Anyone have chronic debilitating symptoms like mine? Does it sound like anxiety/depression?

[GirlLovesNY]

I'm 26 y/o. When I was 20, I started getting massive panic attacks on a daily basis. For about 2-3 years, they remained untreated, and I was getting panic attacks at least 3 times a day (full blown attacks). I purchased the Midwest Program for Anxiety & Depression, and I overcame my panic attacks. However, I was left with unresolved symptoms. I get dizzy upon standing up, I'm ultra sensitive in stores. Meaning, the longer I'm shopping, the more I get dizzy, feel like passing out, my eyes burn, etc. I'm chronically tired. The more I exert myself mentally or physically, the worse I feel. I don't necessarily feel anxious, in fact I feel weak and exhausted. Like all I want to do is crawl under a rock.

My chronic 24/7 symptoms are - meaning they are with me at all times whether or not I'm anxious (please read this slowly, all these symptoms are really important): Lightheaded (there is never relief for this one), my eyes feel tired, my eyes burn, dizzy when moving, constantly feeling some sort of sensory overload (cannot handle mental or physical stuff), brain fog. I also feel like my eyes can't focus or see clearly.

I've had a few bouts of vertigo! Full blown room spinning. I've been to doctors with no explanation (blood, thyroid checked, eyes, ears ent, mri). Can anyone relate? My friends with anxiety do not have my chronic symptoms like mine. They only get dizzy or lightheaded when they're anxious and their hearts are racing (I do not have this)
Anti-anxiety pills make me too drowsy, anti-depressants still make me feel lightheaded.

I am depressed but because of the way I feel!

[jeffclark1985]

I am a 24 yr old male, imma try and make this as short as possible but i would really like a dr that has some clue of conditions but about ten yrs ago i went for a walk in a hundred degree weather and i blacked out when i got in the house but since then my breathin slowly but surely got worse then about a yr later the sidesof my stomach just below my ribs started 2 feel uncomfortable and still do to this day then a few yrs later {i dont know if this is even related} i woke up and my skin was burning then when that got done my hands and feet peeled then after that tiny white bumps formed all over my body but i went to the er and got a shot then they went away. So now i have so many problems with me... my body is fatigued but its so hard going to sleep, i get easily annoyed and idk why sometimes, my body feels weak and stiff, A dr said my nasal passages are swollen, sunlight hurts my eyes, i get hot easily, i have a hard time swolling food, i almost always have headaches, im hungry alot but never feel like eating, my nerves are messed up meaning i get nervous about things i used to not so i try avoid doing certain things like idk why but like going to the movies, mall, driving, playin sports, and ive seen a few drs that dont tell me anything and ive had xrays that say nothin and a cat scan or whateva and they said i had a real bad sinus infection and tthe meds i had taken did nothin. I have had many appts that said nothin also so I WAS JUST WONDERING IF THERE WAS A DR THAT CAN TELL ME SOMETHING PLEASE AND THANK YOU ID REALLY REALLY REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jeffclark1985]

This seems like a good post can anyone read my post and tell me if u feel like i do please and thanks

[Jasmine1006]

I should have read this before I posted my story...I was just too irritated to do that. I'm 19 and can really relate to what you're going thru. Some of the other answers helped me too.

[lynn57]

I too had panic attacks that would make me feel like crawling out of my skin.  I developed GAD and was later put on meds. I had almost all of your symptoms. My doctor was convinced I had MS. It was indeed anxiety. People say "don't worry, it's just anxiety".  I would rather have had my doctor find something medically wrong, at the time.  At least I would have felt validated.  Anxiety is not harmless and even if you know what is going on, it still has to be dealt with.  I wouldn't rule out any treatment.  A combo of SSRi's and klonopin is what originally got me under control and I would take them forever if necessary.  There is help.  Do the least you have to, to be comfortable.  Never give up finding your comfort zone. I came off Effexor a couple of years ago without a problem.  I am now taking Celexa ( cheaper ) after a return of symptoms, last year.  I am menopausal which doesn't help.  At least I feel good most of the time.  You will get there if you find a good doctor and be patient with new meds.  Good luck!  It's a battle you can win.

[j7653]

You asked me about my meditation and exercise experiences.. both were helpful to me.  You need to find what works for you, even if it is listening to music, reading a book, or talking on the phone.

Regarding meds... I'm not positive, but I think my sister took Zoloft thru her pregnancy.  That seems to be a pretty good SSRI that works on depression and anxiety.

Take care  

[nursegirl6572]

You beat me to it....I'm glad you realize the prior poster's negativity and failure to note that not everyone will have the same experience!  Good for you.  You are open minded, that is vital in fighting this battle.

Of course you can hire me....for a mere $100/hr...lol.  :0)

Seriously, though, I'm glad to help...not only am I somewhat knowledgeable due to my career...but more from living with anxiety my entire life.  I have had great success with different meds and therapy.  I know how awful it is to suffer day in and day out with non-stop panic.  It's horrible.  What is so sad is...we would much rather trade for a real physical diagnosis than an anxiety disorder in an instant.  Thats the one aspect of am anxiety disorder that is so frustrating.  WHY???  We could be totally content with life, with very little stress (although not your case necessarily)...and BOOM!  Massive panic attacks.

Like you said....when you have a near-wreck on the road and expeience the "fight or flight" response (which, of course is what a panic attack is)...it may SUCK, but it makes sense...there is an obvious trigger.  When we're standing in line at Wal-Mart and feel as though we should be running from a grizzly bear...not only are the SENSATIONS terrifying...but even more so that it makes no sense without a reasonable trigger.  Which is then when we start shopping online for a pretty new white jacker that buckles in the back.  :0)

You already have a heck of a head start...you have educated yourself and researched anxiety...and sought treatment.  Stick around....you'll be amazed at how helpful this forum can be.  We're all soldiers in this crappy war together!

[nursegirl6572]

I have to 100% disagree with just about everything you posted.  It's obvious that you've had some negative experiences, and for that, I am sorry...but you simply CANNOT generalize that everyone (or MOST everyone) will have the same experiences.

"One word of advice: stay away from SSRIs. The doctors tell you they take 4-6 weeks to kick in: they NEVER kick in for most people - that's how long it takes your body to become physically dependent on a useless chemical and have hell trying to withdraw from it. "

Absolutely untrue.  If you understand how SSRI's work, you would understand.... A. WHY they take 4-6 weeks to work...and B. WHY they DO work for a low of people.  Heck, just read the posts on this forum.  I don't discount that they don't work for everyone...and that people have even had bad experiences...but your broad brush statement simply isn't true, or in the very least is a gross overexaggeration.

To back up MY position.....

SSRI's, or "Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors" work in a very selective way on the chemical in the brain, Serotonin.  Serotonin is a natural "feel good" chemical that causes us to have a feeling of well being.  There are receptors that naturally grab them up as they circulate.  The SSRI meds BLOCK the reuptake of Serotonin into these receptors, aloowing more Serotonin to circulate, increasing the feeling of happiness and contentment.  Also, it obviously takes time to allow for more Serotonin to be circulating to make a difference, hence why the meds must be taken for a period of a few weeks to really see their effectiveness.


"The Midwest Program for Anxiety and Depression is a fraud, with no empirical evidence to support any of its claims of efficacy - any effect you get from it is placebo, and your mileage will vary. Sometimes taped support is all you need - a live counsellor is much better. "

While I agree that in a lot of cases a "live" counselor is probably more beneficial....how can you discount the Midwest program?  Obviously, as evidenced by the OP of this thread...it has been helpful for some people.  And even if it is a "placebo" effect...who cares?  What difference does it make HOW we get to a anxiety-free life, as long as we do, right?

With all due respect....spouting negativity on a forum like this is nothing but detrimental to the posters and readers who come here looking for help.  Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to that.  The medication debate will continue forever because people have had bad experiences, and people have had success.  There is nothing wrong with sharing your experience, or opinion, good or bad...to give the readers information that they can consider when making decisions about their treatment.  

What ISN'T adviseable, however...is to come here and scare the living daylights out of already anxious people and make it so that perhaps they forego seeking a certain kind of help (i.e. meds, Midwest Center's prgram, etc) because they take your OPINION or EXPERIENCE as fact.  People need to be armed with the information, including the experiences/opinions of others...but they also need to be aware that one person's horrid experience may be the next person's miracle.  Allow people to have their OWN experiences, and when you're posting about your opinion, be sure to indicate that it is, indeed your OPINION and that it may not apply to everyone.

Thank you.

[GirlLovesNY]

Hi Karen,
Are you on any meds? How are you feeling? Are my symptoms something you can relate to?
I agree with you about the meds part. I really want to have more kids, and I'm afraid being on meds will hurt my baby.

[GirlLovesNY]

I absolutely love you. You are the kindest, warmest, most understanding person. Can I hire you? LOL

All I want to do is keep reading your post. You put a smile on my face. Thank you for making me feel like I'm not alone in this. And thank you for helping rule out bipolar disorder.

I am seeking treatment - with TMS Therapy (it's not a medication, but works like one or better. It targets a part of the brain responsible for anxiety and depression). It's really expensive, and I'm hoping to be part of an experiment. You have to go for the treatment 5x a week for around 4-8 weeks. Afterwards, long term efficacy is unknown. Most people go back on a medication, some don't. I'm scared of medications, scared of being on one for life, scared of coming off of one, scared of being pregnant on one, etc.

I've been to several psychiatrists, and was diagnosed with something different from each doctor. One said he wasn't sure but gave me lexapro , one said minor depression but thought it might be medical (which didn't help at all!), one said it didn't sound like depression, and another said it was major depression! The one who diagnosed me with major depression really depressed me (no pun intended), because she said I would have to be on a medication for life, and treat my 'disease', like a diabetic treats his diabetes - with medication and lifestyle changes. But she said it would be a lifetime struggle with no real cure without meds, because it's major depression. However, my symptoms would be resolved on the right medication. The reason why this particular diagnosis stood out so much was because this psychiatrist is a the head of the psychiatric department at a very prestigious university.

[EroToo]

I would rather be on meds FOREVER than have constant panic attacks.  Believe me, I know since I have had them since I am 18 and am now 58.   Your life practically stops when you are in a constant state of panic/depression!   We all need to get some sort of help and there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

Hugs,
Karen

[GirlLovesNY]

Who are you to be giving this advice - a doctor, patient? What do you know about the midwest center program? Did you purchase it and dislike it? Do you suffer with anxiety? Have you ever been treated for a disorder?

You sound like a very pessimistic person, and you haven't included any supportive evidence with your claims (through personal experience would be most beneficial). On one hand, you tell me it sounds like Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but then you say it sounds Bipolar. I don't think you've educated yourself with either disorder enough to be making such suggestions (especially bipolar).

You said panic attacks cannot be caused by work related stress? Really? Stress and Anxiety go hand-in-hand with panic attacks. Because when I get extremely overwhelmed by work, I could get dizzy or other stress-associated symptoms, and then within a split second turn itself into a panic attack. And caffeine has been known to increase a person's heart rate, which in turn can lead to panic attacks and/or anxiety.

Stay away from SSRIs? But they are real medications. So I'm really confused about your posting, because you keep contradicting yourself. What medications are you on?

[nursegirl6572]

Hello, and welcome to the forum!

It's very obvious that you've had very thorough physical work-ups to rule out any kind of physiological cause for your anxiety.  Unlike the opinion of some of the other posters, I think it is time to accept that your problem is indeed anxiety.  The problem with continuing to chase a most likely non-existant physical malady is that you never allow yourself to fully accept that anxiety is your problem, and therefore...don't fully address it like perhaps you should.  It sounds like you've already accepted that this is most likely anxiety.....that is a big step, so that's good. You've had enough testing and assessments that if there were an underlying medical condition, it would have been found by now.

First of all....you can probably rule out bipolar disorder.  Bipolar is characterized by periods of extreme highs and lows.  When you're "up".....you're WAY up.  People in manic periods do things that they would never normally do...anything from spending 10's of thousands of dollars shopping for nothing important...to being promiscuous.....you name it.....the behaviors are usually way out of character.  However, it remains a concern....there is an easy way to rule this out....

If you haven't already, you need to find yourself a good psychiatrist.  First of all, he/she would be able to thoroughly assess you and give you an accurate diagnosis.  That will help with how you proceed...as there are obviously some differences in treatment depending on the disorder you are looking at.  Also, just because you go to a p-doc, doesn't mean you have to be willing to take meds.  Personally, I don't think you should discount ANYthing as far as treatment is concerned.  Treatment and recovery from anxiety disorders is very possible.....unfortunately it takes some time, patience and work.  You really have to be open minded to treatment options.  The meds (SSRI's, etc) typically Rx'ed for anxiety disorders no doubt come with some struggles...but many people can get through that, and have a positive experience.  Those kinds of meds HAVE to be given a fair shake to reallly know if they are going to be effective for you or not.  Just something to think about.  Don't take ANY option out of the mix.  If you find the right doc and right combo of treatment...you will have success.

Also, "talk therapy" is an absolute MUST.  Even IF there is truly no "hidden", "deep down" reason for your anxiety....psychotherapy is still very important.  You already are experiencing a lot of the depression, and negative effects of having lived with chronic anxiety for an extended period of time.  You would be amazed at how beneficial it is to talk to a third party person about those things.  Plus, they teach priceless coping techniques.  Also, CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) has been VERY helpful for people with panic disorder (which, personally I would guess is what yo'ure dealing with)...and other anxiety disorders.

As far as your symptoms go...they are absolutely VERY typical of anxiety...especially chronic anxiety.  Look at the health pages here at the VERY long (and forever growing) list of anxiety symptoms.  You'd be amazed.  And YOUR symptoms may very much differ from another person with the same disorder.  Everyone manifests anxiety in a different way.  Also, do a search on "depersonalization" and "derealization".  I wrote a journal about these side effects of anxiety.  I'd be willing to bet that a lot of your symptoms are a result of one, if not BOTH of these.  They are very bothersome symptoms of anxiety....and the longer you've struggled with severe anxiety and depression...the more likely that these two buggers will rear their ugly heads.  The good news is...once you truly start getting a handle on the anxiety, they will resolve.

So, to summarize....I'd bet anything that you are indeed dealing with anxiety...specifically panic disorder with secondary depression.  Get yourself an official diagnosis and start exploring your treatment options.  Again, keep an open mind, and be wiling to try different things.  A lot of people overcome anxiety without meds...but a lot of people have had tremendous success with them as well...myself included.  You've already taken many of the very important first steps needed to combat anxiety...from trying different treatments, to getting a thorough medical work-up (including multi-disciplinary specialists)...to changing your diet.  You are well on your way.

Obviously, you can probably tell from reading through the forum that you are FAR from alone in this battle.  Anxiety disorders are VERY common, there are probably many people in your life that suffer that you would never even know about.  Again...with a lot of hard work, determination, open-mindedness and PATIENCE (this is the biggest one!)...you can and will overcome this.  I put PATIENCE in caps b/c obviously...when we're in a constant state of misery, we want nothing more than to make it all go away IMMEDIATELY, and one of the most frustrating aspects of anxiety treatments is that pretty much every treatment out there (meds, therapy, etc) takes a good bit of time to really start making a difference.

Hang in there, you're amongst friends and fellow sufferers.  This site is a wonderful resource.  You can not only vent and learn from others...but you can also offer suppot to fellow sufferers...even just by sharing your own experiences.

[Suboxer]

Another thing: restrictive diets have no therepeutic benefit. Panic attacks are not caused by work related stress. You sound like you could be bipolar, trying all these quack remedies. Maybe you should discuss that with your therapist and begin a regimen of ACTUAL MEDICATION with ACTUAL EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE to demonstrate its ACTUAL EFFICACY compared to these placebos you've been leaning on... again... there is no mechanism by which restrictive diet can possibly help a mentally ill person. Nor a physically ill one, unless they are a diabetic or phenylketonuric.

[Suboxer]

The Midwest Program for Anxiety and Depression is a fraud, with no empirical evidence to support any of its claims of efficacy - any effect you get from it is placebo, and your mileage will vary. Sometimes taped support is all you need - a live counsellor is much better.

I doubt you had anything more than slight hyperventilation if that scam worked for you. The rest of your symptoms sound like run-of-the-mill Generalized Anxiety Disorder - don't worry. See a psychologist or counsellor and get referred to a psychiatrist if that doesn't work. One word of advice: stay away from SSRIs. The doctors tell you they take 4-6 weeks to kick in: they NEVER kick in for most people - that's how long it takes your body to become physically dependent on a useless chemical and have hell trying to withdraw from it.

Again.. DO NOT buy the Midwest Program for Anxiety and Depression. It is a fraud and a scam, sold by charlatans, like Natural Cures They Don't Want You To Know About - both programs/books/tapes are equally full of quackery. It is a supposed panacea, albeit extremely expensive, designed to make the designers rich while bilking people at one of their most vulnerable times, at their weakest, when they feel as there are no options left. Well, then.. maybe it actually has a use? Keeping a suicidal person alive long enough to come in the mail and seeking actual psychotherapy? If these tapes do not say, "go see a professional" when you are done listening... I'm surprised the company who sells them has not been sued.

[GirlLovesNY]

About the meditation and exercise. I tried both but felt more exhausted/dizzy afterwards. I was exercising for months, but after I was done, my heart would be racing for hours and I would feel breathless, dizzy, spacey. The mediation was a bit overwhelming because I couldn't think lightly. I was always trying too hard to think. After my mediation, I'd feel sooooo dizzy.

I went for a full body massage recently, and it felt great. However, after I was done and was getting up, I felt sooooo spacey and dizzy, like I was about to pass out.

Did you experience any of these symptoms?

[GirlLovesNY]

I wanted to let you know that when I was going through my crippling panic attacks, I used to get hot/cold flashes, racing heart, palpitations, etc. Recently, What is the narrator in your mind? Do you obsessive over your health? Believe it or not, those thoughts will cause your symptoms! Last night, I was getting hot chills, but I was also playing storylines in my head about possible diseases associated with my symptoms!

Sometimes, I get such weakness in my hands, I feel like I can't grip onto something using my strength. I feel like I have the strength of an 80-year-old.

I wanted to give you an example of how quickly you can give yourself body symptoms. If you just found out you won the lottery, you might get physical symptoms of anxiety, however you wouldn't be focussing on "why is my heart racing", or "why am I dizzy". You would be focussed on the great news! At the same token, if you were in a situation where you got into a near-collision on the highway (has this ever happened to you, where you just missed having a car accident?). Your heart races, you get dizzy, shaky, numb. But just think how quickly you created those sensations just based on something scary you thought about (when I say thoughts - I'm referring to something you created yourself by being scared - there was no external force that created those symptoms).

The midwest center tapes really go into things like that and make you realize how you create your own problems. I know I obsessive 24/7 about the way I feel. In fact it's hard for me to even focus on anything other than my health. Unfortunately this is one area I haven't mastered. How can it be that there are people like Michael J Fox with Parkinsons Disease and is 100 times more functional than a supposed healthy girl like me? I know there's an anxiety/depression component to my problem that I'm unable to 'snap out' of, but after so many years of suffering, I just want to feel better and will do whatever it takes.

I wanted to let you know that it really does sound like an anxiety disorder. I went through all your symptoms for years. It did get better over time the more I educated myself. You might want to visit stresscenter. com to see about the course (but you can buy it on ebay for less!)

Let me know what you think about what I said, or if you have any comments...

[GirlLovesNY]

Yes I had several MRI's. It wasn't a perfect MRI, I have a large cyst and a venous angioma, but the neurologists and neurosurgeons believe I've had it all my life and isn't contributing to my symptoms at all. In fact, they said that 10% of people have it with zero issues, and that it's a perfectly normal variation. But it's still scary. My father has similar symptoms as me, and his MRI came back clean, so that's a bit of relief there.

[j7653]

I'll get you the info on the brain scans and the Doctor and center that I referred to in my message.  Perhaps you can speak to them or a doctor who will look into that.

Some other ideas just to think about...Do you sleep a normal amount?  Have you been checked for sleep apnea?

I dont know if what you are describing are due to anxiety and depression or some other underlying medical condition.  However, I have learned what I need to do to feel better.  I have a sort of "mantra" that I follow and it helps me.  This is my list, but whatever works for you is good.  You might want to try to come up with your own mental list.  Just picking up and doing the things you think will help is enpowering....

1. Meditate - With focus on positive thoughts and affirmations (you could download to your iPod and listen to Jack Kornfield - Buddhism)
2. Medicate - I no longer fear the drugs. I take them if I need them.
3. Exercise - First I started walking.  Just a bit.  Now I have started running.  I find that burning off the excess energy helps cut down on the anxiety, plus excercise is very healthy for mind and body.
4. Relatives / Friends - Speak to your relatives and friends about how you are feeling.  Let them know when you need help. Even joining this community is good for you, to feel not so alone in your troubles.
5. Religion / Spirituality - I am not religious, but many people find happiness and comfort in religion.  Not only in the acts of praying, but in the support base that the religious community offers.
6. Yoga?

I wish you luck.

[19andscaredtodeath]

Hi there my name is Ashleigh I have posted recently asking basicly the same question you did , It seems as though the majority of the people in this forum have some symptoms in common with me but they are not as severe or as frequent as my own , either that or they dont seem as greatly concerned for the physical symptoms of anxiety as I do they seem more concerned about the mental aspect for me the emotional part is easy to handle its the physical stuff that is ruining my life , I too have symptoms 24/7 stressed or not and I also have every symptom you said you have yourself with the exception of the severe dizziness I get very dizzy but never full on vertigo , but I also have a lot of dibilitating symptoms that you did not mention your self having like severe almost constant chest pain and racing heart : ( I also have terrible indegestion , hot and cold flashes , full on attacks , burning and tingly sensations everywhere but mostly in the base of my head , blurry vision , headaches , sometimes I see random flashes of color , burning in my stomache , cramping in my wrists and ankles , weak legs and arms , I am constantly tired out of it foggy headed.I get dizzy sometimes I can hear this light popping sound in my head that at this point I swear to god is my brain cells lol : ( I also sometimes get this kind of fullness feeling in my head . I have been to the e.r. numerous times because I dont have insurance they did and echocardiagram , numerous ekgs, blood work , stress test , and a catscan all of wich came back normal ... all the docs mentioned anxiety or depression at some point , but like you I truley feel that I am depressed because im sick not sick because I am depressed , something ive noticed is that a lot of people with our type of symptoms have mentioned having bulging disks in there neck specificaly there c disks wich I also have , that may have something to do with it? do you know if you have anything like that?Well I hope if nothing else reading this will make you feel less alone I was glad to read  your post because you seem to be one of the few people as concerned as me about the physical aspect of all this : ( hope to hear back from you soon good luck : )

[CityChick1985]

have you had a brain MRI?

[GirlLovesNY]

I've been to a neurologist and neurosurgeon, and they've done simple tests on me but cannot find anything either... but part of the anxiety scares me into thinking that maybe they didn't do the right testing

[GirlLovesNY]

changed my diet, i dont consume simple carbs, sugar, i even cut out gluten and caffeine

[GirlLovesNY]

went to a cardiologist, 100% fine

[CityChick1985]

Hello,

I would ask your doctor for some neurological testing, it could be signs of a more serious condition...

I was told I could have MS and I went to te ER last week because I couldnt breathe. They told me it was anxiety... who wouldnt be anxious?  

Ill keep you in my thoughts.