Meds at 17?

[K---7]

Hi guys, I have had anxiety that has grown for the past months. However, I noticed my health issues (migraines, stomach issues) have made it a lot worse and triggered panic attacks. I thought I was finally done with migraines because I was a month and a half free of a painful migraine that needed a painkiller. Meanwhile, I was getting stomach issues (probably from painkillers) around March/April. Took omeprazole for a month. Still had issues that grew worse until finally a few weeks ago did a barium swallow and I have acid reflux. I was prescribed omeprazole again now switching to prevacid because not sure if it is the medicine but migraines are back. Still feel nauseous even with stomach medication and mylanta, maybe due to migraines? Point is I never feel good. Still feel short of breath sometimes but blood work was normal so maybe it is from acid reflux or anxiety. I'm not sure if medication is helping, and I still don't feel good. Not to mention for the past 4-5 days I have been feeling out of it, like Derealization and depersonalisation which I'm not sure is from migraines or anxiety. It doesn't go away and neither does a nauseous feeling or headache-ish pain thay kinda lingers till the next migraine. I really wanted to deal with my health issues because I felt that would help my anxiety but what if anxiety medication helps these physical symptoms? Should I talk to a psychiatrist? I'm only 17 and I know meds can create dependency, side effects,interactions withdrawals etc. Whay if the side effects give me more anxiety? I just don't know what to do because I'm not really feeling well and I wish I can get back to the way things were before :/

[20Voices]

Hi, I have a lot of mysterious stomach issues and my migraines had been getting worse for a few years, then I became really ill and when I started my treatment for anxiety and depression I noticed over time that my stomach complaints and migraines went away. I get the occasional upset stomach and migraine now, but they are not as worrying as before because I know they are all related to the anxiety and stress.

I don't know what help you are getting other than medication but working on stress control, healthy eating, exercise, good sleep routines and anxiety control all helped me overcome the stomach issues and migraines.

You should talk to your GP and see what other help is available for you in your area. In Scotland some of the NHS authorities offer a free stress control class which is really good.

For relaxation there are a number of things you can try including Mindfulness, breathing exercises, yoga, pilates, going for a walk, taking up a hobby, etc.

For anxiety there are various techniques to help you including journaling, thought records, goal setting, vision boards, positive affirmations, etc.

If you can get to see someone for some talking therapy they may be able to advise which techniques would be best for you and your situation.

I hope this helps.

Check out the adaa.org website as there might be some information on their website that is useful for you.

Also the Shaw Mind foundation website shawmindfoundation.org/ has some good resources on it.

If you want to find out more about what I did to help with the migraines and stomach upsets you can send me a PM.

Take care

[jrcnpg]

A full blown migraine attack can mimic the event of a panic attack which, at times, feels as though you are losing your usual conception of the world outside of your mind. The flashing lights, the tunnel vision, the difficulty in communication with others who may be are attempting to help you (the presumption there is that you are alone and outdoors) are all descriptives of an anxiety related panic attack. At seventeen you are not too young to be given medication to assist you. I have been suffering from acid reflux for many years now and the only medication I take for that is omeprazole which works fine for me. The diagnosis I was given, after seeing a consultant at the local hospital who had to perform an endoscopy, that I have Barrets Oesophagus, something no one had ever heard of before. I also have mental health issues together with diabetes which, in itself, is a damned hard illness to deal with. Maybe it would be more prudent to see your GP and during the consultation make sure that you have asked s/him everything you needed answers to. Write a list before you go, a time honoured activity which actually does do the trick. I wish you well.

John

[K---7 in reply to jrcnpg]

I have gone to the doctor back and forth and have just come back with normal tests and sent off with being told it is just anxiety. Luckily I was persistent enough to keep coming for stomach issues which lead to a barium swallow and diagnosis of acid reflux. I just feel kind of trapped because I've gone for migraines and my doc prescribed sumatripran spray but reading everything intimidated me to try it. I wish I could find a natural preventative to all my symptoms because I don't want to take so much medication as I know there are side effects to everything.

[jrcnpg in reply to K---7]

Did your Dr give you any indication of why he had ordered blood tests? How many vials of blood were taken? Even if it, the blood test, came back without significant notations of a physical illness such as Diabetes, Cancer or anything so specific? I think that a reply of 'it is just anxiety' is not a particularly nice thing to have said. There is nothing 'normal'as far as anxiety related illnesses are concerned. I would go back to see him and ask why he had ordered blood tests and what his motivation behind that course of action may have been. Other than that I don't think you will get any further with your Dr. Take care.

John

[K---7 in reply to jrcnpg]

Well last time I had blood test from doc was april and it was for shortness of breath and stomach issues and headaches I believe. She said she wanted to check thyroid & electrolytes. All fine except vitamin d

[jrcnpg in reply to K---7]

You had to have 5 vials of blood taken or do they, like my Doctor when I need extensive blood tests because I am diabetic, stagger them by making your appointments for maybe one test or two tests at a time?

The issue of Vitamin D is something which causes me some sense of disbelief because walking outside whether the sun is shining or if the sky is grey and full of rain, your body makes as much Vitamin D it needs to function.

Take care.

John

[Hardluck]

Talk to your doctor about amitriptyline or nortriptyline at a low dose for migraine prevention, these meds are also used for Anxiety and deppresstion. Take care.