What's wrong with my sister?!
Question:
What's wrong with my sister?
She has these "episodes" usually 2-3 times per week and the following happens: Her blood pressure goes way up (like 145/104), the skin on her face and neck flush, her hear rate goes up and she get palpitations, nauses, and she has pain in her back, ankles, knees, wrists, neck, and a bad headache. This has been going on for a couple months and it only happens at night.
She went to her Dr. and he said she was just getting worked up as she has panic disorder, but she swears it's not a panic attack. She's quite calm and her disorder is under control.
Facts: She's 42 but showing no signs of menopause. She has a ruptured lumbar disc (being treated). Take meds for blood pressure. Blood sugar normal. Weight normal. She doesn't drink alcohol. Occasionally takes Vicodin for back pain (no correllation with episodes)
She refuses to go back to doctor unless she has an idea of what's wrong for fear of just being dismissed.
Is this some syndrome? Anybody ever had this?
Answers:
She needs a second opinion. Before she goes, your sister needs to really search deep inside and be sure that this is not her feelings playing tricks on her. I appear to be perfectly calm when in fact by body hurts. I am so good at self-control that I am unable to disperse all of the anxiety myself despite meditation. Massage therapy helps a lot. Healthy mind, healthy body.