Hey guys,
I am a 27 year old from Sydney, Australia. I have had the worst year of my life. Kicked off last Sep 1st with an Epic panic attack. Felt a shift in my head - like a liquid type movement....next thing u know i couldn't breathe and because I have a history of Asthma I thought it was a full fledged asthma attack.
I hyperventilated and it lasted for about 25mins...
Doc said my lungs were clear and no sign of asthma. He said, it was just a panic attack... he said it will wear off after a few days...
So a few days went by... and I only felt worse...
a few weeks went by and the fear only grew rapidly....
a numbness of sorts yet I was aware of all the symptoms...
The tingling, the chest pain, the disconnect from my body, almost as if someone is controlling my body and I am watching it from a distance.
months went by and the symtoms increased.. hives on my arms, tired, lethargic.. debilitating.
Work became too much and 2 weeks ago I had to quit a job that I worked so hard to get. I have 3 young children and can barely look after them.
I have spurts of good times - say 3/4 hours every 2 or 3 days... but they are over shadowed by the torment, distress and extreme tiredness that follows.
Current Symptoms (some of the earlier mentioned symptoms have stopped, making way for far worse symptoms / with a higher pain/discomfort rating) -
- Dizzyness that at times makes me bump into things
- Pressure that builds up in my head then releases in my right arm and I can see spasms/twitches as it releases...
- Pressure that builds up in my right shoulder/neck and releases in my right arm and I can see spasms/twitches as it releases...
- Tongue is constantly pressing against my left part of my lower teeth. This hasn't stopped for about 6 months. There are teeth marks on my tongue.
- Sharp pain from pressure build up in my back
- Disconnect from my family and friends. I was once so social and outgoing. Now I rather lie in bed all day. (I don't because I know it's bad. But I feel like doing it)
- When I go to the toilet, it's always uncomfortable doing a number 2. Doesn't feel normal
Medical tests -
- ECG - RESULTS OK
- CT SCAN (had a panic attack whilst doing it) - RESULTS OK
- Chest XRAY - RESULTS OK
- Renal Ultrasound - RESULTS OK
- Neck / Shoulder Ultrasound - RESULTS OK
- Bloods - Tested pretty much everything - RESULTS OK
Psychologist seems to think the pressure in nervous energy building up and releasing.. He thinks it's a good think - but it hurts!
I didn't want to take anti-depressants because I was too scared too.... But now i'm currently on Pristiq - have been for about 3-4 weeks.
The anxiousness has settled a bit but the symptoms/pressure has only increased - but It was increasing even withing the meds so i don't think it's a side effect....
HAS ANYONE HAD SIMILAR SYMPTOMS - Pressure in head and feeling it release? Even when in a relaxed state (like right now i am relaxed but am feeling it)
Only time i don't feel it is when I am really busy like organizing something or playing sports etc.