Weird pnd symptoms?!

[xbx]

Just wanted to know if anybody has been through the same and can give advice really as I'm just feeling so low and hopeless. For 7 months I have been feeling not myself faint, dizzy spells, feel like I can't really concentrate on anything with my eyes, forgetful and feel like I'm not really here just doing the things I need to plus anxiety. This all started off when my little boy was 4-5 months old and I've felt so scared something is wrong with me as docs don't seem to know what my problem is. Could this be pnd? Or do u think it sounds more like an issue with my health? Just so fed up that this is my life now and I will have to pretend I'm fine for the rest of my life when feeling like my body is giving up.

[monica]

Hello and welcome

Your symptoms and when it all started mirror my experience of PNI exactly. Although if I'm honest prior to the rapid deterioration when my baby was 4 months old I was running myself into the ground, felt low and was very stressed about a few things. After a manic few days I got a pressure sensation behind one of eyes and after that sensitivity to light and soreness to the eyes. Shortly after that I felt exhausted preflu like, then as if I wasn't really there and a feeling of being foggy headed and put all this down to my eyes. The last two symptoms are one s of depression.

What tests has your dr done. I ask because thyroid issues can have similar symptoms and it's always best to rule out physical causes. Insist on it if you haven't had blood tests etc.

In my case I had a v good dr and had lots of blood tests, ct scan of my sinuses saw several eye specialists and privately a neurologist - I was given a clean bill of health . Anxiety and depression can cause lots of horrible symptoms. For me the turning point was antids. I can tell you my experience with those of it helps. Also exercise can help hugely as well as really looking after yourself and managing the anxiety eg relaxation techniques. Talking therapies can be very good as well.

Please keep talking to us as we really understand x

[xbx]

Thank you so much for replying I litrAlly can't really chat to anyone about it that has been through it and its getting so hard. I have had blood tests, I have only just been referred to the ent so will have to wait 12 weeks to see them.ive had blood tests when it all began but nothing since. If anti d's help me then I will take them I just am scared it's something else, I also feel worse around my period and ovulation sometimes I feel so sick I just don't want to eat. Did the meds make it all stop?! xx

[monica]

I completely understand your fear and feelings of isolation in so far as no one can give you an explanation so you feel in the dark. I was the same - none of the gps I saw nor consultants could tell me why I was feeling these strange physical symptoms which completely freaked me out! I'm not medically qualified but I know I was in the same boat as you but ultimately my gp said if all tests prove negative then we have to put it down to PNI .

After struggling for 4 months I was an emotional wreck and turned to antids out of desperation. Slowly the symptoms did lift. The anxiety , foggy headedness, headaches, numb patches. Some of the symptoms would come back - pmt,or sometimes stress or for no apparent reason.

I can't tell you whether antids are right for you or not so that's something to discuss with ur dr (there are pros and cons - pros can give you that much needed boost and lift some of symptoms - negs - you are commited to them for at least 6 mths after feeling better, there can be side effects, sometimes it can take a couple of goes to get one that works to name but a few). For me it turned my life around.

Honestly if you can do try regular exercise. I found that when having blips it would boost me massively. Ask your dr about counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy - that can help hugely x

[xbx]

Thank you, it's just so hard to believe it's pnd when the things that make me anxious are so physical! Litrally some mornings I just feel like their is so much pressure in my eyes and head like I've been upside down for ages, and getting migraines with weird eye fuzzy feelings and just generally feeling fluish everyday. Just had my blood tests today so awaiting the results x

[xbx]

Please could you tell me all the symptoms you had? xx

[monica]

Sure. It started off as a boost blood vessel and pressure sensation behind one of my eyes. Then sensitivity to light and I think my eye sight worsened as I in the distance I could see two of each object.
Next I had this dreadful fatigue as if I were coming down with flu. Shortly after I developed shooting pains in my head as well as numb patches in my body but these would change followed by a sensation as if I were deep inside myself looking out and feeling really out of it as if my head were full of cotton wool. I could focus on seemingly simple tasks and everything felt overwhelming. I couldn't eat not sleep - I couldn't leave the house and I would cry all the time. I had panic attacks but if for instance o left the house it would be as if my blood pressure had suddenly dropped and I felt weak and faint.

Hope this helps and doesn't freak you out ! Many of my symptoms were anxiety related but some preceded thatx

[xbx]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me it really has made me feel like I'm not crazy! I feel so ill but look so normal it's hard for people to believe. I think the migraines I've started getting have stopped me controlling my anxiety as for a little while I was slightly on top of it must the headaches freak me out x

[monica]

You're welcome. I think it was the physical symptoms which fuelled my anxiety. Like you I looked fine but felt so ill and worse no one could tell me the cause. Hang on in there - it's good thecsymptomsxare bring checked out. Do you get on with your dr? Are they efficient? Maybe talk these things over so you have s plan of action in place x

[xbx]

My first doctor told me I was suffering with flu when I first went in there with what I know no was extreme panic attacks anxiety amd told me to deal with it....I was so upset that I just wanted to crawl into a hole! I changed docters and they are much better but no one yet has said pnd but I kind of have been researching myself, I just have the fear of taking anti ds and getting worse. God it's crazy the anxiety stops you taking the meds made for anxiety it's a viscous circle x

[monica]

Unfortunately physical symptoms are little linked to PNI unless hcps are clued up on anxiety. No one ever directly linked mine to PNI although my gp said if all tests prove negative then we'll have to. A cpn who specialised in PNI told me that the foggy headedness is a depression symptom.

[monica]

Glad your current dr is more helpful. I completely understand your fear of antids. It's common to have a few weeks of feeling worse then life should get better. Why don't you talk to ur dr about your worries or alternatives (which can also be used in conjunction with meds) like counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy etc ? X

[xbx]

Well yesterday I had a call from the doctors office telling me I need to repeat my blood test as a couple of things are on the low side and they need to do them again, but they couldn't tell me what.....so I will hold off on the meds just for now. I'm def going to take them though.... I can't bear feeling this poorly anymore just feel so ugly down lazy and not the mum I should be to my beautiful amazing children x

[monica]

Hi it's so frustrating when Drs do that - call but leave you clueless but I'm sure it's nothing major. I might have mentioned previously that thyroid issues can bring on similar symptoms to PNI - tiredness depression etc so it's a good idea to rule that out.

Suns shining - try to get out for a brisk walk if are able - just try to enjoy the warmth x