no idea how helpful some new opinions would be, so thank you for taking the time.
I hope I was as detailed as necessary.