Having the weirdest head symptoms, is this just anxiety?

[vedabug23503]

So I have a weird fear of having an anerysum a stroke or a brain tumor. I get strange head sensations. It started with pressure in my forehead, then turned into pressure all over my head as well. Also my eyes get blurry and feel very pressury behind my eyes. It feels like someone is squeezing my forehead. Today my eyes got blurry and it sent me into a massive panic attack while I was at the DRS. I seriously thought I was having a stroke or something. But after about 30 mins it subsided. My dr knows about my headaches and says they are tension/pressure/sinus and anxiety and does not feel a CT scan is neccessary. This fear got so bad that I went to the ER and lied to them saying i fell down the stairs and hit my head and asked for a CT scan of my head. They did it and said it was fine. So should i stop worrying about something serious?? Are these weird tingling, pressury, burning senstaions just anxiety related?? Would a normal CT scan have picked up a brain tumor or unruptured anerysum?

When this does happen my face feels numb and tingly, burning and just overall weird. Also i get pressure behind my eyes. I also get alot of pressure over my nose.

BTW im 23

[vedabug23503]

Thank you, reading your caring responses is starting to make me feel better. Anxiety is such a pain in the ***. I successfully beat my anxiety two years ago while I was pregnant with my son. But I did not keep up with my skills, and slowly fell back into the vicious cycle, and am now where I was two years ago. I am flying home on monday for a month and going to an intensive therapy session for a month to re learn all the skills I need to beat this once again.

The symptoms are just insane though. for two years i obsessed about a blood clot, I seriously thought at any moment I was going to die from one. It wasnt until recently I had my 7th ultrasound scan I just let that fear go. But It went from one fear to another. It went from blood clots, to stroke, anerysum or something wrong with my brain. I think the same day I had the scan I let go of the fear of clots, I got the fear of anerysums after getting a headache. its terrible

Hopefully this program will help me!

Thank you for your kind words, your reassurance is really helping me!

[nursegirl6572]

Of course, I cannot give you any guarantee, but yes, I believe you are fine.  The tests you've had would have found anything big and bad going on, not to mention, you would present with other, tell-tale signs that the doctors would be able to see.

Numbness and tingling IS a common symptom of anxiety.  Some people experience it in their head, face, neck..some in the their extremities.  If you search the forum, you will find lots and lots of people who have this as a symptom of their anxiety.

I know it's hard to move forward and convince yourself that nothing is physically wrong, but at some point, you have to put some trust in the medical professionals and start seriously considering that they may be right about this being anxiety.  Remember, they deal with this stuff all the time.  It would be very obvious to them if you were having a stroke.  They also are used to seeing how anxiety affects a person.  I think the best thing for you to do is seek some professional help for the anxiety.  You sought out the help you needed from other doctors to rule out a medical problem...and have gotten a clean bill of health.  Only when you start tackling the anxiety will you see that your symptoms will improve when you start reigning the anxiety in.

[vedabug23503]

Thank you for your response!! So do you think this is anxiety related?? Even the numbness and tinglying? Because I had the CT scan do you think I should be okay? Would the CT scan picked up anything really terrible?? Im so afraid the DRS might have missed something. But I went to the ER last night cause I was seriously terrified I was having a stroke. Do you think im okay?

[nursegirl6572]

Hi there!

Like the other posters explained, pretty much all of your symptoms can be attributed to anxiety.  Anxiety and panic causes very real physical symptoms, which of course can you to panic more.  Then you get stuck in the anxiety cycle.

You've already had very thorough assessments and work ups from a variety of doctors, along with many diagnostic tests that have all come back normal.  The very real physical symptoms sometimes makes it hard for us to accept that what we're feeling is anxiety.  It doesn't seem possible that anxiety could cause them versus some kind of medical issue.

When you get to the point when you have confirmation that you indeed are healthy and have nothing wrong physically (which you have)...then it's time to try to start addressing the anxiety.  Going to a psychiatrist to have a thorough evaluation and obtain an official diagnosis is a great starting place.  The p-doc can then discuss with you the treatment options that are out there.  Therapy is invaluable in helping you learn how to bresk that cycle of anxious thinking.  Medications can also be an option, that is something to discuss with the doctor.

The good thing about treating your anxiety, besides the obvious reasons, is that once you start getting the anxiety under control, the symptoms will improve if they are indeed related to anxiety, which will give you peace of mind and help you accept that anxiety was the culprit all along.

We're here for you and know how difficult this is.  Please keep us posted on your progress!

[vedabug23503]

also ive been getting pins and needles in my hands and arms.. is this normal with anxiety?

[vedabug23503]

I like that analogy. My anxiety has really spiraled out of control lately. Ive been either to my DRS, The Emergency room, or some sort of specialist EVERY DAY for the last two weeks. Its gotten so out of hand, and I dont know how to tell my brain to STOP. I know logically, everything is okay with me, if there was something wrong, there would be NO WAY I wouldnt have known by now. Ive had so many tests, ekgs, blood work xrays, ct scans, ultrasounds, ECG, i mean everything really. And by several different doctors, and they all have the same opnion. I mean just last week I was obsessing that I had a blood clot. And ive obsessed ive had a clot for two years!! Ive had 7 ultrasounds on my legs... I mean that is terrible!! I just dont know how to effectively change my thinking.I am seeing a therapist, but have only been once. So not enough time to do anything quite yet. Im just so tired of having these panic attacks!!

[RubyWitch]

You asked "how do you get over it." By seeing the right specialists until you have an answer and a treatment plan and if the anxiety persists, therapy to figure out what the root cause of it is.
You are experiencing what I call the "tornado effect." Your mind and your body are swirling out of control.....totally caught up in the eye of the storm where your physical symtoms are making your anxiety worse, the anxiety is making your physical symptoms worse and you just keep spinning faster and faster until you get yourself on the yellow brick road and get your life back.
Sorry about the silly  analogy...........I watched the Wizard of Oz the other night and I suppose it's obvious it's my favorite movie. I mean, look at my Avatar, for Pete's sake!
I don't believe for one minute that there is anything seriously wrong with you........that's your anxiety talking. Your tests were clear and your doctor is not concerned. What else can I say?
See the specialists. Strongly consider therapy. There IS a way out, but YOU are the one in control.
Peace
Greenlydia  

[turkee23]

yea anxiety /panic attacks can cause some crazy things. i have been dealing with it for about 6 months now and going through treatment now for it. have you talked to dr about these panic attacks?.....

therapy is a great help!.....im in therapy and just started taking zoloft 3 days ago because i just need some help to get over this. i have not wanted to leave my house, see my friends or family. nothing. i also beent o the ER a million times and had the catscans, MRI, allergry ,balance,hearing,EKG,ultra sound, and blood work done and im fine.

anxiety can come in some CRAZY ways!.....my therapist just gave me a sheet with a list of symptoms thats anxiety can cause and its insane, probably everything your feeling.

[vedabug23503]

Im sorry your going through the same thing, but its nice to hear im not the only one feeling like this! Its terrible feeling like this all the time. I have a problem with accepting the diagnose of nothing serious being wrong with me. How do you get over it?

[colleendawn813]

I am experiencing the exact same thing. I have anxiety disorder and I feel every little thing and blow it out of proportion. Ive had the same headache for a week and worried its a tumor or aneurysm but ive had a scan too, so i know it isnt. I always think im about to have a stroke! I am somewhat of a regular with doctors and all that, and it sounds to me like your anxiety is exacerbating your headache, adding stress and tension like greenlydia said. Bottom line, if you arent throwing up or confused or anything, chances are its just plain old headaches and sinus pain.

[vedabug23503]

Thank you for your response. I am not sure what is going on. Ive told my DR and she doesnt seem concerned. Its really just starting to freak me out and give me panic attacks!! hopefully nothing is seriously wrong with me :(

[RubyWitch]

The CT scan at the ER would have picked up the signs and symptoms of an aneurysm, stroke or brain tumor. IN MY HUMBLE, NON-MEDICAL OPINION, I would say you can stop worrying that there is something seriously wrong, but there IS something going on and you must not ignore it.
Since your symptoms affect only your head, my suggestion would be to see a neurologist AND an EENT.
These two specialists will be able to work together and figure out what is causing all of your symptoms.
Headaches from stress and tension and sinus pressure, a sinus infection causing blurry vision, dizziness, an off balance feeling and bad sinus headaches, headaches and blurry vision could easily indicate you need eyeglasses. Your list of symptoms can be combined in any number of ways and the doctors will keep ruling things out until they have the puzzle together.
And yes, anxiety can cause many of these symptoms and it can also exacerbate them. Which is why you need the doctors............I've given you my opinion, now see the docs for a diagnosis.
I'm positive you're going to be fine. But I know how scary it can be.
Let me know how you're doing, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia