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dizziness and anxiety

O.K, here is my story:
last year I started having episodes of shortness of breath, where my hand would be shaking, and i had no control over my self. Also no apetite. Went to the ER several times. They did all kind of tests EKGs, Blood (including thyroid), urine, etc. Everything O.K. I was prescribed with xanax by two different doctors, but I didn't take it (completely against medicine). I kept having the symptoms and started to have new symptoms: palpitations, like I couldn't swallow (or a feeling tha i would swallow my own tongue), dry eyes, etc. Kept going to the ER and they kept sending me back. I must say that in all these episodes, I woulkd always feel better, actually symptoms free, the minute I got to the hopsital. Anyway, the last time I went to the hospital, the found a little abnormality in my EKG,and to make a ling story short, I ended up having and cardiac cath at age 23, along with all the possible heart exams (echocardiogram, blood tests, etc.) They didn't find anything wrong. I went home after two days in the hopsital, and gradually understood that my symptoms were caused by anxiety, and even though i keep feeling them, it is easier for me to calm down and not go into a panic attack.
My problem now is that about 6 months ago I had a terrible episode of dizziness, and for some reason I've been feeling constantly dizzy ever since. Doctor says it's due to anxiety, but it just hard for me to belive it because vene when i don't feel anxious, i'm dizzy. I don't get the sensation of spinning, I feel like I'm going to faint, or fall. Any comments, anyone???
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A related discussion, dizziness n weak was started.
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Is it possible to have symptoms of aniexty such as dizziness without actually feeling anxious.

I have been lightheaded and dizzy for the past month.  I am 30 and healthy and this came out of nowhere.  ENT said my ears are healthy.  I feel great other then this pressure in my head and the dizziness.  I wonder if it is anxiety.
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Wow.  I stumbled on this web site because I was researching anxiety and dizziness.  I have been suffering from this for about 3 years.  The funny thing is anxiety presents itself differently in one's body over time.  At first, it began with the "shakes".  Then after a couple of months, I began having heart palpitations.  Over the past year, it has turned into chronic dizziness, and when I say chronic, I MEAN CHRONIC.  I have had a CT-Scan, MRI, Stress Test, Blood test... You name it, I've had it and the tests are always normal.  It's just amazing to hear other stories of people who suffer from this BEAST.  I've tried counseling, acupuncture, emergency room visits, and plenty of primary physician visits but all to no avail.  I often wonder will i have to live with this for the rest of my life, and although I am hopeful that I won't, I am certainly hoping that it ends soon.  Sometimes it's unbearable, but I am not alone and neither are any of you.
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I am sorry you feel this way, but let me tell you i SUFFER with anxiety attaks, PAD, agoraphobia, SAD, and panic attacks. Im not depressed as i would say, but i dont know what that feeling is like. Ive also had the same symptoms as you dizzy feel like i was going to faint, tension in my head pressure, my scalp hurt jaw pain from clentching my teeth, shoulder pain. So one a Dr put me Xanax 1 mg three times a day. THE reason for Xanax, it works fast where if you take Zoloft it takes weeks for it to have full effect with Xanax it takes five minutes and the heart palps, feeling of have a disease or a heart attack, or a stroke, or searching for the most horrific disease such as "i must have cancer or a tumor" The feeling of not knowing!!! is the most suffering i can explain, i could not even open my door, because i was afraid. I soon there had to CONVINCE MYSELF TOO TAKE MEDS. I as well dont like meds, i would read all the info the pharm. would give you and id say OMIGOD, i could have this that, and this can happen...and boom anxiety attack. I promise you the reason you might be afraid to take meds, is because of the anxiety. Xanax is the best best meds for anxiety and the reason again it stops the eratic behavior FAST!!!!!! also helps with tension. But you do need a long term med Like Zoloft to help the underlying of anxiety, because Xanax is usualy short term to HELP cop and get over fast until the other Med kicks in. Another thing is if you just stopped a med like Zoloft for no reason you will have the affects of anxiety, its withdrawls from that med that can manifest its self into a anxiety attack. You shold never stop taking a med, slowly reduce it so you dont have side affects. I did that with Xanax, and i had siezures, because it is a benzo med you have to tapper off slowly. for four days i had anxiety attacks 24/7 and i went to my doctor while having a siezure and didnt know what was wrong. i know enough words from all of us will not convince you; you are not alone or not dying. I would take my blood pressure, check my pulse the whole nine yards, everything was fast of course im having an anxiety attack. Find the underlying problem, and search with in yourself for the answer. therapy is good, exercise is wonderful for anxiety. I know you find yourself thinking alllll the time...What COULD IT BE OR WHAT DO I HAVE?? I have been there like the rest is not an easy feeling. I am so afraid to take any meds, i tell my Drs im allergic to everything...ands thats everything they have prescribed to me. I forced myself to take the Xanax one day and saw i was not going to die from it as my anxiety told me i would, and now its controled. But i need also a underlying med to cop with it everyday other than Xanax, BUT im afraid to take Effexor XR, BECAUSE I READ THE INFO PACK ON IT!! well like im suppose to BUT BECAUSE I HAVE anxiety i makes it a bigger issue for myself and i cant take it, its been a month now and i still cant t convince myself to take it. So you see "We" manifest the anxiety with out really knowing. You have to keep focused..yeah right huh? I know there are some great ppl here that have posted to you, and i thinks it wonderful and so kind from some strange person to tell you or me we are not alone. So i thank all of you for your kind words and advice. With out this site i would never of taken my med and would still be suffering!!!!! All i would say is just try it, and see if it makes you feel better. I so wish there was more i could tell you, and help, but i know from my experience it doesnt matter how much we tell one another...we still dont believe or think we will be ok from the disease...but you get it under control and you will see...you will be ok...Best of Luck...and God bless...
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Avatar universal
I had to add this: I have had anxiety for these 10 years and have never comepletely overcome it. So I didn't want to come off as knowing all, you know. But I just realized today that this dizziness is anxiety-related, because my workout partner had experienced it also and everything I am reading points to psychosis (yay!). So, I too am trapped, but I know my own mind will set me free. I hope you find peace. I know you CAN. You are ABLE. And it is okay to be scared and it is not abnormal to have anxeity, especially with your background. So that is why I say be kind to yourself. It is very TOUCHING TO HEAR THE STORIES OF OTHERS...We are not alone. We do not suffer alone, feeling crazy and helpless. My anxeity has taken new forms over the years, and this is my latest. Yes, I feel like my mind has turned on me, but also I know I am stronger than this part of my mind that is out of control. And I am committed from today on - after hearing all of you describe your feelings - I AM COMMITTED TO RECOVERY. I am committed to not dwelling on fear and to taking this day and running with it. I have had too many traumatizing medical and personal experiences in my life, but I am alive. I have a Master's degree, 2 kids and a dog, good family, good face, body, I'm ethical and moral and loving and kind, AND I AM ALIVE!!! Most of all, I HAVE ME!!!!! And as long as I am alive, I am going to be in control. So there, anxiety!!!!
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Avatar universal
hi, tristan -

i also had a previous cardiac event - a heart attack at age 24. now i am 34 and have had every test known, and am suffering from this dizziness others talk about for a week now, with heart palpatations at night and so on. i have been to teh ER again and again and so on. i have a severe anxiety disorder and i hate it. you are having anxiety. the best thing you can do is remind yourself that all of the times you've been to the ER, there's not been a problem - and that you are having an anxiety attack and this WILL NOT KILL YOU. you wil eventually learn to deal with it because you will build confidence knowing you can control it. if you respond, i'll know you're still out there and i'll talk more...be kind to yourself.  
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Everybody,
Its been touching hearing everyones stories. I am a heart patient, i've had 5 open heart surgeries and i was feeling fine, Finally went to school and completed a Diploma and went away to work while away i over exerted my heart and passed out. Since then i have not been myself at all. i've been to the emergency room Probably about 40-50 times.I've had, EKG,ECHO, CAT SCANS ,XRAYS,BLOOD TESTS, PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST, Been hooked up on a heart monitor. The Doctors say im fine, im just finding it so hard to believe it i need help to believe it . I becomes Dizzy, Shortness of Breathe, Chest Pains, Back Pains, and i have these Forceful , painful heart beats at times. Nothing is showing up on the test, all my friends and loves one are telling me i need to go on my life  All the Doctors are telling me its anxiety, when i go to the doctor  now they are so certain they dont even want to give me any tests. Im so tired off this anxiety, it happens out of no where, i dont feel stressed out but it just comes on.  Does Anyone else have these sympthoms? please answer me i want to be back to myself ...please respond.
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Avatar universal
Dear, Neha
                   I feel the exact same way dizzy all the times feeling like my breath will be my last and i have gone to so many doctors thinking cancer or something else. I am going back soon but tell me what you find out. what really helps me is just lay down in a spot where YOU feel comfortable and think of something else watch a movie do something to calm your self down. But please keep in touch with me and tell me what treatment you get because i need help badly everyday i feel dizzy as though i wont make it through the day.
                                                                                 Sincerely hope you get better, Chris
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Avatar universal
hello everyone,
I am 19yr old girl from India
I consulted ENT and neurologist,  they told me that it is due to anxiety.

It all started last week,  
DAY 1&2:   I suddenly woke up in the night,  sensing numbness in the right side of my head.  Then numbness would come and go for the next two days.
DAY 3&4:     No numbness,  but started experiencing high amounts of ear pressure and mild diziness
DAY 5&6:    head pressure/lesser ear pressure,  more diziness,  dropping eyelids, unable to concentrate,  racing thoughts,  insomnia

I experience these scary symptoms heavily during nights.  I hardly slept since last 7 days.  I am scared, PLEASE HELP...WILL I BE NORMAL AGAIN?

I have no clue what triggered anxiety,  because i had a normal life previously.

I want to know,  Is there any good treatment for anxiety??  





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Avatar universal
I have had thyroid tests, all normal.  I think that perhaps having young children makes all the other stresses in life so much harder to deal with. There doesn't seem any pattern to my dizzyness/spaced out feeling.  One day i will have it a little bit all day, another couple of days it will be really bad and then one day out of the blue i will hardly have it at all.  It doesn't feel like a panic attack put could be muscle spasms in response to stress.  I don't know.  All i do know is that it is driving me mad.
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I have also read that panic attacks are symptoms of thyroid disease too so it might be good to look at that as well.
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I had my first child in Aug 2003 and my second in Oct 2004.  My panic attacks started July 2005.  In the same time span, my mother died and my husbands grandmother died.  I can't say if the pregnancies and births contributed or not but it might.
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Wow, I'm so glad to find so many others out there experiencing the same thing I am!  I don't feel so alone in this battle with myself.  I had my first panic attack 5 years ago, after my son was born.  I have been through all the tests, and the only thing they found was GERD.  It is under control now, and has helped a little, but I still get sudden strange feelings out of nowhere... dizziness, feeling detached from myself, dreamish, jumpy, unable to breathe... I almost want to jump out of my body and wait until the feelings pass.  I do take an occasional xanax, and it does help tremendously - especially when driving or in confined places, where I can't take the time to concentrate and try to mentally control it.  Anyhow, in addition to the anxiety/panic, my Dr. thinks that I may be B-complex deficient.  He has put me on a prenatal level supplement, we'll see if it helps.  I noticed a couple of other posts on here that mentioned problems starting after the birth of a child... I'm starting to wonder if there really might be a connection to the vitamins.  Afterall, pregnancy & child birth do deplete your system.  Not to say that others can't have deficiencies - it can happen to anyone at anytime, even if you're pretty careful about what you eat.  Any thoughts?  Has anyone else had any help from taking extra vitamins, or suffered vitamin difficiencies?  
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I have GAD and Panic Disorder and have experienced ALL symptoms you mention.  Specifically, the dizziness is caused by hyperventilated.  You may not realize you are taking short shallow breaths which is really what hyperventilated is.  I never realized it until I was in the ER laying in the bed and about every 5 minutes the nurse would tell me to take deep breaths from my diaphram because my resp rate was showing I was hyperventilated.  Normally, it leads to the panic attack.
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Hi,  Went to see the neurologist last week.  He checked me out and feels pretty certain it isn't anything to worry about.  I do get a lot of headaches so he thinks that what I am getting is a type of repeated migraine where all the muscles in my scalp and neck are going onto spasm.  We do have a strong family link for migraines but i can't quite believe this is just migraine?!  He has put me on a type of anti-epileptic medication which has been liscenced also for migraine in the last couple of years.  I have been on it since Friday but don't feel any different yet but i suppose it will be a slow process.  I am also booked to have an MRI but that could take up to 3 months to come through on British National Health.  I had blood tests on friday.  Still cant help worrying though.  Just want to feel normal again, instead of just pretending to be to everybody.  How is everyone else doing?
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When I was in my 20's, I thought I was having panic attacks. It turned out that my blood sugar and blood pressure were low. Once I was able to get treated, I stoped having them. Turns out I have autonomic dysfunction, that drops my blood pressure, makes me dizzy and causes fainting sometimes. Also low body temp, slow intestinal motility, and heart arrythmia. Something that can be worth checking into. The anti anxiety drugs only dropped my blood pressure more and made me faint. A tilt table test is used to diagnose it. That was no fun, because for me it stimulated the same reaction I had when I was told they were panic attacks, but at least it got diagnosed.

Don't get me wrong. It could be anxiety as well, but I say check all your options, just in case.

Ame
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For the last couple of days I have been trying to take an advil when the dizziness gets really bad. It seems to be helping.
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I went to see the senior doctor yesterday and he thinks that it definately could be the muscles in my scalp tightening up and going into spasm as they are all over the scalp.  He has referred me to a neurologist for advice and i am going on wednesday (I paid privately for the first visit so i get seen quicker).  I, like you, don't feel particularly stressed at the minute.  Have you tried a tension headache tablet like Syndol or Boots tension headache tablet?  I was wondering if they helped with you.  I will let you all know when i go next wednesday.
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I have the same sort of feeling, dizzy all day but better in the mornings,  I have the same "spaced out" feeling.  I have had an MRI and seen an ear, nose and throat specialist. Nothing was wrong there. My bloodwork was normal a few months ago, but i've just had it retested.  I have also just had an EKG and am waiting on the results.  My mother has a heart condition called Wolfe Parkinson White's Syndrome, which this may be a symptom of.  My doctor thinks it is just anxiety, but I feel fine. I do have some stress in my life but I don't feel as though it is overtaking me. I don't really want to go on anti-anxiety medication at the age of 23.
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Hi Ancient.  Thants fine with me.  I am due to have blood tests at doctors next Wednesday but I don't think anything will come up.  I am currently trying to take regular brufen/ibuprofen to see if it is a muscular problem.  As i said before, when i get up in the morning it is fine and then gradually the heavy feeling in my head starts to creep up on me and then the dizzy spaced out feeling.  I have noticed that if i take ibuprofen before the symptoms get too bad that they sometimes don't get quite as bad as when i don't take any.  I was wondering if these symptoms are maybe caused by spasms in the muscles in my scalp tightening up and making me feel spaced out.  You can buy some tablets for tension headaches over the counter.  In England they are called Syndol but i am just trying ibuprofen at the minute.  I was  wondering if the spasms in the musles in the scalp are causing a type of migraine effect as i do feel more spaced out when i am in a shop with overhead strip lighting?   If I think about it a lot i also get a heavy feeling in my body.  At it's worse about two weeks after I first started with the symptoms my right leg used to feel really heavy like i could't move it properly but i think that was because i was getting so worked up about it.  I really don't think that these symptoms are psychological due to anxiety as i get them whether i am stressed or not.  i have a friend that is trying accupuncture due to panic attacks, they said that she will probably only need four sessions but says she feels a lot better after only two?!  I fancy trying it but have difficulty getting child care when I am days off from work.  I have had these symptoms for 3 months up to now and would be very interested to hear about yours.
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Hi Jessie. It would be interesting to try and possibly narrow down the common factors between us and maybe figure out possibilities to explore. We can do this here or by e-mail. Just let me know, my e-mail is ***@**** Thanks.
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Yes, that's exactly how it is with me.  I feel absolutely fine in the morning and then the pressure begins to gradually build up in my head and until i can't ignore it anymore and begin to feel spaced out.  I have noticed that if I take a strong pain killer before it gets too worse that it sometimes keeps in the background.  Perhaps it is because the pain killer is relaxing me? The fact that i feel better first thing is the only thing keeping me from going demented with worry about maybe having a brain tumour as surely it would be worse first thing as you have been laid flat all night allowing the pressure to build up?
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Hello. I am feeling dizzy, heavy headed, feel like I'm losing control of my limbs sometimes and this of course gives me these nice panic attacks which make all of those symptoms worse. This began about 5 days ago and seems to have gotten a bit worse today. This same thing happened to me about 4 years ago and it lasted about 3 weeks and then it went completely away. During that time I went to the doctos and had blood tests and he said everything was fine with me. I've had anxiety problems and attacks for a while now so it's nothing knew for people to tell me it's just anxiety. But of course I'm worried.

What I have noticed is that I feel good and normal in the morning when I wake up, do any of you feel normal in the morning also? This kind of makes me think that it is anxiety since if it was something else I don't see why it would take a break in the morning, right? Seems like the stress in the back of my mind or whatever is bothering me goes to sleep and wakes up with me and takes a while to start bothering me again. Is this true for anyone else?

If this is anxiety, it is pretty amazing that we are suffering from such physical symptoms. Do you think people have always been like this? To me it seems like a new epidemic in our world come out of nowhere. Seems this anxiety attack thing is becoming very popular within the past decade. I wonder if there is this one common root cause that we haven't discovered yet. Maybe something in the water or in the air or in fast food? I don't know, but it seems strange how more and more people are not being able to handle stress that humans before us could without being incapacitated by anxiety the way we are.
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This topic is just like me, they put me through the same tests and said anxiety. Everything thing you said even symptoms leaving while going to the hospital.  I'm curios about the dry eyes, I have something like that and have been noticing visual disturbances, and would like to hear more about this.
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