Anxiety symptoms??

[nofuninsuds]

Hi

I have been experiencing some very alarming "waves" of dizziness/vertigo/light-headedness/left-sided headaches for the past few weeks along with numbness in my right hand that comes and goes and it is getting progressively worse as time goes on. I am especially dizzy and out-of-balance upon awakening and have to hold onto things in order to avoid falling over. The dizziness is almost like a strange buzzing/vibration sensation in my head/brain (mostly on the left side) and can be very frightening at times. I don't want to "diagnose" myself but for years I have had a head-jerking tic as a result of my Tourette's (or whatever you would prefer to call it) and I was also involved in a serious automobile accident several years ago in which my head smashed through the windshield and caused some "cervical impaction". I don't know if these symptoms are caused by one or both of these things but I would REALLY like to have another MRI of both my head and neck as well as a full blood work-up if that is at all possible - at least to rule anything serious out and to give me some peace of mind.

My history...

* Male/44/medium build
* Alcoholic (currently sober for 3 days and am trying to quit)
* I've suffered from anxiety/panic/hypochodria/OCD, etc for 14 years
* I have Tourette's Syndrome.

I can't think of much else to say. any thoughts on this would be worth it's weight in gold to me as I am wondering if other anxiety sufferers deal with these same symptoms.

- Regards, NFIS

[Morning Glory]

I think the MRI is a good idea. It doesn't sound like typical anxiety or panic. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous too. Get in to the doctor as soon as possible. I think a trip to the Emergency Room to rule out any immediate danger would be a good idea.

[HopefulNow]

I don't want to scare you, but I had those same symptoms since I was a teenager (a long time ago) and was finally diagnosed with a fluid brain tumor (arachnoid cyst). I had surgery 21 years ago and all is well. At first they tried just treating the symptoms and I kept getting sicker & sicker until I demanded they do a CT scan (didn't have MRI's then). It was then that it was found. So, get yourself to a neurologist and get either a CT or a MRI.

[ccgirl]

I would go and get the tests done; however, headaches and numbness can be signs of anxiety. I had one sided numbness and I was convinced I had MS.
I started a thread a while back about hypochondriasis. Maybe you should check it out and see if it helps. To rule everything out though, I'd get it checked, if only for peace of mind.

[gibbonsm]

I had the very same symptoms including numbness of my lips (left side). I went to the Doctor and it turned out to be a panic attack. I was hyperventilating under stress and didn't even know it. He prescribed some Zoloft and stress release & relaxation techniques (meditation & exercise). I had only ONE more attack soon after and that's been December 2000. I would recommend consulting with your Family Physician. My guess is that you'll be fine.

Feel free to e-mail me directly if you have questions.

Warmest regards,

gibbonsm
Sugar Land, Texas

[GlassPrisoner]

Definitely get checked out by a Doctor.

That said, 3 days into De-Tox the anxiety is gonna be really bad. I was afraid to leave my house or even check the mail during the first week.