Stress Center Peer Support

Hi everyone

It would be really great if as many people as possible could answer this with their experiences and opinions because this feels like there is no point in living anymore and I feel like my life is wasting away.

I'm 22 and since I was about 16 (6 months after a relave died and my binge eating disorder began) I began to feel ill all the time. Nothing specific really, just tired, heavy, drained, drunken, spacey, dosey and with a pressure headache over my eyes.
This has continued every day since and is worse when I am tired, hungry, thirsty or hungover.

Before I had even considered anxiety I had two tests in health shops (where a metal "pen" was put in my hand and signals tested) and they said all symtoms were due to candida, a yeast overgrowth. I did an extreme diet for 3 months and spent hundreds on pills but had no change.. they told me that it may take up to a year to feel less drained and spacey. I don't have thrush problems, or anything like that...just prone to cystitis because I dont drink nearly enough water :OP I don't even really have digestion problems, apart from slight upset tummy but then again that is usually when I binge..

I eventully went to the DR and he referred me to the eating disorder service and said I have anxiety and depression. I said that I think I am this way because I alwyas feel ill. However, he said I am always ill because of my depression lol! He begged me to forget the candida, as did the psyciatrist I am seeing at the clinic. I have refused anti depressants because they make me more spacey but am having treatment for the eating problems. The candida clinic had called me sayin that the Drs say candida doesnt exist for one reason or another but mr DR didnt really deny it.. he just doesnt think I have it.

The reason I am writing this today is because I am at the end of my tether. I can barely get out of bed because of feeling this way. Im like a zombie!! Im going to Italy on sunday and Im not even excited even though I won the trip by writing the best essay in university!! I know you guys are probably not DRs but I know that like myself you must know a lot about the whole anxiety thing and its symptoms. Do you think my case sounds just like anxiety?? I am thinking of going back to the candida clinic but my family and boyfriend are begging me to to bcause they say they dont belive i have that. From what I have said does it sound like anxiety?

I dont have panic attacks but get palpitations, sometimes feel like theres a lump in my throat that feels quite scary, but not often.. and I have noticed I have begun getting scared by things I didnt before.. the dentist, flying, even being in the car with my bf driving panics me. I also have become scared of the dark I think!!? But I don't think I have anxiety.. I just know im irritable and snappy and think ppl don't like me a lot.

I guess I have always been a very self critical person and being overweight and stuff has depressed me for a long time now. I have been diagnosed with a borderline underactive thyroid.. but have no other health problems.

Can anoyone relate to this or give me some advice or reasurrance. Sorry for going on and on.. I just dn't have anyone to be this honest with and I know you guys know a lot about this stuff are going through the same things probably..

Much Love and thanks for any responses..

L x

Please stop allowing your anxiety and depression disorder to rule your life.Of course their is a reason for living. You already tried to treat candida and it didn't seem to work. Why not try and work on treating anxiety and depression. Remember life is a journey of ups and downs. You need to be positive and push yourself.

Hi Besos,

I can relate to how you feel. My 2 cents worth says you are suffering from a case of mild depression.

I don't know if you are working this program or not, however, there is a lot of material in this program that deals with depression.

You are only 22 years old and have your whole life ahead of you to look forward to, however, I would suggest making it priority #1 to shake this depressing attitude and learn to smile and enjoy each day as it comes to you.

There are a lot of tools in this program to help you and all you have to do is be willing to go through it and do it. Good luck.

Italy... how fabulous!!! Wow, I'm not quite sure how to address your post, but here goes (remember, I'm no MD either- I've just suffered occasional mild depression and chronic anxiety for 9 years).

First off, this candida thing sort of makes me laugh because my mom was convinced I had it last year- despite no thrush. I do believe in candida and there are blood/urine tests for it, but I agree with your family and boyfriend- I wouldn't waste time or $ going back. There are a lot of questionable practices out there and simply sticking someone with a pin and determining a potential health problem sounds questionable.

Some of the symptoms you describe like the lump in your throat (this is my primary symptom of anxiety) and the heart palpitations, as well as your "fears" seem like issues of anxiety to me. From my experience, all of these symptoms and feelings can create a depressive mindset.

I know you said that ssri's make you spacey and you don't want to take them (I'm not a fan either! L O N G story- pm me if you really want to know); have you considered herbal/vitamin supplements? I've posted this repeatidly (sp?), so I'm sure some are sick of reading this, but I think it's really imp.! People suffering MILD depression/anxiety frequently have vitamin/mineral defecienties (ARG- can't spell today!) such as calcium, magnesium, and most importantly, the vitamin B's. One of my relatives combats her seasonal depression with bi-monthly vitamin B shots!

Recently, my pharmacist (she's AWESOME!!!) recommended I start a daily multivitamin, B complex, and a good probiotic (called Florajen3) to help with digestive issues. I also went to the healthfood store and bought a drink called NaturalCalm that has magnesium and calcium.

I'm still on prescription meds but am slowly tapering and feel soooo much better- less fatigue, anxiety, NO depression (though this has not really been a chronic issue for me).

So here's my final advice- get informed, go back to the mainstream Dr./psych., tell him/her what you've learned, and ask to develop a plan. Also, i don't know where you live, but if these individuals are unwilling to work with you on YOUR terms, consider seeking help from a LEGITIMATE holistic practioner. Look on-line for a licenced one. In addition to my psych.and psychologist, I'm also seeing an individual for acupressure and he's worked miracles!

You might also consider the book Prescription for Natural Cures written by both an MD and an ND- VERY good info.

Best wishes- and enjoy Italy! Especially the gelato (HA!)

fischee

In my personal opinion, you definitely are suffering with anxiety and depression. I woke up on 11/10/05 feeling like I had the flu, but unfortunately it didn't go away. I felt sicker and sicker (extreme fatigue, fevers, heart flutterings, sore throat, etc.), but doctors couldn't find anything wrong. I was finally diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (the same day I lost my job). I spent the next several months in bed, and nothing was helping. I also started getting very depressed.

When this program came into my life, I discovered for the first time that anxiety was making me sick. I knew I was an anxious person, but I didn't know that it caused physical symptoms. Within a month of being on the program last fall, I was able to start working again.

I haven't regained 100% of my life back, and I still have some physical symptoms, but the process of recovery from anxiety has taken care of the majority of my problems.

If you aren't doing this program, I highly recommend it!

Well, I know how you feel.. about 7 years ago my mother out of nowhere took me to a naturopathic doctor, she just wanted to see what deficiencies I had and the doctor also told me that I had Candita. I didnt really understand what it was then and I wasnt even having any symptoms of it. So basically I just ignored it, and still, no symptoms. The dr also told me i had Estrogen dominance (very high levels of estrogen). And I am a very emotional person, but could that just be an early sign of anxiety? I pretty much ignored that as well, and was recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Both I am now being treated for. My advice would be to do what your family doctor suggests, it is he or she that knows you best. Tell him you may be suffering from anxiety and depression, and he will be able to get you some sort of treatment. It is true that anti-depressants will likely make you feel tired and sick, those are the common side effects, but they should go away after a few weeks and you may begin to feel better. I would also recommend the the program program if you can afford to do so, there is a lot of self help work you can do to make yourself feel better. And once you feel better on the inside, you will likely feel better on the outside too Anywayss, hope this helps. Good luck!
jadee

Thanks so much for your responses everyone.

I know I need to shake this and am prepared to do whatever it takes. I just need to know what to do about the symptoms because they make me feel as bad as I do when I have the flu. Has anyone else experienced feeling like they are on drugs or something? Combined with a fluey feeling and extreme tiredness? I have this sickly... pressure feeling over my eyes and have done for so many years now I feel I can't begin to make changes while I am constantly worried as to why I feel this way and why my DR just dismisses me. I went shopping today and felt like I was as ill as when I had flu. Can anyone relate to this? x

p.s. I am definately considering saving up for the full package but I dont know if they deliver to england. x

I just spent the last hour crying my eyes out because I feel so confused and alone on this. Everyne around me is becoming very impatient of me. I keep reading things online in regards to candida that seem so much like me but i dont think i could go through that diet again it drove me mad ... I just dont know what to do?

can anyone confirm that they have felt my symptoms and that my exact symptoms could be caused my mild anxiety combined with depresion? thanks x

Hi besos, I can relate to ALL of your symptoms. I struggle daily just to get out of bed. I have a constant mild headache, am dizzy all the time and feel as if I am just floating sometimes. I suffer from both anxiety and depression. I do not take any meds because like you know they make me feel worse. I have found that cutting out caffeine and sugar has really helped. The sugar is the toughest for me because that is what I always crave. You could go to a thousand doctors and I bet they would each have a a different diagnosis for you. Some days are better than others, but keep yourself busy and you won't have time to dwell on how terrible you feel. Hang in there.