Is it just PNI?

[monica]

Hello

I'd like to ask if anyone has felt like me? I'm just worried again and getting a bit obssessed, worrying that I may be seriously ill.
I've been on anit ds (citalopram 20mg) for about 6 months. Just before taking them I started gettign numb patches which would move on a daily basis. However, since taking the tabs that largely disappeard, unitl a few weeks ago, when it's started again and is affecting my right side. My hadn, arm and leg feel weird, almost really heavy as if I've over exercised and pulled soemthing. But this has steadily been getting worse.
I got my period a few days ago and have noticed that before I got it, I was getting anxious again. Saying that it's practically finished and the heavy arm etc is no better.

I really felt I was making loads of progress but as soon as I start to feel crap physically, I start to get obsessed about what it is. I almost don't believe it's PNI as how can this cause loads of physical symptoms. I worry it's a brain tumour, MS, parkinson - you name it. I'm almost having a hot flush stressing out what could be wrong with me right now, and I'm quite worried I may be gong down hill again.

The pressure sensation round my eye which how this all started off in my mind in October, is still there and recently has become a bit worse. I'm still waiting for the ENT clinic for that as the eye clinics I visited said everything was ok.

Sorry to wittle on.

Monica

[wendabell]

hi there monica,
well would you like to read my diary in the diary section called anyone out there by wendy.
I too have had all these things you describe. I was so scared i had a brain tumor.My head hurt i had headaches presure building up behind my eyes. Then a heart attack my heart raced and i could actually hear it beating loudly in my head my arm would go tingly numb and i would have a pain in my chest too. Oh the list could go on. The physical symptoms are so reall and hurt so much but they are mainly stress related to this illness.By all means get them checked by your gp as his reasurance would proberbly be more comforting than mine but i do know how you feel with all this.
One thing though was i did get a lot worse before i started to get better and now i do have the most upsetting pmt but hey its better than pni.
love and hugs wendy x.x.x

[Veritee]

Dear Monica

I have to say that the answer to your question for me has to be -yes- many women with PNI have felt at least similar to how you are feeling at the moment.

However you should also first consider the role of any medication you are taking as a possible cause of any unpleasant physical symptoms or current bodily changes.

For instance hot flushes are common for some after a birth - probably caused by the extreme changes in hormone levels - I had them for a year and I have known women with out PNI have them for up to 3 years – a bit like a mini menopause effect Also one of the side effects of citalopram for some people is excess sweating: www.medicinenet.com/citalopram/article.htm and some have reported hot flushes as a side effect as is stated here:
www.whatmeds.com/meds/celexa.html
and actually by its manufacturer too. So if you have any unpleasant physical symptoms and you are on medication –then first you should consider if –

1. it could be a possible side effect of the medication you are on?
2. If it is are the positive effects of the medication worth suffering the side effects?
3. If not – do not stop taking your medication - but consider going to your GP for a review of your medication

But these symptoms can also be PNI itself.

Having said this it could be your PNI only - Fran (one of our moderator’s who is unfortunately experiencing an increase in symptoms at present) has posted on another thread to confirm she is feeling like you about her physical symptoms and I am sure many others can relate to what you have said over the years.

I can confirm that while I found my horrible thoughts more upsetting as we all have a different symptom when we have PNI which bothers us the most

I also had physical symptoms that at times made me convinced that I was seriously ill or actually dieing! These included like Wendy chest pains, tight breathing and also for me a feeling of pressure in my head and over my eyes that actually turned out to be a sinus problem and lumps etc

I personally did not in fact find this a terrible prospect as I was so distressed that to die of an illness seemed an easy way out as it would save me from ending it myself or walking out on my family as I felt like doing every day for at least 3 years.

I know this will seem really difficult to understand but I was so desperate that in fact I felt at the time that to die of a terminal illness seemed a good thing rather than carrying on as I was !!!!.

However I was not dieing - however much I felt like it –and I did not in fact have a terminal illness ( a few niggling heath problems I did have like damaged cartilage in my knees, sinusitis, extended lactation i.e. milk in my breasts for over 6 years from the birth which made my breasts feel lumpy, and a lowered immune system which meant I got every bug going.

But I was not dieing - I did have severe PNI and my life did not feel worth living.

However I am now 16 years older and my child 16, I am still alive and healthy.

I am disabled now due to an accident but I am perfectly healthy and always was even tough I did not feel healthy ( I recently had a clear smear test and mammogram and I have no other signs of any illness ) but 15 years ago when I had PNI - I thought by 52 I would be long dead.

I am absolutely certain that your symptoms are PNI too!!

I know it is had to believe that PNI can make you feel so physically awful - but really - it so can!!!

But I do say to everyone do not assume that your symptoms are PNI without first getting them all checked out by your GP and consultants where necessary - and insist this is done


But once you have the all clear for every symptom even if you do not fully believe it - act on the assumption that the way you feel must be caused by PNI if their is no other reason to medically be found -

And get therapy and treatment for PNI - if it is not PNI it will not hurt to have a little counselling and talk about how you feel in the meantime - but I am pretty sure that you will find that it is PNI if all medical possibilities have been eliminated

I know I will not convince you though – only you can do that!

I found that knowing it was PNI also helped to lessen the panic when I had horrible physical symptoms like chest pain, breathing problems , lumps and vomiting and sickness.

But I feel I must try as you will get over PNI sooner if you can start to believe you feel like you do because of PNI, maybe combined with a lowered immune system a slight possibility of drug side effects but not anything else.

But even if you are not convinced please keep talking about how you feel and your symptoms here as it will help to share how you feel.

Have you had everything checked out by your GP and consultants?
If not - it is best to do this first

All the best

Veritee

[monica]

Thanks Wendabell and Veritee

I've had a load of blood tests and they were fine (i'm a bit anaemic but I've been like that for years). I've been to loads of eye clinics - last one in Jan and they all said I'm fine. I saw a neurologist back in Dec, who said I'm fine (but I didn't have any scans of anything) and as I mentioned I'm awaiting the ENT specialist in July.

Funnily enough I've had sinus probs since Oct. My right nostril seems permanently blocked, I'm always bringing up phlegm and getting sore throats. During 2 previous pregnancies which ended in miscarriage I also had the phlegm problem and my last pregnancy I had infected sinuses. If you don't mind me asking, Veritee, what was your sinus prob?
I'm off to the docs on Monday so will see what she says about the weak hand and leg.

thanks again for your advice

Monica

[Veritee]

Hi Monica

My Sinus problem was a prime example of the stress of PNI setting of a physical reaction which might not have happened if PNI had not occurred.

The root cause of the sinus was having my nose broken at 15 but while I realised it had been banged and was bruised because all he damage was inside and after the bruising went down there was nothing to show on the outside - I did not realise how badly this had been shattered inside including my sinus cavities.

This is what I mean by the stress of PNI affecting your immune system so things that your body coped with before suddenly become a problem.

Because while I walked round with shattered sinuses and potential sinus infection because they were not draining properly for over 18 years

I did not have any symptoms at all until my immune system was brought down by PNI.

The consultant said it was because before this my immune system had knocked any infection from blocked sinuses on the head before it could start and while I did have a 'blocked up feeling ' ever since the accident I had grown used to it.

It was only when my run down immune system let infection get a hold that I began to be in real trouble.

Basically the cure was a 'nose job' where they reconstructed not the cosmetic out side of my nose - but the functioning inside.

My sinus problem therefore was a ‘one off’ and no one else with PNI is likely to have the same thing exactly.

But this is a demonstration of how your mind and your body are intertwined and while the problem is PNI as without it you would probably still be well - but you can have some real physical problems that you need to address too.

But even PNI without any 'extra' physical thing like I had exasperating the situation can made you feel very ill.

Stress can give your headaches even migraines, you can tighten the muscles in your facteand neck and your eyes so you feel pressure and are in pain.

You can feel permanently sick even actually vomit and tired have chest pains ( which are often a symptom of panic and fear) you can even have the weakness in your limbs that your describe due to without knowing you are doing it clenching muscles in these areas.

So as I said - get it all checked out and get anything that can be treated, treated, but also try to understand that PNI on its own can make you feel lousy physically and you can have an incredible range of physical symptoms too - so you need also to work on getting better from PNI as well.

Let us know what happens about the week hands etc

And how are you today? Is the physical stuff all your symptoms or do you get other things like bad thoughts, anxiety, panic - but I guess if you do all this is tied up for you with the fears about physical illness?


All the best

Veritee

[francoise]

hi

just wanted to say that my health visitor said something similiar the other day actually , she said we tense up all the time different muscles when we are down or worried or depressed and its like the other night i was thinking about what she said and i realised i was holding my body in bed quite rigidly and i think i do it alot , it is true i think and then when one thing goes another takes its place sometimes , its what i think is still battling against the m,ental side and trying to explain it thru physical symtoms which might do it , mind over matter ios very strong isnt it and if your totally convinced your pohysically ill in anyway im sure the symtoms would appear worse until our mind is put at ease , its a tremendous power isnt it thought ,

i know this dont probably help much but i wanted to say something to monica to let her know im so empathising to
im not even gonna mention sinuses or ill be here all day but that is a common one isnt it when ure run down by anything


love fran xxxx

[monica]

Thanks for your replies, girls and they really do help.

I'm sure the stress with PNI can give you physical symptoms. I notice that even when I'm not stressed on a concious level I tense up particularly my right side, so maybe the weakness in my right hand and leg is do with that. I do find it really difficult to completely relax. I'm definately not as obsessive as I was but it's still there. Saying that even though I'm quite laid back in many ways, I've always tended to worry a lot about illnesses, just not to the point where it takes over my life.

We found out about a year ago my son is a bit anaemic. Straight away, I got obsessed about it, that it was something awful, like leukaemia. A friend of my mum's is a retired consultant haematologist and he said it didn't sound serious, but his word wasn't enough. We saw a paediatrician in March who said it's not leukaemia or anything like that, but they'll have to do further tests to determine the cause. He said it may be simply that this is the norm for him. Anyway, it's time for another blood test, and I can feel myself getting really anxious over it. He seems really well and always has been, to tell you the truth. He has alot of energy, eats well is doing really well at school, but I've noticed his glands in his neck are a bit up, so I start stressing and thinking about it. Sorry, to waffle, but I just wanted to give you an example of how my obsession works. Saying that I'm much better than before. I don't have the horrible panic, anxiety, agrophobia that I used to have and do enjoy life, again.

In spite of the weak side, I managed to swim 70 lengths last night, but all the time I was l thinking 'is my right leg moving normally?'

I saw my doctor, yesterday. She said if these weird things carry on she'll re refer me to a neurologist, but she said she doesn't think my symptoms are alarming. It's like I need constant medical reassurance. I should have married a doctor. Saying that he probably would have left me!

This website has been really helped. You cannot imagine my relief at hearing that some of my symptoms may be PNI related.

[sixfootblonde]

I have just read this thread.

Monica you sound just like me. I tend to stress about my kids normally. One of mine went very pale after whooping cough and I immediately thought leukemia - but nothing has caused as much anxiety as this!

I have recently started getting random headaches all over the place of my head too that last 1-20 mins. Should I worry? Or get them checked? They are not severe.

Out of interest can you have sinusitis without having a blocked nose or phelgm? I sometimes get sore throats and pain along my cheekbones and eye sockets. I also get VERY slight feelings of nausea that last briefly. Another symptom in my head?

Maybe I should just request an MRI - but am concerned about the possible long-term effects.

[sixfootblonde]

Oh, and are symptoms always there or do they go away and return? I get very slightly disorientated (like a really mild dizziness) that comes and goes. Also, a sensitivity to light that is intermittent also. And a slight weakness in my arms, again intermittent. Thanks

[monica]

Hi

Can you see any sort of pattern with your symptoms? For instance, when you're tired (they always seem to return for me), or PNI, run down, stressed. For me, my symptoms are intermittant - when I've caught up on my sleep, they almost go when I'm tired they return. But I've notice they don't seem to get as bad as they used to so maybe it's me recovering slowly from PNI.

I noticed the other day, the pressure round my eye was worse, so was the spaced out feelign I get, and also I started getting the headache, so it appears to me it's all connected.

You mentioned the sore throats. Again, this is something I get a lot. it tends not be horrendous so that I need to go to drs, but it's there particualry in teh morning (got a bit of one now in fact).

Like you I get the sensitivity to light, once agian it's not as bad as it was. But say driving even ona cloudy day, I have to wear sunglasses.

If you're worried go to the drs to allay your fears. In my case it seems more than just a coincidence I started getting these symptoms with PNI. I think it can take quite a while to get over it.

Monica

[cheshire]

Hi Monica,

I am so interested in what you say about sensitivity to light, as I have a pair of pink sunglasses now for any time I'm driving and if it's even remotely sunny. I also have a very high sensitivity to smell. Maybe this sounds daft, but my hubby would say, I do wretch really easily (not actually sick). It is generally bad smells around nappies and such like etc. It is strange as I was never like that before or with my first. I'm awful in public loos.

HopefulXX

[sixfootblonde]

Thanks for your reply.

I too have to wear sunglasses even on an overcast day... and pink ones too!!! LOL

Although, my eyes get sensitive when I brain remembers that they should be sensitive (so it seems like it is in my mind).

Monica everything you described about what was wrong with you is me! Did you get dizzy too? Well more slightly off balance? Thanks.

[monica]

Hi

The dizziness with me was like I felt dizzy but wasn't if you know hwat I mean. Don't know if it was due to the anxiety, hormones or what, but it seems to have passed. How are you?

Monica

[sixfootblonde]

Hi,

That is it! It feels dizzy but not sure. It is pretty mild. How long have you had your symptoms for? When did they start? What further investigations have you had (if any)? Thank you

[yoyo]

The dizziness was a big factor in the beginning for me too - I would get a head rush even just standing up even if I did it really slowly, if I made any movement I felt I was drunk or something - even now when getting a bad patch it does return a little but it really has eased and I no longer feel sick through the dizziness which also made me headeachey too.

Hope you're doing a little better x x

As for the sinus thing - I have suffered with under devloped sinus' since I was born and have had to have ops etc to rectify this over the years - with PNI i found it explouted my weaknesses and my sinsus' played up too but the other symptoms often overtook this as I was used to my sinuses playing up I guess. This too did fade eventually x