Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
912156 tn?1242874384

Its not just anxiety

Hi, My name is Nathan. I will turn 24 on july30, I am 6'1'' 285lbs and i smoked a pack a day till just recently. 5 mos. ago i took a drug named Invega wich is an antipsycotic but was given to me for bipolar disorder. This drug is a revoloutionary drug in that field in that it is a time released capsule of palpharidone wich should never be crushed, chewed, or cut before taking. Unfortunately I didnt know this at the time. The doctor prescribed 3mg capsules of invega once daily along with I think 10mg lexapro and told me to se the nurse on my way out who gave me 6mg samples of invega and instructed me to cut them in half. The following Monday I started both drugs. I cut the invega in half and took it along with the lexapro b4 bed that night and did the same on tues and wed, on wed several hrs after taking them I cracked open a beer and by the time I took the 4th sip  I felt a cold feeling run from my feet up through the rest of my body, my heart rate skyrocketed,  my lips drew up, and a terrible pain went through my chest. When the ambulance arrived they checked my vitals and they were all off. By the time I got to the hospital they were stable, they ran an ekg,bloodwork, and did a chest x-ray all of wich came back normal. For the next 2 mos i was in and out of the hospital hyperventalating about 13 times and the same each time, they called them panic attacks due to the trauma of thee near death experience. I finaly accepted that it was only anxiety and nothing was wrong with me, ''I STOPED HAVING ATTACKS'' but I noticed that the symptoms of pain throughout my body, nausia, vibrations in my feet and hands, pressure in my head and palpitations were geting worse so I decide to go to a regular dctr and find out whats wrong. By this time im experiencing alot of dizzyness especialy when standing with a dramatic increase in heart rate when I stand, I also fave feelings of having a tube sock on my left leg and a feeling of movement under the skin where the artery runs into the top of my left foot. The doctor tests my thyroid and a nerve conduction test to see if its my nerves and the nct is fine. I go home and for two weeks the pain goes away but I absolutely can not tollerate activity barely tollerate standing so I go to the er where they test my bp lying, siting, and standing. My blood pressure droped signifigantly and my heart rate jumped signifigantly so they run liquids through an iv wich I dont understand bc my electrolytes are fine, When the iv finishes they send me home without checking it again or anything but I do notice that I dont get as dizzy when standing. I go back  to my doctor a week or so later and she says my thyroid is .43 hyper, so she orders a series of tests wich include ana panel, electrolytes, and several others plus she wants to test my thyroid again. A couple weeks later I go back and find that my thyroid is now .57 acceptable and all of the other tests are fine. I still feel like im dieing all the time and she has no ideal whats wrong with me and she is now fixing to send me for a stress test plus my blood pressure is now geting high and the pains have returned. I dont know whats wrong with me and neither does anyone else, I feel like im dieing all the time and im scared that if they dont figure it out soon I might not live to see 25. Ive researched and researched and I dont know whats wrong. I think its 1 or more of three things, my nervous system maybe autonomic and other, my heart not real sold on that, or m main fear some kind of damage to my arteries. Does anyone know what this drug could have done to me? What could cause these symptoms? Oh and btw here lately I cant even smoke ciggs nemore bc they make me feel terrible and thats never happened. Please any insite is welcome.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I have to agree with SIlverberg about staying off the Internet and looking up possible causes for your symptoms. It will only make things worse. I know this from first-hand experience. All of the tests you've had done point to panic / anxiety as the cause of your symptoms. Panic / anxiety can cause every physical symptom imaginable - and the ones you describe are classic symptoms of panic and anxiety. You are not dying! Though, I know it feels like you are. I've been through that many times before. During one panic attack, my blood pressure shot up to 165/100. After I took a xanax, it dropped down to 117/76. I too though there was something seriously wrong with me. Taking the Invega might have triggered this latest round of anxiety / symptoms. During my breakdown, I would get dizzy / lightheaded anytime I stood up. I spent 2 weeks lying on the couch watching the Golden Girls. Also, if you are still taking the Lexapro, lightedheadedness upon standing is a common side-effect of this medication. Trust your tests and your doctors. However, it might be worth taking another look at your thyroid levels. Your fluctuation in test results wasn't very dramatic, but thyroid problems can definitely cause and/or worsen anxiety. Have you considered speaking with a therapist about what you are going through? You are going through hell right now, and it is important that you have someone you can speak to and help you through this tough time.

All the best..
Helpful - 0
912156 tn?1242874384
OH yeah, I only took those drugs three times I havent taken those or any other drugs since not even asprin and I havent drank anything since bc I do have anxiety about it.
Helpful - 0
912156 tn?1242874384
I aknowlege that I have anxiety but that dosent explain the thyroid and the unstable bp especialy the tremendous drop when standing.
Helpful - 0
672514 tn?1265655141
To be honest with the drugs your taking currently STOP drinking any alcohol period. and that goes for smoking! seems you have had every test! Stick to a Psychiatrist! you have Panic/Anxiety issues , work on whats going on in your head! STOP researching your symptoms (I say this to alot of people) as your not a medial professional and this only adds to your anxiety.

You had a long post, very detailed. so I really suggest the above!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?