OK I am being brave and posting here, please help me, I don't know what to do.

[changednameforthispost]

Took a lot of courage to post.

I really need some advice, I am not feeling too good at the moment. Started about 2 months ago, I had a few family issues that proved stressful, and it all got a bit much for me and I started having panic attacks, dizzy heads and headaches. I went to the doctor who put me on beta blockers and other pills to stop the dizziness, I felt a bit better taking the pills, but not great, In the next 6 weeks I was practically at the doctors every week, some times getting myself into such a tissy that I took emergency appointments as I really did think I was going crazy, all the time re-assured it was likely to be nthing serious as of my age etc etc, then 2 weeks ago doctor told me to come back in 2 weeks if no change. But the thing is for the past 6 days I have had a terrible headache, it starts at the side of my head (halfway between neck & ear) and because i cant get it out of my mind by the end of the day its turned into a full blown stress headache.

When I mentioned the headaches before doctor didn't seem to be concerned as she looked through my notes and unfortunately as I had severe PND that dragged on for years and years (and which stage I was at the doctors pretty much every week with a new ailment) I guess they don't take things that seriously.

I don't know if I am stressed/down and thats what is causing the headaches or that there is something wrong and its being missed. I have had headaches in the past but never for this long and only when I was suffering from PND

Sorr if I have ranted on, but I have a doctors appointment next wednesday, and starting to freak out that the weekend is coming and all I am going to do is sit round and obsess about my headache

Poor you.
Can you ask your GP to refer you for counselling?
I'm not a doctor, but I get headaches when I'm under pressure. It could be caused by you unconciously clenching the muscles in your jaw.
Do you use any relaxation techniques, or maybe you could ask your GP next time?
I hope I'm not belittling your problems by answering, but I didn't want you to be unanswered.

Try not to stress too much. MN here for you

Can you get to a chiropracter? It SOUNDS like a stress headache. I got really bad migraines just before Xmas from stress and really found that the chiropracter helped.

Are you drinking enough water? Could be dehydrated.

hi no of course your not belittling them.

All suggestions gratefully appreciated.

Are you still taking the pills? I think you should go straight back to dr and insist you are dealt with properly. There must be a reason for the headache.
Have you tried st johns wort at all for the depression? Works well for some people. Also I started taking omega 3 tablets after getting really hornonal and grumpy and feel it has helped loads.

And what about posting in health about this too?
You can get all this sorted you know. You are anxious. You probably need a few things. Eat well, do some yoga/ breathing excercises...you could even have a headache because you could be breathing fast and shallow with anxiety. Breath. Breath slowly. Don't worry what the dr thinks.( change dr if neccessary.)

thanks I will go back to the doctors.

Its just I worry what is causing the headaches and I worry, I just don't know what comes first, am I worrying because I have a headache, or the heac ache is caused by worry.

i empathise so much. and well done for posting here. it CAN take a lot of guts. MN can be wonderful for support and advice. it's a great tool, use it! (often too! no one will think you're whinging, if they do, send 'em to me!)

it definitely sounds like stress has gotten you into this as a start. have you spoke to your HV? and asking for counselling with your GP is a good idea too.

what do you do to relax? its important to NOT overlook this. you need time to clear your head and calm down. (and if you drink tea, coffee, alcohol; even if it might be tough, try to cut back and replace with water and herbal teas.)

i know its a lot easier said than done, but making an effort is what helps. you didnt rant at all. if you arent satisfied with what your GP is doing for you, tell them and if you cant do that, take someone to the appt. with you who CAN. (that's nothing to be afraid of, GPs are people too.) or change GPs.

hugs

Dear changemyanmedforthis post,

It sounds as if you are are very stressed. As some other girls have said according to your symptoms description you are having stress headaches given the tension on you jaw.

I would recommend you to have moments to yourself and have a lovely warm bath, drink a cup of tea and think of lovely things.

Another thing would be getting seen by a Craneal Ostheopath... they are very very very good at sorting out this kind of tension headaches.

It also seems that you are a bit hyponcodriack or suffering from mild panic attacks. Can you talk to someone everytime that it happens so it takes your mind away.

Feeling for you!

It defo sounds like a stress headache to me. Would also defo advise a cranial osteopath - those people are magicians.

Also, have you thought about the medication you are taking? I am in no way belittling what you are going through or modern medicine, but are the pills masking what is really happening? Are there otherways to address the panic attacks, dizziness and headaches? There is defo a need for medications, but sometimes they mask what is really happening and you don't get to the root of the problem, IYSWIM.

Take care and I hope you feel better soon xx

lots of great advice and reassurance.

I love mumsnet for this very reason.

I came on this morning feeling all panicky, my throat felt as though it was closing up, and I feel so much better.

I have tried SJW and I had terrible side effects, so stopped talking them. Will try omega 3 though.

I will try and proper relax.

I have bought a yoga dvd, and have a hypnotherapy stress cd, hopefully they will come in the post today.

Think I will take Dh with me to the doctors when I go back next week, and I always feel strong, but as soon as I walk into the doctors I feel like a naugthy schoolgirl, this is no reflection on the doctor who is actually really nice, just of the way I beat myself up.

Oh poor you. I've been here quite a few years back and it was horrible as I had no idea what was going on.

If I get tension headaches I take Syndol, which you can buy over the counter and Boots do their own, cheaper version. If you're going to try them take one as they can knock you out. They won't solve the problem, but they would just take away the headache and then you can deal a bit better with what is causing them.

I found a relaxation tape really, really helpful and I also went on a stress management course and learnt relaxation techniques.

One of them is to check your posture as you walk through a doorway. I am terrible for hunching my shoulders and clenching my jaw when I'm stressed, so I always check those.

Just sitting and doing proper, deep breathing is another. Or pinching your nose shut and breathing in through one nostril and out through the other.

Oh and I used to find mornings were the worst. I go to work with that panicky feeling and by the afternoon would be thinking "what was that all about".

Dh just come back with Syndol, I will ive that a try along with my cd this afternoon.

Thanks for all your help/advice

Hi, I too have suffered from panic attacks and tension headaches. The panics are absolutely terrifying and you feel as if you are losing your mind don't you? I found counselling the answer as I was able to admit that I wasn't superwoman without 'burdening' a friend or relation - I cried all the way through my first session. The tension headaches I beat through regular exercise (jogging for me) and giving myself a head/shoulder massage every night before doing relaxation exercises. I still do it now when things get 'on top'.
Good luck kid - you are not alone!

Definately need to get this sorted asap.

I have had my bath and relaxed and did my relaxation cd, my whole body felt totally relaxed apart from the place in my head that starts the head ache. I have managed to convince myself its something serious and even been going through how my family will cope without me.

I feel so pathetic and scared all rolled into one. I want to cry.

A trick I've used before is to clench my jaw and neck muscles really tightly and hold for several seconds, then suddenly relax them.
I find if I do this a few times I can recognise the relaxed feeling in them.
How about a damp flannel in the freezer for a while, then putting it across your eyes while listening to your relaxation tape or lying in a bath.
Lavender oil on a cloth near my bed helps me relax for sleeping.
Hope you have a better weekend, MN here for you.
Big Hugs in the meantime

Thanks macdog

Hi - try googling "No More Panic". It's a website for people who suffer panic attacks, anxiety and depression. They have a forum where you can post as well. I suffer from panic attacks and health anxiety (which stemmed from PND) and I have found this website and forum fabulous for talking to others who understand.
I'll just check out the website and post the address here for you.

And here it is www.nomorepanic.co.uk/

thanks for that I will have a look.

How are you feeling now?

thanks for asking

very up and down. I can spend lots of time relaxing and doing exercises, but that little naggling doubt is always there ready to strike.

i am sure I would feel better with a few good nights sleep, but cant see to sleep as thats the time I think the most and because its dark, I think nonsence, so I have been sleeping with telly on and booted Dh into the spare room .

Sending you a hug - I know how miserable all this is as I go through it too from time to time (thankfully much less now than before).
Night times are the worst.

I have been to the doctors who have given me amitriptyline to try and help me sleep, also are waiting for an appointment with a neurologist which scares me.

taken it for 3 days now, sleeping better, but panic attacks are coming more frequent and more severe.

I am so down, I want to cry and even more convinced I have something wrong

I have never felt this down/low in my life

Oh I've been there. When I had PND I had a headache that lasted 3 months I was at the doctors constantly about it and all the other symptoms. They kept telling me PND and I used to get in such a state thinking they weren't taking me seriously and that they were missing a serious illness. I remember the panicky feeling too, it's just awful.