Derealization/mind pops= anxiety?

I'm a 35 year-old female who has suffered from anxiety on and off my whole life. I was hospitalized in 2005 for depression/anxiety. I had been doing okay for the past several years. However, a year ago I started experiencing some very troubling symptoms all of a sudden: derealization, vivid nightmares, brain fog, confusion, extreme fatigue, irritability, heart palpitations, tingling in extremities, etc. I thought it might have been caused by my Mirena IUD which I had removed promptly but my symptoms didn't subside. I should mention that I've always always had pretty bad health anxiety and have specifically been worried about developing a brain tumor. I had an MRI done 8 years ago and was diagnosed with tension headaches. I've become increasingly anxious and depressed because I'm afraid of a brain tumor again. I have a 3 year-old daughter and often think about how sad it will be for her to lose her mother. I've developed (or just started noticing) some new symptoms over the past few months: random mind pops (like a memory or image with just pop into my head without any reason-- I get very anxious when this happens and it happens many times a day), eye floaters, and the tingling (in my hands, legs & feet) has gotten much worse. I went to see my doctor and he ran some blood tests and all that he found so far is that my vitamin b12 level is on the lower range of normal. I'm going back next week for a follow-up and possibly more tests/referrals. I also saw an opthamalogist recently for my eye floaters and he couldn't find any cause for them. I expressed my worry about having a brain tumor or possibly MS and he double checked my optic nerves and said he saw absolutely no pressure (which can be an indication of a tumor or ms). I felt very relieved after seeing him but I'm still fixated on having a tumor as most of my symptoms seem neurological. I still experience the floaters but I try not to pay attention to them and wear sunglasses most of the time. I'm just tired of living this way. It feels like a nightmare. I'm not sure if I posted in the right forum or if something else is going on with me. I'm very worried and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

Dianachristineb said...
I also saw an opthamalogist recently for my eye floaters and he couldn't find any cause for them.

It is great news your Ophthalmologist didn't find anything wrong with your eyes. What that means and what would have been helpful for him to explain is eye floaters, the majority of the time, are normal and of no concern. Many people experience them.

I started noticing eye floaters when I was a kid and would play with them, visually. My daughter has also experienced eye floaters.

Hi

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear you are dealing with health anxiety.

Medications can be very effective especially if combined with talking therapy such as CBT which gets good results. Do have a look at our resources for some great links to self help and keep us posted on your progress we are here for you and understand what you are going through.

Hibee

I could have written this post, right down to the three year old daughter!

Some of the symptoms we have in common are confusion, fatigue, brain fog and irritability. Instead of random mind pops, I'm having spurts of dizziness/ vertigo that feels like mini adrenaline rushes. Ugh! Of course, I'm thinking brain tumor, as I am also having terrible tension headaches that come and go throughout the day. I actually went to the ER on Saturday because I couldn't take it anymore. The doc didn't do any scans, as I had a head CT about three years ago (wth?).

I also get the eye floaters, which are highly annoying, but I have to remember that I have had them forever and I just notice them more when I am anxious (along with an almost constant "white noise" in my left ear.

Just writing to let you know you are not alone in your symptoms or brain tumor fears:)

Thanks, blu's mama & hibee! Means a lot.

Sadgirl83- Thanks for your comforting words and I'm so sorry that you've had to deal with all of this as well. It's so scary! I was feeling like no one understood so it definitely gives me some relief to hear your experience! I hope things get better for you. Xx

Momtogigiandquinn- Hi, it does sound like we have a lot in common! I'm glad that you reached out. I'm so sorry that you haven't been feeling well either. I know how hard it can be dealing with these symptoms especially when you are a mom & caring for small children. I feel like the odds of us both having brain tumors is probably very slim and intellectually I know that these symptoms could likely be caused by anxiety. It's just so hard to get the idea out of my head especially since I haven't been seen by a neurologist and I feel like my symptoms are getting worse (as my anxiety increases--coincidence?) Thank you for sharing your experience with me. It really helps a lot! I'm sorry you weren't able to get a scan to give you some piece of mind. I hope you are able to get some answers soon. Keep me updated.

Good Morning, when i read your post I was immediately compelled to write you.

I have a Mirena, the first was put in 2006(I was 35)
I have floaters...
I have had mind pops and anxiety.
I have had hyperacusis, and ear ringing/tinnitus.

I never had those prior to the Mirena... i am the happiest person, easy going.

Honestly, in truth.... I was always a bit confused about unhappy and depressed people.
What i discovered was the happiness isn't always a "choice" as we organically blessed happy folks believe.

I was deeply depressed and discovered that i had low, almost no B12 and my level of vitamin D was 17...which is extremely low. The low vitamin D and B12 were causing me to have severe panic attacks.

Mirena folks get something called a "false tumor syndrome" or pseudotumor cerebi.

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/45232-mirena-pseudotumor-cerebi/

I have not sued or taken this third Mirena (i am on number 3) out... because I desperately need the Mirena... as I am not able to take most birth control.

Also, i have a genetic mutation called MTHFR which I am homozygous C667T.

This caused a strain on my system because I was already having metabolic problems with B12 and Folate.

It is my belief that the Mirena blocks B12 absorption which causes high serotonin...this increases pressure in the brain which causes the floaters and other brain related symptoms such as random words.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mind-pops/

This may be compounded by having a genetic mutation which slows down the metabolic process.

I can not stress how much better I felt after getting my B12 in the middle of good zone and the vitamin D back to 50. I am almost completely free of the symptoms now.

Please, look up symptoms for over methylation/high serotonin.

Hugs <3 and hopefully you are feeling better <3

Post Edited (LayLoo) : 3/11/2017 8:12:54 AM (GMT-7)

HI Rhan86...

Just wanted to welcome you to the anxiety forum. Have you talked to your doctor about this? I hope you get some answers, this seems rather scary.

Keep posting as it does help.

Hugs, Karen...