Anxiety: bouts of nervousness, dry flushing and nausea

Why don't you call Mayo, tell them and see if they feel they need to move up your schedule. Good that you already have had a good workup already.
By experience, at this age, I go GIRL! Getting to the problem quickly, solves the problems. Not waiting and worrying. Call them and let them decide?
We never want to bother the scheduler, but your quality of life is at stake, not the scheduler's life. Same age female and a third generation Mayo patient for 23 years. I believe in Mayo and their system but we are responsible to be our own ADVOCATES, otherwise, how can they be so GOOD?

Hi, @annedodrill44. I'd also like to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sounds like these "spells" you have been experiencing are really bothersome. I do agree with @AgentDarien that it would be perfectly reasonable to request moving up your Mayo appointment so this might be addressed sooner for you.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information that may be useful for you:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961 (on anxiety)
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/nausea/basics/definition/sym-20050736 (on nausea)

I'd like to introduce you to a few members on Connect who have mentioned some of the symptoms you've had, in hopes they might provide some insight on the flushing, nervousness/anxiety and nausea you've experienced. @epvb, @defeatedsteph, @gailb, @tresjur, @oldkarl, @cdcc, @jimhd, @peach414144 and @kdubois.

Is there anything else you could share about the time that this first came on , for example, did you start or stop taking any medicines, change your diet or exercise routine?

@annedodrill44 Anne, I agree that you should request to be moved up in the Mayo schedule. Make sure they know what you are facing. These spells you are having do seem to be low sugar spells, but after the workup you have had, probably not that. But they could be related to the pancreas anyhow. My sister had spells like these, and they turned out to be Multiple Myeloma. There are so many things that can cause them, as Lisa said. But do request a move up. Another possibility, since you are already a Mayo patient, you can ask if there are other tests that your local doctor/lab can order before you go to Mayo.

@annedodrill44 I also welcome you to Mayo Connect. We are here to help each other through our experiences with situations that may be similar to yours and relating what worked or didn't work in resolving or helping things improve.

I have symptoms similar to yours that turned out to be panic attacks, and anxiety attacks. I don't know if you've had your tyroid checked, but if not, I recommend that. One time when I was having the same symptoms, it turned out that my Synthroid medication was too strong for what I needed. It was causing my anxiety. Other times, I have truly had anxiety to the point of panic. These sessions lasted 20 minutes or so, and I felt as if I might be going crazy. If i was in any store, where this happened often, I would have to leave, hoping I didn't show signs of what was going on with me. I figured if anyone noticed, nurses would come in white coats, put me on a gurney and take me to a mental hospital.

I basically treated myself during those years by reading Born to Win, Women as Winners, Your Erroneous Zones, and other self-help books at the time. I was in a therapy/counseling group at the time, but was even afraid to tell them about my "sessions". I endured the anxiety most of my life, but learned how to meditate and relax, and did Yoga over the years, which all relieved the symptoms most of the time. Certain situations were impossible for me to control my fear in, such as flying, being in "breath - taking" views of valleys, bridges, heights in general. I would literally get nauseated and my heart pounded out of control. I learned that a small dose, 1 mg, of Lorazepam would help calm my anxiety when it was out of relaxation control. I didn't like taking it, but needed it in order to fly. Then about 10 years ago I saw a friend of mine who was always high strung in the grocery store. She was very relaxed and happy and very different from the person I had known. I asked her what she was doing in her life that had made her change so dramatically. She told she had been put on antidepressants and they had changed her life. I made an appointment with my doctor and asked for antidepressants telling him my long experiences and my lifetime of abuse, neglect, etc. He prescribed Citalopram, 20 mg to start. After 2 weeks, i began to feel the difference in my anxiety. I am still taking 40 mg of Citalopram and I am so thankful for it. My irrational fears and anxieties are gone and I am free to live my life.

Everyone is different and what worked for me in my situation may or may not work for others. You may not even have "anxiety" issues. I hope you will be assertive in pursuing an earlier appointment with Mayo. At our age, quality of what's left of our lives is very important.

Warm regards,
Gail
Volunteer Mentor

Hi Gail @gailb

I agree with you Gail, we all need to find the right kind of support, activities and meds to free ourselves from the past. It is important to be proactive in finding those solutions. Often exercise, yoga tai-chi, therapy are all important!

Teresa

I am delighted how quickly I’ve made friends on Mayo Connect. I so appreciate the support and advice from all of you, and believe me I’m taking it all to heart.
A bit more background: I’ve been on Synthroid since 1979. Seems to be working for me as my TSH is normal. I truly cannot attribute these symptoms I’m experiencing to time of day, food or meds, or change in lifestyle. One thing is certain, if I’m unduly stressed, the symptoms appear quickly. However, I am not one to blame everything on nerves and will pursue all avenues before being convinced that’s the culprit.
I, too, suffered from panic attacks years ago, so I’m familiar with the fight-or-flight feelings. This is different — although all my current symptoms do appear under “Anxiety Disorders”! Guess I’ll soon find out!
Thank you all again for your kindness in responding to my post. I’ll keep you posted on any findings! Lets stay in touch here — it’s so helpful!

Hi @annedodrill44, have you started any new medications lately or around the timeframe when these symptoms started?

Anxiety seems a way of life. I roll with them and do the best I can. Any one dealing with the symptoms of anxiety understands how frightening these bouts can be. Can leave one fearful of asking for help and merely dealing. It is good to have things checked out and go from there.
The messages from our past can be a heavy load to carry. Hard to know the difference between anxiety and a physical problem and oft those with anxiety give up getting any answers. Once the word anxiety hits the chart most cease to listen. Hope this does not happen to everyone seeking answers.

I'm so glad you found a medication that works for you! I suffer with depression and anxiety as well. My symptoms are worse in the morning and then again late evenings. Was yours this way? I've just started Wellbutrin about a week ago. I'm wondering if anyone has had success with it. I appreciate your comment about the thyroid as this could be my problem. Seeing my dr soon. Thanks for sharing and I hope today is a blessed one.

I’ve seeked a psychiatrist to help me I can’t live like this. I’m on a very low dose of Ativan because mornings damn near kill me. I hate being around people for fear of it hitting and them looking at me like what the bells wrong with you. Anxiety, panic and depression is not fun and a hard way of living