Neurological Disorders Forum - Stop smoking

My question is: I've been trying to quit smoking for a while but yesterday I had exams so I smoked alot (14), then had like 4 donuts (too much sugar i'm guessing) then got back home after a very long and tiring day. I had this huge vertigo in my head, I literally lost balance as I walked to the kitchen twice not once. It's a feeling I never had before and scared me to death. While trying to sleep last night my heart bpm was around 100 which is high I think. I woke up today all puffed up and the vertigo is gone but came back again 6 hours (which is now) after I woke up, I've had no cigarettes so far (trying to quit cold turkey I guess). I fear I have a tumor in my head (no headaches though but some tension in my shoulders) or had a stroke last night. This emptiness in my head like something is pulling my head backwards towards the ceiling is frightening. I'm extremely scared, please tell me what to do. Thanks for your effort and advice.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on May 2nd, 2007

Neurological Disorders Answer A2643

It seems that vertigo may not be the real problem in this case, but the fear that you could have brain tumor, stroke or another severe disease. You may stop measuring your pulse and blood pressure at home. Quitting smoking is a very good thing but you will need a lot of efforts to succeed. It seems that anxiety could be a possible reason for the symptoms you report. You can consult your primary health provider. Standard diagnostic procedures can be done to exclude some common reasons for vertigo (anemia, hypo or hypertension, inner ear disorders etc.). If everything is ok the remaining possibility would be a diagnosis that identifies anxiety as the cause of the condition.

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