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What Causes Frequent Episodes Of Dizziness?
Question: I actually have done my question and had an answer from a cardiologist but I didn't realise his answer had beemn there for 50 minutes without me realising. he asked me some questions like my blood pressure. I amswered his questions in the follow up space but had I left it too long to respond. I hadn't realised that the answer would come in below my question. I thought I was getting an email when my answer was ready so wasin that page. would you know who it was and if not be able to locate the question and his answer and then my follow up so you could perhapds comment on my answers. I don't know how it workds.
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I carefully read your question and the last follow up. You have asked at the same time three questions on the system and have got two answers from me and another cardiologist.
You should know that you can have up to three follow up for every question you make on HCM system, and the follow up may be answered within 24 hours, by the doctor.
Regarding your concern, I would explain that whatever was the cause of the episodes of fainting, it doesn't seem to have been a serious cause, because this happened a long time ago, and your brain and cardiac tests result normal.
So, even if you had gone to your GP at that time, nothing would have changed, except for your panic disorder. Your mind was troubled by some non-based irrational doubts that a consult with your doctor would help you change your clinical situation.
It is true that a thyroid imbalance can lead to mood and psychological changes. When did you check your thyroid hormone levels?
Regarding your psychological problems, I would recommend discuss with your psychiatrist the possibility of making some changes to your actual therapy (increase venlafaxine dose or switch to another antidepressant, like duloxetine, escitalopram, etc.). You can try to change your psychiatrist, if you don't have faith in him. You should know that the an important clue in your clinical improvement would be faith in your doctor, which would encourage you to cooperate in feeling better.
Your performed cardiac and brain tests, exclude any cardiac or central nervous system disorder. So relax! There is no reason for you to be at an end life point! You own a healthy body, which is not going to XXXXXXX soon.
The basis of your problem is that you have got stuck in a point of time in the past! You should try to move on.
I would recommend consulting with a psychotherapist. There are different behavioral therapies which would help you manage your fears and move on to the future.
You are too young to give up from your desire for life, from your healthy body, your home, your children.
So I would advise you to be more combative and fight against your fears. You are the only person, who can get out of this "circulus vicious" of the past.
There is a hopeful future out there and you should be able to see it.
Hope to have been of help!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I carefully read your question and the last follow up. You have asked at the same time three questions on the system and have got two answers from me and another cardiologist.
You should know that you can have up to three follow up for every question you make on HCM system, and the follow up may be answered within 24 hours, by the doctor.
Regarding your concern, I would explain that whatever was the cause of the episodes of fainting, it doesn't seem to have been a serious cause, because this happened a long time ago, and your brain and cardiac tests result normal.
So, even if you had gone to your GP at that time, nothing would have changed, except for your panic disorder. Your mind was troubled by some non-based irrational doubts that a consult with your doctor would help you change your clinical situation.
It is true that a thyroid imbalance can lead to mood and psychological changes. When did you check your thyroid hormone levels?
Regarding your psychological problems, I would recommend discuss with your psychiatrist the possibility of making some changes to your actual therapy (increase venlafaxine dose or switch to another antidepressant, like duloxetine, escitalopram, etc.). You can try to change your psychiatrist, if you don't have faith in him. You should know that the an important clue in your clinical improvement would be faith in your doctor, which would encourage you to cooperate in feeling better.
Your performed cardiac and brain tests, exclude any cardiac or central nervous system disorder. So relax! There is no reason for you to be at an end life point! You own a healthy body, which is not going to XXXXXXX soon.
The basis of your problem is that you have got stuck in a point of time in the past! You should try to move on.
I would recommend consulting with a psychotherapist. There are different behavioral therapies which would help you manage your fears and move on to the future.
You are too young to give up from your desire for life, from your healthy body, your home, your children.
So I would advise you to be more combative and fight against your fears. You are the only person, who can get out of this "circulus vicious" of the past.
There is a hopeful future out there and you should be able to see it.
Hope to have been of help!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am sorry but I find the system confusing. I have only just found this answer because I pressed on the question again. and it says one day ago my first question was answered by you b ut I didn't find it until 50 minute
s after you had written it. this is because the system said that I would get an email informing when there was an answer. I never have had an email. by chance I scrolled down and found your very good response asking me a number of questions like had I had any fainting episodes since etc. so I answered those on a follow up but didn't hear back from you. so I went in and asked for a cardiologist because I didn't remember your name and didn't know how to find out the previous answer. I DUIDN''T get an answer from the other cardiologist as the question I asked him was how to fihd you when I didn't get an answer from my follow up answers I went in again.
does that make sense. I now realise I can press on the question and the answer is there. never have I been told how many follow ups I can have. the only questions I have to ask you is did you get my follow up answering your questions about when I last had my throid checked etc because it was 50 minutes after you had asked. and that you may have gone off line. I didn't want to ask another cardiologist I just wanted to stick with you. and this answer is a day old, I will report to them that I never got emails informing me that an answer was there and I was waiting on my email page, my last question is surely even if it wasn't a serious problem I should have gone and got treatment for whatever it was
s after you had written it. this is because the system said that I would get an email informing when there was an answer. I never have had an email. by chance I scrolled down and found your very good response asking me a number of questions like had I had any fainting episodes since etc. so I answered those on a follow up but didn't hear back from you. so I went in and asked for a cardiologist because I didn't remember your name and didn't know how to find out the previous answer. I DUIDN''T get an answer from the other cardiologist as the question I asked him was how to fihd you when I didn't get an answer from my follow up answers I went in again.
does that make sense. I now realise I can press on the question and the answer is there. never have I been told how many follow ups I can have. the only questions I have to ask you is did you get my follow up answering your questions about when I last had my throid checked etc because it was 50 minutes after you had asked. and that you may have gone off line. I didn't want to ask another cardiologist I just wanted to stick with you. and this answer is a day old, I will report to them that I never got emails informing me that an answer was there and I was waiting on my email page, my last question is surely even if it wasn't a serious problem I should have gone and got treatment for whatever it was
Brief Answer:
There is no reason for you to XXXXXXX you are a healthy person.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I understand that the system can be a little confusing for the new users, but I hope you will get used to it.
I carefully read all your follow ups, from your previous question and have a clear idea of your clinical situation.
I would like to explain that whatever was the cause of your fainting episodes, it seems to have been a benign situation (probably low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, etc.). Your performed cardiac and brain tests (which have resulted normal) can exclude any serious health condition.
I can assure you that even if you had gone to your GP at that time, nothing would have changed in your health. So do not think about it any more.
Not every episode of fainting, needs to be treated. Many times they can be temporary, due to a temporary clinical situation, which can improve. If the episodes keep repeating, the cause should be found and treated to avoid further recurrence.
But this is not your case. You didn't have such episodes any more, and from the other side your actual tests have resulted normal.
Your thyroid hormone levels is normal. There is nothing to worry about.
So you are not going to XXXXXXX soon! You can be sure about that.
The only problem is your psychological situation. I would recommend discussing with your psychiatrist of making some changes to your actual therapy.
I would recommend to gradually reduce the doses of venlafaxine (which is not effective ) and switch to another depressant like fluvoxamine and sertraline. These antidepressants are known for an additional antipsychotic effect. If even after achieving the maximal dose of fluvoxamine/sertraline you still have no improvement, Lamictal should be added to your therapy. This is an antiepileptic drug, which stabilizes your emotional state. I think it would be helpful in your situation. If there is still no improvement, low doses of quetapine (antipsychotic) may be considered as add on therapy.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
There is no reason for you to XXXXXXX you are a healthy person.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
I understand that the system can be a little confusing for the new users, but I hope you will get used to it.
I carefully read all your follow ups, from your previous question and have a clear idea of your clinical situation.
I would like to explain that whatever was the cause of your fainting episodes, it seems to have been a benign situation (probably low blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, etc.). Your performed cardiac and brain tests (which have resulted normal) can exclude any serious health condition.
I can assure you that even if you had gone to your GP at that time, nothing would have changed in your health. So do not think about it any more.
Not every episode of fainting, needs to be treated. Many times they can be temporary, due to a temporary clinical situation, which can improve. If the episodes keep repeating, the cause should be found and treated to avoid further recurrence.
But this is not your case. You didn't have such episodes any more, and from the other side your actual tests have resulted normal.
Your thyroid hormone levels is normal. There is nothing to worry about.
So you are not going to XXXXXXX soon! You can be sure about that.
The only problem is your psychological situation. I would recommend discussing with your psychiatrist of making some changes to your actual therapy.
I would recommend to gradually reduce the doses of venlafaxine (which is not effective ) and switch to another depressant like fluvoxamine and sertraline. These antidepressants are known for an additional antipsychotic effect. If even after achieving the maximal dose of fluvoxamine/sertraline you still have no improvement, Lamictal should be added to your therapy. This is an antiepileptic drug, which stabilizes your emotional state. I think it would be helpful in your situation. If there is still no improvement, low doses of quetapine (antipsychotic) may be considered as add on therapy.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
this is my last mail to you as I feel you have proabably said all you can.
it seems they had thr wrong email address for me and this iws why I didn't know again about your reply above.
why di I feel sweaty all the time and learthic
I din't faint I just t felt faint a few times. I have been very brave for me but spurned on by your positivity I would like you to know that I have bought a theatre ticket for this evening. I bought one last Tuesday but lost the nerve to go. but tonight I am determined to go to Windsor to see a murder mystery. thank you . went!!!! it was good.
also I am going to write to dr vassos the house physiarist because he wun't be coming again until april and see if he will make some changes..
wish you could be here!
it seems they had thr wrong email address for me and this iws why I didn't know again about your reply above.
why di I feel sweaty all the time and learthic
I din't faint I just t felt faint a few times. I have been very brave for me but spurned on by your positivity I would like you to know that I have bought a theatre ticket for this evening. I bought one last Tuesday but lost the nerve to go. but tonight I am determined to go to Windsor to see a murder mystery. thank you . went!!!! it was good.
also I am going to write to dr vassos the house physiarist because he wun't be coming again until april and see if he will make some changes..
wish you could be here!
Brief Answer:
I would encourage you to follow this progression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am still here!
I understand that you have made some progression. I would strongly encourage you to follow my advises to try to move on. The next time you go to the theatre, choose a happy end story or komedy. I am sure it will make you forget some of your thoughts!
Consulting with your psychiatrist would also be a good step for a change. I would recommend you to discuss with him the treatment options that I told you before. I am sure that those changes to your actual therapy would help you take control of your fears and anxiety.
Regarding your first question, I would answer with another question:
You are still thinking about those past insignificant episodes of fainting?!
Try not to think about them any more. That's all past and gone. You are a perfectly healthy woman and there is no reason to think that you are dying of any thing. I am a cardiologist, but also have wide knowledge on neurology and other medical specialties.
I can assure you that no on of the symptoms you refer to have had in the past or have now mean any serious health disorder.
So just relax and forget about it!
Life is out there, and you are missing it for some irrational reason.
I am always here, whenever you will need to discuss with me!
You can ask me directly at any time at the link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I would encourage you to follow this progression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am still here!
I understand that you have made some progression. I would strongly encourage you to follow my advises to try to move on. The next time you go to the theatre, choose a happy end story or komedy. I am sure it will make you forget some of your thoughts!
Consulting with your psychiatrist would also be a good step for a change. I would recommend you to discuss with him the treatment options that I told you before. I am sure that those changes to your actual therapy would help you take control of your fears and anxiety.
Regarding your first question, I would answer with another question:
You are still thinking about those past insignificant episodes of fainting?!
Try not to think about them any more. That's all past and gone. You are a perfectly healthy woman and there is no reason to think that you are dying of any thing. I am a cardiologist, but also have wide knowledge on neurology and other medical specialties.
I can assure you that no on of the symptoms you refer to have had in the past or have now mean any serious health disorder.
So just relax and forget about it!
Life is out there, and you are missing it for some irrational reason.
I am always here, whenever you will need to discuss with me!
You can ask me directly at any time at the link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
you are great, better than any of the doctors here who don't reassure me at all. I have booked a musical for next week and a comedy after that. I have never booked in advance like that in case I wasn't here.
one gp told m e I didn't have long to live so my brother came across and saw him with me and he retracted it.
one thing I am not computer literate but your link isn't in blue?
then I promise I will close the discussion and review you in the very highest terms XXXXXXX
one gp told m e I didn't have long to live so my brother came across and saw him with me and he retracted it.
one thing I am not computer literate but your link isn't in blue?
then I promise I will close the discussion and review you in the very highest terms XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am glad you find my answers helpful! You have done the best thing to book those tickets. I encourage you to go there. A little good humor will just have great effects on you. It is good to get out of reality sometimes and find yourself on a musical world or just laughing at the comedy. These will help you relax and be a little optimistic.
You should try to enjoy your life, your children, your family and friends. They will turn back to you, as soon as you will think about them and not about you and your irrational fears (that's a little egoistic I should say, but it is part of psychological problems, and I can understand that).
Try to think a positive thought in the morning (like I am blessed to have my children) and try to call your son in the morning just to tell him you love him. This will have a great effect on him and on you too. Starting the day with positive thoughts and expressing them, will help you have a better day.
When your bad thoughts come into your mind, just think: "Oh, I am doing it again.Stop!", and think about a positive thing (children, friends,sing a song, etc.). Keep in mind that that is nonsense and you are perfectly normal. God have blessed you with normal health and children. You should try to enjoy them.
My link is not on blue, but you can put you can copy/paste it on the searching page, and you can ask direct questions there (if this question gets closed for any reasons), which can only be answered by me and not by any other doctor on HCM system.
I am always here, happy to answer to your questions!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am glad you find my answers helpful! You have done the best thing to book those tickets. I encourage you to go there. A little good humor will just have great effects on you. It is good to get out of reality sometimes and find yourself on a musical world or just laughing at the comedy. These will help you relax and be a little optimistic.
You should try to enjoy your life, your children, your family and friends. They will turn back to you, as soon as you will think about them and not about you and your irrational fears (that's a little egoistic I should say, but it is part of psychological problems, and I can understand that).
Try to think a positive thought in the morning (like I am blessed to have my children) and try to call your son in the morning just to tell him you love him. This will have a great effect on him and on you too. Starting the day with positive thoughts and expressing them, will help you have a better day.
When your bad thoughts come into your mind, just think: "Oh, I am doing it again.Stop!", and think about a positive thing (children, friends,sing a song, etc.). Keep in mind that that is nonsense and you are perfectly normal. God have blessed you with normal health and children. You should try to enjoy them.
My link is not on blue, but you can put you can copy/paste it on the searching page, and you can ask direct questions there (if this question gets closed for any reasons), which can only be answered by me and not by any other doctor on HCM system.
I am always here, happy to answer to your questions!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hello. I did cut and paste your direct line but for some reason it wouldn't go into it.
I wanted to ask you a new question as well as part of an old one. they have opened up this thread again for me.
I have had the cardiologists report from the doctor I told you I saw . basically every thing like valves opening and closing and the pumping is fine, however there is some thickening of the muscle what does that exactly mean and what happens?
I am also concerned because the blood tests done on me when I was in hospital a few weeks ago apparently some were abnormal. we didn't know and my g'p hadn't been told. we found because it the yearly check up for me to have blood tests done at the surgery. they thought it would not be necessary if it had been done at the hospital so I have to have a full set done again/. m ay I share the results with you when I get them.
I can't help thinking that I should have gone to the doctor when I felt faint and I would still b e running my school and still have my partner. I feel well I know that I have lost every thing precious to me. the only thing that I can think of which destroyed the happy life I had was the feeling faint a few times. if it had only been once fair enough. but I should have gone for a few times. I managed to go to the theatre but since then I hav e been in my room sweating a lot and sleeping and no confidence to go out again. there is no fun in my life like I had when I was running a school and had my partner I feel that I could have prevented this dire situation by seeing the doctor which was usually my custom to do so I am really cross with myself. I use to go about every little thing and I broke my golden rule of always going for everything. I know you believe it wouldn't have made any difference but I never thought I would lose everything, I do tell my boys that I love them and am proud of them. always have. but now XXXXXXX has blocked my emails, hasn't given me his XXXXXXX number, only comes to see me when he wants money, he and I used to have a wonderful rapport before this happened to me. my eldest son always wanted to be in the police force. he has done very well and is now in the c. I d . but if I had XXXXXXX okay I would have XXXXXXX celebrating with him each achievement like passing the dectective's exam and coming first in the country and 2 and a half thousand took it, I don't see my grandchildren.... well very rarely. truly I have lost everything. I don't even live in my own home. tenan ts are in it and I am here and hate it, you mentioned about physcotherapy I have tried that and cbt and other counsellors . none of them have worked. doctor pope from the surgery said we like to think our patients will live long lives but if you didn't get medical advice when you felt faint we can't guarantee that. it is all negative around me and I can't go back and put it right. I am still so scared. it shouldn't have happened to a hypondriac like I was. even if I believed XXXXXXX about walking in the fresh air I should still have followed my norm of seeing the doctor. it was so out of character for me not to. I really feel I am going to die. I have read carefully what you have said about my heart and nervous system being okay but I really should have had treatment for whatever was wrong with me. and we will never know what that was. most people say I should have gone except my brother who sys feeling faint 17 years ago wouldn't make you mentally ill. but the hospital in London and my physiarist can't find anything mentally wrong with me.
sorry I am at the same place aren't I? I just feel I wrecked my own life. lost everything precious and I used to be such a happy person. now I don't even look forward to weekends like I used to. XXXXXXX
I wanted to ask you a new question as well as part of an old one. they have opened up this thread again for me.
I have had the cardiologists report from the doctor I told you I saw . basically every thing like valves opening and closing and the pumping is fine, however there is some thickening of the muscle what does that exactly mean and what happens?
I am also concerned because the blood tests done on me when I was in hospital a few weeks ago apparently some were abnormal. we didn't know and my g'p hadn't been told. we found because it the yearly check up for me to have blood tests done at the surgery. they thought it would not be necessary if it had been done at the hospital so I have to have a full set done again/. m ay I share the results with you when I get them.
I can't help thinking that I should have gone to the doctor when I felt faint and I would still b e running my school and still have my partner. I feel well I know that I have lost every thing precious to me. the only thing that I can think of which destroyed the happy life I had was the feeling faint a few times. if it had only been once fair enough. but I should have gone for a few times. I managed to go to the theatre but since then I hav e been in my room sweating a lot and sleeping and no confidence to go out again. there is no fun in my life like I had when I was running a school and had my partner I feel that I could have prevented this dire situation by seeing the doctor which was usually my custom to do so I am really cross with myself. I use to go about every little thing and I broke my golden rule of always going for everything. I know you believe it wouldn't have made any difference but I never thought I would lose everything, I do tell my boys that I love them and am proud of them. always have. but now XXXXXXX has blocked my emails, hasn't given me his XXXXXXX number, only comes to see me when he wants money, he and I used to have a wonderful rapport before this happened to me. my eldest son always wanted to be in the police force. he has done very well and is now in the c. I d . but if I had XXXXXXX okay I would have XXXXXXX celebrating with him each achievement like passing the dectective's exam and coming first in the country and 2 and a half thousand took it, I don't see my grandchildren.... well very rarely. truly I have lost everything. I don't even live in my own home. tenan ts are in it and I am here and hate it, you mentioned about physcotherapy I have tried that and cbt and other counsellors . none of them have worked. doctor pope from the surgery said we like to think our patients will live long lives but if you didn't get medical advice when you felt faint we can't guarantee that. it is all negative around me and I can't go back and put it right. I am still so scared. it shouldn't have happened to a hypondriac like I was. even if I believed XXXXXXX about walking in the fresh air I should still have followed my norm of seeing the doctor. it was so out of character for me not to. I really feel I am going to die. I have read carefully what you have said about my heart and nervous system being okay but I really should have had treatment for whatever was wrong with me. and we will never know what that was. most people say I should have gone except my brother who sys feeling faint 17 years ago wouldn't make you mentally ill. but the hospital in London and my physiarist can't find anything mentally wrong with me.
sorry I am at the same place aren't I? I just feel I wrecked my own life. lost everything precious and I used to be such a happy person. now I don't even look forward to weekends like I used to. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I can totally understand your emotional state.
I can reassure you that you are not going to XXXXXXX
From the other hand, not everything around you is black. You have just switched off the light in your mind. That is why you can see only black. But there is still hope.
You should know that the colors of life are in our mind. We are the biggest painters or our lives. If we are happy, everything seems normal, happy. But if we are depressed, everything seems sad.
The motivation we have, colors our live.
You should try to see the light and the colors, because they are there, but you can't see them.
Let me explain how you have been blessed:
-You are a normal woman of your age. You haven't suffered from any serious health disorder, besides your psychological problems. You should feel lucky about that. There are a lot of persons who lose their livers in accidents every day or are fighting against cancer. That would be a serious health issue!
- You have children and grandchildren. Do you know that people are aging without getting married, or have no children even they have tried so hards. Well, this is not your case. You have been blessed, and they are alive. They have made you feel proud of them and that is not a small thing.
- You have a house, can afford your life and treatment. While there are a lot of persons in many countries (including mine) that have no home during this cold nights and have nothing to eat for entire days. Well, you should feel lucky that you are not one of them!
So you can see, that your life is not so miserable. Everything depends on the point of view and your emotional state.
I agree with you that if you had gone to the doctor, maybe you would not have had all these psychological problems. But, who knows that!
The important thing is that nothing happened and you are perfectly normal.
Many persons do not have insurance and cannot afford to go to the doctor. This happens every day in my country. This doesn't mean that they are going to die for that.
I can reassure you that nothing serious was related to those episodes of fainting.
You should try to move on! Don't get stuck in the past! Your life is moving, years are going away and you are not enjoying it.
I don't agree with your doctor, who says that there is nothing wrong with your mind. All the problems you have seem to be related to depression and to obsessive-compulsive disorder. All your fears, are irrational, you should know this.
But you need to change your actual therapy. Sometimes psychotherapy is not just enough. You need to take the proper medical therapy, as I explained you before.
You need to discuss with your psychiatrist about these possible changes. This would be a big step in your way to improvement and would switch on the light in your head.
Regarding going out, you should try to do this every day. You didn't do it today. That's OK. Tomorrow is another new day.
Regarding your cardiac issue, I would explain that the muscles thickening is related to high blood pressure. There is just a normal finding in hypertensive persons. My advice would be to monitor your blood pressure regularly and try to maintain a blood pressure under control (below 135/85mm Hg).
I would be happy to review your performed tests as soon as you can upload them.
I am always here, happy to discuss with you your uncertainties.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I can totally understand your emotional state.
I can reassure you that you are not going to XXXXXXX
From the other hand, not everything around you is black. You have just switched off the light in your mind. That is why you can see only black. But there is still hope.
You should know that the colors of life are in our mind. We are the biggest painters or our lives. If we are happy, everything seems normal, happy. But if we are depressed, everything seems sad.
The motivation we have, colors our live.
You should try to see the light and the colors, because they are there, but you can't see them.
Let me explain how you have been blessed:
-You are a normal woman of your age. You haven't suffered from any serious health disorder, besides your psychological problems. You should feel lucky about that. There are a lot of persons who lose their livers in accidents every day or are fighting against cancer. That would be a serious health issue!
- You have children and grandchildren. Do you know that people are aging without getting married, or have no children even they have tried so hards. Well, this is not your case. You have been blessed, and they are alive. They have made you feel proud of them and that is not a small thing.
- You have a house, can afford your life and treatment. While there are a lot of persons in many countries (including mine) that have no home during this cold nights and have nothing to eat for entire days. Well, you should feel lucky that you are not one of them!
So you can see, that your life is not so miserable. Everything depends on the point of view and your emotional state.
I agree with you that if you had gone to the doctor, maybe you would not have had all these psychological problems. But, who knows that!
The important thing is that nothing happened and you are perfectly normal.
Many persons do not have insurance and cannot afford to go to the doctor. This happens every day in my country. This doesn't mean that they are going to die for that.
I can reassure you that nothing serious was related to those episodes of fainting.
You should try to move on! Don't get stuck in the past! Your life is moving, years are going away and you are not enjoying it.
I don't agree with your doctor, who says that there is nothing wrong with your mind. All the problems you have seem to be related to depression and to obsessive-compulsive disorder. All your fears, are irrational, you should know this.
But you need to change your actual therapy. Sometimes psychotherapy is not just enough. You need to take the proper medical therapy, as I explained you before.
You need to discuss with your psychiatrist about these possible changes. This would be a big step in your way to improvement and would switch on the light in your head.
Regarding going out, you should try to do this every day. You didn't do it today. That's OK. Tomorrow is another new day.
Regarding your cardiac issue, I would explain that the muscles thickening is related to high blood pressure. There is just a normal finding in hypertensive persons. My advice would be to monitor your blood pressure regularly and try to maintain a blood pressure under control (below 135/85mm Hg).
I would be happy to review your performed tests as soon as you can upload them.
I am always here, happy to discuss with you your uncertainties.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I understand what you are saying that there are people worse off than me . and yes, it must be awful to battle cancer but it may seem an awful thing to say but I would rather be like my niece who has breast cancer and a breast removed but who has been told that she will be fine and will have a long time to live. I have only been told the reverse by doctors here and as I told you my biggest dread of all was to die young like my dad. and I feel that I have let myself down because I wasn't going to die young because I was going to go to the doctor for EVERYTHING and keep well and healthy for my boys. while I was running my school I felt happy as you say with loads of light colours and hope. I went out lots and enjoyed life to the full. even you are admitting that I should have gone to the doctor by yes if you had gone to the doctor I would have avoided these physiological problems i know you say afterwards that who knows but you must know because you are a doctor with expertise in many fields. I have really messed up haven't I ?a simple phone call to the doctor like I usually made when anything was wrong with me and I would have been okay . I am right aren't I ?
I can't go back and put it right. I am so sad. no I didn't go out today or yesterday. and before Wednesday at the theatre many days. in fact most days I have stayed in in case I died while I was out. before Christmas I shopped on line for presents and had them directly sent to the people concerned. Christmases before that I haven't even done that or sent xmas cards. when I was okay I would do a lengthy letter to go in each card. tell friends what our family had been doing. now I have lost my friends . three of my old staff used to come and visit me and when I asked one of them why they stopped she said because we couldn't help you. my left hand keeps going numb and tonight my left leg also feels numb. how does not going to the doctor perhaps cause physiological problems anyway?what is the connection? I doubt I will have the confidence to go out tomorrow. I think I told you that I didn't go to simon's wedding in japan in case I died. I would have loved to have gone as he gave his speech in Japanese and I would have loved to hear that. I may have been lucky to have children as you say but it is my own fault that I have totally lost the great relationship that I had with them. I brought them up myself after my husband's boating accident and felt I did a good job and I myself did well in my teaching career until I felt faint a few times. I am so sad because if I had kept to my strict regime of going to the doctor for everything which I had until then I would probaly have XXXXXXX okay. I don't know how to cope with the fact that it is my own fault. you can't prevent getting bad things like cancer but you can prevent neglecting your health. that is something I thought I would never say because I thought I would always look after my self well . how can you say I will not die?
I can't go back and put it right. I am so sad. no I didn't go out today or yesterday. and before Wednesday at the theatre many days. in fact most days I have stayed in in case I died while I was out. before Christmas I shopped on line for presents and had them directly sent to the people concerned. Christmases before that I haven't even done that or sent xmas cards. when I was okay I would do a lengthy letter to go in each card. tell friends what our family had been doing. now I have lost my friends . three of my old staff used to come and visit me and when I asked one of them why they stopped she said because we couldn't help you. my left hand keeps going numb and tonight my left leg also feels numb. how does not going to the doctor perhaps cause physiological problems anyway?what is the connection? I doubt I will have the confidence to go out tomorrow. I think I told you that I didn't go to simon's wedding in japan in case I died. I would have loved to have gone as he gave his speech in Japanese and I would have loved to hear that. I may have been lucky to have children as you say but it is my own fault that I have totally lost the great relationship that I had with them. I brought them up myself after my husband's boating accident and felt I did a good job and I myself did well in my teaching career until I felt faint a few times. I am so sad because if I had kept to my strict regime of going to the doctor for everything which I had until then I would probaly have XXXXXXX okay. I don't know how to cope with the fact that it is my own fault. you can't prevent getting bad things like cancer but you can prevent neglecting your health. that is something I thought I would never say because I thought I would always look after my self well . how can you say I will not die?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am sorry to have been misunderstood.
As a cardiologist, I assure you that even if you had gone to see your GP and done some tests, nothing would have changed. You are still alive and those episodes didn't occur any more. So it must have been just a benign cause (probably low blood pressure, low blood glucose or anxiety).
Thinking as a psychiatrist, I would explain that as your fears began at that moment, may be you wouldn't have thought about this moment of your life so much.
But I am afraid that the problem, may be also related to your father's death (long time before that). So I would not be so sure.
The episodes of numbness, seem to be just psychological.
Nevertheless, taking into consideration your age and the fact that you suffer from hypertension, I would recommend start taking Aspirin 80mg daily, as it can lower your risk for future cardio-vascular events.
Regarding your fear of going out, I would explain that there is no reason to think that. You should understand that people go out every day, but they don't die. Besides, staying alone will not help you.
I strongly recommend to go out for some shopping every day.
Regarding your children, you have not lost them yet. They are still there and you can fight for their love again.
But you should think about them and try to fight your fears.
You are not going to die. And that is a fact!
I strongly recommend you to change your therapy. This will help you manage all your fears. There are a lot of therapies, which could help you get out of this situation.
That is a part of looking after you. You should consider it like that.
Hope to have clarified some of your thoughts!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need for any other uncertainties!
Sincerely,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
I am sorry to have been misunderstood.
As a cardiologist, I assure you that even if you had gone to see your GP and done some tests, nothing would have changed. You are still alive and those episodes didn't occur any more. So it must have been just a benign cause (probably low blood pressure, low blood glucose or anxiety).
Thinking as a psychiatrist, I would explain that as your fears began at that moment, may be you wouldn't have thought about this moment of your life so much.
But I am afraid that the problem, may be also related to your father's death (long time before that). So I would not be so sure.
The episodes of numbness, seem to be just psychological.
Nevertheless, taking into consideration your age and the fact that you suffer from hypertension, I would recommend start taking Aspirin 80mg daily, as it can lower your risk for future cardio-vascular events.
Regarding your fear of going out, I would explain that there is no reason to think that. You should understand that people go out every day, but they don't die. Besides, staying alone will not help you.
I strongly recommend to go out for some shopping every day.
Regarding your children, you have not lost them yet. They are still there and you can fight for their love again.
But you should think about them and try to fight your fears.
You are not going to die. And that is a fact!
I strongly recommend you to change your therapy. This will help you manage all your fears. There are a lot of therapies, which could help you get out of this situation.
That is a part of looking after you. You should consider it like that.
Hope to have clarified some of your thoughts!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need for any other uncertainties!
Sincerely,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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