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I feel like I'm dying
i am a healthy (I thought) 43 year old female. 2 weeks ago I was at work. Stood up. Got this pulled muscle sensation in my back around my bra strap area. I then proceeded to have chest pain, shortness of breath, flushed, sensation of hot liquid seeping out into my chest, dizziness, and numb and tingly all over my body. I felt like I was gonna pass out or die. I was rushed to the ER. After several tests, and an overnight stay, they discharged me the next day with Synthroid (thyroid just a tad low) and Flexeril for my back pain. I still had the shortness of breath. But they assured me my heart and lungs were fine. Did not do any x-rays or anything for my back. The next day I was pretty much laid out at home due to the flexeril. The following day, I decided to go back to work. Got up, took a shower, then I started having all the same symptoms as before. I had my son take me to the ER again. They did several tests, said my heart and lungs were fine. The doctor diagnosed me with GERD, and sent me home with Prilosec. I took Prilosec for 4 days, then my PCP had me try Protonix, which by the way, both of these gave me horrible side effects (confusion, delirium-hallucinations) and were not helping my stomach pain and nausea. So, she started me on Zantac, which worked wonders the first couple of days, but seems to have worn off now too. Also, after numerous testing, doctor said my Vitamin D was low, was 11, and should be between 30-80. So I started taking Vitamin D3--400 units. 2 weeks later, I have been to the ER three times, had an endoscopy just yesterday (doctor said everything looked fine, but sending off stomach sample for biopsy). Still taking Zantac, and Vitamin D. Trying to eat more foods rich in Vitamin D and calcium. I continue to have nausea, stomach pains, body very weak, losing weight, diarrhea, dizziness, flushed and feel like passing out. I can't sleep, and feel very dehydrated. Every morning I feel like I'm dying with these symptoms. It feels as though it hurts from deep inside my muscles or bones, even my joints in my fingers and elbows hurt. Closer to noon, I feel a little better, try to eat a little something, then it starts all over around 9 or 10 in the evening, and keeping me up all night. I WAS TOTALLY FINE UNTIL 2 WEEKS AGO, THEN ALL THIS STARTED HAPPENING. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE? I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I FEEL LIKE I'M JUST GONNA SHRIVEL UP AND DIE.
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@danny24 a few years ago I went to see a psychologist or psychiatrist - can’t remember which, but it was at a Mental Health Centre. He gave me cognitive behaviour therapy and tried to teach me some breathing exercises too but try as I might I couldn’t get it so he suggested I go into relaxation therapy. I told him I had applied to a Relaxation Therapy Centre and was on the waiting list but was told by the Centre I was unlikely to get in before six months. Well, he said that is too long to wait, then he picked up the phone, called the centre - on the Friday - and had me started on the Monday following! Once I learned relaxation and breathing techniques there I gave up the sublingual Ativan my physician had prescribed and have not needed any other medication. I have not had a panic attack since - although I have been close to having one sometimes, but with cognitive behaviour and the breathing exercises I learned I have been able to control an attack.
I'd get spiritual, and that doesn't mean calling in a psychiatrist.
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2 ReactionsI hope you got better and you'll have to tell me how. I just am experiencing most of what you are. I'm 43 yr old female. But I am obese. I'm at ER and nothing is wrong they say. I'm breathlessness, I passed out 3x in 2 days. Chest and stomach pain. All over body pain in joints and muscles.nausea vomiting, dizzy, itchy skin everywhere,have breathlessness, feel like my heart hurts. I almost passed out in ER after cat scan. Lady revived me with an alcohol swab. Semi blurry vision. Heavy limbs. Constipation. High pressure but they weren't concerned. Normal EKG. I'm so confused and stressed out. I feel like I'm dying, I have so many symptoms. I'm so miserable. I can't sleep, haven't slept in 3days. I'm worried about hallucinating. I have mental illness, buty panic attacks feel much different than this. I need relief and fast as this is no quality of life. I can't eat, sleep, I'm so uncomfortable and so much pain. I'm beside myself. There's nothing they can do. I'm wondering about psychosis, but I'm not hallucinating, yet. As I have hallucinated before from lack of sleep. But I didn't hallucinate physical symptoms. I can't live like this.
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1 ReactionYou seem to be suffering from General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) but only a mental health professional can diagnose this definitively, and can provide you with the right course of treatment.
In the meantime, perhaps these breathing exercises will help …? In my experience, mindful breathing exercise have helped more than any medication, but I am only speaking for myself. The mentsl health professional I saw recommended learning proper breathing, so not all health professionals push medications.
https://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/simple-techniques-for-relief-from-fear-and-anxiety-1.5517952?cmp=newsletter_CBC%20Life%20Newsletter_12892_1786584
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1 Reaction@srodriguez We know our bodies. We are programmed not to be hypochondriacs. Yet cancer is so much more prevalent these days. I don’t want to scaremonger but it sounds like you need a CT-PET scan for face of mind. Unfortunately mine showed stage 4 appendix cancer.I am now NED but it’s not curable. IF this cancer the sooner it’s caught the better. Cancer has sp many weird symptoms including feeling like you’ve pulled a muscle or weird aches and pains. Hopefully that’s not the case but get peace of mind
I’m so sorry to hear you are suffering so much. First, remember there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been struggling with more or less the same. PCP said to change diet to help me lower my cholesterol. The cardiologist said I need to be checked yearly to monitor the progress of aneurysm. GI said I have IBS and prescribed medication with bad side effects, but still helped me. The results of my tests were within limits for all of them. The bottom line, I started acupuncture and it helped me tremendously to feel better but still not normal. Then I discovered Dr. Hyman and functional medicine. I got to be seen by a functional doctor and she indicated a long list of tests. My values were all over and off the charts. She prescribed me a lot of supplements. I follow her advice about supplements, diet, breathing exercises, physical exercises, meditation… I now feel more balanced. It took me about 2 months to fine tune supplements, diet, exercise, health coaching, 6 months of acupuncture, weekly therapy, and always remembering that I can help myself to feel better when I’m feeling I’m dying. I’ve been so sick for about two years that I didn’t enjoy life anymore. I now feel balanced, with energy, happier, even though my life has been in a turmoil due to my husband health problems. Life has ups and downs but I can help myself better with the help of my functional doctor (diet , supplements, health coaching), acupuncturist, therapist, NERVA app, an sound meditation that I’m enjoying life again. IBS? GAD? Change of diet? (I don’t eat processed foods). Therapy that seems to be just a conversation sometimes but there is much more I get from it?
I’m alive again, enjoying my life and navigating this worrisome time in my life in a a way that I feel more relaxed, more in power. I feel I’m a Super woman even though life is constantly throwing me some curb balls.
By the way, Rashida’s advice is spot on.
Best.