Dizziness, headaches, polycythemia, chest pain

[jskjj]

This is going to take some time, so will put it into a timeline.

Summer 2016 - Noticed dizziness while driving, not to bad but only noticed then.

Oct 2016 - Reported to ER due to dizziness, which had been an issue for the summer. Diagnosed with polycythemia, RBC normal but hemoglobin 21, hematocrit 59%. Quit drinking. I do smoke.

Early Nov - Back to ER for dizziness. CT/MRI showed an old stroke I had not known about. Neuro suspects it was very old, at least a few years. Never knew I had it, but it showed up on a previous CT scan from 2008, but I was never told about it. There was actually 2 small strokes in 2 separate areas of the brain.

Late Oct/Nov - Weekly phlebotomist until early Nov. After which, blood levels remained normal once they got me down to under 45% hemotocrit. Dizziness remained, but eventually subsided after the lettings ended.

Late Dec - reported to ER via EMS with dizziness, feeling faint. Vitals normal, returned home with no diagnosis. Dizziness again subsided.

Spring - Doctor could not understand why I went months without needing more blood treatments, suspected internal bleeding. Colonoscopy turned up couple polyps, which were removed. No sign of bleeding. Hematocrit started rising again, lettings monthly until July, haven't needed one since.

Summer - despite a few blood treatments, chest pain, mainly left and center. Sudden, doesn't last long, jumps around the chest. Honestly feels like gas sometimes.

This month - Got very dizzy and began feeling faint while driving, blood pressure dropped. Pulled over, called family for help. Upon getting home, called 911, still very dizzy and faint. BP was 160/100, normally around 130/80. ER admitted me. Did an echo exam (stimulated via medication) normal result, CT (no contrast) scan showed nothing. Hematocrit blood work was fine. Condition improved during my 3 day stay, I was discharged, unclear diagnosis of vertigo/severe anxiety attack, though I felt fine just before it happened. During my stay, wore heart monitor the entire time.

Since have been seeing GP. Tried putting me on Celexa for anxiety and Gabapentin, could not function on these drugs so stopped. Drugs I was provided caused the very condition I was trying to treat. Also working to improve condition of sinuses.

Now, chest pain is more common, but they say my heart is okay. Dizziness is every day, I am not driving but dizziness is always there. Feels like fluid in my head when I turn. Also now I have daily headaches and ringing in my ears. When riding in a car (not driving now, afraid of an attack), feel pressure in front of head while stopping, back of head when accelerating.

Some docs want to call it anxiety, others say something is there but not showing up on tests. Sometimes limbs are numb or tingle depending on body position. Though anxiety could be causing symptoms, but these are very well physical, even when rested I feel the dizziness, pressure in my head, pain. Am now having palpitations, seem to happen with weird head sensations. Seeing GP tomorrow. I believe the anxiety is being caused by the symptoms, but will see an expert on that next week to be sure. Will also be seeing Neurologist (again).

Note: All head scans reveal enlarged Cavum septum pellucidum, though I've read this is normal in some people. Tried meclizine OTC, can't tell yet if it's helping or not. Thought it was at first, but now not so much.

Any advice?