Are these head sensations symptoms of Depression?...

[earprints]

Hi, I’ve been struggling with a chronic head condition since August 2008 and I’m now at wit’s end. Most hours of the day I suffer from this persistent “drugged,” “drunk-like,” “woozy” feeling going on in my head. I wouldn’t, however, really call it dizziness or fogginess.  It’s severely affected my social life (I hardly go out any longer) and I’m barely coping at work. I just can’t seem to resolve this and it’s distressing! I’ve seen several types of doctors/alternative doctors and so far nothing:

- Primary Doctor (2x)
- Neurologist (1x)
- ENT Doctor (1x)
- Chiropractor (1x)
- Holistic/Nutritionist/Chiropractor (1x)
- Upper Cervical Chiropractor (2x)

I’ve had the following tests taken and they all came back NEGATIVE:
- 2 blood tests (among other things, the tests tested for Lyme, Hepatitis C, Mono, AIDS)
- CAT Scan (Sinus, head – w/o contrast) [this did show, however, that I have a deviated septum]
- MRI (Brain)
- EEG

At this point I DON’T think it’s:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Anemia
- Something Nutritionally-related
- Electro-sensitively

The only other ideas I have right now are:
- Some type of Sleep Disorder (e.g., Sleep Apnea)
- Anxiety
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

I’m supposed to get a Sleep Study done soon. But I don’t think it could be Sleep Apnea since I don’t fit the description (34 years old, thin). I thought that *maybe* it could be anxiety-related which I definitely suffer from.  I have Benign Fasciculation Syndrome (sporadic twitching) which might have been brought on by stress/anxiety. I also have Tinnitus which may/may not have been induced by anxiety (actually I think it came about from over-exposure to loud music). So could this head condition somehow be anxiety-related? I know that dizziness is often a symptom of anxiety but being that I don’t have that, I’m wondering whether my “drugged,” “drunk-like,” “woozy” feelings could still brought on by it. I’ve occasionally taken the anti-anxiety medication Klonopin to see if that would help but it hasn’t. I’ve made an appointment with a Psychiatrist and I’m praying that he can shed some light on this issue.

Any other ideas/advice you might have would GREATLY be appreciated. I want to get on with my life!

Many thanks!!!

[Liz50]

Well you sure have done your homework, so to speak....I had exactly those same symptoms 6 months after my husband's liver transplant (following a year of intense stress when we thought he would probably die before he got the TP)...then the 4 months of intense nursing care he needed..as soon as he went back to work, I began to have exactly the symptoms your describe, plus non stop migraines. One on top of the other with no breaks in between.

I too saw all the specialists you mentioned (and I did the sleep apnea thing and of COURSE the sleep apnea specialist wanted to put me on a CPAP..altho the tests were completely non conclusive)....FINALLY I saw a neuro specialist who explained the body's natural defenses against stress.....I'd just HAD IT. (I am not going into detail about all the other stuff that was going on during the wait period for hbby's TP...you wouldn't believe me if I did) ....The doc was great and talked me thgouh a lot of stuff and helped me to understand how the body protects itself from incredible stress.

Yes, I was having non stop panic attacks, also dizziness, nausea, an incredible need for sleep in a completely dark room.....very slowly the symptoms went away as I began to calm down (knowing what was wrong was the most important thing)...I was grateful it wasn't me heart or arteries (I have high cholesterol)...but not thrilled to know it was stress, the hardest thing to deal with! I started seeing my old therapist and tried to take things easier and learn to be less upset by the world (LOL). Also I am on Ad's and I take Klonipin too. Thank heavens for that stuff!

I hope you find out what is causing your problems. I feel for you. (Oh, I did have my deviated spetum fixed and I do breathe better;)

Good luck to you....this is scary, I know.
Liz

[ILADVOCATE]

Do you take any medications other than Klonopin? For anything? Even non prescription? Just make sure you rule out any common side effects. Other than that a sleep study does make sense and its best to post again after you see what they find. If your sleep is being disrupted due to sleep apnea or other conditions falling asleep suddenly or feeling disoriented could easily be the cause. I went through a sleep study and for myself (this is not the same as what you are going through but an example of what a sleep study can clear up) they found that my "insomnia" was really overnight spasms. Sleep apnea is not uncommon and treatable. I know someone who has it and the mask he wears to help adjust oxygen levels overnight does treat it. Sleep apnea can sometimes occur in people who are overweight and if they diet it helps but there are many other causes as well.
  As for anxiety, it more sounds like a physical disability unless what happens occurs only during panic attacks. And as for carbon monoxide poisoning, I know when I was a kid my parents had a kerosine heater and it caused me to be dizzy and have headaches all the time. If you have anything in the house that could cause this problem have it removed and have a carbon monoxide detector installed. That can be very dangerous and can sneak up on people. Where I live now having one in your apartment is required by law. It should be everywhere as it saves lives.

[LeftCoastChick]

I think you are looking in to everything. Your symptoms don't really sound like something psychological, but you are willing to rule that out, I really don't have any suggestion. I does sounds like chronic fatigue, which is hard to diagnose if it's anything.  Have you thought about vertigo? My work friend sorta acts like those symptoms when she is hit with a bout, and unless it's ear related, it's just a stab at a diagnosis.