Posted , 12 users are following.
What if 99% of my symptoms are just anxiety. I just had a doozy of a panic attack because my eyes went blurry looking at the iPad. Then, when I looked at a printed flyer, the black and white text was jumping as if my eyes couldn't decide which color to focus on. This is such an awful way to spend each day. Is there anyone here who is suffering from symptoms who doesn't have anxiety? I am really starting to doubt my sanity.
4 likes, 25 replies
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Sassyr12a staci88515
Posted
Hi staci
I've had ocular migraines and a migraine with aura a few times. They've mostly been linked to higher levels of progesterone when I was starting out on bhrt and hrt. Have you seen a private specialist/gp? I paid privately and there were lots of options, just wondering if it would be worth a try xx
staci88515 Sassyr12a
Posted
Hi Sassy,
I have seen a gp, obgyn, neurologist, neuro-ophthalmologist and they all said migraines and no HRT. I never had an aura until two months ago. Since then, my whole life has gone to crap. I had menstrual migraines for 7/8 years, but never an aura. Now, I have 24/7 vision problems. It's like I went blind (or crazy) overnight. I honestly am so confused. Some people say it's an estrogen deficiency that causes it, others say it's estrogen dominance and low progesterone. I've read the symptoms of both and I am leaning more toward low progesterone, but I have no clue. All I know is I am tired of suffering. I can't see properly. There's no relief and I am afraid. To add insult to injury, I lose my health insurance on December 31st. I already have no income because I haven't been to work since this happened. No money, no health insurance, I never thought I'd be homeless at 43. sigh
Sassyr12a staci88515
Posted
I'm so sorry staci, you really are suffering. I know what it's like to be terrified by anxiety and all of the other health issues. I've been ill with hormones since forever, and it effects so many things that it's a really frightening way to live. Have you see an endocrinologist? Not sure what they are called elsewhere but basically a specialist of the endocrine system. Everything you have will be linked, I've also had the eye issues after my ocular migraines left me with awful floaters and general vision problems. All I can say to you love is keep going, keep searching for something to help like hypnotherapy, acupuncture, exercise, meditation... Anything to help balance and alleviate the anxiety. It's taken me at least 30 years to get answers and treatment, you just need the same miracle xx ♥
staci88515 Sassyr12a
Posted
Sassy,
It was suggested to me to see an endocrinologist. Honestly, after so many doctors and so many tests, I am discouraged. All anyone says is migraine. I can't image that every day for over two months, I am just in a state of persistent migraine, They have all dismissed me when I try to bring up hormones. And, they say my symptoms aren't the norm. So, it's insult to injury. I feel completely alone or like I am a crazy person. That's why I am starting to think it's all anxiety. Thank you so much for being kind and supportive. It truly means the world to me. I don't have anyone in my real life who has ever heard or experienced these symptoms. So, it is very lonely.
laura21869 staci88515
Posted
Yes, my eyesight has been terrible. I literally cannot see out of my contacts anymore with wearing reading glasses on top. I asked the optometrist about it and she said "may be hormonal."
staci88515 laura21869
Posted
Laura,
I wish just one of the many doctors I have seen would reassure me that my vision issues are hormonal. All I have heard is "atypical" and "unusual." It just ramps the anxiety up to high gear. Surely, I can't be the only woman they have ever seen in all their years of practice with these symptoms. Although, maybe I am the only one because I don't have any friends or co-workers who have ever heard of or experienced these symptoms. It's incredibly lonely.
Guest staci88515
Posted
Hi Staci,
I've wondered the same thing, but then I think if it were all anxiety causing the symptoms they wouldn't go away certain times of the month, wouldn't they be consistent?
I do think hormones caused my anxiety to elevate and just made everything seem bigger than they were, or maybe having so many symptoms just kept aggravating the anxiety because I was so worried I was dying from something. Either way, it was pure hell, and now I try not to let anxiety take hold anymore. When I get another weird symptom I just tell myself, it's perimeno, it's OK.
I also try not to google every stupid symptom anymore, that just causes more issues.
The Chinese acupuncturist I saw said that when a person suffers from a really bad bout of anxiety/PTSD and symptoms arise from it, it can take a very long time for the brain to reconnect and get back to normal.
XO
staci88515 Guest
Posted
Suzanne,
My symptoms (vision, anxiety, palpitations) don't go away at certain times of the months. They are 24/7 everyday. In regard to anxiety, I read a post (can't remember which forum) that said, "Don't feed the monster!" When I am super anxious, I try to say that to myself. I wish I could remember who said it so I could give them credit.
It's interesting that you mention your acupuncturist said that anxiety/PTSD take a long time to recover from. As I have mentioned ad nauseam on here (sorry ladies), I had a migraine with aura two months ago. It was so intensely scary. I had no idea what was happening to me. I truly believe I am traumatized by the event. I know it may seem silly, but I just mentally can't get over it. The uncertainty of when, where and if it will happen again is too much. I have withered under the weight of worry.
I hope I can get to a point where anxiety is no longer all consuming. Thank you for your kind words. I can't express how deeply grateful I am to the woman on this forum.
Sassyr12a staci88515
Posted
Hey staci
I'd agree about the ptsd, and I felt exactly the same after my ocular migraines I was utterly terrified. Everytime I saw a light flash or something shimmering I was rigid with fear that it was coming again. When I had the migraines with aura it was still frightening and worse because it was both eyes. You lose your confidence then and that snowballs and any blip sets you back which then strips your confidence and on it goes. I've had some seriously bizarre symptoms, illnesses and freaky outcomes as a result of my hormones and I think it's only now that it's become manageable. In the early days when the anxiety was through the roof I found that really focusing on a routine with only wellbeing in mind, helped. Not only because I spent most of my time breathing in and out like a loon, but it gave me some control. In the morning I'd walk my legs off, then breakfast, then meditation, then yoga. I started running 3 times a week and did acupuncture, acupressure, hypnotherapy and eventually I wasn't quite as scared of being scared. I'm 43 too and like you, noone gets it medically, my symptoms aren't like anyone elses and don't have anyone with the same issues so I know how you feel. It is incredibly lonely and frightening but if you can't tap into the amazing brave person you are underneath the symptoms and fears you may get some control over it, just long enough to see a little slip of light xxx