Hi all, I came across this website tonight, after googling some strange symptoms I have been having. I know its not good to self diagnose but would really appreciate it anyone could maybe help as Its been making me feel so anxious and no GP till Monday.
I recently had a really bad panic attack after doing a 8 mile walk.. I had been very stressed and running around like a headless chicken, I have always suffered from anxiety and panic attacks but this felt different and it was quiet frightening. I felt unwell afterworlds but just put it down to not taking care of myself. Then a week or so ago, in the middle of the night I woke up/jolted up which every once in a while I do but this time my throat felt, heavy and abit tight and my hands were tingling, vibrating slightly, I was half asleep and went into a full blown ''I think im having heart attack moment" embarrassing I know but for someone who is an experienced anxiety person I just didnt feel right. in the end my partner called an ambulance, my face, chin area and lower cheeks were tingling, hands and lower arms really tingling. Which when the ambulance came he said yes thats a symptom of to much oxygen from panicking, So I popped to the hospital just to be certain and all was ok, they said you must have anxiety etc etc.... came home feeling a twit.
now a week later I had a few vertigo moments which have been plaguing me the last few months... but last night I was fast asleep, not necessarily stressed. But I woke up, either my vertigo or just randomly sat up and same thing again, tingling in arms slight vibration of my own heartbeat but it felt like a vibration. So I calmed myself down, made sure I wasn't about to go into hyperventling mode. (was home alone) . I took my vertigo tablet and stayed awake as long as I could. Ive felt abit off all day but its now 11pm and im sat here doing my own thing, not stressing and I can feel the same tingling around mouth chin area, hands feel a bit tinglingly. im not panicking and breathing fine. But I can feel it in my hands too... so I thought id google as the nurse said the tingling was from the anxiety...... also since January ive had vertigo here and there especially at night, sometimes jolt up feeling heavy around my neck at night, my memory seems to have completely disappeared. Normally im rational with my anxiety and can quickly connect the dots over what is happening and having anxiety since I was 9, I pretty much no whats happening but my rational thought, memory has been clouded, foggy headed, dizzy, vibrating feeling, also rapid heartbeat at the moment. Period time is the worst. Im not sure if this last note is worth anything but during my pregnancy I had an iron infusion back in to 2015 as my iron was so low... and then weirdly enough the 1st 2 times I had a panic attack id taken a multivitamin high in strength for hair, nails and skin.... that could be a coincidence but I only took them 4 times twice each panic attack day and day prior. I know that the panic comes thinking the tingling or vertigo or tight chest is something more serious..... So after that ramble has anyone had these exact symptoms, does it sound like a thyroid problem.??? I will be seeing my GP on Monday but it would put my mind at ease abit for tonight,
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pinemay
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I’m so sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell and worried. One thing I can tell you is that panic attacks are very common in people who have thyroid conditions, whether they are hyper or hypo. Before my thyroidectomy 11 weeks ago, I had frequent panic attacks and would have that buzzy feeling as you describe. I also had the tingling on my nose and lips too. I had hyperthyroidism with Graves’ disease. I would wake up at night with my heart pounding or in the morning with my heart racing. I would also have a racing heart after my walks.
However, I am not a doctor and can’t tell you for sure. I would ask your doctor to get some blood work done for your thyroid - if you check the posts on this forum for SlowDragon, you will find the blood tests to ask for. There are also others who post that know all the proper tests. You need at minimum TSH, T3 and T4 and thyroid antibody tests. There are also vitamin tests that need to be run as well but others here are more expert at recommending these than me. You can get these tests done yourself apparently at Medichecks.
I just wanted to write so that you have an answer from someone and that maybe it would help to calm your mind a bit. I know that doesn’t help your panic attacks but please don’t ever feel bad for going to hospital if you feel unwell. How much worse would you feel if you didn’t go and it was something serious?
Post after you see the MD and let us know how it went. Sending you positive thoughts and good wishes. Hang in there - Monday is not far away and hopefully your doctor will have some answers for you. 🤗
This forum is administered by Thyroid U.K. Might be worth looking at their site for more information. Thyroid problems can present in many different ways. Thankfully few don't get many of those but the list is quite far reaching but it might be an idea to printvit off and tick those that you have so you can show the doctor. I don't want you to worry when you see the list but it may help your doctor to more fully understand what you are going through and also there may be things you wouldn't know are thyroid related, your doctor may not be aware either.
I'm glad to found us and have started asking questions. Talking to people who have experience can be more supportive than just reading an article about it. Do let us know how you get on.
Tingling in hands can be low B12. Other symptoms could be thyroid related .You need to have blood tests for : TSH,FT4,FT3,B12,D3,ferritin and folate. Then post the results on this site for advice.
Multivitamins have too little of anything to be useful .
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Ask GP to test thyroid including for autoimmune thyroid disease. Also request they test B12, folate, vitamin D and iron and ferritin
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
These symptoms are very similar to the symptoms I have had, including being awakened out of a sound sleep with vertigo/tingling, etc. The vertigo was the first symptom that sent me running to a Dr. who referred to an endocrinologist, who diagnosed Hashimotos - 30 years ago. I have had similar episodes since (less severe) when the dosage of NDT has been slightly under optimal levels. Periods - same. Anxiety? Same. All of this before diagnosis and before replacement thyroid hormone. It is the first thing that I would be tested for / rule out, if I were you. It sounds like classic thyroid / autoimmune problems. (Hashimotos is an auto-immune disorder of the thyroid). Replacement thyroid hormone is a wonderful thing, and can bring peace and calm back to your life in a few short weeks. (assuming this is the problem). The thyroid is a small little gland that can cause much havoc to the rest of the organs, including the brain, the pancreas, the heart, etc., IF it is not functioning properly. Unfortunately, Dr.s somehow look at it last, like to gloss things over if it is functioning even a little and say it's "sub-clinical" and go on to prescribe even tranquilizers and a 10 other medicines rather than a little T4 / T3. While you must go to them to find the solution to a thyroid problem / auto-immune thyroid condition - you must also become your own "standing on their desk" medical advocate. If you do not insist on these many tests as others have advised, it may take you 10 years as it did in my case, to finally get some relief. Thousands, Tens of Thousands have worse stories than mine. I say all of this to prepare you, and to bolster your resolve to get ready to engage. You must educate yourself and not be easily "fobbed off" as some say. Ha! It is so hard to trust Drs. who either do not know about thyroid problems, cannot go beyond bureaucratic mandates, or simply have sold out to the pharmaceuticals. But these are the variables that are out there and the current medical system we all must navigate to find and return to health. Hence, places like HealthUnlocked are born, and are a lifeline. Find a Dr. - ask around for one who really listens. Ask for the tests mentioned. And remember, it is all very doable. There are worse diseases than Hashimotos / Thyroid problems. The medical solution is out there. You can find it and return to a pretty much normal life. Keep reading.
The symptoms you have described are not truly related to thyroid. Have blood tests to determine whether the thyroid has issues, its the best way to find out. Good Luck
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