Physical Symptoms...ADVISE PLEASE!

[crystalmommy]

I am new to this forum and looking for some help from anyone who may have had similar sxs.

I've had anxiety since I was very young (i'm 28 now). I've been able to handle it fairly well by avoiding situations that make me anxious and by focusing my attn on other things, and by prayer. I have only taken Xanax a handful of times when the doctors insisted because of tremors.

In Sept of last year I had a weird rash and my throat felt like it was tight and closing. I was not anxious when this started but became immediately anxious after it happened for fear I was having a severe allergy to a medication I had just taken earlier that day. I was diagnosed with strep the next day and told that the tightness i was still feeling was from the strep bacteria. Well, It never went away! It's been over 4 mons and I've had every test under the sun. For a long time everyone was saying it was LPR or silent reflux. I finally convinced them otherwise by taking a ph metry test which proved I had NO reflux whatsoever! So after a mon of therapy with meds I didn't even need, I was in the same position I started in. The throat has gotten worse. It burns, hurts, and is tight every day...never lets up unless I am eating and swallowing. Liquids, however, don't do too well as they make me burp continuously like crazy (especially water which is almost all i drink).

I am telling all these sxs because the docs are trying to tell me that it could be caused by my anxiety. I am not convinced. I do know however, that my anxiety has gotten WAY out of proportion since this started due to the fact that I have taken so many meds (which I have med anxiety as wel) and I have taken tests that have all made me extremely nervous. And of course the fact that i have seen 3 ENTs, 3 GIs, a cardiologist and neurologist with no diagnosis or relief is making me feel a bit on the edge, okay ALOT on the edge.

Yesterday I went to a psychologist and told her about everything. She diagnosed me with GAD and wants me to begin taking Lexapro. I am nervous about it. I get extremely anxious about taking ANY kind of new medication, especially a psychotic one. I worry about the side effects, I worry about having a severe reaction, how it might make my throat feel even worse than what it is. It is so tight, if I began to have a tightness in my throat from a med I wouldn't know the difference until it was too late! I realize all my medication fears are really irrational. It's not a likely chance I will have severe probs from this medication, and it could possible help me. But i am very scared. The psychologist said that she did not feel like I had conversion or psychosomatic disorder because she feels my throat sxs could be caused by an underlying health prob they have not found yet. But she feels the anxiety is making it much worse.

I know lump in the throat and tight throat feeling are both possible with GAD. However, up until this year most of my panic attacks or severe anxiety episodes had triggers. If I go over a bridge, for instance, I begin to panic and feel the anxiety taking over. Sometimes needing air or feeling hard to swallow could happen but as soon as the situation is over I would go back to normal and feel quite "worn out" but that was it. Now though, this feeling is constant, never lets up. That is why it is so confusing. I also have problems waking up at night shaking internally. I feel like my body is vibrating on the inside and at times you can see it on the outside as well and feel my body shaking. That is why I was sent to the Neurologist. His testing found no immediate cause. He mentioned anxiety. I also feel my heart racing, sometimes it really is, and sometimes it just feels like it is. These things happen only at night most of the time. I will wake up feeling this way or it will happen as I am lying down and my body just begins to relax. Cardiologist also did testing and nothing was found. At the early stages of this in November, I also had 2 instances where I passed completely out. I just get up in the morning and feel very dizzy and nauseated and pass out.

Has anyone had any of these sxs with GAD? Do you think it is possible that GAD can cause sxs that last this long with no relief? Especially the problem with my throat? If I could just get a little relief and relaxation in my throat area I would feel so much better...but it never stops and it makes everything else tense and makes getting through every day difficult, much less having a smile on your face.

Thanks to everyone who reads and replies. Your advice/experience/help is much appreciated.

[Amberjake12]

Hi crystalmommy... I hope you are doing well. Although, I don't have those exact symptoms, I do have symptoms that started in October, and haven't let up. I've also had minor anxiety (or what I thought was minor) most of my life with OCD, as well. My anxiety has never taken the form of physical symptoms. My anxiety was always "needless" worrying... I say "needless", b/c I literally worry about EVERYTHING... Ok, now in October, I started having what my doctor says is anxiety/ health anxiety... It's so damn scary, and I still don't completely believe the dx. I'm 28, and I just don't understand how this is just anxiety... I am going to a CBT, who also believes that this is anxiety. How??? I'm not sure what to do... If you want, you can read my original post...it's pretty long, and also has all of my symptoms... http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php/topic,49703.msg294230.html#msg294230

I'm sorry that I can't help you out more, but I just wanted you to know that I've been dealing with "anxiety" for 4 months as well, and it won't let up...

[mommabear]

Hi Crystal,
I was wondering is the tightness constant?
I started getting bad anxiety since the age of 17. I had a break from it for many years up until 9 months ago.
Now it's back and worse than ever! I remember back then that was a big scare for me was the tightness in the throat of course they tested and found nothing wrong (they never told me it was anxiety either) I had no answers back then I just thought I was dying.
Now I find the tight throat is back it also gets very achy, not an ache in just the back, but it's way deep, deep in my throat I also find mine gets itchy too, but I have no allergies that I'm aware of.This has been going on for the last week or so. except mine comes and goes the more anxious I am the worse it gets.Sometimes I feel like I can hardly swallow. Like you it feels ok when drinking something cold, like water.The only other thing I can think of is GERD, It can cause those exact symptoms. I find when I have the tight throat feeling i can't have any pressure on my neck at all like wearing a hoodie or something if I feel it pull on my neck it drives me insane feels like someone is choking me. I think your's is anxiety related though I am no doctor.Do you get the feeling like something is caught in your throat too, along with the tightness?The less I acknowledge it the less of a bother it is for me. I know that's easier said than done.You'll be alright

[crystalmommy]

Thank you both for replying.

Amberjake12- I went back and read your post about the sxs you have. Sounds just like me! I mean, our sxs are not exactly the same however, I have so many it is aggravating to even know which doc to go see for a diagnosis. My primary doc is definitely aggravated as she has done all she can do for me. I have had an MRI of my brain, spine and neck. I have also had a CT scan of my abdomen and my head. Also had am EGD, manometry, ph metry and modified barium swallow from the GI. I also had cardiology testing and neurology testing. All tests were completely normal! At this point I know I have a tonsil infection, although it's not clearing with my antibiotics for some reason, and I have low Vitamin D. That is ALL I have found out from all these tests. Much like you I had probs with Anxiety before but never to this extent and all these crazy sxs. I also sometimes have the fullness in my head as you stated. Almost feels like my head if full of fluid or something yet I have no sinus infection or mucus anywhere!!! My biggest fear is that they are also missing the problem. At this point a Psychologist was my next step. But I went because I wanted help with the anxiety caused by all this stuff beginning and not ending with no help from doctors!!!! I am hoping that if this all is really anxiety then perhaps the meds they give me and the therapy will make a miracle because I am miserable! I've also had numbness in my hands and feet and racing thoughts. The racing thoughts only happened twice and I thought I was losing my mind. At the time I thought it was a medication I was taking for reflux bc it happened after I took it. But it happened since then...docs say anxiety.

Mommabear- Yes, the tightness is constant. It's like when I swallow my throat just squeezes very weird or something and it is very tight. Sometimes I will get that really bad ache you are describing. Feels like it comes from way deep within my throat. The docs originally diagnosed me with LPR which is a form of GERD that makes its way up to your upper throat and causes these sxs. I kept telling the docs I did not have reflux and no one believed me. Finally a GI doctor did the Ph metry dual probe test to prove that I did or did not have reflux once and for all. And guess what? NO REFLUX AT ALL! So after seeing 3 ENTs who promised it was reflux, taking reflux meds that really hurt my stomach and experiencing all the other sxs I listed, I am at square one again. I have not given up. I can't. The ache and tightness is too much! It drives me mad! It gets so bad sometimes I feel like I just want to bang my head on the wall!!! I do also have a lump feeling but it is on the right side, the side where that tonsil is swollen right now. I have no idea whether or not that has anything to do with it. The psychologist I saw said that I had lots of stress this past year and it's possible to have anxiety and stress that cause sxs like the tightness in the throat...but she doesn't see it last this long this often or cause so much ache or pain. So who knows!!! I am going to a swallowing and voice center specialist next week. He is really my last hope. The other ENTs only did one test....larynoscopy. This guy better have some more tests he can do to figure this out. I am nervous about taking the lexapro. Do you know anything about it?

[mommabear]

Hi Crystal,
My tonsils flare up several times a year.
And that lump feeling accompanies that for me as well.The anxiety also makes me feel that too though.Or sometimes it makes me feel like there is a hair or something in my throat. I dunno it drives me nuts though.I'm sure your going to be fine. I know it's driving you crazy. Hang in there!
As for lexapro I'm sorry I know nothing about it.I'm terrified of taking meds myself, even though I have never had a bad experience. It's crazy!

[crystalmommy]

I am also terrified of taking meds! My doc says I need to take it, but it's still just sitting here on my countertop. I can't muster up the strength to do it. I have a med anxiety as well so it makes it ten times harder to try something I have never taken, especially a med that is going to affect my mind!

[strangerdanger]

Hi CM,

Anxiety can produce a whole host of varied physical symptoms.  My anxiety takes a toll on my back- I get so panicked and worked up that I throw my back out. I have also experienced anaphalaxis 3 times in my life.  I've been tested for every allergy under the sun and nothing shows up- my Dr has concluded that it's a symptom of anxiety.  Our minds can have a powerful affect over our bodies.  I also suffer from blurred vision during times of extreme panic that can last for a couple of days before returning to normal.

For those of us with anxiety, symptoms can and do vary from person to person.

In terms of meds, I've tried on a few different prescriptions.  I currently take Wellbutrin which has very little side effects.  My best friend took Lexapro and put on a lot of weight- another gf took it and lost a lot of weight.  Unfortunately, these meds don't work the same way in each individual.

You can always try Lexapro and see how it works for you.  It takes about 6 weeks for a med to take full effect.

There is a stigma attached to taking meds for a mental illness.  However, seeking treatment for physical ailments is deemed okay.  IMO, if there is something out there that can ease your anxiety and provide you with a higher quality of living- it's worth exploring.

[Wishingforcalm2]

Crystle,
I was just wondering how you're doing now.  I came across this post searching for vibrating....as I've woken up twice now feeling like the cat was sitting on me and purring and then scratching her ear really quickly...but she wasn't.  It's so hard to believe this is just anxiety..  I wondered if you've gotten any answers around that or anything else.
Hope the news is good! :)

[liln5k]

Hi crystal... welcome to AZ...

Anxiety can cause MANY symptoms and they do vary from person to person.  I have constant anxiety from the time I get up until I go to bed.  sometimes I wake up scared in the middle of the night for no reason. 

I have had vibrating feelings from time to time.  the only way I can explain how it feels is that it's like I have a vibrating cell home on me or something.

I too have dizzyness... I haven't passed out but walk around all day like I am going to fall over or everything is leaning/swaying...

I personally have chosen not to do medication because it makes me worse so I can't help there...

I have had every test known to man and all is fine!!! it still amazes me how anxiety can make you think you are dying when you are perfectly fine!!

hang in there!!! you are not alone!!

[LindaRK]

I've had anxiety for 35 years.  It comes and goes.  I've had the symptoms that you're experience more than once and am quite familiar with all of them.

I'm going through a very rough patch right now which is probably exacerbated by stress.  I, too, am quite fearful of medication - any type really, but mostly anti-depressants.  I've reacted badly to the majority of those I've been on and have now chosen NOT to take them.  With what I'm going through now, though, I'm back looking for something with minor side effects (like Lexapro).  My mom is actually on this med - she has had no side effects.  I've heard there are virtually no or very few side effects compared to other anti-depressants.

I think you need to figure out if you would be better on or off medication - what would the quality of your life be ON or OFF ....... my heart goes out to you.  It's tough.