humbug83
09-07-15, 16:06
Hello,
I'm new here.
I've been a worrier pretty much most of my life (I'm 32). It has recently seemed to get worse.
In October/November last year, I woke up feeling dizzy and off balance. This continued for about a week so I went to the local walk-in centre. The doctor there said it looked like I had mild labyrinthitis caused by an ear infection. He prescribed me betahistine which I took but found it didn't really help. About a week later I went to my GP surgery and saw the practice nurse who said my ear still looked a bit red and retracted. A short time after I went back to the walk-in centre as the dizziness was continuing and the doctor said my ear looked ok and that sometimes it could still take a while to get back to normal. I have also seen an ENT consultant who did a few quick checks and didn't seem to find anything wrong!
Since then, the dizziness has been ongoing and I have had a lot of different symptoms which I have struggled to deal with. These include shaking and trembling, sweaty hands, feeling generally under the weather, being clingy with my parents, feeling lonely, crying a lot, tingling sensations, headaches, tight throat like it was swollen, palpitations, fast heart rate, dry retching, twinges in my chest, not wanting to be on my own in case I got worse or died! I have been sleeping well though. Googling symptoms has been a very bad habit!
Recently I've been getting flashes of light in my eyes which im worried is a sign of detached retina. I went to an optician for an eye test and he didn't find anything to be concerned about. These have been happening for a few weeks now so I made another appointment with my usual opticians which I thought was supposed to be today but there appeared to be a mix up and was actually for two weeks time! The lady I spoke said if I'm worried then to go to A&E. When I got back to work I rang the opticians whi carried out the previous test and the optician there rang me back and said there was nothing that indicated any abnormalities and the flashes could just be caused by migraines (although I havent always been getting headaches with them). Also since Sunday I've had bad stomach pains (like menstrual cramp) and have felt sick a few times. I just put this down to the fact that my period is due soon but now I'm concerned it is cervical cancer as I have felt a bit sore down there!
I've had two ECGs done both came back normal apart from high heart rate, first in January was 92, the most recent one was 96! Dr said it is quite high for my age so then I started to worry I was going to have a heart attack and die. I was getting twinges in my chest. She prescribed propranalol which I have taken a few times. The last time I took it in June I didn't notice my heart pounding anymore and haven't since this week.
I have also had blood tests which the doctor has said were normal. Since I found out that my heart rate was 96, I have been quite obsessed with checking my pulse although haven't done it for a while lately.
I haven't had any other tests although I have asked if I should have them and the doctor has said not at this stage. I feel like I should have scans and more tests if only for peace of mind.
I've been seeing a counsellor and a chiropractor and I've got a CBT assessment next week.
Everyone keeps telling me its just anxiety worry and stress causing these things but I can't believe them.
I've booked another appointment with the doctor next week and another appointment with the consultant in two weeks.
The whole thing is driving me crazy and I am scared. It's having an affect on my family too. My mum and dad have been really supportive but tells me there is nothing wrong with me. There are days when I feel almost back to my old self then the next day I feel something and it starts again!
Right now I feel like I want to go to the hospital as I'm worried about my vision.
I don't know what to do anymore. It's like a vicious circle! How can I be totally sure that the physical symptoms and sensations I am feeling are just caused by worry and anxiety?
Sorry for the long post.
I'm new here.
I've been a worrier pretty much most of my life (I'm 32). It has recently seemed to get worse.
In October/November last year, I woke up feeling dizzy and off balance. This continued for about a week so I went to the local walk-in centre. The doctor there said it looked like I had mild labyrinthitis caused by an ear infection. He prescribed me betahistine which I took but found it didn't really help. About a week later I went to my GP surgery and saw the practice nurse who said my ear still looked a bit red and retracted. A short time after I went back to the walk-in centre as the dizziness was continuing and the doctor said my ear looked ok and that sometimes it could still take a while to get back to normal. I have also seen an ENT consultant who did a few quick checks and didn't seem to find anything wrong!
Since then, the dizziness has been ongoing and I have had a lot of different symptoms which I have struggled to deal with. These include shaking and trembling, sweaty hands, feeling generally under the weather, being clingy with my parents, feeling lonely, crying a lot, tingling sensations, headaches, tight throat like it was swollen, palpitations, fast heart rate, dry retching, twinges in my chest, not wanting to be on my own in case I got worse or died! I have been sleeping well though. Googling symptoms has been a very bad habit!
Recently I've been getting flashes of light in my eyes which im worried is a sign of detached retina. I went to an optician for an eye test and he didn't find anything to be concerned about. These have been happening for a few weeks now so I made another appointment with my usual opticians which I thought was supposed to be today but there appeared to be a mix up and was actually for two weeks time! The lady I spoke said if I'm worried then to go to A&E. When I got back to work I rang the opticians whi carried out the previous test and the optician there rang me back and said there was nothing that indicated any abnormalities and the flashes could just be caused by migraines (although I havent always been getting headaches with them). Also since Sunday I've had bad stomach pains (like menstrual cramp) and have felt sick a few times. I just put this down to the fact that my period is due soon but now I'm concerned it is cervical cancer as I have felt a bit sore down there!
I've had two ECGs done both came back normal apart from high heart rate, first in January was 92, the most recent one was 96! Dr said it is quite high for my age so then I started to worry I was going to have a heart attack and die. I was getting twinges in my chest. She prescribed propranalol which I have taken a few times. The last time I took it in June I didn't notice my heart pounding anymore and haven't since this week.
I have also had blood tests which the doctor has said were normal. Since I found out that my heart rate was 96, I have been quite obsessed with checking my pulse although haven't done it for a while lately.
I haven't had any other tests although I have asked if I should have them and the doctor has said not at this stage. I feel like I should have scans and more tests if only for peace of mind.
I've been seeing a counsellor and a chiropractor and I've got a CBT assessment next week.
Everyone keeps telling me its just anxiety worry and stress causing these things but I can't believe them.
I've booked another appointment with the doctor next week and another appointment with the consultant in two weeks.
The whole thing is driving me crazy and I am scared. It's having an affect on my family too. My mum and dad have been really supportive but tells me there is nothing wrong with me. There are days when I feel almost back to my old self then the next day I feel something and it starts again!
Right now I feel like I want to go to the hospital as I'm worried about my vision.
I don't know what to do anymore. It's like a vicious circle! How can I be totally sure that the physical symptoms and sensations I am feeling are just caused by worry and anxiety?
Sorry for the long post.