Is this anxiety

[jojoc37]

Hi All, I am currently under going tests to find out why i faint, my last faint was at the begining of april since then i feel anywhere i go i will faint, this has caused me to stay in my house, only going to my mums now and again which is 5 mins away, Every morning when i wake up i feel like i have a terrible hangover, i feel tired, nauseus, and dizzy, which are feelings i get before i faint so makes me feel paranoid that i will faint again, to make matters worse i am getting married in 6 weeks which scares me to death, the thought of me fainting stood at the alter, any ideas of how i can try and get through this, i dont think a day has gone by without me thinking of this which is making me worse, thankyou jo.

[Jikan]

Namaste,

Initially, I would think that your problem is physical and has subsequently developed into a temporary case of anxiety.

I don't know when your next appointment is with your doctor, but speak to him truthfully about the anxiety you're feeling. I'm sure he can offer some relief in the form of medication on a temporary basis until you determine why you are fainting.

Michael

[jojoc37]

Hi Michael, i have spoke to my doc about this he wanted to give me antidepresants which i declined, i am not depressed just very anxious, he cannot give me anything for anxiety as they will lower my bp which is what he thinks is causing me to faint, need to find something that will ease my anxiety but obviously not meds, jo

[Jikan]

The best alternative for anxiety other than medication that I have found is meditation. When learned proper techniques, it will not only lower your BP, but lessen any anxiety you may be experiencing and has even worked for me during a panic attack.

Michael

[nursegirl6572]

I totally agree...actual fainting spells MOST likely would not be CAUSED by anxiety.  You have developed anxiety as a result of the fainting episodes.  The symptoms you mention you have each morning absolutely sound like anxiety.

I would ask your doc about recommending a therapist since medications aren't really an option right now.  Some psychotherapy may head this off before it balloons into a bigger issue for you.  A therapist can help you work thru your fears and give you coping techniques to use when the anxiety starts.  In the meantime...you may want to try some relaxation CD's or something until you can get to a therapist.

Best of luck to you...keep us posted okay?  Amd congrats on the upcoming nuptials!!!

[jojoc37]

Thankyou so much for your response, i think it is so much harder for me to not think of fainting cos i do actually faint, its so weird though i can be sat watching tv one minute then suddenly will feel like i cant breath properly then i start going dizzy then feel sick, then i have to go to bed no matter what time of day it is just so i can lie down and try to shake of the feeling, plus its the only place i feel safe. is this normal for someone with anxiety?


I will definatly go back to my docs to see if he will recomend a therapist, no other option for me really, also the cd,s sound good never thought of that, i am also concerned that even tho i get around 10 hours sleep a night i never have any energy is this another anxiety thing or could that be another problem, i feel i will end up depressed if this carrys on, jo

[danilee]

Hi, it's absolutely normal to have a "safe" place. I have been suffering with anxiety for 15 yhears im 29. I am recently dealing with fainting as wel. I fainted at my ex boyfriends funeral and then again about a week later for unknown reason I was just standing and talking to a friend. i don't know what I was thinking about, but maybe I was thinking about the funeral again and it freaked me out. fight or flight, and then bam I hit the floor. I went to the ER they ran the tests, and said it was just and unknown syncope. Blah blah, I think it's my anxiety and I think it's what they call psychogenic syncope what I have . It's making my life difficult as I do not want to leave the house now, it's been 3 months. Good luck, you are not alone. I hope you feel better soon.

[jojoc37]

Hi danilee,

I have been fainting on and off for the last 30 years and im no nearer an answer as to why, all the other times i have fainted i shrugged it off and got on with my life but this time i just couldnt, i am now slowly learning to deal with it, i push myself to go out even if its just a little walk, i know if i dont and the longer i leave it the harder it will be,


You have to say to yourself if i faint i faint, wots the worst that can happen a bit of embarrasment, so wot its better than becoming a prisoner in your own home and not having a life, just try a little walk each day even if its to the end of the street and back and build your confidence up again,        

Good luck, and keep me posted  jo

[nursegirl6572]

HI there again...

What kind of work ups have you had?  I'm assuming the docs have looked into blood pressure issues, hypogylcemia (low sugar?) and perhaps ruling out seizures (via a Neurologist)?

Actual fainting spells, where one loses consciousness (not "near syncope" wear one simply feels as though they will faint at any minute...along with dizziness, tinnitus, etc) are pretty rare for anxiety sufferers.  You may be one of the rare unlucky ones that has an extreme anxiety response, but if you haven't already...I would insist on some thorough work-ups first, just to rule out anything physiological.

No doubt you're dealing with anxiety, that's for sure.  Whether it is secondary as a result of these syncopal episodes (which I could totally understand) is something else.  At this point the actual "cause" isn't as important as addressing it.

Keep us posted, and hang in there.

[jojoc37]

Hi nursegirl,

I have had a tilt table test, came back normal although could not understand the point in it, they lay me down on the bed and tested my bp, normal, then stood me up for 45 mins while checking my bp every 5 mins, sometimes dropped but not enough to make any difference, and that was it sent me on my not so merry way, i have stood up for much longer than this and never fainted so why would i then? puzzles me.

I then had a eeg not got the results back yet, even tho that was 4 weeks ago.

I then had a echocardiogram said everything looked ok,

I am now waiting to go back to see the consultant, seems to be taking forever,

I have also had lots of bloods taken for anemia, thyroid, and diabeties, anemia and diabeties came back ok waiting on the thyroid, doc said lack of energy headaches nausea could be symptom of underactive thyroid,

2 weeks to go till the wedding and feeling so much worse given the fact i am no nearer to finding out what is wrong with me, Im really trying to address my anxiety but go so far outside and run back in, god knows how i am going to get to the church, just keep hoping and praying ill have a good day that day, jo

[nursegirl6572]

The point of the tilt table test, and the other things to you described is to rule out "orthostatic hypotension", a condition where change of position (ie lying to sitting, sitting to standing, lying to standing, etc) causes a marked drop in BP, which results in people becoming dizzy, and even fainting.

I'm glad to hear you have had a thorough work up done....and in the end you just may be one of the rare people who actually faint due to high levels of anxiety.  Which, is actually better that having some sort of medical condition...but frustrating all the same I'm sure.  You have a lot on your plate...even good stress, like getting married puts us on edge.

Keep in touch....hope the big day is perfect for you!!!

[jojoc37]

My family often tell me im very rare, they dont understand wot im going through with never experiencing it themselves, apart from my children and hubby to be no one has seen me faint, I really do believe i faint from anxiety because there has always been some sort of stressful situation going on leading up to a faint so obviously i am very anxious about the wedding, family have been great organising things so i dont have the worry, but i still have anxiety issues,

I get my latest blood tests back on tues so will let you know the results of them,

Is there anything i can take that would give me a bit of energy but wont cause me anxiety ie send my heart racing, cant see me making it through the day without needing to go lie down cos at the moment i spend most of my day in bed resting feeling totally whacked, thanks for your comforting words they mean so much,  jo