I have had anxiety for awhile
Posted , 6 users are following.
I had a random panic attack 2 years ago, and since then my whole life has changed. I have tried natural sleep aids, yogo, breathing exersises, going to sleep earlier, diet change, and exersise. I have found little relief from anxiety, and panic attacks. I recently got sick with gastroenteritis, I have had a panic attack every single night since I have got sick. I use to only get panic attacks at night time but now it's starting to happen in the day time too. It's really scary thinking I'm going to die 24/7. I was thinking about getting medication, and I just want to know what has worked for anyone else.
Thanks
0 likes, 17 replies
thomas96833 remygirl
Posted
Hello remygirl,
Sorry to hear what you are going through!.
I am in a similar position. I had a random panic attack last year and that turned into about 3/4 a day at my worst!. It's calmed down a lot now since but it's still there everyday - I just feel shakey, dizzy and weak legged all day. The worst for me is sleep, I just can't switch off. I have found a few ways to manage it day to day short term. Still working on the longer term plan sadly.
I always find that my anxiety is worse when I get flu / sick, I guess it's just because you haven't got the energy to fight it as you normally would. Anything that impacts your sleep makes it worse to
I tried some medications but none worked for me sadly. The problem I had is that the side effects of them all just replaced one problem with loads more - but you'd have to weight up the pro's and con's youself of trying them. I got to a point where I just wanted releif! I have tried quick relief like buspar, propranolol for the racing heart, and also anti-depressants (Fluoxetine). - The side effects were horrendous and I couldn't stick them out
Propranolol helped the most I'd say but it made me physically exhuasted and really impacted my excerise (would say I managed 40-50% less distance cycling on them before becoming exhausted).
So for I have found ways to cope though - Exercise definitely helps, anything cardio I found. It helped my panic attacks seem not as bad when you're use to having a racing heart and calming yourself down.
Passionflower supplments from Holland and Barrett are a godsend. It gives me say 6/7 hours of respite where I can just get on with my day without worrying. I have used them for about 2 months now. No side effects what so ever. - Buspar done the same but it was stronger - I just felt stoned all day. I actually got send home from work once as the manager thought I was high!
Valrian Root is also a godsend. Helps stop the racing thoughts at night and actually allows me to get a good night sleep. Again no side effects. I only take when needed though as I want the effect of these to last.
I am trailing St Johns Wort at the moment because the constant anxiety as been causing low mood and sleep problems. It's only been a week so it's to early to tell yet. So far though I feel a lot clamed. Week one on Flu and I thought I was dying to be fair so anything is better haha.
Hang in there. You'll find something that helps as much as it doesn't seem like it now
remygirl thomas96833
Posted
Thanks for the reply!
I am looking at passionflower suplements right now, do they make you drowsy during the day? I love valrian root, I recently have been using a sleep spray from isagenix that contains it. I also have used emergency zzz for sleep for a long time but after a year of using it, it couldn't make me tired anymore.
I think I will spend my nights trading off on those two products. I'm going to try to get into a yoga class soon and hopefully that will help. I didn't want to try medication because of possible negative side effects, but I am getting close to just trying it. Seems like anything would beat thinking I can't breathe. I hope you find relief as well, and I hope you have luck with St Johns Wort!
thomas96833 remygirl
Posted
Hello,
Passionflower doesn't really make me tired or drowsy to be honest. I combine that with camomile tea and it really calms your mind / nerves. One big thing I have learnt though is to avoid caffeine - it's a massive trigger. Sadly I do love coffee. I find that I just yawn a lot now but it's an easy trade off.
I had the tight chest feeling and not breathing throughout the whole of summer and it was dreadful - ended up in A&E twice when it was really bad. I found that getting a steam inhaler helped, they are in boots for like £4- it's more of a placebo but I found if something cleared my airways i knew I would be fine if that makes sense? - Just do some deep breathing into it and it's amazing how fast you calm down.
Other than Passionflower I use Rhodiola as well btw. I tend to switch between the two as I don't want to build a fast resistance to them.
borderriever remygirl
Posted
Sorry I should explained some techniques you can try
Mindfulness Relaxation Techniques can help you relax and also improve your activity levels.
Look into diversions and activities you enjoy and this will help you with your moods. Try other activities, rather than TV this can maintain your interests and it increases a positive move
I have found out over the decades that you need to suppress your concers and work on positive ways foreward
You need to talk w are here for you
remygirl borderriever
Posted
Thank you for the advice, one bad habit I have strayed away from is starting to freak out and turn on the TV. It's not very distracting, usually when I get a start a panic attack I accept its not time to sleep and I get up and move around its been helpful. I will definatley try some mindful relaxation videos!
remygirl thomas96833
Posted
I had to give up caffeine due to migraines, it was a sad day for me. That's good it doesn't make you drowsy, it would be nice to have some day relief! I did notice being sick the past couple of days with the humidifier I haven't had a panic sttack. Who knows if I was just more focused on trying not to throw up or if it was the steam haha, but its worth looking into. Awesome, I will definitely look into both of those products and give it a shot! Thank you so much for all of your helpful advice
borderriever remygirl
Posted
You need to discuss your concerns with your GP and He will decide on what pathway you need to take, we can talk with you and give support
Do you have any idea why your feeling this way, to know why you are suffering it is half way there in understanding your problems and enable you to move on
remygirl borderriever
Posted
Hello
I have no idea why I feel anxiety, I have talked with my doctor and he is a very spiritual man hence all the breathing exercises and yoga. I haven't found much relief from that though. He then suggested I should talk to go to counseling but having anxiety thats exactly what I want to avoid. An online forum seemed much easier. I wanted to see other peoples experiences and reccomendation before I pursue something else.
Bluesapphire remygirl
Posted
Hi
My anxiety got so bad I was at breaking point!!
Every single night in bed without a doubt id have bad anxiety and the panic would set in til I'd eventually nod off...
I left my anxiety that long I can barely leave the house now suffering from social anxiety.
The school runs and bed times were my worst part of the day!!
Yet 4 weeks on Sertaline has definitely took the edge away. OK my anxiety is still there but barely in the morning and nights any more. My heart no longer races, the chest fluttering has stopped and the struggling to breath and shakes have gone away. So it's definitely eased the symptoms and took the edge of
I also quit smoking and took caffeine away by only drinking de caff so think that was a great help too :D
remygirl Bluesapphire
Posted
That sounds like an awesome improvement, I struggle with the chest tightness, rapid heart rate, and can't breathe feeling. I will definatley keep this in mind. I also stopped drinking caffenine awhile ago do to constant migraines
. I'm sorry you suffer from social anxiety, sounds like we are in the same boat. It's good to have a support system when it comes to that, I miss being able to go to the movies. <3 Thank you for your experience
thomas96833 Bluesapphire
Posted
Hello Bluesapphire.
Just curious about you're experience with Sertraline?
The doctors have perscribed it as Fluoxetine didn't work to well for me. How have you found it and how has the side effects been for you?
Hoping something will work longer term but not sure I can deal with the side effects yet
Thank you!
Bluesapphire thomas96833
Posted
Hi Thomas96833
I have been prescribed stuff in the past but was too scared to take it this time I forced myself because I just had enough.
I read all the posts online and was all so negative so it didn't help me...
I think the anxiety is going to be there no matter when you take with worrying and waiting for side affects to hit you.
But to be honest I had anxiety after the 1st and felt nauseas so I put myself to bed to relax. Over the next few days I had day time sleeps, head was fuzzy and I was so tired I was on a constant mood. Some higher anxiety and my jaw kept clenching but by day 6 or 7 I was feeling better each day. Then each day I got calmer and calmer it's been a life saver. I've felt so much better and the side effects haven't been bad to be honest
I was on 50mg but felt the odd symptoms of the racing heart and breathless very very slowly creapin back in here and there over the past week. I no they take a few weeks to work but I felt I needed an increase. So day 5 on 100mg and apart from the odd bit off anxiety and feeling so tired and not being able to wake in the mornings and a bit fuzzy on day 3... I've been great otherwise
If they don't work the Dr is trying me on fluoxetine but I think I'm going to be great on these. Well fingers crossed anyway. I've been on citilopram and they wasn't any help. So I'm staying hopeful
If your that wary about them break them up I did on my 1st 2 days but I wasn't feeling that bad so that's why I took them properly after
Laroxe remygirl
Posted
One of the main ideas about panic is that people become aware of certain body sensations and interpret this as meaning they are seriously ill. A very common one is when people become aware of their heartbeat and think that this means they are having a heart attack. If you think your having a heart attack the anxiety makes perfect sense really. When you go to bed, this is the time its quiet and you have no distractions, its common for everyone to become more aware of whats happening in their bodies, but if you suffer from panic and automatically think these are dangerous, it can be a bad time. Its also the time that people have time to think and most people with anxiety think in very specific ways, they worry, everyone goes over problems, it helps us predict what might happen and how we might handle these things, but worry takes us no where, its unhelpful.
If sleeps the big problem try some technique which requires concentration, a relaxation technique which involves focussing attention, though it might be best to avoid the ones that focus to much on your body. You can find lots of free MP3 files that take you through different meditation techniques on the web, find one you like and that lasts at least 20 minutes to start with. Remember these are skills and you get better with practice. You can also look up the idea of sleep hygene you will find lots of ideas to try. I'm not to keen on drugs for sleep, if your very anxious you can just feel more tired and still not sleep. In the UK they only prescribe SSRI antidepressants, which have a sedative effect, if side effects are a problem, there are lots of these and people often need to try several before they find one that suits them. Other drugs often cause more problems than they solve. Remember a milky drink can help, they have lots of a particulat amino acid called tryptophane which helps. Hope you find something useful.
remygirl Laroxe
Posted
That makes a lot of sense, I use to do these breathing relaxation mp3s my doctor sent to me but they freaked me out because they focused more on my body. I always just thought they didn't help much. I will definatley give it another go. I usually go towards more natural products when I go to sleep. I have found if I take it too early I stress myself out but if I take right when I'm settled I usually do okay and that will stop the attacks. My only problem is I can't sleep the day away
thanks for your advice !
nicole53655 remygirl
Posted
remygirl nicole53655
Posted
I also have gastroenteritis right now
I have lost 13 pounds. The zofran/ondanetron was a miracle drug with that but I am sorry you have it. It has not been a good time, it also feels to have made my anxiety worse. But I will look into that medicine , thank you I hope you feel better <3
nicole53655 remygirl
Posted
Yes the doctors gave me that too! Trust me i'm right there with you! Since I stopped taking my fluxotine, I make myself so sick after eating, and cause myself to throw up. I'm trying to start back on my fluxotine today but i'm so nervous to start it, even though I know it works great.