I write letters to my pdoc & therapist and/or notes to take w/me to keep my concerns in the forefront & to get answers. I think it is very helpful.

I have many of your symptoms from ANXIETY--major this last week where I was driving to my T's office (been going there weekly for 8 mos.) & I got lost! The streets didn't look familiar. I felt "unreal." I thought I was on one street, but was on another. Anxiety causes a tingling in my arms, legs, hands, & feet; chest pains--thought my husband might have to take me to the ER a few days ago, but he said to take Klonopin (which I don't like to take during the day as it makes me sleepy) & do my breathing learned in DBT & see if the pain lessened. It did after 1 hr. & he said to take it easy that day--not to try to do all I normally do.

Also, have ringing in the ears, inability to think, etc., etc. It is amazing what anxiety can do to you!!

Also, have you been tested for pernicious anemia? I didn't find out I had that until I was dxed w/bipolar & they ran a battery of tests that they don't "normally" do. Pernicious anemia causes depression, weakness, fatigue, etc. If not treated it causes insanity (husband said they didn't catch it in time for me!). Usually the person has pernicious anemia for about 10 yrs. before it is correctly dxed (much like bipolar). It is most common in those of Northern European descent. But w/B-12 shots monthly now (at first I got a shot every week until my levels came up to normal) my energy level has increased a lot.

My internal medicine doc checked me very thoroughly for physical conditions that could cause my symptoms or make them worse (bipolar symptoms overlap w/the symptoms of the medical conditions)--also had low thyroid which also has the same symptoms.

I think your letter was very informative. How did doc respond?