ECR917

Hi Ally, You and I sound very similar. As a child, I did not have any anxiety but I did have some OCD behaviors. When I was 17, I was in a serious car accident. I almost died. I needed two blood transfusions, broke both of my arms and both of my legs, I needed fluid drained from knee and got such a bad infection in my left broken arm that they almost had to take it off. I was in the hospital for a month and spent the next year in physical therapy. It was during this time that my anxiety began. It started with mini panic attacks but got progressively worse. I will never forget the first big panic attack I had. I was still in my wheelchair and couldn't even move! Luckily, I started to walk again and the only lingering affects are occasional pain in the areas where I have metal rods and plates and the inability to lift anything heavy with my left arm. Fast forward 15 years, and my anxiety is worse than it has ever been. Mine tends to come in the form of health anxiety, but depression, GAD and OCD are also prevalent. I kept it all in check for many years until my medication stopped working. Since then, it's been a battle trying to find the right medication for me, as well as going to therapy. My therapist says even though the accident was so many years ago, it's the underlying problem that has set off all of my mental health disorders. Are you currently on medication and/or going to therapy? I know medication is not for everyone, which is completely understandable. But for me, I know I will need to be one for the rest of my life. Therapy is a help for many though. It really helps to dig down to the root of your issues and face them head on. Also, you have to keep in mind that the accident happened and unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to change the past. But, there are things you can do going forward to help you out. (There is hope). As for family, I only have one person (my cousin) with any issues anywhere close to mine. Hers are not even as bad as mine, but it helps to be able to talk to her. Sometimes when we talk, we end up having a laugh at how irrational our fears sound. Do you have someone close to you, a friend or family member, who can relate?

Thanks for your kind words!! I had the MRI and I received the results on Friday. My brain is perfectly fine, no abnormalities whatsoever, not even any "shadows". They also did a cervical spine MRI and found degenerative discs in three separate locations, which is probably what is causing me to get tingling and headaches. It may sound odd to others, but I was actually happy that I have degenerative disc problems rather than MS, brain tumors, or any other problems in the brain!

Yay, I am sooo happy your results came back normal. Greedy doctors ugh!!

I agree with cbhaga. Cholesterol and thyroid issues are easily treatable and 6 months is wayyyyy too short of a time to have some major liver problem. I have had elevated liver enzymes for years. IF, and that is a big IF, that is a problem, don't freak out. Certain medications, bad diet and a zillion other reasons can cause elevated liver enzymes. My doctor did a scan and found I have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, more than likely caused by excess weight and some of my medications. It is a totally controllable and even reversible condition. Remain calm and see what the doctor says. Some doctors won't post results before having a chance to explain to the patient what the results mean. You may see them and think there is some major problem when it in reality, it turns out to be a very very small problem.

I have. Unfortunately, it seems none of the facilities in my area have them

Actually, that was all really, really helpful. I like the idea of picturing myself on a train and I guess I just have to prepare myself for the anxiety that will come. Thanks so much!!

Hey all. I hope someone can give me some guidance here. For the past few weeks, I have been having on and off tingling in my left, dizziness, and slight nausea. My pdoc, (who I am thinking of not seeing anymore) got me worked up saying these could be signs of MS, as my mother suffers from it. At any rate, I went to my primary care doctor, who really believes it is all anxiety (which I have very severely). But, she wants to ease my mind so is sending me for a cervical MRI and MRI on the brain. The problem is, I am extremely, extremely claustrophobic. The one time I attempted to have an MRI done, I had to get out of the machine within 10 seconds and I walked out of the building. My doctor wrote me an rx for Valium to take before the procedure. After walking out of her office, I remembered I had a bad reaction to Valium years ago when a pdoc prescribed for me. So, to anyone who has had an MRI done before, are there any medicinal alternatives I could try beforehand? Does anyone have any tips on how I can get through this without freaking out? Any help is greatly appreciated

I have to add that my anxiety is definitely wayyyyyy worse about a week before my period. It has something to do with hormone fluctuations. Try having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, my hormones are already out of whack and it makes the anxiety crazy high!!

Fun, I have something very similar on my arm. I have shown my dermatologist twice and she explained what it is. I cannot remember what the name of it is, but basically I had a bug bite, pimple or something that opened up and rather than the skin healing flat, it healed as a bump. Seeing as you had a problem there, I am betting it is the same thing. I would not be worried.

How about your hormone levels, such as testosterone? You can have PCOS without having ovarian cysts. If you definitely don't have it, there are a myriad of reasons for lack of period, the majority of which are not serious.

Hi nervousnellie. I have suffered from missed periods since I was 15 years old (I am 32 now). It sounds like you have been through this in the past as well. Have you ever been checked for ovarian cysts or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I suffer from the condition and before I started taking medication, I would get my period on time for a few months and then go literally 6 months without one!

The gurgling, back pain and "hollow" sound have all happened to me and I have IBS. That could be it.

I have IBS-D and I get mucus in my stool from time to time. I know people who do not even have IBS and get it sometimes. I would not stress over that!

The worst for me are the commercials for the c****r Treatment Centers of America. As soon as it comes on, I change the channel.

I was on Paxil for GAD and PTSD for 6 years. For the past few months, it kind of stopped working. So, my doctor switch me over to Zoloft. She had me go from 30 mg of Paxil to 20mg for 3 days, then down to 10 mg for 3 days, and then stop. I started Zoloft that next day. Well, that was Tuesday (when I stopped the Paxil) and Wednesday when I began the Zoloft. I felt fine Wednesday, but Thursday, I started getting those lovely "brain zaps", dizziness, and nausea. Each day, these symptoms are getting worse. I cannot even function right now, they are so bad. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to lessen these symptoms? I know they will go away in time, but I need to be able to function in the meantime. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!