Aa
Has my anxiety manifested itself differently?
28 Male. Not a stranger to anxiety. But havent had it in a long time!
About a week ago, I felt my lower lip tingle, and my thumb. Just that small sensation sent me into a panic attack, then down a downward spiral of anxiety... even after those sensations left.
Ever since then, I have had heart palpitations like crazy, nervous stomach, and my biggest fear symptom is this feeling of off balance/light headedness. It's pretty much constant when I'm walking around, or if I look down then up.
It doesnt seem to effect me too much while sitting on the computer, or laying in bed.
I can manage my anxiety during the day pretty well, but at night for the past week I've been taking a .5mg to a 1mg pill of ativan just to help knock the edge off.
My question is...
Q: Is this lightheadedness a common symptom of anxiety? I called my Dr. today, which I even saw last week, he said it was more than likely anxiety related. he said it could be something not serious, and my anxiety is making it worse. he said to see him in a month... he must not be that concerned. hes an awesome dr. he said if i had a brain tumor id be having WAY more symptoms than that
Your thoughts? just need some encouragement and some extra reassurance. thanks guys.
About a week ago, I felt my lower lip tingle, and my thumb. Just that small sensation sent me into a panic attack, then down a downward spiral of anxiety... even after those sensations left.
Ever since then, I have had heart palpitations like crazy, nervous stomach, and my biggest fear symptom is this feeling of off balance/light headedness. It's pretty much constant when I'm walking around, or if I look down then up.
It doesnt seem to effect me too much while sitting on the computer, or laying in bed.
I can manage my anxiety during the day pretty well, but at night for the past week I've been taking a .5mg to a 1mg pill of ativan just to help knock the edge off.
My question is...
Q: Is this lightheadedness a common symptom of anxiety? I called my Dr. today, which I even saw last week, he said it was more than likely anxiety related. he said it could be something not serious, and my anxiety is making it worse. he said to see him in a month... he must not be that concerned. hes an awesome dr. he said if i had a brain tumor id be having WAY more symptoms than that
Your thoughts? just need some encouragement and some extra reassurance. thanks guys.
Yes, those numbers are just fine. With orthostatic hypotension, you'd see quite a drmatic drop...for example...120/80 lying and 90/60 sitting/standing. It usually has to be dramatic to cause vertigo.
And, yes! That IS good if it isn't your BP! As bad as anxiety stinks...it's always better than actually HAVING a medical problem!!
And, yes! That IS good if it isn't your BP! As bad as anxiety stinks...it's always better than actually HAVING a medical problem!!
I sure do love you nursegirl6572 lol.
I know that's what he was looking for.. just didnt remember the long name. lol.
I took it laying down and it was 127/70 and my heart rate was 94 lol
I stood up and then took it again and it was 131/84 and heart rate was 118!!! LOL. Talk about heart palpitations.
I did it one more time to see.. and the 2nd time around:
laying down - - 127/71 and standing up 116/85
My sister is a nurse, and she said those numbers seemed to be quite normal. I'm gonna call him tonight to give him the data. =)
Hopefully he'll just tell me, okay, its not your blood pressure, that's great! it's probably just anxiety chris! =)
I know that's what he was looking for.. just didnt remember the long name. lol.
I took it laying down and it was 127/70 and my heart rate was 94 lol
I stood up and then took it again and it was 131/84 and heart rate was 118!!! LOL. Talk about heart palpitations.
I did it one more time to see.. and the 2nd time around:
laying down - - 127/71 and standing up 116/85
My sister is a nurse, and she said those numbers seemed to be quite normal. I'm gonna call him tonight to give him the data. =)
Hopefully he'll just tell me, okay, its not your blood pressure, that's great! it's probably just anxiety chris! =)
What he wants to rule out is something called "Orthostatic Hypotension". It's where your BP drops significantly with position changes (ie lying to sitting and sitting to standing). It's a fairly benign condition that's easily managed with measures such as taking your time during position changes (getting up slowly) and avoiding sudden rapid jerking motions.
If you had a brain tumor, you most definitely would have more symptoms. That, of course, is your anxiety talking. You know the wicked cycle....scary sensation...trigger panic/anxiety....trigger increase in scary symptom....back to more panic.
You're on the right track. Keep following doctor's orders and start to put in place your coping techniques for anxiety. That will help even IF this was a medical issue, as the anxiety is certainly exacerbating the sensations, and vice versa.
I know this is discouraging with as well as you've been doing, but remember what I've always told you...for most of us with anxiety/panic...we will always have it to some degree or another. Most commonly, you'll have periods of "anxiety remission" where you experience no anxiety and other times when your anxiety will peak...often times without an obvious reason. It stinks. I know. It's very disheartening.
We're here for you as always...keep us updated!
If you had a brain tumor, you most definitely would have more symptoms. That, of course, is your anxiety talking. You know the wicked cycle....scary sensation...trigger panic/anxiety....trigger increase in scary symptom....back to more panic.
You're on the right track. Keep following doctor's orders and start to put in place your coping techniques for anxiety. That will help even IF this was a medical issue, as the anxiety is certainly exacerbating the sensations, and vice versa.
I know this is discouraging with as well as you've been doing, but remember what I've always told you...for most of us with anxiety/panic...we will always have it to some degree or another. Most commonly, you'll have periods of "anxiety remission" where you experience no anxiety and other times when your anxiety will peak...often times without an obvious reason. It stinks. I know. It's very disheartening.
We're here for you as always...keep us updated!
I have been a wreck at work today. I took 2 atvian as soon as I got into the office today to help calm my anxiety, and it did help! but of course if made me feel extra off balance. lol. but i work at a desk, so its okay.
after the ativan wore off, for about 20 minutes or more I felt pretty good. I was walking tall, had energy, and felt normal! no off balance.
Then it came back! My stomach is nervous again... i feel off balance, my head feels tight kinda, heart palpitations for sure, my eyes feel tired and heavy... grrrrrr... and im kinda trembling.
My Dr. said he wanted me to take my blood pressure laying down tonight, and then stand up and take it to rule out something. I'm going to do that and then call him with the numbers.
He's so cool.
Don't you guys think if I had a brain tumor or something, I'd be having LOTS more symptoms than just some off balance feeling? Don't you think I'd have headaches and blurred vision and more dizziness?
Thanks.
after the ativan wore off, for about 20 minutes or more I felt pretty good. I was walking tall, had energy, and felt normal! no off balance.
Then it came back! My stomach is nervous again... i feel off balance, my head feels tight kinda, heart palpitations for sure, my eyes feel tired and heavy... grrrrrr... and im kinda trembling.
My Dr. said he wanted me to take my blood pressure laying down tonight, and then stand up and take it to rule out something. I'm going to do that and then call him with the numbers.
He's so cool.
Don't you guys think if I had a brain tumor or something, I'd be having LOTS more symptoms than just some off balance feeling? Don't you think I'd have headaches and blurred vision and more dizziness?
Thanks.
I know... what ***** is, really truly honestly, the lightheaded feeling isnt BAD.
What's the WORST is the ANXIETY it is producing for me. I woke up this morning with a nervous stomach b/c of it. Just constantly thinking about it, and I'm all tense now, and like I said a nervous stomach.
I have to get to the point in this one, where either the lightheaded feeling will just leave.
OR... I just need to have reassurance it's JUST a SYMPTOM of anxiety from my Dr.
I think once I have that reassurance... I will calm down... then the lightheaded feeling will probably dissipate. Or I just wont be afraid of it anymore.
My sister said it could also be my allergies/sinuses doing stuff, even if im not having bad symptoms of allergies. And I've been swimming a lot this summer... but I dont feel like my ears hurt or anything?
What's the WORST is the ANXIETY it is producing for me. I woke up this morning with a nervous stomach b/c of it. Just constantly thinking about it, and I'm all tense now, and like I said a nervous stomach.
I have to get to the point in this one, where either the lightheaded feeling will just leave.
OR... I just need to have reassurance it's JUST a SYMPTOM of anxiety from my Dr.
I think once I have that reassurance... I will calm down... then the lightheaded feeling will probably dissipate. Or I just wont be afraid of it anymore.
My sister said it could also be my allergies/sinuses doing stuff, even if im not having bad symptoms of allergies. And I've been swimming a lot this summer... but I dont feel like my ears hurt or anything?
Hey there cnote! Hope the family is well!
Anxiety can change the way it presents itself frequently. For some people, the same symptoms emerge time and again, and for still others, they experience anxiety in new ways every time it rears its ugly head.
The telling thing for me is how you described feeling fine when busy and occupied (out with your family), and as soon as you had a moment to think, the symptoms were right there. That screams anxiety, as you know.
Use your Ativan when you have to, and put those coping mechanisms you have such great practice with to work! In the meantime, we're here for you. That's such a frustrating aspect of anxiety...that it keeps coming back here and there despite how good we think we're doing. Ugh!
Anxiety can change the way it presents itself frequently. For some people, the same symptoms emerge time and again, and for still others, they experience anxiety in new ways every time it rears its ugly head.
The telling thing for me is how you described feeling fine when busy and occupied (out with your family), and as soon as you had a moment to think, the symptoms were right there. That screams anxiety, as you know.
Use your Ativan when you have to, and put those coping mechanisms you have such great practice with to work! In the meantime, we're here for you. That's such a frustrating aspect of anxiety...that it keeps coming back here and there despite how good we think we're doing. Ugh!
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