Well, the stress of the job has finally gotten to me. The other day, I was (standing up) talking to someone and started to feel like I was going to fall over. The room was spinning, I couldn't get words out of my mouth, I started sweating, and I had to sit down immediately. About 5 minutes later, I let my office team know that I needed some air (I went to stand outside), but I told them that if they saw me fall over, to call 9-1-1 because I thought I might pass out. I made it through the day (I drank a ton of water and got a lot of fresh air by doing yard duty). The next day, I had a couple of dizzy spells (one when I was showering and another during a meeting). Today, I'm fine. My partner attributes 100% of this to anxiety/stress. He is a RN and has seen people come to the ER with these symptoms. I was sweating, had a fast heart rate, and felt like passing out. No chest pain and no nausea. Never in my life have I experienced this. Worst feeling ever. I am not one to complain, either, so for me to tell my secretaries, boss, and partner that I was having these symptoms says a LOT! Hoping to get myself out of this! Anxiety is real!
Stress is no joke! It is serious business. Please get yourself to a doctor for a full work-up. Get the bloodwork. Get the tests. It is important, because YOU are important. Stress has a way of causing medical issues, but more often, exacerbating medical problems you didn't even know you had. If you ignore it too long, it can get out of a control. Please look after yourself, because nobody else is going to do it! Sending good thoughts and prayers your way!
I agree. Get a checkup. There are many things that could cause your symptoms, not just stress. Please keep us posted!
It does sound exactly like an anxiety attack. I am sorry that you are under so much stress. I think people who get anxiety attacks are usually the type that do not whine or complain. They tend to hold more inside. If you catch it now ( early on), you can nip it in the bud. It will get a lot worse if you wait. Learn about them, how to decrease and prevent them. I am not 1 who would want to go to a counselor, but if you are inclined, it could help. ( I know all of the counselors here. lol) You can learn a lot about them on the internet. I have known several people who have used Lucinda Basset's program. I will try to find a link for you. Also, you might want to do a physical too w/ a medical dr just to be on the safe side. http://www.lucindabassett-truthbetold.com/store/attacking-anxiety-and-depression-program/ If you are just now starting to have them for the 1st x in your life, please try to take some time, take care of yourself, and restart w/ a counselor or a program.
Sounds like anxiety, but it also sounds like my inner ear problems when I get the spins and sweats and panic from having the spins and not being able to stand. My panic comes from the symptom, not the initial symptom comes from panic. Luckily, I don't get these inner ear disturbances often, but when I do, they are horrible. There have been times I have been down for days and other where it comes and goes. No, it is not anxiety in my case. So, yes, it could be stress, but it could be many other things.
Let me chime in with a2z and strongly urge you to get to a doctor. There really are a lot of things out there that can cause your symptoms, and anxiety is only one of them. I am sure that you would like to have all of the information so that you can do the right things going forward.
YTG, I would also advise you to see your doctor to discuss. It could very well be stress, but we all know it’s not easy to decrease job related stress in our field. I did not follow my own advice last year, and suffered from a stress-induced pseudo seizure the first week of summer break this last summer. It was a huge wake up call for me, but not an experience I would wish on anyone else.
It’s so much easier to give advice on self-care than to follow it, isn’t it? I struggle with this too. I always know what to say when others ask for advice, but it’s a “do what I say, not what I do” sort of thing. YTG, I hope you are okay mentally and physically. Get some rest and take as much of a break as you can.
Not to negate your partner's diagnosis, but your symptoms reminded me of when I experience low blood glucose, and the difficulty speaking is also a sign of other more serious situations. I agree with the above, a PCP might be a worthwhile second opinion, just to be sure. Hope you are feeling better very soon! Another quick thought. Years ago, NutraSweet seemed to cause me to start to fall down. The problem ended when I stopped the diet sodas. A few years ago I read that MSG is similar to NutraSweet in its actions on brain functioning. It's possible that your situation might be linked to something in your diet, especially since MSG is sneaked into foods and relabeled as something else.
I was going to say that the symptoms may be the onset of type 2 diabetes. It can really sneak up on you. I'm glad you are going to your PCP. He can rule out so many things.
My husband had the same issues. He thought he was having heart problems. I took him to the ER and they couldn't find any issues. They gave him a pill for anxiety and he said that helped.
Just be careful at your exam that you don't try to lead the doctor to a diagnosis since you already have people telling you what it is.
Could be stress, could be something else, but - as you are already doing it - should get it checked out. For me, the way it works is that when stressful times are finally over, that's when it all comes out.
Two months later: all testing is finally complete. I’ve had extensive tests done with both a neurologist and a cardiologist (in addition to a gamut of labs to eliminate everything else). There is absolutely nothing wrong with me. The only good thing that came out of all the appointments I’ve had is that I got prescribed a new migraine medication (it’s a once a month injection as opposed to daily medication). It’s been a game changer. The doctors can’t confirm that what I experienced was indeed a panic attack, but it sure does sound like it, unfortunately.
This is wonderful news. I am elated to hear that you are perfectly healthy. That IS something to be thankful for as I would rather it not be something than for it to be some potentially serious condition. I’m also very glad to hear that your migraine headaches seem to be lessening in severity. Be well.
I had wondered, but figured you'd tell if you wanted. I am glad to hear that you checked out healthy. Also, it is great you got a better migraine med. Take care!
OP, if you would be so kind, could you share about the new migraine medication? I, too, suffer probably every other day, sometimes more. I have seen ads, but don't actually know anyone on the injectable med. I am up middle of the night, again, because of migraine, and this one comes with all of the symptoms. I was just sitting in front of my computer with the lights out, to give my husband a break from the tossing and moaning, and decided to bring up this site. I will simply call it fortuitous. I see some red lines in my post, but not up to editing. Info appreciated. Thanks.
I'm happy to hear you are healthy. It may have been a panic attack, but it may also have been something that was a rare or one time event based on something that was going on at the time such as dehydration, a virus, etc. Hopefully these incidents do not continue. But if they do, the good news is you have everything else out of the way. Sorry to hear about your migraines. Happy to hear the new meds are helping. I'm sorry to Vickilyn too. Migraines are awful. I used to have them all of the time.
It’s called Emgality. In order for my neurologist to get it approved by my insurance, though, we had to show that I’ve tried several other medications over the years.
Proof of former treatments I have in spades. Thank you for sharing, and let me wish you continued improved health.
During the 4 months I was a VP, I lost 20 pounds and developed tachycardia from stress. My therapist said I was presenting symptoms of PSTD. Be careful, Make sure you eat. I found that visiting classrooms helped relax, but that might have just been me.
Rain, I went to reply on your most recent post and it told me that I had insufficient privileges to reply. I tried it about 10x. All I know to do is reply here. I even have insufficient privileges to start a conversation. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
YTG- Sorry for above post! I could not figure out another way to let Rain know I had seen her post. Stress like that can pop up especially when we get run down and tired. It helps to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. I know how hard that is to do though. I am finally at a point in life that I have a bedtime and keep it. My head is on the pillow at 9 no matter what on weeknights. I have had times where I am just plain not hungry or felt too busy to eat. I force myself to make time M-F. I still can't get it together on wkends when it comes to eating right though. I hope that doesn't happen again to you.
