Weird Symptoms

[Robbed718]

I am a frequent suffer of recent panic attacks.  I do have a lot of stress in my life and I see a psychologist.  2 Weeks ago I was beleived to suffer a severe panic attack and I went to the hospital for chest pains and numbnesson one side, etc.   I went to a cardioologist and got an EKG and the Echosoundagram of my heart.  he told me my heart was fine and when I found that out, I was greatly relieved and felt better.


This sunday I was with my freind driving in the car and they told me, "  Rob," is everything okay?  Thats when I started feeling overwhelmed and upset and depressed with my life and I started freaking out, soon into another panic attack.  I went to the store and bought St. John's wort bc i felt i needed a medication to help calm me down, and it did nothing and i stopped taking it.  Ever since Sunday my brain has been in a big brain fog, andI feel like I cannot think and I am not the same person as I was before sunday.  I saw a doctor yesterday and he diagnosed me probably with a sinus infection.  I have swollen lymph nodes in my neck, pains all around my head, my eyes are dilating anad I have pressure under my eyes and on my head, along with some headaches.  They told me it was a sinus infection and I took my first pill of amoxicillian yesterday.  Today I took my second pill and its twice daily for 10 days.  However, I do not feel right, and I told my doctor this but he told me its probably a bacterial infection.   my lymph nodes however are still swollen and I do not feel right.  I feel like its hard to think and my mind is in a daze, and I Have no emotions. I  feel like I cannot think at times, ando thertimes I feel okay.  I am not sure if its anxiety or not, but I haive been very paranoid its something like a braintumor etc, keep thinking to myself maybe i should have a cat scan to seeif its a brain tumor/ anurism/ hemmorage something like that.  I am scared I have a brain anurism of something like that, but I am only 17 years old.  I do suffer from panic attacks. Does  it sound like something is greatly wrong with me?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

It seems like panic attack to me. Panic attacks are sudden, discrete periods of intense anxiety, mounting physiological arousal, fear, stomach problems and discomfort that are associated with a variety of somatic and cognitive symptoms.
Stress is an important causing factor.

Treatment includes anti anxiety medicines(available on prescription by a physician).When you have such kind of symptoms, Breathe slowly through the nose using the diaphragm and abdomen. Do not breathe through the mouth. Talking with a supportive person — someone who has experienced true panic attacks personally; someone who is highly trained in treating panic attacks; loved ones who can offer support and comfort.

If you are having any sinus infection, to use an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant combined with an anti-inflammatory analgesic (pain reliever) like Ibuprofen. However, you should not use decongestants for more than 5-7 days at a time.Avoid indigestible, spicy, foods and meats. Eat simply of wholesome food. Obtain needed out-of-door exercise, sunbaths, and swimming. It can also be treated using an antihistamine nasal spray. Antihistamine works by blocking your immune system's response to the allergen.

Symptoms can also be relieved by using a nasal spray that contains corticosteroids. Corticosteroids work by helping to reduce inflammation and congestion.

But the golden rule for chronic stuffy nose is steam inhalation.So pls inhale steam to get rid of stuffy nose.

Take care and regards.

[Robbed718]

I feel like I have lost my sanity. I feel like now i notice every hour that gtoes by in life and I cannot stop crying in my bed wishing I would go back to the old me.  what is wrong with me?  Have I lost it forever, is there such thing, do i perhaps need a therapist?

[peteroy]

I feel the same you have for the last several months. I have had 2 CT scans and also A MRI. All that was found was a sinus infection like you. I have panic attacks also. At least thats what the doctors say. I feel dizzy all the time and have neck and spinal stiffness which was said to be stress. i am taking xanax for my panic attacks which have so far seem to help but are very addictive and probably wont be prescribed to you. u have to be at least 18. i am on antibiotics and decongestants for my sinus infection. Dosent work. i feel like my life is ruined also. i feel like i cant live like this and im tired of it. i doubt u have any brain tumor or anything like that. I also have heart palpitations and just a sick feeling in heart but have had EKG and Echocardio gram done. All was fine. Just have a weak feeling in neck and was told it is stress but i dont think it is. I might not ever no what it is. Just try and calm down and you can have a CT scan done just to help get brain tumor off your mind.

[Sickly_basketball_player]

Having a bit of experience with panic attacks myself and being only 19 I might be able to add some things. One thing I know, and you probably already heard this is when your stressed out you can get sick. The thing that I find makes me depressed or anxious, aside from being sick, is that being are telling me I'm depressed or anxious. Doctors, family, friends will never get it usually. There is nothing more anxiety provoking than having somebody ask you if your alright when your not sure if you are alright or not. These things are very confusing. Me just writing these things is making me confused. It's hard to find a psyhiatrist who will talk to you contructively about these things and not just rate away tell you you need to be on meds for depression and anxiety. It is good to get a CT scan though to rule out any physical thing that's going on. Actually though, I would recommend trying antianxiety or antidepressents for a while. I am totally against taking that stuff, but sometimes it is actually a genetic abnormality with neurotransmitters that is causing all this. Happens a lot in my family.
Anyway, man, just take it slow and easy. Stop looking at the clock. Never think about the time passing by although it's really hard not to at times. Maybe you could try covering every clocks in your house and just go by how dark or light it is outside. I'm pulling for you anyway so you got one friend here.

[Robbed718]

Doyou guys think I will turn out okay in the end, is there such thing as peremnant psychological illness i may have

[Robbed718]

can i have alzhemimer's or something? I am only 17 years old btw.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. This incurable, degenerative and terminal disease is mostly found after 65 years of age.Pls don’t worry about it as you are too young for it.

As I had said earlier,you seem to be having panic attacks.Pls consult a psychiatrist for the prescription of anti-anxiety medicines.If you are having any doubts about the involvement of nervous system,then you should get yourself evaluated by a neurologist and get CT or MRI brain done.All types of brain pathologies whether aneurysms,swellings,tumors,hemorrhage etc come out clear cut in CT and MRI.

Hope it helps.Pls do keep us posted if you have any additional queries.

[Robbed718]

By the way, on each side , my left side and the rigth side of my head, I can feel blood vessels going into my brain. I keep touching them afraid they're going to pop.  is it bad I can feel some blood vessels in the top oif my head connecting to my brain?

[pcbelle]

Hi, I also suffer from anxiety and belive me if you think about everything that is happening to you, such as feeling the blood vessels on the top of your head and thinking about being sick, then you will.  You have to turn your thoughts around.  Anxiety is something that we create in ourselves.  It can not harm us although it feels like it can.  You need to take something to calm you down.  St. John's wort needs to be taken awhile for it to take effect.  If your doc. will prescribe something such as klonopin or xanax for when you are very stressed it will help.  Drinking chamomile tea is also calming.  Deep breathing and telling yourself that you are calm and safe can help.  I have been dealing with this type of condition for years.  Some days are better than others.  I don't know if you go to church, but Jesus does answer prayers and he will never leave you or forsake you.  Just put it in his hands.  Also, exercise will help, go for a walk or run or just do something to keep your mind busy.  I hope this helps and will say a prayer for you.  I know how you feel.  Take care and God Bless