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I Need Some Answers!!!

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mrdrumguy

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Location: MD
I Need Some Answers!!!
Posted: 02-19-04 10:51am

Hello, about 2 weeks ago I started having dizziness. Doctors tell me it is a inner ear problem. I had dizziness when I was little, I went through all the test and nothing showed up, they said I would "grow out of it". It has been 2 weeks now, and they are almost at a constant dizziness now. No matter what the doctors tell me, I think have a terminal illness, brain tumor etc...I cant get it out of my head. My heart beats very fast sometimes, I cant relax,pacing back and forth in my house. Always asking my wife if she thinks iam ok or if I should go to the hospital. I feel like I cant think right,or I am in like a dream world sometimes like nothing seems real. I guess what I am asking is if theis sounds familiar to anyone at all?
Thanks
keith
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purple333

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Posts: 1420
Location: Sydney

Posted: 02-19-04 11:08am

Keith,

it is 3am here in australia & i'm doing about 6 things at once but I feel sure that I just read &/or replied to another post from you??

There are any number of possible reasons for this, stress, allergy, sinus, middle ear infection & I have no doubt plenty of others. I suggest that you first calm down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do some relaxation therapy, some gentle exercise (walks), find some natural medications like 5htp (look up tryptophan on a search engine), sam-e 200mg or 400 mg a day (start at the lower dose & expect it to take about 2-3 weeks to start having an effect, also vitamin b is good for stress. Then look up on a search engine something along the lines of what medical problems have dizziness as a symptom (but don't become a hypochondriac over this!!) or even just causes of dizziness.
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purple333

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Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Posts: 1420
Location: Sydney

Posted: 02-19-04 11:19am

So are you the over anxious husband driving his wife nuts due to his dizziness & a belief that it's a tumour or the diabetic, overweight, 22 year old with high cholesterol?????????? Rolling Eyes
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mrdrumguy

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Location: MD
I Guess Iam Alittle Confused
Posted: 02-19-04 11:39am

I know I show strong signs in diabetes and not so strong signs in the likley hood of a tumor. Like I said I am getting the test today, I guess I will have to go from there. It just seems like I have told my self it is a tumor or something deadly so much that I actually belive it...Does that make sense?
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purple333

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Posts: 1420
Location: Sydney

Posted: 02-19-04 11:49am

Keith,

whatever the dr & tests say you certainly are confused & I think in need of some help. Possibly a counsellor, or a group dealing with anxiety, panic or similar. Talk to your dr & to your wife about all this & about how you are thinking & behaving. Your wife is only human & she may get fed up with your behaviour if it keeps on, especially if you don't talk to & communicate with her & show her that you are seeking help for your confusion & over reaction.

Also please listen & take my advice on both your posts.
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Del

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 12

Posted: 02-20-04 00:07am

Keith,

well first off it's reassuring to know that i'm not the only person out there who fears the worst when something happens... After my recent bout of food poisoning (you can read my post for the details) i've also come to worry about tumors and such, but talking about it with my parents and friend help out a lot. Everyone's right, there is no sense worrying about something unless you know all the facts first. All the stress and anxiety it's going to put on you will only make you feel worse and worry more, which will lead to more of the above. Anyway just wait till the tests come back before you do anything. They shouldn't take more than a week or so. If you need anything feel free to email me.

Daniel
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mrdrumguy

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Location: MD

Posted: 02-20-04 08:51am

I guess you are right its just I wish I could get this negative thinking out of my head. Its like its stuck in my head and no matter what I think about, it always comes back. I guess in actuality, just because I have dizziness all the time dosent mean it is going to be a terminal illness or anything like that, I just wish I could make my self belive that.
Keith Confused
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mrdrumguy

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Location: MD

Posted: 02-20-04 09:19am

Also, I was wondering if having anxiety/panic attacks could maybe be making my dizziness worse by constantly thinking about how dizzy I am and thinking the worst possible things etc.
Keith Confused
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wellnessmatters

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Feb 2004
Posts: 2
Location: Rialto, CA
I Need Some Answers!!!
Posted: 02-20-04 09:44am

Have to tried to take gluten out of your diet? If not try that it might help.
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mrdrumguy

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Location: MD

Posted: 02-20-04 12:07pm

Well, the results are in and I am not a diabetic. Now I dont know what to think,i have all these thoughts running through my head. My dizziness has not gotten any better, and I thought if it was diabetic, atleast I would have an answer. Now I am back to thinking I have a tumor,or some kind of terminal illness. I cant stop thinking about it...I feel so lost. I dont know what to think. Shocked
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qt3

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 264

Posted: 02-20-04 19:50pm

Del & mr. Drumguy-

i was convinced I had just about every serious ailment under the sun for many years. I eventually learned it has little to do with the symptoms and everything to do with the way I was thinking about the symptoms. Cbt has since changed my life. It's all about using the tools to learn to think more clearly and accurately about things and once you do your depression will miraculously begin to lift before your eyes. My favorite starter book on cbt is "been there, done that? Do this! By sam obitz. You may also want to call your local university to see if they have a cbt program. Everyone says stop worrying but cbt teaches you how to stop worrying Shocked

q
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Del

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 12

Posted: 02-20-04 22:35pm

Keith,
yes the more you about it, the more the stress will make you dizzy. Like I said before, the more you think about it, the worse it's going to be (well, it may not be worse, but you'll think it is). The best thing to do would be to go to a ear, nose and throat dr, if you haven't already.

Also, can you think of anything else in your life that might be buggin you? I know i've got a lot of other things going on right now that's making things worse for me. Sorry for making these posts so long but it's just that I know exactly what you're going through.

I'm going to take qt3's advice and pick up that book. You should also find something to do to pass the time so you dont keep thinking so much about it. Pick up a book, go for walks, take up a hobby... Just anything to help take your mind off it.

Oh btw, a couple days ago, I was so anxious I actually gave myself the runs and though I was dying Wink I just can't mention enough that the more you do something to take your mind off it the better everything should be.
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grad33

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Posts: 5
Location: NJ
Anxiety
Posted: 02-20-04 23:24pm

Prayer is always an answer to everything we face. Try spending some quiet time with the lord...15-20 minutes/day to start.

Also, become aware of eating well...Green soups and salads...Fresh pressed juices....

Look up alkaline diets on google.

God bless you.
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purple333

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Posts: 1420
Location: Sydney

Posted: 02-21-04 01:06am

Hi,

first I notice that there is a wide variety of advice(mine included) all coming at you at once. You should not try it all at once & if something really does not appeal then consider why it doesn't appeal & if the reason is logical as opposed to purely emotional or thinking that it's too hard then don't take that advice(like if someone told me to eat bananas - well no way - they make me ill).

Get all appropriate medical tests done, like ear nose throat (ear problems will cause dizziness too, as will other medical conditions aside from diabetes!!).

Learn to relax, do some meditation/relaxation or find hobbies that keep you happy & occupied. Spend some quality time with your wife, that will help you, her & your relationship!! Which then helps you relax further & reduces any part of the problem which may be being caused by stress.

As to food/dietary changes, be careful there as if your problem is anything to do with an allergy or food affected medical condition then you need to change your diet to suit that not just change it on a whim.
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2ferano

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Joined: 23 Dec 2003
Posts: 3717

Posted: 02-21-04 01:24am

Wow you have gotten a wide range of advice. I just wanted to assure you that if you are having anxiety/panic attack and you focus on the fact that you are dizzy (cannot breath, chest pain, etc) it will get worse. Think of it this way: you get a paper cut, but you ignore it, eventually it does not hurt bad at all. However, if you have nothing else to do and focus on the pain, it will start to hurt worse. Thus are symptoms of anxiety.
And purple is right! There are plenty of medical reasons why you could be dizzy, not just diabetes. But, I am betting that it is anxiety. Try some of the above listed anxiety relievers and good luck!
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qt3

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 264

Posted: 02-22-04 15:54pm

del wrote:
keith,
yes the more you about it, the more the stress will make you dizzy. Like I said before, the more you think about it, the worse it's going to be (well, it may not be worse, but you'll think it is). The best thing to do would be to go to a ear, nose and throat dr, if you haven't already.

Oh btw, a couple days ago, I was so anxious I actually gave myself the runs and though I was dying Wink I just can't mention enough that the more you do something to take your mind off it the better everything should be.


del-
your advice is on the money! I would just add that cbt teaches you the tools you need to counter all the thoughts causing your upset and once you get good at them they disappear and are replaced by more accurate (less upsetting) thoughts and you don't need to take your mind off anymore :d

i used to give myself the runs all the time through my worry too Sad
not fun!

Take care and keep in touch!

Q
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Haley

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Feb 2004
Posts: 122

Posted: 02-25-04 01:52am

I'm halfway through a cbt group (6th week of 12) that meets once a week and we are using the book that del mentioned above by sam obitz as our course guide. I like it it because it is a short book and all the chapters in it are short. I'm just starting to get better at using the tea form and it helps a lot. We have several people in our group who suffer from different forms of health anxiety as well as people suffering from depression, sad, ptsd and panic (which is what i'm there for). It's too early to tell if it will cure us but we are starting to make a lot of progress and begining to believe in cbt. I'll let you know how it turns out but it's definitely worth trying.
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Del

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Feb 2004
Posts: 12

Posted: 02-25-04 21:15pm

Hehe thanks for the credit but qt3 actually recomended the book. It came yesterday and i've found it to be quite interesting so far. Also something to try would be to start writing down your thoughts and fears, basically like keeping a journal. I started this 3 days ago and so far i've seen dramatic improvement.

The last time I got food poisoning, I was scared to eat for so long, and when I did, it was never much. But since I started keeping this journal, i've just felt great. I've been able to eat so much. The thought of becoming sick keeps crossing my mind, but not nearly as bad. It may work or may not, but it's something to try, and very easy.
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qt3

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 264

Posted: 02-26-04 20:57pm

del wrote:
hehe thanks for the credit but qt3 actually recomended the book. It came yesterday and i've found it to be quite interesting so far. Also something to try would be to start writing down your thoughts and fears, basically like keeping a journal. I started this 3 days ago and so far i've seen dramatic improvement.


The last time I got food poisoning, I was scared to eat for so long, and when I did, it was never much. But since I started keeping this journal, i've just felt great. I've been able to eat so much. The thought of becoming sick keeps crossing my mind, but not nearly as bad. It may work or may not, but it's something to try, and very easy.


hi del-
thanks for giving me props but it was not necessary Laughing i'm glad you got the obitz book and are liking it so far. Once you get good at catching your thinking errors and countering them in the tea from I think you will make good progress. Everyone's different but it took me about six weeks of doing it on a fairly regular basis for it to begin to "get it" and start to reap it's benefits. The chapter about "so what" was useful almost as soon as I read it though :d
i think the writing down of your thoughts and fears you mentioned will prove especially beneficial when you start getting good at the tea form because you will have plenty of material to use in the thought column. Early on I had a hard time getting going on it and something like your making of that journal would have really helped me.
Take care and keep in touch!

Q
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qt3

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Nov 2003
Posts: 264

Posted: 02-26-04 20:59pm

haley wrote:
i'm halfway through a cbt group (6th week of 12) that meets once a week and we are using the book that del mentioned above by sam obitz as our course guide. I like it it because it is a short book and all the chapters in it are short. I'm just starting to get better at using the tea form and it helps a lot. We have several people in our group who suffer from different forms of health anxiety as well as people suffering from depression, sad, ptsd and panic (which is what i'm there for). It's too early to tell if it will cure us but we are starting to make a lot of progress and begining to believe in cbt. I'll let you know how it turns out but it's definitely worth trying.


haley,
the more you practice the exercises like the tea form the faster and deeper your recovery will be so just keep at it and you will eventually get where you want to be with it :d

q
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