Overwhelmed by Anxiety About MS: What Are My Odds?
A 46-year-old woman from California, of Iranian heritage, weighing 125 pounds and standing at 5 feet 1 inch tall, begins to share her concerns. Symptoms started emerging in October 2024, leading her to seek urgent care. During her emergency room visit, medical staff conducted bedside assessments and determined there was no need for a neurologist's consultation. Furthermore, both a non-contrast MRI and a contrast-enhanced CT scan performed in September 2023 for unrelated issues did not reveal any lesions. She often experiences a sense of imbalance and occasional unsteadiness while walking, although these symptoms are not apparent to those around her. Despite video documentation of her walking in different environments showing no visible lack of coordination, she remains plagued by anxiety. This anxiety has evolved into a profound apprehension about healthcare professionals. Posting her thoughts here required significant bravery, underscoring the emotional toll she faces.
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 5:31:22 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by anxiety, especially when faced with health concerns like potential multiple sclerosis (MS). Given the reassurances from your past medical evaluations, it's important to focus on managing your anxiety and balancing your thoughts about your health.
Key Points:
- Past Evaluations: You have undergone significant medical assessments, including MRI and CT scans, which did not show signs of MS or any concerning lesions.
- Symptoms: While you may experience imbalance and unsteadiness, these are not visible to others, suggesting they may be influenced by anxiety rather than a neurological condition.
- Increased Anxiety: Your apprehension towards healthcare professionals and the emotional distress you’re experiencing are valid and deserve attention.
Explanation:
Anxiety can amplify physical sensations and worries about unknown health issues, often leading to a cycle of fear and concern. It’s important to remember that experiencing symptoms does not automatically mean there is a serious underlying condition. Your previous evaluations indicate that there are no immediate neurological concerns.
Next Steps:
-
Cognitive Behavioral Strategies: Start practicing cognitive-behavioral methods to help manage anxious thoughts. Challenge negative thoughts about your health by reminding yourself of the negative results from previous tests.
-
Mindfulness & Relaxation Techniques: Engage in mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga, which can help calm your nervous system and reduce feelings of anxiety.
-
Support Systems: Consider reaching out to a mental health professional who can provide support tailored to your needs. Therapy may help you explore your anxiety and develop coping strategies.
-
Gradual Healthcare Exposure: If you find interactions with healthcare professionals triggering, try to take small steps to engage with them positively. You can bring a friend or family member with you to appointments for support.
Remember, you are not alone in this – many people experience similar feelings. It's important that you take steps at your own pace, focusing on what feels manageable for you. If you need additional techniques or resources, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Feeling Anxious About Recent Health Concerns
Hello everyone, I hope you're well. To give you some background, I'm a 32-year-old woman residing in the UK. I've undergone two cesarean sections and have had various ultrasounds in the past. For several years, I've dealt with irregular menstrual cycles and occasional spotting between periods. Although I sought medical advice and underwent several tests to investigate these issues, nothing conclusive was found. Last year, I underwent a hysteroscopy, followed by an ultrasound. While the hysteroscopy results were normal, the subsequent ultrasound revealed a small accumulation of fluid in my uterus and a thickened area of the uterine lining. The gynecologist reviewed the ultrasound results and suggested that the fluid might be residual from the hysteroscopy, assuring me that there was no cause for concern. Still, she recommended scheduling a follow-up ultrasound six months later. I recently had this follow-up scan, and unfortunately, the findings were similar—there was still a small amount of fluid and an area of thickening in my uterus. The doctor advised that I need to return to consult with a gynecologist to investigate why these issues persist. Naturally, I’m filled with worry, and it's taking a toll on my appetite. As I await my consultation with the gynecology team, I can't shake this anxiety. Could this be a sign of cancer? I would appreciate any support or advice during this stressful time. Thank you for listening! xx
Concerns About My Mental Health
As a 28-year-old woman, I have growing concerns regarding my mental health and the effects of my current medication regimen. I'm beginning to suspect that the medications I'm taking—Klonopin, Clozaril, Luvox, Ritalin, lithium, and several others meant to mitigate side effects—might be impacting my brain in a negative way. Recently, I sought help at the hospital for a CT scan, but my diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder led to my being turned away. I genuinely feel as though there are significant issues with my brain; I’ve been experiencing unusual pressure atop my skull, as if something is pushing against it, alongside severe headaches. Moreover, I often encounter ringing in my ears, dizziness, and periods of blurred vision. Although these symptoms do not persist for extended durations, they tend to appear sporadically. The only constant symptom is the pressure, which intensifies when I feel cold. I have a scheduled medical appointment for Wednesday, but I find myself anxious about my health and fear I might not survive until then.
Is Vyvanse Contributing to My Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms?
**Overview:** I was recently diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. **Current Issue:** For the past several months, I have been taking Vyvanse, beginning with a low dose that has been gradually increased to 60mg. Up until now, I had been managing well, but I have recently started experiencing some concerning side effects. At present, I am also on an SSRI (Sertraline) along with Vyvanse. I have requested to discontinue the SSRI, as I found it to be minimally effective, and I am aware that Vyvanse influences serotonin in addition to dopamine and norepinephrine. I have yet to begin this change in medication until my next consultation. **Here are the symptoms I'm experiencing:** * Experiencing visual disturbances, such as flashing lights in dim environments * Ringing in the ears and auditory difficulties * Involuntary muscle contractions and cramps, especially in my legs and back, even in the absence of physical exertion * Episodes of mental fog and confusion **I suspect that both Vyvanse and my recent lifestyle modifications are contributing factors to my current predicament.** 1. I believe the Vyvanse may be increasing the serotonin levels in my brain, leading to these adverse reactions. Additionally, since I do not take Vyvanse daily—with my doctor's consent—this inconsistency might be causing fluctuations that resemble SSRI withdrawal symptoms. 2. Over the last few months, I've lost a significant amount of weight—around 100 pounds. While Vyvanse has supported this weight loss, I had already been on a dieting regimen prior to starting the medication. I feel that this reduction in my body mass may have intensified my reaction to the medication, given my lowered BMI. Essentially, having a smaller body compounded by the same dosage could be causing amplified effects. I'm eager to hear from anyone who has experience with Vyvanse and serotonin syndrome for some informed advice.
Are My Anti-Depressants the Wrong Choice?
Greetings everyone, I am a 25-year-old woman dealing with depression, mild anxiety, and some PTSD. I also experience hypermobility and have a heart murmur. My height is 170 cm, and my weight is 90 kg. I'm seeking guidance on whether the medication prescribed to me is the appropriate choice, as I'm concerned that, based on the label, it might not be suitable for me. In my younger years, I faced challenges with OCD, severe anxiety, and depression. Initially, I was given Escitalopram, which was effective for several years until my anxiety escalated dramatically, prompting a switch to Fluoxetine. During that transition, I realized I had been experiencing more side effects from Escitalopram than I initially recognized, such as significant sweating. After a little over a year on Fluoxetine, I felt better and chose to stop taking it, remaining medication-free for the last three years. However, in the past six months, my depression has worsened considerably. After consulting with my doctor, I resumed Fluoxetine treatment. Now, three weeks into this round of medication, I'm experiencing side effects that I may not necessarily link directly to the medication but still mentioned them during my follow-up. The symptoms include excessive sweating in my palms and feet, increased heart palpitations, and a two-week delay in my period. I've read that this medication can cause heavier menstrual bleeding, yet my pregnancy tests have all come back negative. This situation has left me quite perplexed. My doctor advised me to discontinue Fluoxetine and instead prescribed me Propranolol. To the best of my understanding, this medication is typically used for immediate relief of anxiety symptoms rather than addressing depression. The label also cautions against its use in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or a history of self-harm, and it notes that it may lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. Is it correct for me to think that Propranolol is not classified as an anti-depressant? It seems odd that my GP would choose this to manage symptoms from a medication she told me to stop. I have already spoken with a former pharmacist, an occupational therapist, and am currently awaiting a callback from my pharmacy, as I expressed my concerns regarding the safety of this prescription. I'm feeling apprehensive about taking it, and I’m frustrated that my doctor has not considered prescribing a different anti-depressant. Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Keep in mind, I am not a medical professional—just someone navigating the complexities of mental health. I want to assure you all that I am safe and have support available for when I'm feeling vulnerable. At present, I do not have thoughts of harming myself or anyone else; I simply wish to be heard and find the right help.
Assessing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Should I Seek Emergency Care?
To condense my situation, I am now on the 21st day of my menstrual cycle with no sign of it concluding. The flow has been unusually heavy throughout, to the extent that I’ve had to change my menstrual discs within just a couple of hours due to overflow, accompanied by significant clotting. I visited a new gynecological office yesterday to establish care since my regular GYN won’t be available until June. However, this appointment allows me to see another clinician at the end of April. During my visit, we talked about scheduling a transvaginal ultrasound, and I began a course of medroxyprogesterone at a daily dosage of 10 mg, which I will take for the next ten days. Unfortunately, my night was quite troublesome, marked by excessive bleeding even with an ultra tampon in use. My primary concern right now is the risk of anemia. I ordered a CBC test through Labcorp on Monday out of sheer curiosity, which revealed my red blood cell count was at 3.64 and my hemoglobin level was at 10.9. The provider repeated the CBC along with an iron panel, and as of early yesterday afternoon, my results were: - Red Blood Cells: 3.3 - Hemoglobin: 9.9 - Hematocrit: 31 - Iron: 24 - Iron saturation percentage: 6 - Ferritin: 12 I am trying to remain calm and patient with the progression of events, but I recognize that I have been losing a considerable amount of blood since these tests. With the weekend here, I’m increasingly anxious as I likely won’t receive any updates until Monday. Do my lab results indicate the need for immediate medical attention? I intend to commence taking 325 mg of oral ferrous sulfate today to address my iron levels.