Can it really be just anxiety? - Anxiety Message Board

stressedteacher · 07-10-2006, 10:02 AM

Hi all-
I am a 30 year old female, with a history of anxiety and stress. I have been dealing with anxiety and stress for some time and was put on paxil in April which caused horrible side effects and then was given xanax for a bit.

REading these boards makes me realize that I am not alone and that anxiety is really doing a number on a lot of people.

Here are some of my symptoms--

pressure behind eyes and in head
tense neck and back
floaters
tingly arms and legs
cant sleep
shakey
dizzy
feeling out of it

the headaches which were initially diagnosed as sinus related were increasing and increasing. Before the trip I had a ct sinus scan done and it was clear. I went to the eye dr since I was seeing floaters and all was checked out normally. While on my trip, my vision was blurred, I saw floaters, felt tingly in my arms and legs, felt pressure behind my eyes, didnt sleep well and actually came home early. I went straight from the airport to the ER and they said that it was possibly migraines but more likely stress and anxiety related. They gave me some ativan and a psych referral.

I find it hard to believe that all these symptoms are anxiety related. I am so afraid that something is wrong with me. I am tired of feeling awful, it's really, really affecting my life and I'm getting down.

I go see a neurologist today who will probably tell me the same thing that it's stress and anxiety. I see the psychiatrist on friday.

I just dont get why my body is reacting this way and I just want it to stop.

Thanks for listening.

Fiona84 · 07-10-2006, 12:49 PM

Hi there.

I too have most of those symptoms. I am worried its a brain tumor...I tried to make an appt with a neurologist but they said I needed a referral, so I am seeing the gp tommorrow.

Just trust whatever the doctors say...that is my best advice. They go through plenty of training and are taught to understand what consitutes something serious and what doesn't. If the doc tells me tommorrow I am fine, I will REALLY try to believe him. Of course, right now, I'm assuming he's going to be worried and refer me to the neurologist.

I have thought of going to the ER like you did, but its just so expensive! That, and I don't want themt to think im crazy.

Let us know what the neurologist says.

eden4448 · 07-10-2006, 01:23 PM

I, too, am a "stressed-out teacher", and I, too, have experienced many of the same symptoms including the floaters. I had an eye doctor appointment about 2 weeks ago for the same reasons and with the same results. I also went to my doctor who told me that 90% of tingling and numbness is not something serious. I've been going through this for 3 years now, and I am getting extremely frustrated. I consider myself strong and accomplished, but I have had a lot of stress the last couple of years (death of mother to brain cancer, suicide of father-in-law, building a house, and much more). I felt proud of myself for getting through it all, but now I am wondering if I am doing as well as I thought I was. Two of my three siblings are on anxiety medication, and my father probably should be. I'm really struggling with the medication issue because I try to do natural and alternative medication as much as possible. Any thoughts?

stressedteacher · 07-10-2006, 11:07 PM

Well the neurologist says the headaches are tension type headaches and migraines attributed to stress and anxiety. She gave me some migraine meds and wants to do an mri but thats costly.

I also am seeing my psychiatrist on friday-- I have been on meds in the past and went off them and was ok for about a year or so until the stress kicked in and the anxiety shot through the charts.

I had to leave a 5 week African vacation early due to this and to be told by the ER doctor that it was only stress was upsetting. I am also starting a new teaching job in the fall and am going through transitions and financial stress due to crappy healthy insurance.

So the neuro wants to see me in a month and I see the psychiatrist on friday.

I just had no idea that anxiety could play such games on my body. I am tired of being told that it's all nerves and to just get over it. If I could, I would and I would still be in Africa.

As far as other remedies go, I've tried them all-- accupuncture---great --chiropractic---good-- accupressure-- good--chinese herbs ---good---but they cant compare to the chemicals--which I know have awful side effects but make all the difference in the world.

I

andreanna · 07-12-2006, 10:42 AM

The mind is powerful. Anxiety can be a big fear. And with fear sometimes we can cause ( or our mind can cause) things to happen that just dont seem right. When I first started having bowel problems I researched the Internet ( big mistake or not Ill tell in a week when my tests are over LOL) I saw many things it could be and since then ( only began researching a few weeks ago) I have developed more symptoms of course all related to the worse possible scenario.

So I guess my answer is yes anxiety can cause things that we would not normally think it can. I have never let anyone tell me anxiety is a mental problem becasue it has always been more than that with me. With me it is very physical. I wish you the best in your new job and soo sorry you had to leave Africa but completely sounds like something that would happen to me.