Having a rough day

[Roninson]

Apologies for the multiple posts, but today's been a really rough day for me and I'm not sure where to turn.

The last several months, anxiety has been a part of my life - ever since a trace of blood was detected in my urine (a CAT scan and ultrasound came back normal on this). It began with a panic attack and its been with me since. The past few months, I've become dizzy and lightheaded - some days worse than others. I saw another general physician back in November, who did a blood & urine workup, as well as EKG and chest xray. All tests came back normal (though blood trace in my urine was there again)- but that only satisfied me for a few days. I still felt he was overlooking something. I couldn't tell (and still can't) if my anxiety is giving me these symptoms, or if the anxiety a result of something needing more attention.

The past week, I finally settled to address the anxiety with medication - to put me in a better place. Since starting this, I noticed that my joints were cracking/popping more often, followed with aches and pressure. Today, the aches have subsided somewhat, but today my dizzyness is more severe and has been lasting several hours now. Additionally, over the past week (and before the medication started), I've noticed that whenever I run my hand over the left side of my scalp, I get a pain in my head/scalp (hard to say for sure where's the source of pain) - which makes me worry even more. I dont know what's something to visit the doctor about.

I'm cold and shaking (perhaps from nerves). I took my temperature and its running slightly above normal (99.3) and that has me also scared.

I'm so tired of this life I've been leading and the toll its taking on me and the loved ones around me. I don't know what to do or who to speak with. I just want to be better and over this...

Thanks for listening (erm, reading...)

[catlover82]

I think that, if you have a fever and are feeling cold, you probably should see a doctor. It sounds like you might have some sort of bug. There are about a million of them going around at the moment.

While you're there, mention how you've been feeling since going on the medication. They could very well be side-effects. I know I had dizziness on Effexor and Zoloft. The question is whether the side-effects are bad enough that you want to or need to come off of it. Just know that it normally takes three weeks to get over the worst of them, so it's probably worth persisting.

Basically, I don't think it's inappropriate to take your concerns to a doctor at this point.

[Xalatimo]

Apologies for the multiple posts, but today's been a really rough day for me and I'm not sure where to turn.

The last several months, anxiety has been a part of my life - ever since a trace of blood was detected in my urine (a CAT scan and ultrasound came back normal on this). It began with a panic attack and its been with me since. The past few months, I've become dizzy and lightheaded - some days worse than others. I saw another general physician back in November, who did a blood & urine workup, as well as EKG and chest xray. All tests came back normal (though blood trace in my urine was there again)- but that only satisfied me for a few days. I still felt he was overlooking something. I couldn't tell (and still can't) if my anxiety is giving me these symptoms, or if the anxiety a result of something needing more attention.

The past week, I finally settled to address the anxiety with medication - to put me in a better place. Since starting this, I noticed that my joints were cracking/popping more often, followed with aches and pressure. Today, the aches have subsided somewhat, but today my dizzyness is more severe and has been lasting several hours now. Additionally, over the past week (and before the medication started), I've noticed that whenever I run my hand over the left side of my scalp, I get a pain in my head/scalp (hard to say for sure where's the source of pain) - which makes me worry even more. I dont know what's something to visit the doctor about.

I'm cold and shaking (perhaps from nerves). I took my temperature and its running slightly above normal (99.3) and that has me also scared.

I'm so tired of this life I've been leading and the toll its taking on me and the loved ones around me. I don't know what to do or who to speak with. I just want to be better and over this...

Thanks for listening (erm, reading...)

There's really no need to see a doctor as all these symptoms can be attributed to anxiety.  You're probably shaking because you think something is seriously wrong with you.  Your temperature is basically normal as well and isn't a cause for concern.  However, if anything worsens it might be a good idea to check with your doctor.  I know it's hard sometimes but if you want get over health anxiety you simply can't be going the doctor for every little thing -- you're never going to have any peace of mind.  Just remember to have regular check-ups and you're good to go.  When there's something you absolutely need to see a doctor for, you'll know (high fever, bleeding, seizures, etc.).  It might seem like a big risk but it's not -- the odds of something serious happening is rare.  Also, is it worth losing your freedom for?  I would say no.  You just have to trust that you're healthy.  Right now it seems like you believe that you're ill instead, despite the fact that all your tests have come back normal (which is a symptom of anxiety as well).

[Roninson]

Thanks to both of you for your responses.

Today I'm faring a little better (a little less dizzy, but its still there - no fever). I spoke with my psych nurse about the medications last evening and she said some of the symptoms I'm experiencing could be related to the medication I recently started. Her advice is stop taking it for a couple of days (as I had just started it) to see if the symptoms subside and then begin again at a lower dosage.

The other symptoms are still in place and had me considering calling my doctor several times this morning, but I have put it off for the moment, as I'm worried I'll become habitual with doctor visits. I'm going to try to let a few days pass and if they are still with me then, I'll make an appointment.

[idreamofskiba]

It seems that health scares can set off anxiety big time.  That happened with me recently (although I've always had general anxiety and health anxiety, but it's never been this severe) and I know of some others it has happened to as well.  Once you have that scare, it's hard to get over and accept that you're healthy no matter what the doctor tells you.  I've probably been to the Dr. 10 times in the past few months, and it never helps any.  Maybe I'll feel better for the rest of the day, but I go right back to feeling awful.  So I've told myself no more Dr. visit unless something isn't going away, or if it seems serious like Xalatimo said.  Plus I think I did more harm than good because I don't think my Dr. takes anything I tell her serious anymore...so I'm afraid the next time I go in and it is serious, she won't even look into and just think I'm being a hypo again.

Hope you feel better soon.