Aa
Tumor or Anxiety?
First, it started about 5 months ago... I began to feel "disconnected", feelings like that would come and go, then one day I was at my managers office speaking with him and my business partner and all of a sudden it felt like God had touched me on my head and granted me the gift of understanding that which is infinite. No, I don't believe that's what happened but that's the best way I can describe it... Like you're wrapping your mind around something that it's not suppose to be wrapped around. Needles to say I freaked out and thought I was having a stroke or dieing, it felt like I had smoked a lot of pot really quickly (which was embarrassing). Of course, later I would learn this is called "derealization" ....
So, after that episode, things pretty much went down hill from there, I just didn't feel like myself, I felt dreamy... Those feelings would come and go and of course I became less and less likely to venture outside or to do much of anything for that matter. So, it continued like that for a while, then after a night of heavy drinking (approx 1 month after the 1st episode) I woke up and did my usual routine then out of no where it slammed into me like a freight train. I was no longer in this reality whatsoever... I called my dad for support and asked him what I should do... Then I made my mind up to go to the hospital, I knew that I was going to die... My heart was racing, my hands and limbs were shaking... So I was admitted into the hospital for a possible heart attack (which I hear is common with panic attacks) and of course, I was not having one and the doctor chalked it off to alcohol and nerves.
Needless to say, since that day i've been in a constant dream like state... Sure, some days are better than others, but mainly, all are simply bearable. That was 3 months ago. I have been seeking counseling, but the feelings still exist and hinder me from doing certain things, or at least it make things more difficult than they should be. My right eye (feels deep, not the eyelid) twitches most of the time and as of late, i've been unable to fall asleep because of head pains when I lay down which in return causes me to stay up till 4-5 am when I finally pass out. It feels as if there is pressure in my skull and I experience a throbbing sensation quite often or I can hear my head pulsating (usually the pain is near my right temple and it's harder to sleep on that side). So far I have not been back to a doctor, I don't know why, perhaps fear of finding out it's a tumor... I don't know, though i'm trying to motivate myself to go this week at some point.
So, other facts... I suffer from sleep apnea and after that last episode, I fixed my machine and have been using it nightly (I thought that perhaps I wasn't getting enough oxygen which would cause the feelings), I also quit drinking because at first I thought that maybe I was going through some sort of withdraw. I've been eating less, I've been taking vitamins and generally I've been trying to live a healthier life in hopes that it would rid my mind of these feelings/thoughts, etc. Also, before this all started, I was sick for about 3 months when I moved to Charleston WV... Charleston is one of the top 10 worst places to live if you have alergies, which I "don't" now, though did very badly when I was a child. On a daily basis, I don't feel "bad", ie, I'm not an emotional wreck nor do I actually feel anxiety... I've learned to cope with these feelings for the most part... And that's just it... They're less of "feelings" and more of "states" or "thoughts". I don't feel depressed... Honestly... I don't feel overwhelmed... Though these fluctuations in my mind make me respond with fear because having these "thoughts" or "states" are scary and hard to deal with... It's me being afraid of what is going on in my head, plain and simple... And I have no control over it.
So, the question remains... Tumor or Anxiety... Whatever I have, happened over a period of time and got worse and worse until I was unable to come down... So, maybe a tumor was growing and it finally pressed up against something it shouldn't have? Or, maybe i'm just experiencing anxiety and it's all in my head? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
So, after that episode, things pretty much went down hill from there, I just didn't feel like myself, I felt dreamy... Those feelings would come and go and of course I became less and less likely to venture outside or to do much of anything for that matter. So, it continued like that for a while, then after a night of heavy drinking (approx 1 month after the 1st episode) I woke up and did my usual routine then out of no where it slammed into me like a freight train. I was no longer in this reality whatsoever... I called my dad for support and asked him what I should do... Then I made my mind up to go to the hospital, I knew that I was going to die... My heart was racing, my hands and limbs were shaking... So I was admitted into the hospital for a possible heart attack (which I hear is common with panic attacks) and of course, I was not having one and the doctor chalked it off to alcohol and nerves.
Needless to say, since that day i've been in a constant dream like state... Sure, some days are better than others, but mainly, all are simply bearable. That was 3 months ago. I have been seeking counseling, but the feelings still exist and hinder me from doing certain things, or at least it make things more difficult than they should be. My right eye (feels deep, not the eyelid) twitches most of the time and as of late, i've been unable to fall asleep because of head pains when I lay down which in return causes me to stay up till 4-5 am when I finally pass out. It feels as if there is pressure in my skull and I experience a throbbing sensation quite often or I can hear my head pulsating (usually the pain is near my right temple and it's harder to sleep on that side). So far I have not been back to a doctor, I don't know why, perhaps fear of finding out it's a tumor... I don't know, though i'm trying to motivate myself to go this week at some point.
So, other facts... I suffer from sleep apnea and after that last episode, I fixed my machine and have been using it nightly (I thought that perhaps I wasn't getting enough oxygen which would cause the feelings), I also quit drinking because at first I thought that maybe I was going through some sort of withdraw. I've been eating less, I've been taking vitamins and generally I've been trying to live a healthier life in hopes that it would rid my mind of these feelings/thoughts, etc. Also, before this all started, I was sick for about 3 months when I moved to Charleston WV... Charleston is one of the top 10 worst places to live if you have alergies, which I "don't" now, though did very badly when I was a child. On a daily basis, I don't feel "bad", ie, I'm not an emotional wreck nor do I actually feel anxiety... I've learned to cope with these feelings for the most part... And that's just it... They're less of "feelings" and more of "states" or "thoughts". I don't feel depressed... Honestly... I don't feel overwhelmed... Though these fluctuations in my mind make me respond with fear because having these "thoughts" or "states" are scary and hard to deal with... It's me being afraid of what is going on in my head, plain and simple... And I have no control over it.
So, the question remains... Tumor or Anxiety... Whatever I have, happened over a period of time and got worse and worse until I was unable to come down... So, maybe a tumor was growing and it finally pressed up against something it shouldn't have? Or, maybe i'm just experiencing anxiety and it's all in my head? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
U dont know if you are still reading or checking this thread, but here it goes...
SNAP the f** out of it...OK..its in your head. This is coming from someone who has been there...been admitted to hospital numerous times fro suyspected heart attacks....seen counselor's PSY docs, etc.Honestly, you all will ask how I beat it...and thruthfully, i do not know. I am not sure its gone completely...But I do know I ahve not had nay attacks for almost 5 months. And I have had some PRETTY ****** stress thrown at me...But somehow, I am fine. Docs wanted to load me up on meds...was given several different scripts, but never once took anything, LOL. I was so nervous about everything, I actually thought the pills would make it worse!LOL..Its funny to em now. I went throughe evrything under the sun...Had heart scans, holter monitor tests, CT scans, bloodwork...NOPE all healthy. But how was that possible? I somehow wonder if it was from a flu shot or something...I just dont get how it all happened.I was so normal before that. I think maybe I drank too much coffee...I did drink a lot. I am not sure, but I am glad its over.
Just rember...it will pass. Try to snap into relaity, when you get like that...I kniw how hard it is, but you just ahve too. Good news is, you can be all better.
SNAP the f** out of it...OK..its in your head. This is coming from someone who has been there...been admitted to hospital numerous times fro suyspected heart attacks....seen counselor's PSY docs, etc.Honestly, you all will ask how I beat it...and thruthfully, i do not know. I am not sure its gone completely...But I do know I ahve not had nay attacks for almost 5 months. And I have had some PRETTY ****** stress thrown at me...But somehow, I am fine. Docs wanted to load me up on meds...was given several different scripts, but never once took anything, LOL. I was so nervous about everything, I actually thought the pills would make it worse!LOL..Its funny to em now. I went throughe evrything under the sun...Had heart scans, holter monitor tests, CT scans, bloodwork...NOPE all healthy. But how was that possible? I somehow wonder if it was from a flu shot or something...I just dont get how it all happened.I was so normal before that. I think maybe I drank too much coffee...I did drink a lot. I am not sure, but I am glad its over.
Just rember...it will pass. Try to snap into relaity, when you get like that...I kniw how hard it is, but you just ahve too. Good news is, you can be all better.
You would know if you had a brain tumor. Your symptoms show no sign of a brain tumor. Brain tumors seem to be a big fear of people suffering with anxiety/depression for some reason. We are constantly trying to blame something for these crazy feelings we are having.
The truth of the matter is, is that anxiety can do so much to you.
I thought I had cancer or a brain tumor as well when I got my first anxiety spell.
They are not panick attacks... they are anxiety spells which are like panick attacks, except the symptoms last for 2 weeks... and it's miserable... my heart is racing non stop for days... i lose appetite, i feel scared, I get crying spells, I can't sleep, I have derealization, I have terrible nightmares etc. when I'm going through these spells. All of the above for 2 weeks! It's unreal. And it *****!
I take Lexapro. It's an anti-depressant. But it also works for anxiety. I think you should def. go back to the Dr. and talk about your issues and maybe he/she can give you something you might need to help you get back on the right track.
Therapy is good too! So I'm glad you are doing counceling.
Most of it is in our mind! The mind is a very powerful thing!
For example... after feeling so bad for 2 weeks, I went to the Dr. and he gave me Lexapro... he asked me to take half a pill 5mg. The next day, I felt so much better...
Now what's weird with this picture, is that it takes 2-3 weeks for an anti-depressant to get into your system... I felt better probably b/c it was more of a placebo effect...
I'm only on 2.5mg of Lexapro... and am having no problems and no anxiety! It's amazing!
YOU WILL RECOVER AND BE THE OLD YOU AGAIN! I HAVE FAITH YOU WILL!
ANXIETY IS TREATABLE!!!! =)
Good luck and keep us updated.
The truth of the matter is, is that anxiety can do so much to you.
I thought I had cancer or a brain tumor as well when I got my first anxiety spell.
They are not panick attacks... they are anxiety spells which are like panick attacks, except the symptoms last for 2 weeks... and it's miserable... my heart is racing non stop for days... i lose appetite, i feel scared, I get crying spells, I can't sleep, I have derealization, I have terrible nightmares etc. when I'm going through these spells. All of the above for 2 weeks! It's unreal. And it *****!
I take Lexapro. It's an anti-depressant. But it also works for anxiety. I think you should def. go back to the Dr. and talk about your issues and maybe he/she can give you something you might need to help you get back on the right track.
Therapy is good too! So I'm glad you are doing counceling.
Most of it is in our mind! The mind is a very powerful thing!
For example... after feeling so bad for 2 weeks, I went to the Dr. and he gave me Lexapro... he asked me to take half a pill 5mg. The next day, I felt so much better...
Now what's weird with this picture, is that it takes 2-3 weeks for an anti-depressant to get into your system... I felt better probably b/c it was more of a placebo effect...
I'm only on 2.5mg of Lexapro... and am having no problems and no anxiety! It's amazing!
YOU WILL RECOVER AND BE THE OLD YOU AGAIN! I HAVE FAITH YOU WILL!
ANXIETY IS TREATABLE!!!! =)
Good luck and keep us updated.
Hey, seems like i have the same problem as you. Mine started 3 months ago, i feel weird and spaced out all the time, im terrified of my symptoms, the more i think about them the worse they get, well either that or its something growing in my brain. I have sharp pains in my head, numbness, pressure, tingling, strange vision, dizzyness. I just feel detached all day, like ive taken loads of drugs and im feeling really shifty. Anyway, i went to the doc and im getting a CT tomorrow. Maybe if we get peace of mind that theres not anything bad in our brain then our symptoms will get better.
okay mate, first off, i am in the same boat as you and its s_h_i_t.
brain tumor symptoms are nothing like what you have. you loose ur balance, you cant speak, you fall over etc.
i have the same problem as you alsmost, felt like ur in a dream and everything is hazy?
im dealing with it now annnnd yeah its hard lol
brain tumor symptoms are nothing like what you have. you loose ur balance, you cant speak, you fall over etc.
i have the same problem as you alsmost, felt like ur in a dream and everything is hazy?
im dealing with it now annnnd yeah its hard lol
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
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?
