
Shortness Of Breath, Dizziness, Swelling In Limbs, Sudden Profuse Sweating, Feel Disoriented. Why Does This Happen?

Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 22 year old female
• Known case of Neuro cardiogenic Syncope, Bipolar, Anxiety, PTSD.
• Family history of heart problems
• Multiple unexplained symptoms related to several body systems.
You case is interesting and but difficult too. Even your attending physician is facing to solve it. I will try to give my best effort to help you in this problem.
From your description, no findings by other physicians and normal investigations report we should strongly suspect presence of anxiety disorder as all your symptoms can occur in anxiety. You may need assessment and treatment for anxiety. History of anxiety and PTSD also increases chances of having anxiety disorder.
Other symptoms of anxiety which may or may not be present in your case: nervousness, restlessness, mild irritability, excessive worry regarding own health/Family/Finances, tremor, muscle spasm, bodyache, heaviness in body, dizziness, inability to relax, easy fatigability, headache, sleep disturbance, palpitation and dry mouth. You may also some of these symptoms.
Anxiety occur due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. It is not clear if you received any treatment in past, but believe me people life changes after treatment.
In drug treatment two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect. Non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) also takes weeks to show its effect.
All these process is complex. I have just simplified it to make you understand it. Although I understand that you are suffering, but you have to keep patience and get yourself treated adequately from specialist like psychiatrist.
Apart from above advice following simple measures will help you:
-Have thyroid function test done as its dysfunction may lead to anxiety and some of your symptoms.
-Healthy diet: Milk and fruits in diet.
-Daily morning walk and breathing exercise.
-Stop substance use specially alcohol (If present)
-Infection exacerbate anxiety so take preventive measures and early treatment.
-Get investigated if suspicion of other problem arises as presence of anxiety disorder can not rule out presence of other medical disorders.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,


They check my thyroid every time I have labs done. --"normal"
I try to eat fairly healthy --cannot have milk or peanuts (allergies)
I would love to do early morning walk, but that's not really feasible with my job. I do good to make it there on time because it's so early in the morning... I work 12 hour shifts and am walking constantly. Breathing exercises seem to piss me off.
No substance abuse.
I have been in therapy for about 8 years and have been on medications to control my bipolar, anxiety, etc for the last 5-7 years... I'm not sure what else to do. I am going to see an XXXXXXX medicine doctor for the first time next week.
Thanks for follow up,
Considering so much lost of weight it is a good idea to XXXXXXX XXXXXXX medicine physician. May be he find something to explain current exacerbation of symptoms?
Same time it will better if you seek treatment of anxiety as it is not controlled by yours life style modification alone.
Please accept my answer in case there are no further queries and recommend our services to your friends too if you have found it helpful.
Wish you good health.
Regards.

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