Posted by PuraVida on August 26, 2001, at 14:46:18
In reply to change of gait, taste, disorientation, slow down,, posted by susan C on August 26, 2001, at 13:18:47
Thanks all of you! I do know, for sure, that depression and anxiety can manifest in me phyisically - I've been dealing with it and on meds for over 5 years. ITs just usually the cognitive stuff accompanies the pyhsical stuff.
Just recently I've realized that I have also a lot of anxiety, which may actualy be the catalyst of my depression, and have started taking Neurontin for mood stabilization and GAD. It has helped a lot, but then the headaches came. I stopped it a few weeks ago, and the headaches got worse, and now the dizziness. I'm not going to take the Neurontin again for awhile (even though we (me & docs) all agree that its not the cause) because I don't want to mask any symptoms - if it is indeed something more serious.
KB - thanks for your post, especially. Though I do think that it may be psychosomatic - I do worry that its too easy for primary care docs to say - oh - its just from their psych issues. I'm going to wait a few more days and see if I get more improvement...
What happened with the CFS episode - I threw up my hands and decided that I was then only one that could help me. My symptoms were extreme fatigue, a heaviness in my arms near the elbow, lots of stomach stuff - diarreah, etc. I did loose a taste for alcohol. I was given time off work, and I basically slept as much as I wanted, increased my protien level (ate loads of trail mix stuff) took long, slow walks on the beach. I basically created a kind of quiet, nurturing cocoon as much as I could - agreed with myself to not try to do anything except get better - no worries about career, getting exercise, watching my weight - nothing. I also took acidophilis and tried different supplements. I did get better - had to constantly remind myself going back to work to take things SLOW - like listening to the smooth jazz station instead of rock. It was four more years before the depression kicked in - this time mentally only - no physical syptoms at all.
Now this - life has been great, and for once in a long time I feel I'm on top of my game - without worrying that I'll slip up somehow or sink back into depression. Maybe the headache/dizziness is the subconcious part of me that I can't hear, still feeling like maybe I can't maintain it. I've also had some insomnia, cuz I keep thinking of all these wonderful ideas, but that has gone away as the headache got worse last week.
I guess the trick is to pay attention without being obsessed - learn all you can yourself, try what you can -
Thanks for listening and all your ideas - I really appreciate it -
poster:PuraVida
thread:10232
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010825/msgs/10291.html