[Spence93]

Hey everyone. I am a 22 year old male. I was hoping someone could give me some insight on what they think is going on with me. Especially someone who has or had PCS. Maybe one day this can help someone else improve. I’m new to anxiety and haven’t had any issues with it in the past.

On Feb 14 I went out and drank enough where I didn't remember most of the night. I do recall falling asleep on the toilet and eventually falling over. I was too out of it to recall if I landed on my head or not.

Feb 15 I woke up and felt disoriented. Similar to a past concussion in 2015. I called my friend and he told me I slipped and hit my head hard on car, plus I fell down multiple more times.

Feb 16 I felt normal. I had no problems all the way until March 1st. On that day I woke up with a migraine. I rarely get migraines, but this one was constant for a full week.

March 8th the migraine went away, but from then I had moderate dizzy spells. The night of Mar 22nd I was up late doing homework and having a couple friend issues. The computer screen seemed to really be messing with me this night. I felt way more light headed than I ever have. I lost track of time and finally laid down for bed around 5am. Within the minute after laying down I remember a bunch of symptoms hitting me. Then I started having what I believe was a panic attack.

During this panic attack I was shaking uncontrollably. It was extremely difficult to breathe, like something was sitting on my chest. I could feel my heart pounding through my chest. I felt extremely light headed, like I was about to faint. I also found it hard to form sentences. I was debilitated. This being new to me and out of nowhere, I figured I was going to die.

I went to the ER. They tested my blood and thyroid. They had an EKG on me for 3 hours. They did an x ray of my chest. Everything checked out good. I was released but didn’t want to leave. My light headedness was terrible and now I had a new list of symptoms (anxiety).

For the next two days I did nothing but lay on the couch. My anxiety symptoms felt so severe that I thought I would either have another panic attack, faint, or die if I tried to move. I didn't eat, shower, and barely managed to get to the bathroom.

My symptoms at the time were: Light headed/dizziness/vertigo/faint feeling, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest tightness, ringing or deafness in one or both ears, very sensitive to noise and light, lump in my throat, dry mouth, temperature sensitive, low/no energy, excessive burping, easily startled, and random twitching. These symptoms were daily.

I finally got into my GP. He prescribed Zoloft 25mg for 3 days, then to increase to 50mg after. The day I started the 50mg I was admitted to the hospital. My entire body felt like it was going to implode. Then two days after that I went the hospital again because the lump in my throat symptom got so severe that I was having trouble swallowing and breathing. Both hospital visits they found nothing wrong with me.

My GP took me off the Zoloft and put me on Ativan as needed. I had a CT scan a few days later and that came back normal. I was also referred to a psychiatrist. However the earliest I could get in was 3 weeks.

One night I took to the internet to figure out what I could do until then. Magnesium and amino acid supplements caught my eye so I ordered them. I met with the psychiatrist on Apr 11. He asked me to start Zoloft again. 25mg for two weeks, Ativan as needed, and we would meet back in 2.5 weeks. He also suggested there is a chance that I am suffering from Post-Concussion Syndrome.

I started my supplements instead of Zoloft. Today actually marks two full weeks of using the magnesium and amino acids. I occasionally use Melatonin at night too. I feel so much better than I did two weeks ago. I’m driving again, back in school, and hanging out with my friends. I’m am almost off Ativan.

As for my current symptoms. The most common is the light headedness. It’s not as bad, but it’s like every time I start moving I notice it. I also get the lump in my throat but not as bad. I have this constant tingly butterfly feeling in my chest most of the day. This sensation seems to bring on moderate or severe anxiety if I focus on it.

I still have is trouble sleeping. Especially when I sleep in my bed. The butterfly sensation tends to get worse laying down. I personally think the reason for this is because the panic attack originated in my bed. Long hours in front of the computer make me feel off. I continue to burp a lot. Sometimes it seems to relieve anxiety too. I’m going to try taking specific foods out of my diet to see if this is playing a role.

I see my psychiatrist again this Friday. I’m not sure if he will like that I didn’t start Zoloft, but he will be glad to know my symptoms have improved. If any of you made it this far into this post I appreciate you reading it. Regardless of this being anxiety or PCS I do believe the supplements are helping me treat the anxiety symptoms. However I am very curious of your opinions.

Do you think I am suffering from PCS and will gradually get better?

Or did I randomly start suffering from some sort of anxiety (disorder)?

Or could this be something else?

Should I start taking Zoloft again?

Any suggestions or tips are encouraged! Thank you.