Is this anxiety?

[Hannah2199]

I've been feeling light headed and dizzy on and off for about a year now. First time was in a shop, felt like I was going to pass out my feet felt like they didn't belong to me if that makes sense. Managed to get back to the car with my baby and call OH. Doctor said it doesn't seem to be blood pressure or heart related and unless im having these symptoms everyday then theres nothing they can do.

Recently I've noticed my heart rate is faster and I'm often shaky when I feel light headed and I've been getting headaches.

Could this be anxiety?? I've not felt particularly panicky or anything.

Is there anything I can do about it? In the past if I've felt light headed I've had something to eat and drink which hasn't really helped but I've continued with this as I've not known what else to do. I know exercise and more sleep etc are recommended but all this has gone out the window with 3 young kids at home, nevermind lockdown on top of this.

Is there anything I can do immediately when I feel like this, that could help straightaway? Instead of reaching for food? Rather than a long term exercise plan for example. I've tried taking deep breaths etc but it hasn't really helped the light headed feeling

Thank you for reading

hypoglycemia?

I thought so previously but doctors said it's not diabetes or anything related to blood sugar

So you could be dizzy/lightheaded, shaky, sweaty, and like you're going to pass out, and it could be happening every other day, and your doctor has no suggestions? See a different doctor. Apart from anything else, what if you're driving when it happens? It could be dangerous.

I have no advice but I posted the same thing yesterday so just know you're not alone x

Should say that's the worst times, other times I dont feel like I'll pass out, just very light headed.

Doctors and NHS not really happening at the moment due to the lockdown.

Do you feel "off balance" at all? does sound a bit like anaemia, I first had it when i was 13/14 i would feel dizzy/light headed and off balance, also like i was walking sideways sometimes if that makes sense? since then i have had it on and off for years! maybe worth speaking to a different doctor.

Could it be a type of vertigo?

www.schoen-clinic.com/dizziness#:~:text=Staggering%20vertigo%20conveys%20the%20feeling,down%20like%20in%20an%20elevator.

GP said its neither of these things - anemia and vertigo.

So people think not anxiety then?

I think it is hun x

Sorry to hear you feel the same, frustrating isn't it!

Could be pots???

Has your GP taken any blood tests to rule physical health causes out? If not I’d be pushing for these, in the past I felt breathless and anxious with no cause for anxiety and was found to have low vitamin b12 levels.

A brilliant website I know of is called getselfhelp.co.uk, it’s based around CBT principles and may help you to identify if you are experiencing anxiety. Another good way of seeing if your symptoms are caused by anxiety is to think back to what was happening when you have been feeling unwell and to see if you were having any thoughts that could be triggering feelings of anxiety at that time.

Hope this helps x

I have situational anxiety but not horrendously. The first thing I’d ask is to ask yourself if you can see anything related to each time this has happened? Any trigger?

Anxiety is a funny beast. I don’t have classic symptoms either but I clearly understand my trigger so I can employ techniques to help. Classic one is to stop - listen to 3 things, see 3 things, hear 3 things. Repeat until you are calmer.

Anxiety is a bastard and I hope you are okay. It’s so prolific if that’s what it is you are not alone.

Thanks everyone. I'll try the website and other suggestions.

Yes had blood tests done last year (for a different health issue - all came back fine). I generally eat a healthy(ish) diet so hopefully vitamins are not the issue.

I'll look into the anxiety techniques. Thanks

Are you avoiding salt in your diet? Cousin had similar symptoms...heart racing...referred to a consultant and was advised to increase salt ...that lots of people faint and feel their heart race when they lie down at night coz of low iodine levels!

Sodium levels I mean

It doesn't sound much like anxiety to me tbh.
I think you need to press for further investigation for a physical cause.

Did your blood test last year include B12? Vitamins don't seem to be routinely tested so it's worth double checking. My DD has suffered from dizziness which isn't blood pressure related but her B12 was low so now on supplements and it's improving.

Thanks everyone. Think I'm getting enough salt and vitamins (take multi vitamin etc).

Had a think about when I feel worse of the past couple of days.....not sure if any of this is related though....

Think I feel worse when my kids are all demanding things. For example yesterday, DD wants a drink, DS wants help with school work, I'm trying to cook the dinner, meanwhile the baby is getting everything out the cupboards, then the phone rings, then DD wants something else etc etc.

Also yesterday felt worse when trying g to go out of the house eg having to pack 1000 things to leave the house with kids (the usual stuff), knowing how to drive there, where to park, will I have money for parking, will the baby cry in the car etc.

So basically, everyday life in a large family.... I dont think im usually worrying too much about these things, (or perhaps I'm thinking a tiny bit about a large range of things?) but it's more the physical wierd feeling I get thats bothering me. Lack of sleep isn't helping either.

Hi Hannah. I have been experiencing similar. But feeling a knotty stomach too. It's horrible.i am only just accepting I'm struggling with it. I feel like I want to take on so much more but my body refuses. I waste so many hours "not feeling right"

How are u feeling OP?

So I'm a Google about everything type woman, I have a 1 year old and my biggest problem is PURE MUMMY GUILT! I have spent most of the morning crying thinking I've not done enough or what if he gets taken away from me (I'm not meaning social services, I've lost 3 parents and best friend in the space of one year) so I mean if anything happened to him I know 100% u wouldn't be here anymore, I know 100% I couldn't keep going. I'm not an attention seeker, this is the first I've spoke about anything like this. In all honesty I feel lost, and that petrifys me as a mother. I have never even had time to process my feelings. Single mum, dad not in picture 100%, it's all my decisions and that scares the absolute crap out me! But I'm sailing it. What's gonna give? When is something amazing gonna be taken from me again? Why do I feel not good enough to deserve this beautiful boy, I'm even trying to hold back the tears so he doesn't see me upset. I basically have now been forced to deal with these thoughts and address them. I need to know I'm not the only one feeling like this. Love to all x