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2005453 tn?1328238571

Panic Disorder, anxiety, confused, dizzy

I have been suffering from severe anxiety for over a year. It started October 2010 with a severe dizzy spell where I ended up in the E.R. for them to tell me it was high blood pressure and to get some bloodwork done. The bloodwork was normal. Then it got worse over the holidays to where I would feel off balance and like I was about to lose consciousness at any moment. My primary care doctor finally decided it was anxiety, end of January 2011. He started me on Cymbalta but I couldn't handle that. Had a reaction where I though I was having a heart attack but it turned out to be a panic attack. Over the past year I've seen many different doctors. I've been on Cymbalta, Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac, Busperone, Divalproex and Lorazapam. Nothing works for me except the Lorazapam if I wake up having a panic attack it helps me sleep. I've had multiple blood tests with nothing found except high triglycerides and and a brain MRI where they only found a sinus infection. I always feel confused, off balance, and like something  is wrong with me neurologically. I can hardly function. I try to exercise, eat right, take supplement, yoga, meditation, everything. This is only getting worse. I feel like I can't trust my senses anymore. Like someone is standing over me or in the corner of the room. Sounds are too loud, lights to bright. I'm sometimes not sure what is real. I've been diagnosed with Panic Disorder and Depression. Anybody else have these symptoms and feel like there must be something wrong with your brain?
Best Answer
Avatar universal
First, I would like to ask if your taking meds for the high blood pressure? If not, then the some of the symptoms your have could be from having high BP. If you are taking meds and your BP is under control now then I would say that alot of the symptoms your describing are anxiety symptoms. It can be very hard to except that it is anxiety and there is no other cause for the way your feeling. I was in denial for a long time and just knew that it had to be something else. I'm surprised your Dr put you on Cymbalta alone because it is one of the more stimulating meds and does'nt really help with anxiety. It can also raise BP in some people. I'm not saying it's a bad med, many people with depression do very well on it. Have you been to an ENT to have your ears and sinuses checked? I know you said you had a sinus infection and that can make you feel strange. Hang in there and keep looking for answers. Even though you did'nt do well on some of the antidepressants, there are still many more to choose form. There are also many other options as far as anti anxiety meds. Counseling along with meds can really make a difference.
17 Responses
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1836616 tn?1328680609
Sorry to hear you've been having such a hard time, i know when its my sinuses because i get terrible headaches in certin spots in my head and eyes, to me it sounds like your equilibrium might be a little off, it tends to happen sometimes when your sick and it goes on for a while, i know with me when im sick i always think of different possibilities and throw myself into an anxiety/panic attack! Hope you get to feeling better soon, maybe see your doctor so you can get your sinus infection taken care of, and if you still feel bad after that then you'll know
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Can I ask you how you know your dizziness/off balance/ and not feeling right is attributed to your allergies?  I also have severe allergies, so bad that I am suppose to get 6 allergy shots a week because I have SOOO many, but I am not able to tolerate them.  I have been very dizzy and off balance this past week and I am trying to decide if it's allergies or anxiety.  I am congested in my sinuses but I am so off balance that I feel like I have to hang on to the walls to walk.  I live near Louisville KY and that is one of the WORST places to live with allergies.  My question is how do you know when it's allergies or anxiety?  I am about to lose my mind feeling like this!!!  Your input is greatly appreciated.
Helpful - 0
1836616 tn?1328680609
How long did you stay on anti depressants? I had all of those symptoms before being diagnosed with server panic disorder & anxiety. I'm currently on Fluoxitine (prozac) and it started working within days but i wasn't completely feeling better (not all the way normal) again but WAY better after 4-5 weeks after taking the meds, I also take 2MG of Xanax extended relief! Of course i dont take a whole Xanax just brake them into pieces as needed, also i live in Tn and I'm here to tell ya, this has been the worst winter EVER for allergies! I have had off balance feelings, some what dizziness and just haven't felt right for a few days now, but I know it's due to these sinuses!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I suffer from anxiety as well but some of what you are saying sounds like vertigo.  I'm no expert but have to take care of my mom and grandmother and they both had had vertigo spells.  Both of them had it in a different manner so symptoms can vary.  Maybe you should have a different doctor give you a second opinion.  Hang in there, hope you find some peace and relief soon.
Helpful - 0
2005453 tn?1328238571
Thanks Cntbeal. I have considered going to another Dr. I just moved and was going to find a new GP and not tell them about my prior experiences but the clinic here still hasn't gotten back to me so I'll contact another one and see. Let me know how your experience works out. I almost went to Urgent Care today because I've been soooo dizzy with bad nausea and just feel like I'm spinning but decided against it. I went running instead and after I got over being nauseous from that I felt slightly better so maybe it was a buildup of anxiety.
Helpful - 0
2017105 tn?1333655165
Hello hun. Ifeel how you feel alot. my advise is try making another apt for a different dr. just to get a second opinion. And try not to tell them you have anxiety or depression. And maybe they won't focus on it. I am in the process of doing the same thing. Only because I feel like I want an second opinion just to make sure they aren't being on a one track mind thing just because i have anxiety. I wish you the best hun. And I would love to hear from you after any other test.
Helpful - 0
2005453 tn?1328238571
Thanks for the suggestions. I do take an allergy medication (zyrtec) when my allergy symptoms act up. I take it every other day during the summer so it doesn't try me out so bad. Right now I'm taking it on an as needed basis. All my bloodwork has always been normal. I'm due for a yearly check up in a couple of weeks though with bloodwork so that will be checked. I'm going to ask for a Lyme disease test too if they can do it. I take daily supplements (multivitamin, Fish Oil, magnesium, grape seed extract). I was also taking B6, B12 and folic acid but my psychiatrist told me to stop taking the B vitamins because they can induce panic attacks. I think I do suffer occationally from migraines but I don't always have migraine symptoms but the dizziness is always there. Lately it's been accompanied by nausea. The Dr.s have never suggested migraines either so I don't know if they don't suspect that or what. Their answers are always "anxiety".
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you been checked for migraines? Migraines do not just come in headache form. My mom gets them where her vision will go black and white and like she is in a tunnel. My friends gets them very severely when the barometer pressure changes.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would push your Dr for more testing to give you peace of mind. Your a young woman so it could be several different things, like anemia or a vitamin deficiency. I know I'm reaching here with these ideas but if your low on B vitamins for instance it can cause anxiety. Have you tried any allergy medications to see if that helps?
Helpful - 0
2005453 tn?1328238571
My psychiatrist thinks I just might not respond to medications, some people don't. He wants me to focus solely on therapy for awhile and see if I make any progress. I'm on .5 mg lorazapam. I don't take it every day either. Maybe twice a week. I don't want to go through benzo withdrawal. I've tried half a tablet during the day and it still put me to sleep. I do suffer from allergies but my dizziness was at it's worst last year in January too and there was a blizzard. I really don't know. I feel as if I've tried everything. I've been suffering on a daily basis for 15 months and feel hopeless. I think that's why I feel like it's a physical problem and wish the Drs would check me out more thoroughly instead of just blaming my anxiety. Not even drinking alcohol makes it go away (I don't drink often because I know that increases anxiety) and I thought that if it was anxiety the alcohol would alleviate my symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry about this, but I just reread your first post and see that you have tried many antidepressants. Believe me, there are still more to try.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you thought about going on an antidepressant? Many of the SSRI's will help with both anxiety and depression at the same time. Just taking the Lorazapam might be making you feel out of it and weak. What dose are you on? I'm wondering if your Dr has you on a higher dose to take at night so you'll sleep better. Something I saw on the news today, they said many people are sick because of the warmer weather. It has'nt gotten cold enough to kill the mold and pollen. Here I was wondering why I keep getting sinus headaches, dizziness and a runny nose. Now I know. I wonder if this could be going on with you, one of the problems anyway? I see you live in MO, I do too so we're having the same weather.  
Helpful - 0
2005453 tn?1328238571
I'm not sure if the Lorazapam helps my dizziness as it usually knocks me out I generally only take it at night to sleep. I'm also not sure what my triglycerides were at but the Dr. didn't seem too concerned. She said to watch my carbs intake. Sorry it's not very helpful. I've had a particularly bad day today. Woke up confused and dizzy as usual, feeling out of touch with reality. Was very off balance all day with my eyesight messing with me a bit. Going in and out of focus. Very shaky and weak today.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
That's great that your BP is normal. Do keep an eye on it though. Seeing an ENT may get to the root of your off balance feeling. Dizziness is also very common with anxiety. If the ENT does not find an ear or sinus problem then it very well could be anxiety. Does the Lorazapam help with the dizziness? Another question, what was your triglyceride number? If it's really high you might want to think about meds to get it down.
Helpful - 0
757137 tn?1347196453
They should be looking for a physical cause for your problem. All they are doing is treating symptoms. Something happened to you a year ago that caused this problem.
Helpful - 0
2005453 tn?1328238571
I've had my BP in check for awhile now. Running keeps it down. I have a BP monitor and monitor it often. I did make an appointment with an ENT finally and have that in a couple of weeks. My GP would never refer me to anyone because of the diagnosis of anxiety but I want to get it checked out to be sure. I have a psychiatrist and a new therapist. The last one could only see me every 2 months and that just wasn't working.
Helpful - 0
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