Anxiety or a serious health condition?

[jellybeangirl]

I'm an 18 year old female and I've had really bad health issues for about 3-4 months now. I've had a death, moving, and breakup. So a bunch of stress. My heart has been been getting faster and faster over the past few months. I also found my lymph node was hard and swollen. So as a person with anxiety, I freaked out. Went to the doctors with a 140 resting pulse, got tested for thyroid issues and everything was fine. So they put me on beta blockers and referred me to a cardiologist. Cardiologist did an EKG and everything was fine as well. He said I have Sinus Tachycardia and the cause could be anxiety. Then got referred to get an ultrasound on my lymph nodes where they found out that I have calcified lymph nodes in my neck aka a calcium buildup over them. I did have a horrible flu about 5 months ago so maybe that's it? Doctor didn't seem concerned at all because they are less than a cm. He wanted me to get a CT scan just in case though. I'm really at my ends here and not sure what is going on. Could this really all just be a past infection and some bad anxiety? I'm not experiencing any other symptoms except for fatigue.

[Paxiled]

What you don't tell us is whether you were an anxiety sufferer before the bottom fell out of your life.  Stress is not anxiety, it's stress.  You have a lot to be stressful about, but you don't want to get treated for anxiety, especially being put on medication which is unfortunately the first thing your GP or a psychiatrist is likely to do, if you don't actually suffer from it but instead are suffering from some real stuff going on that time will take care of.  Deaths and breakups cause grief, and while it's true that grief that lasts too long can result in depression, that's usually when a person is prone to depression.  Most people when they have a down period in their life aren't very happy about it, but then time passes and they move on not as the same person but they move on.  In your case, you not only are dealing with some grief issues but also some real physiological concerns that you don't yet have a definitive diagnosis on.  So what were you like before this started?  Do you have family and friends to help you through this rough patch?  The fact a doctor told you that you have anxiety when that person isn't a specialist in mental illness doesn't mean you have the kind of chronic anxiety that most refer to when they talk about anxiety -- you have real things, again, to be anxious about, and it would be weird if you weren't feeling stressed out about it.  So I'm still going to ask, were you a chronically anxious person before this onslaught of stuff happened or is this all in response to the stuff going on now?  If it's the latter and not the former, I'd personally be hesitant to get into the medical community and how they deal with anxiety.  I might see a therapist to learn some techniques of how to cope -- hypnosis can very effective when these types of issues arise -- and your therapist can be very helpful in giving you a diagnosis.  You can go from there.  In the meantime, see the physiological diagnostic part through to conclusion, and let's hope it comes out fine -- and I'm guessing, if you weren't an anxiety sufferer before this all got going, you'll probably find yourself bouncing back slowly.  Good luck whatever approach you take.

[jellybeangirl]

I've actually been diagnosed with severe anxiety, depression, and OCD. I regularly see a therapist and psychiatrist. My doctor has wanted me to get on Prozac actually but I've been too scared.

[Paxiled]

You say you see a psychiatrist and a therapist -- has the therapist recommended medication?  The med question is one of how hard life is and how well therapy has worked assuming you've tried it awhile and a couple different kinds.  If therapy hasn't worked and you've given it a good shot and your life just isn't working out, that's the time to consider medication.  You say your doctor recommended Prozac -- do you mean your psychiatrist or your doctor?  What has your psychiatrist recommended?  I get the fear of drugs -- it's not unhealthy to have a deep respect for them and what they do.  But you also want to have a life, and so it's back to that question, how well is your life going?  Now, the medical stuff you're going through isn't going to be helped at all by medication for mental illness -- that's going to play its course out no matter what.  But you know this and we don't, and that is, do you have a life worth living?  Are you having fun?  Are you doing enough of what you aim to do?  When you're not, that's the time medication enters the picture.  Just wondering, what kind of therapy are you doing?

[jellybeangirl]

I've been going to therapy for 4 years and I'm at a point where it's not helping any more. I meant that my psychiatrist recommended Prozac sorry. My life isn't going well and I'm not having fun. My life is just paused at this point. I'm doing CBT therapy but I haven't been in a while.

[specialmom]

so young to have these problems, hon.  I'm sorry about that!  You have definite and reasonable answers from doctors.  That is great because it really helps you know where to go.  Yes, stop worrying about the lymph node.  And you've been giving a direction for the Sinus Tachycardia.  Anxiety.  So, what would be a good remedy?  Treatment for the anxiety!  :>)  It IS treatable.  You have a lot of choices that you and your doctor could decide on in terms of medications available today.  And talk therapy with a therapist/psychologists is so helpful.  Combining those two things may really help you.  So, where to start.  You can see your GP for a referral or if you are comfortable with them, for beginning the discussion of needing help with anxiety.  A referral to a psychiatrist may be the decision that is made but whichever, go to a doctor you trust and no one here can tell you who that is or is going to be. I have an excellent GP that I would trust to treat me.  Some don't.  Then get from your GP or your insurance (are you under your parent's insurance) choices in therapists near you.  I like recommendations for that and again, my gp is very helpful in that regard as they get feedback from their patients.   There are sites that rate doctors and therapists too you can look at.  Even the cardiologist office that really recommended you look into anxiety may have some therapists they refer too.  Sometimes a psychiatrist works directly with a psychologist in the same office.  So, do a little research and get this going for yourself!  

You can also make some life style changes.  I can't say enough about exercise.  It is calming to the nervous system, improves mood, decreases anxiety and has a cardiac benefit.  You've been cleared for activity?  That would be something to do first to make sure it is safe for you.  But even walking works!  Try meditation and they make a couple great apps these days to help get you started.  Deep breathing, breath in for 3, hold, breath out for 3, hold, repeat.  Eat a balanced diet.  Get proper rest.  These things can help overall as well.  Anyway, I wish you the best and we're here to help you as best we can.  hugs