1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Anxiety Disorders

Is this really anxiety??? or B12 or MS???

Posted , 5 users are following.

mary90940
mary90940

I am hoping someone can help me out with debilitating symptoms that have been going on for almost 2 years. Just some general info about myself: F, 26 years, normal weight, vegetarian for 20 years. I'll try to keep the story short but there is a lot to explain, so here goes nothing...

My health problems started in the beginning of 2016 where I would feel off balance/dizzy mainly when walking which got worse when I would try to look around a lot. The feeling exactly how I felt is difficult to describe but included feelings of swaying, sometimes caught by surprise of my own movement, weak legs etc. Went to the doctor, did some usual tests and blood tests (whole blood count, iron, thyroid, liver, kidney etc.) and everything came back clear, but slight tachycardia at the time (90 bpm rest or so) so I was sent for heart tests (echo, stress test, ecg's, 24 h Holter) but nothing was found so my heart was cleared at the time. I should mention here that I did mention being a vegetarian and questioning my B12 levels, so these were checked too, but the doctor diagnosed them as being fine (which turned out to be a misdiagnosis 6 months later, at levels of 189...).

Time went on, about 6 months of walking around with these symptoms, when things really got worse and I would feel very faint at times, super unbalanced when walking, very anxious, sweating a lot and chest tightness. Revisited the doctor, all the tests again were fine, except my B12 which dropped to 98 at the time. Was put on oral cyanocobalamin (4mg/day for 2 weeks and from then on 1mg/day).

Despite having B12 medication things regarding my balance remained the same or got worse at days. I think it is during this time of all the worrying that I also developed an anxiety/panic disorder. Brought myself 3 times to the ER thinking something was massively wrong, because of my off balance feelings, extreme feelings of being uncomfortable in my chest (very warm, tight, heart palpitations often happening after lunch). ER did the usual tests and found nothing but high heart rate which was attributed to it being a panic attack. 

That brings us to now, where I am seeing a psychiatrist for my anxiety disorder, but I believe there is a medical underlying condition that is not detected yet. During the last year I got too scared to work out thinking my balance got worse. Recently though I forced myself to go back to run 5k's which I loved doing before all of this happened. And this is when I got surprised: When I run I don't notice ANY of the symptoms. My body feels strong and I am able to pull of a 5k in about 26 mins, which is pretty decent for me considering I have not worked out in about 10 years. However, as soon also here when I am done with the run and start walking again this horrible off balance feeling is back! I can't stand this any longer. The off balance feelings I feel are always there but the severity degree is very dependent on the day or time of the day. Usually a lot worse towards the end of the day and also in the weekend which are often accompanied with some weird eye strain/headache. Also seems that when I have had bad anxiety/an attack it takes a toll on my balance that requires a couple days to go back to more normal levels, truth is the balance issues are always there in some degree or another.

I am just hoping to find answers to what could be going on. Could it be permanent damage from my B12 deficiency, of course also scared of MS or some other undiagnosed disease or could it really all be part of my anxiety disorder. Are there any of you that can find themselves in these symptoms/have any tips/advice? 

I'd greatly appreciate any input as it seems I can't enjoy life like I used to and want my old normal carefree life back...

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • mimibrenda
    mimibrenda mary90940

    Posted

    Hi Mary, Unfortunately, anxiety and panic attacks can do all sorts of things to our minds and bodies. I have suffered with anixety and depression for almost 3 years now. It has been non-stop. I do not suffer with the dizziness like you, though. I have seen countless people on here that have that same complaint, however. Also the chest tightness, etc.. I would recommend keeping up the work with your psychiatrist. I am on meds, I do group therapy once a week, and I also see a psychiatrist once a month. It all helps some, but unfortunately not enough yet. We will keep trying though, won't we. Hang in there.

    • mary90940
      mary90940 mimibrenda

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing your experiences. How is the therapy/psychiatrist working for you? For me I feel like it is going very slow and I very rapidly fall back in my old habits of thinking when I haven't had an appointment (have one every month). Take care x

    • mimibrenda
      mimibrenda mary90940

      Posted

      Hi Mary, I like my therapy. I just wish I had more time with my psychiatrist. There are so many thoughts that I want to get out and I don't have enough time. I have not had group therapy for the past 2 weeks. One week because my therapist was gone and then last week, they were closed because of Veteran's Day. I am really missing it. I need to talk about things that are happening in my life. 

  • alison88042
    alison88042 mary90940

    Posted

    Hi Mary, you don’t know how good it is to read your note because you’ve described exactly how I feel, except with mine, the fast heart rate Andy palpitATIOns came before the dizziness. At times I feel like I’m goung to faint but haven’t yet. I’ve had countless tests (heart and brain) and both have been fine except for finding I have ectopic (missed beats) every now and then.  I have had patches where I’ve felt better for a bit but now this has all come back with a vengeance. I’m having tests for reflux because I too get a fast heart rate after eating , especially at night and this is all interfering with my ability to fall asleep. I’m not sure there is an underlying health issue since I have felt better at times, but the little voice in my head nags away at times and makes me think this is possible.  Would love to know how you get on. 
    • Gass
      Gass alison88042

      Posted

      facing the same problems since 2015 and it get worst when i go to a mall or a movie...
    • mary90940
      mary90940 alison88042

      Posted

      Hi Alison

      In one way good to hear someone is experiencing the same, but on the other hand I wish upon no one this horrible feeling! You are right for me I also had heart palpitations before everything started, but now the off balance feelings have been there always, with or without palps. Do you have that too? I also feel like fainting or just my legs giving up on me all the time, though it hasn't happened yet. How do you feel when you exercise? I also sometimes wake up in the night and check my pulse and freak out because of this awful feeling. I have not had a brain MRI or other test but think I might need to... Hope you get better x

  • alison88042
    alison88042 mary90940

    Posted

    Hi Mary, when I exercise I sometimes get palpitations but run through them (it’s worse if I lift weights, I seem to get more then). Like you though if I’ve exercised in the day, that night I feel awful (fast heart rate, dizzy etc). I feel ‘lightheaded/drunk’ most of the time at the moment, and it gets worse after I’ve been on a train or in a lift (but the doctor says it’s not motion sickness). I also get the feeling that my blood pressure has suddenly dropped and my legs feel weak. I’ve not fainted yet either though. I’m failry sure any mri will not reveal anything (mine didn’t) and the consultant put my symptoms down to being ‘over sensitised’. Do you also find it hard to breathe normally at times. Sometimes for me it just doesn’t feel natural and feels forced and the more I concentrate on trying to breathe properly, the worse it is! Anxiety sucks! 
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.