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Is it anxiety or am I really having a stroke?

Posted , 26 users are following.

ryan6803
ryan6803

Hello,

I am an 18 year old student, currently in my first year of study. I am very new to this anxiety business, only discovering what it felt like just 2 weeks ago when I had my first ever panic attack. I have only ever had this one, but since it has happened i have done nothing but worry that it will happen again or something far worse. I havent left my house now in 4 weeks because of my fears, causing me to put on a lot of weight - which then goes on to make me feel even worse that my health is rapidly deteriorating.

At first it was a heart attack. That was my primary fear above all else. Now that fear has subsided, I no longer feel chest pains or have difficulty breathing. Now its a stroke. Every day i sit infront of a mirror to see if my face is beginning to drop, and feel that both of my cheek muscles are level and equally firm. A tingling sensation occurs only in one half of my face, which also burns much hotter than the other half. Is it a stroke? Or a mini stroke?

My mum thinks im being stupid, she acts like its all in my head. But how can something that is not real be so painful? How can i be dizzy for no reason? I am generally a rational person, so i find it hard to believe that this is all in my head, but it is what i have been told from numberous sources. Its becoming hard to keep grasp of reality, having to constantly deny what I believe to be the only thing that is real. I have forgotten what it is like to be me.

I have gone to the doctor, they have given me Propranolol, 80mg. It really doesnt help. Also they hhave started me on a PMT course, but whenever i listen to the tracks my symptoms get worse. Im starting to get very fed up of it all, losing my friends, my girlfriend - i mean no one wants to appear weak in front of their partner. Dropping far too behind in uni..

I have contemplated suicide.. once or twice. Id rather if I was going to have a stroke or a heart attack it would just get on with it, and let me go back to the way i was.

Please, if you find the time to read this - for which i am grateful - let me know this isnt real, that it is just in my head.

Thank you.

3 likes, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • felicia49477
    felicia49477 ryan6803

    Posted

    Ryan6803,

    Trust me I know the feeling. Just the other day I had a panic attack while I was on the highway and I thought that I was having a stroke. My face was feeling numb and the more I read about the symptoms the more I panic and thought that was happening to me. I thank God that I was able to get to the hospital . My heart rate was up but when they did an EKG on me it read normal. I was put on Lorazapam 1mg and I must admit that it helped with the anixety. I don't like to be dependent on any kind of drugs but I'm like if it helps me get passed the stress and anxiety then I'm all for it. But I want to encourage you to pray and face your fears. Don't let this thing stop you from living and fulfilling your dreams. I'm also a student. I have been in school for 5 years graduating with my Master's right now. I have thought about quitting but never gave in to the thought. I noticed for me I have cut off the people and things that make me stress out to the max and keep me down. I realize that I don't want to live in fear or panic attacks so I have to change my circumstances.

  • carol20979
    carol20979 ryan6803

    Posted

    Hi Ryan I know this is going to sound really new age. but have you tried tapping? It is based on accupuncture  priciples it is safe is not drugs and it actually works for me.If you are interested go to You Tube and check it out can't hurt you and it just might help Hugs coming your way
  • natashaloo
    natashaloo ryan6803

    Posted

    Hi everyone . Please could you help . I'm 26 female . I've always been worried about something bad is going to happen since I had my little girl 6 years ago etc but I always managed to pull my self together. But this January I gave birth to my baby boy :-( he was born with wings ( stillborn ) I've been suffering with depression and anxiety bad since then . I've been put on sertialine 50mg and now on 200mg. I'm worrying I've got cancer and that's coursed my baby to die. I had a lump feeling in the throat got the all clear. It was just grief globus sensation . That made me feel better . I've had my mouth burning etc etc .now I'm getting the tingling feeling on my right side of my jaw/chin area but it's only when I touch that part of the face or if my jacket etc touches it. Also sends a weird sentation into a few of my teeth . I'm so worried about it . Has anyone else experienced it I have it all the time for the past month .Also few days ago I had my weave removed ( hair extensions) I was itching my neck area behind my ear hair line .found a lump . I went doctors they said it's fine keep an eye on it. But really I'm so scared . Sorry you all may think I'm a drama queen. But my life has really changed . I'm grieving for my baby and also grieving for the strong/bubbly/caring person I use to be. I use to be able to pull my self together . Just can't do it anymore :-( I wish no one had to suffer with anxiety/depression or anyone have to have experience the loss of a child . I hope you all are ok and getting on the right tracks xxx
  • lisa17052
    lisa17052 ryan6803

    Posted

    Hi Ryan,

    I see it's been over a year since you've posted this; hope you're doing well. I cannot tell you how much this is helping me cope with my health anxiety right now. I finally fell asleep and when I woke up an hr later my left shoulder was numb and the left side of my face started getting numb. So right away I thought I was having a stroke or a heart attack was coming on. Rationally- I'm sure I may have slept on it wrong, but I cannot help but worry I may be having a heart attack or stroke.

    Here I am on the computer at 3am in the morning looking for symptoms on stroke and I came upon this forum. Right now, I keep smiling and lifting up my arms. It seems odd that I keep expecting for my left arm to droop or my smile to be cruced, but it's been over 2 hours and nothing has happened.

    It's been 2 years since my first anxiety attack and I'm still coping with it.  I went to the er 6 times in 2013 before an ER doctor finally introduced me to "anxiety/ panic attacks". I saw a counselor and my doctor put me on Celexa. It helped me stop having anxiety attacks but it also gave me suicidal feelings so the doctor took me off right away. I have come a long way, and am having less anxiety/panic attacks. But, they still occur and if it's a really bad night like tonight I take lorazepam and self talk out of irrational thoughts.

    My attacks usually happen at night before I fall asleep. All the fears of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer enter my mind and I start worrying. But, When I do eventually fall asleep and wake up with no heart attack or stroke then I know it's all psycological.  

    I'm so thankful I found this forum cause here at home no one understands what I'm battling with in my mind. When I read your story, I felt a sense of comfort that I'm not battling it alone. Thank you so much for sharing. 

  • Guest
    Guest ryan6803

    Posted

    Hey Ryan I know this is a year later but just wanted to fill in incase you still follow this thread or having reoccurring panic/anxiety attacks.

    Its funny because I've been through exactly the same as you I'm 18 years old now, about two years ago I had my first real panic attack, I started to think I was having a heart attack and after a few doctor visits I finally convinced myself I was healthy until one day I became very lightheaded most likely from dehydration, but I didn't think of it but I thought I was having a stroke, and even to today I still have thoughts that I might have one, mostly when I have a sinus cold and such. I still have spirals into depression and contemplated suicide before but I'm able to control all those panic attacks now, you just need to keep yourself occupied, think that all your stroke and heart attack "symptoms" are just you freaking out and not real, and maybe find a natural suppliments for anxiety at your store, or maybe talk to a doctor and see if you can get a prescription for panic attacks or anxiety like Xanax or prozac (I don't advise prozac personally it made me feel like I wasn't in reality like dream state and it had a nasty withdrawal feeling, but some people have positive expierences/changes mentally) hope some of this helps!

    Take care -Alex

  • elena56762
    elena56762 ryan6803

    Posted

    Hello ryan im 38 and i feel ur pain i myself suffer from panix anxiety it has took over my life for 6months i miss myself too i feel num all day in my neck and jaw im always scared and i now have high blood pressure i take nothing for my anxiety do to where i live doctors are only focusing on my pressure which i think is caused by anxiety i always think im having a stroke or heart attack everyday i miss my friends and i dont work anymore i was a.asst.manager now i do nothing but hold my neck and pray for a.miracle every day i feel ur pain the feeling of missing urself is absolutely crazy i know what ur going though i will pray for you everyday god is good and i agree with u when u say its more then in ur head
    • leahandrea
      leahandrea elena56762

      Posted

      I totally feel your pain. I'm in the same boat. It's really scary. I'm so focused on my fears of having already had a mini TIA stroke that I'm freaking out over every little feeling I have. It's awful.
  • laura50037
    laura50037 ryan6803

    Posted

    I am in the same boat and its hard i feel my partner judges me for what ive become.
  • laura50037
    laura50037 ryan6803

    Posted

    I am in the same boat and its hard i feel my partner judges me for what ive become.
  • leahandrea
    leahandrea ryan6803

    Posted

    I had a really scary episode yesterday and I'm scared. I honestly don't think it was a panic attack. I haven't had a full blown panic attack for a long time now. I was driving my 15yo daughter to school, we were at the light and I had a weird pain in my thumb do I started pushing on it and decided to take ibuprofen, but I started feeling strange and went into a full fledged freak out. I felt like I was going to die. I pulled off the road and into a parking lot freaking out. I was screaming call 911!! Something is wrong with me! I got out of the car and there was a man coming out the a building so I told him what was going on. My tongue and roof of my mouth went completely numb. I was in a total freak out. I ended up going to urgent care with my aunt who is a nurse for over 35 years now. They ran an ekg and it came out normal, but the dr who was extremely young by the way suggested I go to ER to rule out a stroke or heart attack, but my aunt said she didn't think I needed to and that since he was young and was very by the textbook. He didn't seem to know anything about anxiety. Either way, now I'm freaking out thinking I might have had a TIA stroke and it's just a matter of time before I have another or a full on stroke. I've been googling symptoms and completely obsessing over this. I'm so scared.
    • Anxious_Nick
      Anxious_Nick leahandrea

      Posted

      I know that this was several months ago, but what ever came of this? Did you follow up with a doctor to discuss the symptoms? My guess (as well as my hope) is that what you experienced was the product of your anxiety. I also have been having fears of a stroke/TIA for about three days now. I mainly have numbness in my face, mostly on the left side......and like always, I'm ANXIOUS about it. *nervous laughter* 

      Be well, 

      Nick 

  • judyocosanchez
    judyocosanchez ryan6803

    Posted

    Hi Ryan,

    I know this is too late but I am having the same symptoms that you have. But thanks for opening this topic, its been a huge help. It made me calm that I am not alone in this situation. I hope you are ok now.  I hope you are feeling better now and I also hope I will be soon.... because this is making me crazyyyy....  hehehe smile

    take care..

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