What could be wrong with me?

[mylittlepony1988]

I'm really panicking. I've had low level headache since Saturday.
It's got worse today, I feel dizzy, the left side of my body feels weird and my hands and face are tingly. I don't have diarrhoea but keep needing to poo. I feel sick.
What could be wrong with me?
I'm so stressed at the moment, I'm in a job that is affecting my mental health, my mum has a drink problem, I've got 2 young kids, my uncle is dying from cancer... AIBU to go to A&E? Or should I just ride it out and call in sick tomorrow?

Migraine, vertigo, panic attack and excessive caffeine are a few things that spring to mind but I'm not a Dr.

That's a fantastic surgery, I would stick with that plan I'm your shoes.

You sound very run down and like you have bad anxiety. I've been there, it's awful, you have my sympathy. I also have to go to the toilet a lot when anxious. The cause of my anxiety turned out to be menopause (ignored for 3 years by GP as I was apparently 'too young'😡). I remember some nights at my worst not daring to sleep because I had convinced myself I was dying and I wouldn't wake up. As soon as I had been on hrt patches a few weeks, all my physical anxiety symptoms disappeared completely. It's amazing how your body can physically respond to mental issues.

Migraines come in many different varieties (bastards that they are) and headache is not the only symptom - in fact I've had ones where the headache part was pretty mild. Mine usually last 72 hours.

Obviously I'm not saying this is definitely a migraine, but please be aware that it sounds like a very realistic possibility, especially given stress/anxiety/dehydration. Certainly much, much more likely than a brain tumour!! When I read your post I immediately thought "sounds like a migraine."

I worked for 111 up until a year ago, and I'd certainly be booking you in with a GP for a callback and giving you the advice of if anything changes or gets worse to call back immediately. But given what you've said about your stressful circumstances I would think it's anxiety related. I was very surprised at some of the symptoms I had which were just anxiety when I was in a bad place.

Better to be safe than sorry though as they say so definitely get checked out. In the mean time try some breathing exercises, I know it sounds silly. But they really did help for me. Wishing you all the best and hope you feel better soon x

OP, it sounds like your under a massive amount of stress and off course anxiety that arises with it. A patient presenting these symptoms would normally justify some blood work, and also perhaps a low level dose of a benzodiazepine (subject to no contraindications). I cannot speak for your GP, but that is the route I would be looking at.
Also I feel a few days off work would be beneficial, your sleep deprived and combined with skipping good wholesome food and fluids all these things take their toll on your physical and mental wellbeing.
I always advise to write a full list when your seeing any gp. Many patients forget when in the doctors surgery, and afterwards they remember.
Good luck tomorrow I hope you have a good appointment.

Agree with this. I usually get visual disturbances (normally not zig zags or flashing lights unfortunately - they're quite interesting) and the headache, last one had hardly any headache but I felt horribly nauseous and tired. Other times I've had a numb/tingling feeling down one side of my face.

When I have a migraine my anxiety goes through the roof as well, which just makes everything feel worse.

Always worth getting checked out with those symptoms though!

Yes, could well be. I really struggle to tolerate iron tablets (occasionally disastrous results!)

I get all of those symptoms when my anxiety gets bad. Best to get checked out though to be on the safe side. Propranolol helps me loads when my anxiety gets out if control.

Thank you so much everyone for comforting me. I've booked an appointment tomorrow with my GP and I'm going to give work a miss this week. The headache isn't excruciating.. I mean I'm on my phone so it can't be.. it's just there and constant. It's the other symptoms the nausea and numbness etc that's scaring me. I can't say I've not been under massive amounts of stress though and also I've been a bit hit and miss with taking my antidepressants so maybe that hasn't helped x

If you’re not taking your antidepressants you will be having withdrawal headaches which can be really awful. You run the risk of getting serotonin syndrome which you really don’t want. Plus only drinking coffee and coke is not good for you, though I have been there myself when exhausted and just needing the caffeine and sugar to keep me going! Try and take your meds regularly and drink some water. I really hope the GP is able to support you tomorrow, it sounds like there’s a lot going on and you’re understandably overwhelmed. Good luck!

Sounds like vestibular migraine. I get them and they’re bloody terrifying. Try and sleep as much as you can and see the doctor tomorrow. I convince myself it’s a brain tumour every time I get one,they’re that horrible. Hope you’re better soon

Why are you taking high dose Vitamin D? And iron?
Did you decide yourself or did you have your bloods taken?

I have symptoms like this sometimes, but I had very low Vit D, and prone to migraines. Don’t take high dose Vit D unless you know your Vit D is low. Ask for a blood test when you visit. You sound like you are also on edge from lack of sleep, caffeine etc. Try and stop the caffeine, take care of yourself more and see if that makes a difference.

@Sidehustlequestion I've just been a bit useless at taking them, I'll take them every night for a couple of weeks and then I'll fall asleep before taking them and forget. I probably only take them twice a week or so x

@Sidehustlequestion thank you by the way :-) it maybe is an accumulation of everything I've got going on and not looking after myself. I think I'm going to have a break from work, I've been talking about leaving anyway, and then start trying to take care of myself a bit better x

@Dita73 I've just googled vestibular migraine and it does sound very similar to what I have. I always imagine migraines to be the kind of thing that puts someone to bed for a few hours and then it eases x

@WaitingforSpring24 I took it upon myself as I'm always unwell with various colds etc so thought that it might help. I've been taken a supplement called nutrihair as my hair has been shedding a lot and my iron levels are on the lower side and this has iron and biotin in. I think I'm going to stop taking them both for a few days at least though x

I used to be really rubbish at taking mine but I know make them as part of my routine. I take them every morning with a cup of coffee and they live next to the kettle so I don’t forget. This routine means I don’t forget and if I do, the headaches usually kick in about lunch time! Also, depending on what antidepressant you’re on, it’s advised not to take them in the evening as you get the serotonin burst shortly after which makes it harder to sleep so worth considering as well. I really hope you feel better soon, I’ve been there when I’m completely overwhelmed and it’s horrid but I promise it gets better. Definitely take some time from work, prioritise yourself and your health!

I called in sick and messaged my GP this morning. They called me straight back and have booked me in for this afternoon. She said it does sound strange and they just want to give me a neurological exam, if that seems ok then they're going to give me painkillers and something for the dizziness and nausea.

I've not been able to eat or barely move this morning for the nausea, and I didn't sleep much last night.

I'm massively panicking that it could be something sinister like a brain tumour or something 😢 my cousin died from one and my uncle is currently dying due to one so it always scares me so much.

I'm sat on my own with my 2 year old massively panicking

Wishing you all the very best, OP - really sorry to hear you're still feeling so ill. At least your GP surgery seem to be taking it seriously and they have a plan of action. Fingers crossed they will be able to reassure you and get to the bottom of it soon. Thinking of you.

@thank you ❤️ I'm really hoping they will reassure me rather than think it's something more sinister and will be able to give me something, especially for the nausea and the dizziness. I'm not entirely sure I'm safe to drive there but I have no choice 😞

The doctor did a full neurological exam and I have some slight weakness on my left side but other than that everything was normal. They said they weren't sure what it could be really, and if I'm no better in a week to come back, to take painkillers and drink plenty. Helpful.

I slept well last night but I've woke up still with terrible headache, the dizziness and the nausea. Also still need to go to the toilet every 10 mins.

I'm really starting to worry it could be something sinister 😞

If you're not taking your antidepressants properly this can cause these symptoms. It's good you've seen the GP did you mention missing ads?

Needing to go to the toilet every 10 minutes? Does anything come out?

@Ulysees Yes, I saw a physician associate and she went and got a GP and the first thing she asked was about my Escitalopram. I said I've been taking them sort of hit and miss for months, should come off them but I then get withdrawal affects. She's given me a lower does and said to take those for a while and then half them which would only be 2.5g so should give less withdrawal affects.

Yes! I went 7/8 times yesterday. It's not diarrah but I just need to go all the time even though I'm barely eating. It might be a separate thing but it started at the same time as the headache x

I was on citalopram. Search the threads on here about coming off it. It's not easy!

Why aren't you eating much is it because of the nausea? Maybe get some supplement drinks?