how do they tell anxiety from other illness?

[fernie3]

I first went to the doctor about 3 years ago with symptoms that he straight away put down to anxiety. He gave me an information leaflet and sent me on my way. I went back a while later and saw a different doctor who sent me to a counsellor but again that didnt help. I have had the same symptoms coming and going since then but nothing seems to help. They have not offered medication because I am apparently not bad enough but it has severely affected my life for all this time and now im wondering if there is some other kind of problem either alongside anxiety or if they have not looked enough at other option?

the main symptoms I have is firstly not being anxious - I dont worry about things I dont feel anxious when I feel unwell. I feel dizzy alot and find it hard to catch my breath but this goes on for hours at a time. I have had problems with high blood pressure both in and out of pregnancy. I have been admitted to hospital with tachycardia although they found nothing abnormal on the ecg (? is that what its called thing with lots of wires). I feel cold alot of the time even if it is not that cold, I lie next to the radiator in bed to keep warm. I have an almost constant temperature (our thermometer flashes red any time I take it even if I am not ill and everyone else who uses it has a normal temp). I am very tired easily. I get aches and pains in arms and legs and twitchy and shaking. This gets significantly worse in pregnancy.

When I was pregnant last time I saw a consultant (about blood pressure) who was concerned about all of this and the fact that in her words my eyes "are very sticky out", She did tests for thyroid problems but I was told this came back normal and apparently that just my normal eyes (great)

I know this sounds like I am being obsessive about it but I dont spend my every waking moment thinking about it its just that as I am pregnant it has been worse lately and I am considering going back again about it.
Is anxiety the only possible explanation for all of this or could there be something else? my doctor is totally convinced its anxiety and tells me to relax more which doesn't help because I feel relaxed anyway most of the time?!

does anyone else have a similar problem?

Hi fernie

It does sound a little more than just plain anxiety... the fact that you don't actually feel anxious when it is happening is a major factor in my mind. Also the BP being high.

Sticky out eyes? How rude of that Dr.!!!!

I also had tachycardia when I was admitted to hospital, I was having my pulse taken by a machine 5 times a day and it was consistently at 130!!! They thought their machine was broken and swapped it for another one.

I had an ECG but they found nothing unusual.

I would start keeping a diary of your symptoms, when they happen how long for, anything that could be triggering it etc.

Once you have more of a complete record you will have something concrete to present to them and they will have to take you seriously.

thanks I think I will go back again in the next few weeks and see what they say this time!

fernie3 - just read your post and a LOT of this I can relate to. I've had what was diagnosed with late onset PND after both of my children and BOTH times my problem was that I felt 'unwell' all the time. Dizzy, off balance, racing heart, panic attacks, grinding my teeth, neck ache, headache, pins and needles, a numb feeling in my face and hands, trip over words, couldn't get my words honestly I thought the first time I something really really wrong with me, the second time although still extremely scary I understood how my body clearly reacts to having children and both times the AD's sorted me out.

Anxiety is so much more than feeling just anxious.

Hope this helps