Whats Wrong W/ My Mind?

[GARYS]

I guess this is the appropriate place to ask this question (again maybe), but I've been trying to search for answers just the way I did when chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome started. Over the last 5 to 10 yrs I have taken antidepressants that may have helped a little at different times, when I would get off of them I would get this spaced out feeling in my head on occasions but always went away. Anyway about 2 days after new years this year I got this very strange feeling in my head that is almost unexplainable but I will try because I really need some help for it. I feel a little dizzy/ light headed/ brain fog, like I am never fully awake, sometimes vision is a little shaky and very nervous but I think that is coming from this feeling in my head. vallium, Xanax and Ativan does nothing for it. I had the doctor check my ears but found nothing. I even to some abx just in case. I had been working on my basement trying to get it ready for a new years party and was sooooo stressed out and this all started a couple days later (can you have a nervous breakdown a couple days after such a stressful time?) And wouldnt the effects have worn off on there own? Other than that a few months before new years I remember feeling something in my ears like they were clogged and holding my nose and blowing. I got so dizzy and sick feeling I had to sit down for an hour with my eyes closed but after that I was fine. I have been looking up inner ear problems but they dont make a whole lot of sence like vertigo and meiners syndrome. Sorry if this has put anyone to sleep but if anyone has any ideas or suggestions I would really appreciate it. Currently the only medications I take are vallium and Atarax I started the Atarax a couple months into this so I know thats not it and I rarely tak the vallium because it does nothing for me.

[webslave]

Anxiety attacks, would be my guess, with hyperventilation, which causes various symptoms such as numbness or tingling in the hands, feet and lips, lightheadedness, dizziness, headache, chest pain, slurred speech and even fainting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_attack

[GARYS]

Thanks webslave, I went to that link and think maybe I did have an anxiety attack that day, but now its just a lingering feeling throughout the day, everyday with the drowsy fog feeling all the time. My symptoms are pretty limited just to my head.

[rider fan]

I have a feeling very similar to you Gary. My ears have checked out fine. MRI, EEG, ECG, EKG, Holter monitor, blood pressure, chest X-ray, all normal. Except I almost always have a foggy headed/ lightheaded feeling. The lightheaded feeling is around the front of my head and eyes, which like you is why I often don't feel awake.

I think there is either something wrong with my inner ear, or in my neck area that muscle tension has put out of whack. Given that we're obviously prone to tight bands of muscle causing us problems, I wonder if this is just another manifestation of this. I've read that muscle tension in the neck and jaw area can cause vestibular problems.

The only time I don't feel this is when my head is supported against something, like a head rest or when I'm lying down. I also feel better when moving, and worse when sitting/standing still.

The doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester said I have "Mal de Debarquement Syndrome". My symptoms are very simlar to this, except I feel lightheaded and I don't feel a bobbing/rocking. I have an appointment with a neurologist this fall, so hopefully I will be able to put this puzzle together.

[GARYS]

I barrowed some tapes from my cousin you may have seen the infomercials for the Stress and Anxiety center from Leucenda Bassett. I barrowed them a long time ago but listened to the first tape last night and it listed this as a symptom of anxiety or atleast something close to what I try to describe. I think the first tape is the one they give you to get you to buy the program but I never realized how many symptoms of anxiety I have, and also I must have some very low self esteem that I never realized. But how wouldnt I have terrible anxiety when for the past 12 years I get nervous about going to the bathroom, after going, before and during. I am going to try listening to all the tapes (18 of them) and theres also a book. Maybe a lot of my problems are anxiety related, but I didn't have the anxiety until I got the problem. Sounds to good to be true, but what have I got to lose.
Gary

[damien6]

Hi,

Good luck champ!

Damien

[Clay]

Have you had your hormones checked out lately? Low testosterone can get to your brain, believe me. Thyroid, cortisol?

There's a $150 test you can order at http://www.canaryclub.org from Diagnostechs. It's a saliva test and is the best way to measure cortisol and thyroid. They give you sex hormones too, but blood is probably more accurate.

I think for me, the stress of all my other problems finally led to adrenal exhaustion and that test finally got me on the road to help.

[Xams2387]

I feel a little dizzy/ light headed/ brain fog

Has your brain fog gotten any better?