Going the doctors about anxiety..

[LaVieBoheme]

I'm on the verge of having a panic attack just thinking about this.

I have a doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon. I have never been medically diagnosed with anxiety before as I've always had panic attacks at the thought of talking about it. I've been like this for as long as I can remember, my first panic attack was when I was about 8 (although I didn't work that out until I was about 16, now 20).

Basically, I'm pretty scared/worried about this appointment because I have no idea what to say. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Raftofdeterminationandlove]

Hi LaVie

panic attacks are horrible I do sympathise.

I know it's difficult but your doctor will have seen people with problems like you before. Have you considered writing down what you want to say? Even if it's just random notes. It might make your head a bit clearer.

I had to do something very similar to you recently. The doctor was lovely and I was glad I did it but it was still hard and I'm normally fine with doctors.

[LaVieBoheme]

Thanks for replying
The notes thing is actually a pretty good idea, I find it a lot easier to write than talk. I'll get onto that one.

I agree, whenever I go to the doctors about any aches or pains, I'm fine, but every time I've gone to make an appointment for this, I freeze up and cancel! However I am determined this time, even if I am terrified!

[Raftofdeterminationandlove]

To be honest even if you say something like "I've come because I get panic attacks a lot. I'm really nervous. Here's a list of my symptoms and how long it's been going for" then hand him/her the list you'll probably be fine.

Are you feeling calmer? I have started getting panicky at nights recently but I am fine at the moment.

[LaVieBoheme]

I wrote out a list of symptoms/triggers which has helped me feel a lot calmer than before, but my heart is still racing a bit!
I often find night time worse, sometimes I don't end up sleeping for hours because I can't calm down. The past month I've been a lot worse than usual though, due to stress and my OH moving abroad for a year, which is why I know I need to kick my arse into gear and get help!

[Raftofdeterminationandlove]

I'm so glad it's helped you and I think you're really brave. I know that sounds patronising but you are. I collapsed before I got help. I had been to the doctor before but didn't say everything.

Sorry about your OH. That must be tough

[LaVieBoheme]

Thank you you've been a great help, you really have made me feel a lot better about this!

[Raftofdeterminationandlove]

Good luck with the appointment. Will be thinking of you

[ElephantsNeverForgive]

I'm thinking of you too, it was years before I dared go to the doctors.

Good luck.

[JuniorMumber]

I agree with LaVie - writing out a list is good. I did it even with my pregnancy questions as I tend it get bamboozled when I get in there.
I sympathise re the panic attacks, I have had them at certain times in my life. Just remember, they can't hurt you, and just give yourself this little push to get to the doctors and blurt out the problem and the doctor will take it from there.

Good luck, it will be fine. Do this for yourself, you deserve to be happy and panic free.

[Raftofdeterminationandlove]

Hello Lavie how did you get on?

[LaVieBoheme]

I just got back. I managed to make it through without panicking out loud, anyway. He's prescribed me some Propanolol to take on any day I wake up feeling anxious/like I could have a panic attack and if I feel like I need to take them more, then I have to go back and get a new prescription for a daily dosage of them. I already feel a little better, I feel rather proud of myself right now!

[Raftofdeterminationandlove]

Fantastic. You should be proud of yourself and I hope the Propanolol helps.

[LaVieBoheme]

Thank you!

[ElephantsNeverForgive]

Well done. I hope the medication helps.

I was really lucky after a couple of doses of mine, just having them in my handbag made me feel far more in control and I never took any more.

(However, I also knew that the root of the problem was failing university exams, which was a bounded problem solved by moving to a course without masses of maths.)

[fortyplus]

I'm the calmest, most rational person you'll ever meet - but I was prescribed Propranolol recently after doing a self-diagnosis on the NHS website. Doc agreed that I was suffering from anxiety after several life-changing incidents/deaths etc. Also suggested that I google CBT - said that just reading about it would be helpful she didn't think I'd need a referrral

[IsItMeOr]

Well done LaVie.

I am more than twice your age, and just got to the GP this week for anxiety. You're well ahead of the curve in my book .

Hope it goes well. Talking therapy has helped me a lot too.