![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 4WD on May 9, 2005, at 12:57:26
I guess this is a long shot but has anyone here ever had anxiety that turned out to be from a physical cause? I just feel intuitively that the anxiety I'm experiencing now is at least in part from something physical. There is little rumination, I can't think what I'm scared of, yet my stomach is clenched, my muscles feel weak, my heart beats faster and I often get to where I can't stop crying. It feel like physical fear, not really anxiety as such although it can sure set off a mental anxiety state.
I've been to an endocrinologist. MY cortisol level is 174 (normal 20-90). Metanephrines are normal. I do have a pituitary tumor but the endocrinologist doesn't think it's responsible for the severe anxiety. My dexamethasone suppression test was borderline. I'm going to have another test soon but if it's not the pituitary thing what else could it be?
Any ideas at all?
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2005, at 18:40:12
In reply to Physical causes of anxiety?, posted by 4WD on May 9, 2005, at 12:57:26
How interesting! An MRI showed I had a very small pituitary tumor too. All the doctors blew it off. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on May 10, 2005, at 13:12:47
In reply to Re: Physical causes of anxiety? » 4WD, posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2005, at 18:40:12
> How interesting! An MRI showed I had a very small pituitary tumor too. All the doctors blew it off. Fondly, Phillipa
I saw my pdoc this morning. I told him I didn't want to take Klonopin every day for anxiety. He gave me a beta blocker which actually helps a lot! I wonder if that means the anxiety is from a physical problem.
I hate 15 minute appointments where you never get to ask all the questions that come up.
Marsha
Posted by rainbowbrite on May 11, 2005, at 11:06:36
In reply to Physical causes of anxiety?, posted by 4WD on May 9, 2005, at 12:57:26
Are you eating properly? i have found that to cause me to have similar symptoms to anxiety. Also are you drinking alot of coffee/cafffiene/sugar?
Posted by 4WD on May 11, 2005, at 16:48:22
In reply to Re: Physical causes of anxiety?, posted by rainbowbrite on May 11, 2005, at 11:06:36
> Are you eating properly? i have found that to cause me to have similar symptoms to anxiety. Also are you drinking alot of coffee/cafffiene/sugar?
Hi. Yes, I eat pretty well. There are a lot of days when it's hard to eat because of the fear. But I always do eat something healthy. Caffeine was the first thing to go, months ago.
I just feel like giving up. The only thing that helps really is a benzodiazepine and I'm just terrified of developing dependence on those because I've been through that once and getting off was awful although admittedly I didn't taper. I was severely depressed and when the doctor said the benzo was contributing to the depression I couldn't get off fast enough. Not real smart but that was 20 years ago.
Thanks.
Marsha
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.