So scared! Please help me

This started in July/August I thought I had sinusitis. It went temporarily and then came back along with tingling sensation on right side of head. I noticed a cracked tooth and went to the dentist who then referred me to a specialist. They were going to remove the tooth but didn't because he said that my problem was something to do with the joints of my jaw. 
he said to eat on both sides. 
long story short, the tingling in the right side is there every morning and continues through the day. Sometimes I get a headache too in one place. I also get a tingling cheek on the same side. I had a massage who said that he thought my problem was stress and tension, my muscles in my neck were so tight that he couldn't move them for a while. I am a worrier and suffer health anxiety. I am terrified beyond words of having cancer. I am absolutely terrified of going to the dr incase he's concerned and send me for an mri. (I also have claustrophobia). Please can someone just put my mind at rest. I'm waking up at 2:15 every morning completely terrified! 

My daily symptoms are: tingling in right side of head which definitely get worse when I worry about them.  I am driving myself mad and even as I write this, I feel the tingling. 
 Dear God I am so scared. I just want this all to go, to end! 

Parents
  • I have no medical knowledge but I cannot help wonder if your problems are caused by jaw clenching/teeth grinding in your sleep - I think its quite common for people to do this when under stress and feeling anxious. When I was going through a really stressful time, I started getting headaches, a tingling sensation in my cheek and my neck sometimes felt stiff. Then one tooth went really sensitive so I went to see the dentist - although I did have a sinus infection the tooth was ok but he thought I was subconsciously clenching my jaw in my sleep and asked if I had had headaches etc. I was given medication to help relax me at night, to break the cycle and my symptoms eased off. It might be worth talking to your GP or dentist to follow up on the jaw issue mentioned and start to learn how to reduce your anxiety

  • You are absolutely right. It makes complete sense. It always seems to be the case that if I go to the gym, walk and then have a sauna then my symptoms are a lot less noticeable the next morning. I wish I wasn't such a worrier. I am still worried about going to the Dr incase they say I need an mri to rule other things out. I'm going to try meditating in the evening as I am drifting off to sleep. Do you think that is a good idea?

Reply
  • You are absolutely right. It makes complete sense. It always seems to be the case that if I go to the gym, walk and then have a sauna then my symptoms are a lot less noticeable the next morning. I wish I wasn't such a worrier. I am still worried about going to the Dr incase they say I need an mri to rule other things out. I'm going to try meditating in the evening as I am drifting off to sleep. Do you think that is a good idea?

Children
  • Meditating may well help you - really anything to help you relax. I would also start trying to incorporate daily stretches into your routine - especially for neck/shoulders as from your massage it sounds like you hold tension there. It may be worth another visit to your dentist to get further information about what was meant about 'joints of jaw' and see if sleeping with a mouthguard would help. I was given medication but my daughter it would appear also subconsciously clenches her jaw in her sleep in times of stress and she was given a mouthguard before her GCSEs to prevent damage to her teeth.

  • Well I had two days with no symptoms whatsoever. And then....... I had a bit of stress last night and went to bed without doing any meditation. I woke feeling ok and had a massage (from a professional masseur), afterwards I was left with tingling on top of my head and to the right side of my head. Maybe he aggravated something. 

    For the last week or so I have been having a sauna and shower before bed and listening to a meditation cd while falling asleep. Most days I have woken with no symptoms but they did come back during the day. 
    The last two days were really good when I had no symptoms at all. Maybe this is all caused by stress? Jaw clenching and anxiety!