Stress Center Peer Support

I am having a difficult time knowing if what I have is anxiety or a medical issue

Each day seems to be full of symptoms. I never really feel great. I feel pretty good but I am symptomatic EVERYDAY!!!! This has been going on for eight years despite therapy, the program doctors etc... I am feeling so down and discouraged.

For the last nine months or so my worst symptoms have been dizziness/off balance/faint feeling. These feelings are so powerful that I have become a little agoraphobic I still go places and do things but I always have or want an out!

I use to go on walks with my girlfriends but now I just go to the gym. I feel as if I am always avoiding a social invitation. There are so many other things I am avoiding and it makes me so very SAD and FRUSTRATED.

I don't know what to do anymore, I want to get better so badly but nothing I do really seems to work. Why is it some people recover and others don't? And how do you know when it is anxiety and when it is medical?

THANKS!!!

Coco

(((CoCo)))

I know it is hard and I am sorry you are feeling this way. I went to the doctors and hospitals, tests, etc to the tune of over 20K. I was SO afraid that they were missing something. But how much can they do? How many more tests would appease me? How far could I have gone? When was I going to be satisfied and accept that this WAS anxiety and not some mysterious illness they were missing . I did not even believe my sister who told me the mind is much more powerful than we give it credit for . I never thought this could happen. I thought I was in control and thought I controlled it all . I mean WHY would I do this to myself? I just did not understand. I too withdrew because I did not know what was wrong and I really did not want to be with people. (depression, but I never saw that) Then I became afraid, agoraphobic and more symptoms more often. Then more doctor visits, then they do not find anything, then I swear they missed something, I worry more and get more symptoms, worry more, more doctors, think, worry, more empty results, questions, worry, thinking, which caused more intense and frequent symptoms, etc, etc, etc. I was chasing myself in circles! I really did not want meds, but ended up taking then just to get by. Well that was February several years back, and by the first of June, I had a job! I was functioning. Sure I was scared as I was not sure of myself and my ability to hold it together. I went to the bathroom when I needed a "break". But each day I got more confident. The meds helped me climb out of that pit. I felt that is what I needed because things were not improving without them. I am not a med person, even avoid taking a tylenol. I can get vicodin for my migranes, but have not taken it in several years. I know you are not a meds person but is it something maybe you would consider just to get you out of this? A bandaid and then do the program once again?

I got this program the second time I had my anxiety and depression. Yes reluctantly but after much thought and consideration I went back on meds. I am glad I did. I was able to get to a level place, do the program and am off all anxiety and depression meds. Have been off Zoloft almost a year and klonopin since June 2006. The only med I take is Armour Thyroid, which is a natural thyroid hormone. For me I feel without the meds I would not have been in a place to really concentrate on the program for it to be effective. Zoloft and Klonopin were a bandaid for me in order to start the healing, but family and friend support, my therapist, EMDR, the program, prayer, other books, Bible study group, just a whole menagere of things contributed to my healing.

I know you have been trying SO hard and you so deserve to feel awesome. I know it is scary when you cannot deciphere what is anxiety and what is a medical issue. If you have not had a medical once over in some time, maybe now is the time! Write everything down, talk to you MD about your concerns. Be honest. Get everything checked, rule things out, get a piece of mind. From there positive self talk yourself, when those health anxiety questions creep in, do a mental 180 an tell yourself that you were checked and all was well, this is anxiety, you know what it is and how to handle anxious scary thoughts. I know feeling dizzy/off balance can be scary. If you can, get yourself to a chair and try to comfort yourself. Comfort yourself as you would comfort your children in that reassuring, loving mom manner. I know you can get better. I never thought I would. I was just TERRIFIED of symptoms. I was terrified of the ER too. I never thought it would end, never. I thought that this was more powerful than me. I gave it all way too much credit, feared it like the boogey man, thought when was the next bad stomach pains attack going to occur, the pounding heart, the sweats, etc. I already was looking for it, dreading it, fearing it, keep it all alive in my mind. I had to learn to just let it go, live and let live, let it do its thing, comfort myself and believe that I was going to survive it.You will too! I know you will! Much happiness to you!

You are an amazing woman and an amazing human being Your post brought tears to my eyes and really touched my heart!!!

Thank you for understanding me and not criticizing me. Some people think one has not tried hard enough or does not really want to get better. That is not the case, it has been a difficult journey to recovery but your words were very powerful and comforting!!!

Thank you for taking the time to reach out, it means the world to me. I really needed some advice and encouragement and I found it in your words.

Thank you so much, you are a positive force on this site.

Coco

Hi Coco. It's just anxiety. Dizzy/offbalanced/lightheadedness was my main symptom. It feels like the world is off balanced and nothing you do can make you comfortable. You feel a shift all of the time and sometimes when you are just standing you feel like you need to hold onto the wall to keep from toppling over. I could even close my eyes and feel like I was moving. It was the worse thing i've ever felt. I had it for almost 16 years. You have to get the program if you don't already have it. The way to get rid of lightheadness is not to be afraid of it. It's like any body symptom, it feeds on fear. It needs fear to survive. Once you are not afraid of it anymore it starts going away. But to get rid of the fear you have to practice your positive self talk and just decide that this is not going to hurt you, which is true, and that you are just not going to be afraid of it anymore. This sounds strange but it works.

I hope this helps.

Take care. DeeDee.

It almost seem that I wrote your post! I had a really bad stomach ache followed by hours in the bathroom (sweating and nearly passing out), then I had it again a few months later, then again and again more frequently. Got all the tests you can image and you know it...the doctors found nothing wrong.

This caused me to be anxious of going out, so agoraphobia set in. What if it happens when I'm not at home, when someone is visiting me at home. The thought of having to go out is enough to cause a panic attack.

The program has helped me so much. The 'what if' section is awesome. I tell myself that 'if' anything does happen, if the painfull symptoms occur, then I will deal with it. We can't go on missing out. We only get one chance at this thing called life. What if nothing happens and we missed out on a great day. If it happens, then it happens, we come home and suffer the pain but I tell myself that I can't stay home all the time, scared. If it happens once a week, then I missed out on the 6 other days, just because I was scared.

I know what you are living. It's really hard, but we have the program, we have the community and we have the will and strenghth to get through these 'episodes'.

I think the recovery comes with the doing. Make sure you get all the tests needed to know it's not medical, and if that's the case, then pratice the program.

You can do it.

No CoCo, YOU are amazing! You NEVER have given up and keep trying for yourself. You keep going and I admire that about you. I know you try SO very hard and offer help to so many others. Keep going CoCo! I know you will find peace from this. I know you have worked the program and have tried so many other avenues. Your family life sounds very supportive and understanding and that I know from my family that can keep us in a keep going mode.

I can remember that vacation you took, you said you had a GREAT time. Can you remember what was different about then from now? Are you under pressure with kids, husband, work, community obligations, volunteer work? Maybe too much of a perfectionist? (that was MY issue!) Too much people pleasing (me!), trying to be everything to everyone (me!)? I think your body may be trying to tell you to step back, slow down. Our bodies are really amazing and getting dizzy can be one way your body is telling you to chill for a bit.

I know you have done so many things in addition to this program. I know you are and have been trying.

Have your tried to completely change your diet? I read in a couple books that some people do not have food allergies but reactions to the food they consume. Hidden Food Allergies: The Essential Guide to Uncovering Hidden Food Allergies-and Achieving Permanent Relief (Paperback)
by James Braly (Author), Patrick Holford (Author) <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Food-Aller ... 180&sr=8-8" TARGET=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Food-Aller ... &sr=8-8</A>

I never realized that this could be a culprit. Sure sugar and caffeine are the obvious ones. Maybe they have this book at the library?

Maybe there is something in your home that is making you feel this way. My sister got a new couch, and of course with a 19 year old cat and 2 labs she got the fabric stain protector package. She was so weak, lost her appetite, felt down...once she left home she felt great. She never put the 2 together until my husband caught that. We got new carpet in our other house and I felt tired, weak and run down. We all are affected differently and some people can be more sensitive than others too. Yes that new car smell really is NOT good either. Can make you feel SO very sick.

I hope you do feel better! Keep going CoCo! You are a very inspirational person to me because you DO keep trying!

I want to thank all three of you for reaching out and offering such sound advice and encouragement.

It is amazing what we have all gone through. Dee Dee, to have the dizziness for 16 years........... unbelievable!!! Thanks Linda, the time we waste worrying and not just doing, we really do miss out on so much. As you said the healing comes from the doing, I do believe that. I push myself all the time and there is so much that I do do, however many times I am white knuckling it because I feel sooo bad ie.dizzy, off balance, etc... Funny thing is despite it all, I am still a happy person, I appreciate all the little things life has to offer and I have become an even more compassionate person then I was before.

As far as food allergies, I have often wondered. Would it be best to go get tested by my doctor or should I get the book you suggested? I think a test would be easier then trial and error. Also my husband and I are in the middle of building a new house and I have my concerns about all the products we will be bringing into the new home!!!! we are trying to go green to some degree but still.......one never knows!!! Big YIKES!!!

What I do know is I am slightly anemic, I have low blood pressure, low blood sugar and I am 45 so my hormones are a little off. I don't really feel that anxious I just don't feel very good.....off. Oh well, I will continue to work at my recovery and pray everyday for healing.

Again I thank all of you for reaching out and taking the time to help me!!!

xoxo

Coco

CoCo,

I would read the book, borrow it from the library if you can. Having the information will empower you as a patient to ask questions and advocate for yourself and your health. After reading the book, there may be some things that are obvious that you can change on your own or may raise a red flag that may not have been raised. In any case it will make you aware of things, things that maybe you would never take into consideration. Knowledge IS power! Keep us updated.