Persisting Symptoms for Three Days
On Monday, while I was out in the city, I got into a disagreement with my family. Shortly after that, I was hit with a wave of dizziness accompanied by nausea and a headache. Although the symptoms subsided slightly, they didn't completely go away. The following morning, I awoke to the same sensations. Lifting my head or making any movements causes my headaches to tighten, and I often feel on the verge of being sick, although I have managed to eat normally without a loss of appetite. However, I've been experiencing excessive burping. I've also noticed frequent bouts of dizziness, weakness in my legs when standing, and a sense of heaviness in my arms during use. Additionally, there's an unsettling tightness in my chest. These sensations have persisted through yesterday and today. I'm wondering what might be causing this and how I can alleviate it. Additional Information: 22 years old, assigned male at birth, non-smoker, 5'9", approximately 290 lbs. Current Medications: Daily intake of 20 mg duloxetine hcl each morning and 50 mg trazodone each night. I started this regimen about two weeks ago, previously taking citalopram.
Answers (1)
8/28/2025, 6:21:18 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a combination of symptoms that could stem from both physical and possibly stress-related factors. The dizziness, headache, nausea, and tightness in your chest, especially following a stressful confrontation, may be linked to anxiety or a possible side effect of your new medications. Let’s break this down and focus on steps you can take to manage your symptoms.
Key Points:
- Potential Causes: Your symptoms could be related to anxiety, medication side effects, or a combination of both. Stress can amplify physical sensations and discomfort.
- Immediate Concerns: The tightness in your chest warrants attention. It’s crucial to monitor these symptoms closely, especially since you're also experiencing dizziness and weakness.
Explanation:
- Dizziness and Nausea: These can be caused by anxiety, especially after a stressful event. They can also be side effects of medications like duloxetine and trazodone, which can sometimes cause dizziness, especially when starting or adjusting doses.
- Headaches: Tension headaches can arise from stress and muscle tension. The tightness in your chest can be associated with anxiety or physical tension as well.
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Excessive burping can occur with anxiety or could be unrelated digestive issues.
Actionable Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of when these symptoms worsen or improve. Note what activities, foods, or situations seem to influence them.
- Stress Management:
- Relaxation Techniques: Try deep breathing exercises, meditation, or light stretching. These can help reduce anxiety and may alleviate some physical symptoms.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to help with nausea and dizziness.
- Posture and Movement: When rising from sitting or lying down, do so slowly to minimize dizziness. Find positions that feel stable and reduce discomfort.
- Break Up Activities: If you're feeling heavy in your limbs, try taking breaks during activities, and engage in gentle movement to improve circulation without overexerting yourself.
- Medication Review: Since you've recently changed medications, if symptoms persist or worsen, consider discussing them with your healthcare provider. Adjustments to your medication could help ease these side effects.
Conclusion:
While some of your symptoms could be related to anxiety or medication side effects, keeping an eye on how they progress is important. If you ever experience severe symptoms, particularly with tightness in the chest or substantial weakness, it's important to seek immediate attention. Meanwhile, the steps above should help you manage daily discomfort effectively. Please keep me informed about how things progress!
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