Light headed and shaky.... could it be stress??

[Toothache]

Over the weekend I've started to feel really lightheaded and shaky. It feels like I've not eaten and my blood sugar is really low! But it doesn't go away when I eat.

I am constantly feeling like I've just hyperventilated or drank too much coffee!

If anybody here has asthma then you might be able to relate to this: It feels like I've OD'd on my inhaled!
And last week at work I had heart palpitations for a good couple of hours. It really freaked me out.

Could this be stress related? I'm very stressed at the moment and can't sleep. I haven't slept a full night in over a week.

Don't know whether I need to go the GP or not. I'm just so wound up at the moment. I'm worrying sick about everything.

it could be. i have been the same over the last week.

Message withdrawn

I can feel like that too if I am stressed. I would go and see the doctor as its not going to help worrying about how you feel physically as well, get it checked out then you can concentrate on sorting out the cause of the stress.

Could be a virus and with the stress its really making you feel quite odd......have you lost weight or anything.

I get this could you have low blood pressure? Mine was so low even when I was preg my midwife said if it was any lower I'd be on the floor

I don't know if I have low blood sugar levels but I find that eating a choc bar helps as it's a very quick sugar rush. Sometimes I get the shakes so bad it shows

Tashxx

I think it's stress - I've been really, really stressed recently and had quite a lot of runs of palpitations. Also dizziness and lightheadedness but it is helped by eating.

Is everything OK Toothache, what are you stressed about?

Thanks folks.

Eating doesn't help which is why I'm getting worried about it. Normally when I feel like this I know what it is:

1. Not eaten for a while
2. Drank too much coffee
3. Too many puffs of my inhaler

None of these apply.

I'm really stressing about my house buying. Everything seems to be going ok, but I cannot get it out of my head and I can't sleep.

I'm worrying sick about how much money its going to cost us to move! I just hadn't thought it would be as much as it is. AND we have a holiday to pay for before the end of February..... and Christmas. I know we will manage, but I just CAN'T relax.

I have started reading into every single little niggle/ache/pain and worry that something is seriously wrong with me.

Its incredible and overwhelming just how much this can affect me physically and mentally.

I can't take time off due to financial pressure.... I'm a Contractor and don't get paid for time off. I feel like things are slipping out of my control, but there not!!!

Toothache - I would definitely think its stress! Been there, done that etc. I get just the same when I'm really, really stressed (which is far too frequent unfortunately). I too think every niggle is a serious illness at these times. Find only way to combat the lightheadedness is to lie down for a while, if I keep my head down (ie anything other than sitting or standing really) then it does lessen. House buying IS VERY STRESSFUL - I know we're in the same position. Of course our telling you not to worry will have no effect but at least if you know what it is its easier to get through I think.

Toothache -it's stress deffo. I'm in a similar position to you hence the stress. Our house has been on the market 16 months with no offer but we moved to our new house in Jan - majorly expensive!

I'm freelance so I can't afford to turn down work, especially with 2 mortgages on the go, Christmas and, like you, a holiday to pay for in March (oh, and the new kitchen we put in the old house to try and sell it!) - OTOH, I'm working like a loon taking on more work than I can really be coping with!

99% of the time I'm ok, we are not in dire straits, we can afford the position we are in even though we'd obviously be better out of it, but the fact that I'm so tired from working compounds the stress I have about when the blooming house will sell!! Hence palpitations - especially at night when things always seem worse. I'm waking up and, bing, it's there in my head and I can't get back to sleep.

I don't know what to suggest, I feel better for talking it all through with dh and reminding myself that it's all OK, not ideal but not a disaster. Other than that, i'm just getting on with it and hopefully the house will sell soon!

Isn't moving house in the top 3 most stressful life experiences?

deffo stress

didnt you take some homeopathic stuff a while back - you could try that again?

Enid - I'm crap at homeopathic stuff, do you know what would help?

Dh has this occasionally. He's now been referred to a cardiologist as so far, they can't find a reason for it.

could be tiredness as well... sounds horrible.
my friend had been referred to a neurologist because she was having a lot of MS symptoms, it turned out to be due to tiredness (one of her kids is a dreadful sleeper).
Sounds like you're having a very stressful time at the moment, no wonder it's affecting you.
Regarding the sleeping problems I recommend White HorseChestnut Bach flower remedy - it helped me get some sleep when we were having a very stressful and upsetting time re. dd2's health.

Thanks again everyone.

I used to take Sepia for my PND. I have had some of my Bachs Rescue Remedy today, but TBH I still feel like I'm climbing the walls.

The only solution I think is to get all the house buying over and done with! But we don't move in until 27th Jan.

sorry that message was really aimed at toothy.

but I also went to a homeopath a while back with stress related symptoms.

You really need to see a specialist as they 'tailor' make a remedy esp for you and your personality type - mine was:

Calcarea carbonica: This remedy is usually indicated for dependable, solid people who become overwhelmed from physical illness or too much work and start to fear a breakdown. Their thoughts can be muddled and confused when tired, which adds to the anxiety. Worry and bad news may agitate them, and a nagging dread of disaster (to themselves or others) may develop. Fear of heights and claustrophobia are also common. A person who needs this remedy is often chilly and sluggish, has a craving for sweets, and is easily fatigued.

but this sounds good for toothy:
Arsenicum album: People who are deeply anxious about their health, and extremely concerned with order and security, often benefit from this remedy. Obsessive about small details and very neat, they may feel a desperate need to be in control of everything. Panic attacks often occur around midnight or the very early hours of the morning. The person may feel exhausted yet still be restless?fidgeting, pacing, and anxiously moving from place to place. These people may also have digestive problems or asthma attacks accompanied by anxiety.

I know, I just thought I'd ask

Toothache. Poor you. I can so identify with the stress you are obviously under.
The symptoms you are suffering sound as if stress might be the cause. At times of worry, we tend not to eat or drink regularly. This would give rise to feelings of shakiness and dizziness. Even though you say you eat, you should eat at regular intervals to keep your blood sugars steady. Subconscious rapid breathing can make the giddiness worse.

we bought a house last year and I felt constant stress throughout the whole process. It was fraught with problems and by the time we were nearing exchange and completion, I felt completely out of control, almost to the point of having panic attacks. It was awful at the time. Luckily I have a good dh that kept everything in perspective even when things were grim.

Anyway, I haven't answered your problem but just wanted to let you know that I can relate to your stress. Keep your chin up. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you house buying is successful and that you will soon be anxiety-free!!

gdg I would really recommend making an appointment to see a homeopath directly - yes its expensive and it doesnt seem worth the trouble but they can do wonders with stress.

its pretty obvious you have lots of stressors in your life - three kids, jobs, house sale though. Just keep telling yuourself you will get through it.

I would really recommend a homeopath or acupuncture though.

Passaflora is good for stress - health food shops will stock it - also help with your sleep problems

Enid - That sounds perfect!! Thank you.

Jalopy - Another problem is that everything is in my name so DH can't really help. He's hopeless with stuff like this and sometimes I think he just thinks all the legal stuff just sorts itself out. He has nothing to do with our finances coz he's so bloody irresponsible. So it really does all rest on my shoulders. When I talk to DH about it he thinks I'm just being melodramatic. He geniunely doesn't put any importance on how I'm feeling about all this.

Thanks Enid - sorry, I shouldn't try to crash someone elses thread anyway!!

That must place even more stress on you, toothache. It's bad enough when two are sharing the problem. Keep strong.

I'm sitting here at work right now..... trying to run reports for a meeting at 3.30pm..... my heart is pounding, my head is buzzing and my chest feels really tight!!!

How can I calm down NOW before I run out the door screaming????

tell yourself that what you are experiencing is totally normal

your body is telling you it is exhausted and had enough

tell it to wait! and that sometime tonight you will have a calm bath with lavender and go to bed early

Thanks Enid, but even if I did go to bed early..... I'd just be lying awake worrying about stuff.

I would take something to help me sleep, but DH is working until 11.30pm tonight so I've got to be on the ball for the kids. Dd has a really bad cold just now and keeps almost coughing herself sick. I'm up and down checking on her too.