For the past two months I have had feelings of intense pressure and tension in my head, particularly around my temples and eyes and especially while driving or talking; dizziness, occasional vertigo, and a general feeling of being "out of it" or disconnected (at times, though rarely, full-fledged dissociation). These are accompanied by general malaise and chills. Most disturbingly, the whole time I have also been experiencing almost obsessive fear and what I would describe as tunnel-thinking. I haven't had a clear conscious experience since the end of March!
I've been to see five doctors who all checked my vitals, peered into my nose and ears but didn't see any swelling or infection, and concluded that it is probably a bizarre sinus and/or inner ear infection. Medications abound, including antibiotics and steroidal antihistamines, but with no effect. I am leaning toward nerve damage or Lyme's disease...
However, after reading a few of the posts on this forum I'm starting to think that it may be anxiety, or maybe anxiety induced by one of the above infections. I've been taking Xanax for about three years for insomnia, no more than .5-1mg per night but definitely every night, and I have noticed that my symptoms almost totally disappear if I take 1mg at night before bed. I've also heard that long-term benzodiazepine use can create "health problems" including rather severe anxiety.
My question is: would a regular dose of just .5mg of Xanax (for, again, three years) actually CREATE a disorder of that magnitude, or is the Xanax merely treating the symptoms of something else? If the cure is causing the malady I want to stop taking it!
Thanks.