Sufferer First post for help - Headaches, dizziness, muscle aches no better after 2mo of counseling.

[gjpj]

Hi everyone, I have been struggling with anxiety and headaches from my employment since spring 2022.
I resigned a year ago and tried medication for a few months, they didn't seem to help at all. I felt worse on them. I started private Counciling a month ago. He reckons its 2 types of trauma, acute and vicarious. My headaches, dizziness, muscle aches are no better. So what should I try next? See my gp? more medication? Will the Counciling just take longer to work? Any advice or suggestions are very much appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[Riley Jones]

Hi everyone, I have been struggling with anxiety and headaches from my employment since spring 2022.
I resigned a year ago and tried medication for a few months, they didn't seem to help at all. I felt worse on them. I started private Counciling a month ago. He reckons its 2 types of trauma, acute and vicarious. My headaches, dizziness, muscle aches are no better. So what should I try next? See my gp? more medication? Will the Counciling just take longer to work? Any advice or suggestions are very much appreciated.

Many thanks

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with anxiety and headaches related to your employment. It's understandable that these symptoms can be very distressing. It's great that you've already taken the step to seek private counseling, as therapy can be a valuable resource for addressing trauma.

In terms of your next steps, it may be helpful to consult with your general practitioner (GP) to discuss your symptoms and concerns. They can assess your overall health and provide medical advice tailored to your specific needs. They may be able to suggest additional treatment options or adjust your current medication if necessary.

Regarding counseling, it's important to remember that everyone's healing journeys are different, and it can take time for therapy to show its impact. Trauma work can be complex and may require ongoing support, so it's possible that counseling will take longer to show significant changes. Having a patient and understanding approach to your own healing process is key.

In addition to seeking professional help, connecting with others who have had similar experiences can also be valuable. Peer support can offer understanding, validation, and shared coping strategies. I would encourage you to consider joining our community at myptsd.com, where you can connect with others who suffer from or support those with PTSD and CPTSD. Sharing your experiences and learning from others who understand what you're going through can be a significant source of comfort and encouragement.

At myptsd.com, you'll find specific forums dedicated to different topics related to PTSD and CPTSD, including employment-related difficulties. Exploring these forums may provide you with additional insights and support from community members who have gone through similar experiences.

Remember, you don't have to face this alone. Seeking support, both professionally and from others who understand, can make a significant difference in your journey towards healing.

Take care, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions or need additional support.

Warm regards,

Riley Jones

 

[whiteraven]

Welcome!

Counciling a month ago.

Some folks are in therapy for *years.* At one month, I hadn't even gotten through general introductions and assessments. Therapy takes time. Is your counselor helping with immediate issues, like ways to manage your anxiety and headaches?

I have been struggling with anxiety and headaches from my employment

How do you know the headaches are from your employment? Has someone evaluated you and told you they are tension headaches?

My headaches, dizziness, muscle aches are no better. So what should I try next? See my gp?

Whenever there are physical symptoms, getting an evaluation by a medical doctor (other than a psychiatrist) is really important. While symptoms could very well be related to anxiety, there's always a possibility that there is something else going on.

 

[Nicismyname]

Hi everyone, I have been struggling with anxiety and headaches from my employment since spring 2022.
I resigned a year ago and tried medication for a few months, they didn't seem to help at all. I felt worse on them. I started private Counciling a month ago. He reckons its 2 types of trauma, acute and vicarious. My headaches, dizziness, muscle aches are no better. So what should I try next? See my gp? more medication? Will the Counciling just take longer to work? Any advice or suggestions are very much appreciated.

Many thanks

Hi,

Did they try amitriptyline? I was dealing with some trauma and awful migraines and it helped. Maybe try having labs done to see if you have any deficiencies or auto immune issues. Stress and trauma play quite a role in your health. I had to have surgery earlier this year due to an infection after being severely stressed out last year. Just suggestions if you haven’t looked into it.

 

[gjpj]

Thanks for your reply and questions whiteraven.
I guess I'm looking for a quick fix that isn't there. My Gp put my headaches down to chronic anxiety after my workplace was turned on its head and ruined.
I've had blood tests and they always come back fine. My councillor has started me on breathing exercises and sleep management to get my anxiety and headaches under control. I will go back to my GP for a chat. Again I'm probably to hasty in wanting normality back in my life.
Thanks again.

 

[Friday]

My headaches, dizziness, muscle aches are no better.

DEFINITELY go back to your GP. There are ten zillion causes of those symptoms.

Also? Consider some common sense quick-fixes in your daily life. Like

- Adding a daily fortified breakfast cereal, or a sports drink, or eating a banana… because tense muscles use up peolle’s blood potassium levels… leaving them with sore muscles and headaches.

- Monitor your sleep & diet (low blood sugar, as well as chronic sleep deprivation will cause those problems, as well). Anxiety shuts off the hunger response, so you may need to add meal replacement shakes, or baby food, or soup to your daily diet. Something you can just swallow down fast.

- Make sure you’re drinking enough water (yep, another cause of those symptoms, seriously, there are zillions).

- Add daily stretching & exercise & stretching to help move toxins out of your muscles, AND drink water each time you do (or be prepared for a massive headache, like getting a massage without drinking water), AND burn off the adrenaline & anxiety chemicals in your blood.

- Take showers & change your clothes (or sheets) after panic attacks, anxiety attacks, & nightmares… to rinse off the fight/flight excretions on your skin, as the pheromones are so strong they will keep anyone AROUND YOU -as well as yourself- in a low level of anxiety/alert/gut feeling of something is wrong-wrong-wrong
^^^ When you cannot take a shower, right this moment, at LEAST wash your face, and run cold water over your wrists. Washing your face gives you a brief barrier of “normal” to smell, in the cloud of pheromones, whilst cold water on your wrists calms the nervous system (reflex, like warm water on a sleeping persons hand can cause them to pee themselves).

 

[Tinyflame]

I know for myself guarantees of a severe headache are little sleep, dehydration or stress. Whether it be tight muscles or not (of course they are), the relief of stress also nearly instantaneously will alleviate it.

As WhiteRaven and Friday said your doctor is the best place to check in about it.

Welcome to you, hope you feel better soon!

 

[gjpj]

DEFINITELY go back to your GP. There are ten zillion causes of those symptoms.

Also? Consider some common sense quick-fixes in your daily life. Like

- Adding a daily fortified breakfast cereal, or a sports drink, or eating a banana… because tense muscles use up peolle’s blood potassium levels… leaving them with sore muscles and headaches.

- Monitor your sleep & diet (low blood sugar, as well as chronic sleep deprivation will cause those problems, as well). Anxiety shuts off the hunger response, so you may need to add meal replacement shakes, or baby food, or soup to your daily diet. Something you can just swallow down fast.

- Make sure you’re drinking enough water (yep, another cause of those symptoms, seriously, there are zillions).

- Add daily stretching & exercise & stretching to help move toxins out of your muscles, AND drink water each time you do (or be prepared for a massive headache, like getting a massage without drinking water), AND burn off the adrenaline & anxiety chemicals in your blood.

- Take showers & change your clothes (or sheets) after panic attacks, anxiety attacks, & nightmares… to rinse off the fight/flight excretions on your skin, as the pheromones are so strong they will keep anyone AROUND YOU -as well as yourself- in a low level of anxiety/alert/gut feeling of something is wrong-wrong-wrong
^^^ When you cannot take a shower, right this moment, at LEAST wash your face, and run cold water over your wrists. Washing your face gives you a brief barrier of “normal” to smell, in the cloud of pheromones, whilst cold water on your wrists calms the nervous system (reflex, like warm water on a sleeping persons hand can cause them to pee themselves).

Hi,

Did they try amitriptyline? I was dealing with some trauma and awful migraines and it helped. Maybe try having labs done to see if you have any deficiencies or auto immune issues. Stress and trauma play quite a role in your health. I had to have surgery earlier this year due to an infection after being severely stressed out last year. Just suggestions if you haven’t looked into it.

Thanks for your reply and advice, I have tried Amitriptyline, which didn't really help, I had more negatives than positives on medication. Wishing you well on your journey.

DEFINITELY go back to your GP. There are ten zillion causes of those symptoms.

Also? Consider some common sense quick-fixes in your daily life. Like

- Adding a daily fortified breakfast cereal, or a sports drink, or eating a banana… because tense muscles use up peolle’s blood potassium levels… leaving them with sore muscles and headaches.

- Monitor your sleep & diet (low blood sugar, as well as chronic sleep deprivation will cause those problems, as well). Anxiety shuts off the hunger response, so you may need to add meal replacement shakes, or baby food, or soup to your daily diet. Something you can just swallow down fast.

- Make sure you’re drinking enough water (yep, another cause of those symptoms, seriously, there are zillions).

- Add daily stretching & exercise & stretching to help move toxins out of your muscles, AND drink water each time you do (or be prepared for a massive headache, like getting a massage without drinking water), AND burn off the adrenaline & anxiety chemicals in your blood.

- Take showers & change your clothes (or sheets) after panic attacks, anxiety attacks, & nightmares… to rinse off the fight/flight excretions on your skin, as the pheromones are so strong they will keep anyone AROUND YOU -as well as yourself- in a low level of anxiety/alert/gut feeling of something is wrong-wrong-wrong
^^^ When you cannot take a shower, right this moment, at LEAST wash your face, and run cold water over your wrists. Washing your face gives you a brief barrier of “normal” to smell, in the cloud of pheromones, whilst cold water on your wrists calms the nervous system (reflex, like warm water on a sleeping persons hand can cause them to pee themselves).

Thanks for your reply and all your very welcome advice. I feel my GPs only have medication to offer any time I see them. I'm hoping my weekly councillor appointments will help get things in perspective going forward.
Regards Gordon

 

[Liljulz67]

Hi everyone, I have been struggling with anxiety and headaches from my employment since spring 2022.
I resigned a year ago and tried medication for a few months, they didn't seem to help at all. I felt worse on them. I started private Counciling a month ago. He reckons its 2 types of trauma, acute and vicarious. My headaches, dizziness, muscle aches are no better. So what should I try next? See my gp? more medication? Will the Counciling just take longer to work? Any advice or suggestions are very much appreciated.

Many thanks

Try relaxation movements,Somatics,Yoga and breathe Lavender and Peppermint oil to calm you with breathing excercises.i had no choice but to try all these since I cannot do meds.they were too harsh and I felt worse. please know you are never Alone. We are all here for each other.Take good care of you and the rest will follow.

 

[gjpj]

Try relaxation movements,Somatics,Yoga and breathe Lavender and Peppermint oil to calm you with breathing excercises.i had no choice but to try all these since I cannot do meds.they were too harsh and I felt worse. please know you are never Alone. We are all here for each other.Take good care of you and the rest will follow.

Thank you for your message and support. Any advice is very welcome. I too feel medication is quite harsh, although if my symptoms get worse then I guess it's a fine line to rule them out if recommended by my GP again.
It's good to be able to discuss things on here and get good honest feedback.

 

[Liljulz67]

Thank you for your message and support. Any advice is very welcome. I too feel medication is quite harsh, although if my symptoms get worse then I guess it's a fine line to rule them out if recommended by my GP again.
It's good to be able to discuss things on here and get good honest feedback.

You are more than Welcomed,there are Alternatives and I have been lucky to have doctors rule out Harsh drugs,I rather hurt than feel like pain is not a part of the process,do what you need to.always listen to your body.trust me,it does matter.i have too much invested in this Naturally so it is working for me.Thank you for responding,I don't take it for granted. Take good care.