Question

[Tori067]

Hi Doctor.. I am a 19 year old perfectly healthy female...i just have a question about something that has been going on recently.  On July 26th of last year i was laying down to go to sleep and i got a strange feeling in my head.  This feeling was not dizzyness but almost a tingle in my head and had some lightheadness type feeling with it.  This feeling stayed for a few days and more than anything made me very scared. Along with this feeling in my head i also felt tired.  There was no weakness involved i just felt like not getting up.  At one point a few weeks later i got so scared i went to the Emergency Room. There they did blood tests, urine test, and a CT scan...all of which came back normal.  THey did an IV then i wenthome and felt fine for a few weeks.  Then all of a sudden the feeling came back.  I went to my Family Doctor who did a thyroid test, B12 test, other blood tests, and EKG..all of which were normal.  This feeling in my head is very hard to describe which is why i told my doctor it was dizzyness (i have NO spinning at all).  He sent me to an ENT Doctor thinking it was an ear problem, but i knew it wasnt since it wasnt that kind of dizzyness.  THe ENT did tests, ear pressure, vestibular balance test...all normal.  I went back to my GP who put me on b12 supliments since my b12 level was approaching low...the levels went up so he took me off.   I also just had an M.R.I of the brain which came back perfectly normal.  This has now been going on for about 3 months (on and off), i also experience some muscle twitches but very rarely and only when i think about it.  I noticed that ill have the feeling and tiredness for about 3-5 days, then i will be fine for weeks.  I was so scared this was something horrible like M.S but since all tests keep comming back fine, i am starting to be relieved. He says it is most likely stress and anxiety...could stress and anxiety really cause all thse symptoms?  Is that what you think it is or something more serious?

[Pum]

To answer your question, yes definitely stress and anxiety can cause this symptom. In fact, with the tests you have had and your age it is likely this is from anxiety. Visit the anxiety forum to see others with similar symptoms.
It's great you are relieved. Keep being positive and this will go away.
The actual cause is shallow breathing or tight muscles or minor allergies but your brain can make mountains out of molehills.

Good luck.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The workup has been comprehensive thus far, and I agree with the testing approach.

The negative MRI would make major neurologic disease, like MS, less likely.

A cardiac workup can be considered, as arrhythmias or other heart conditions can lead to some of the symptoms described.  An echocardiogram, Holter monitor, and/or event monitor can all be considered.  

Blockages of the carotid arteries can be considered as well, and if suspected, this can be evaluated with a neck ultrasound.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com