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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be a bit scared

33 replies

Barbiepringle · 29/07/2023 11:50

I always struggle with eating when I’m anxious and I am very anxious at the moment.
Since Monday I’ve had one plain biscuit and half a slice of toast.
I called the doctor yesterday and they prescribed sertraline but it takes a little while to kick in. i asked them to see me but they said the next appointment was 9th August.
I am now being sick and my stomach is upset. My BMI at the start of the week was around 19 and I think I’ve lost 5lbs since then.

My heart feels too fast.
I am a bit scared.

OP posts:
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determinedtomakethiswork · 31/07/2023 22:34

What are you anxious about? Do you want to talk about it?

Testina · 31/07/2023 22:26

StopStartStop · 29/07/2023 12:58

OP, to me, this sounds like a matter for A&E and the mental health crisis team.

This. No point in fucking about on MN.

TheShellBeach · 31/07/2023 22:20

Are you still not eating, OP?

HopityHope · 29/07/2023 13:11

How is your diabetes doing? Maybe contact 111 over the weekend if your sugars and control is out of whack and you can’t eat? It makes more of a difference than the rest of us and it’s ok to ask for help if your mental health is affecting you medically.

TheShellBeach · 29/07/2023 13:06

Actually, what I meant to say was, surely you're not still injecting your insulin - if your intake of food is essentially nil?

TheShellBeach · 29/07/2023 13:01

Are you still injecting your insulin?

Kitcaterpillar · 29/07/2023 13:00

If you're a T1 diabetic and this 'Since Monday I’ve had one plain biscuit and half a slice of toast' is true, very hearty congratulations on not being dead.

Get off MN and get to A&E.

Ponoka7 · 29/07/2023 12:59

You can buy ensure from a chemist. You can phone ahead. When I've had a loss of appetite I've had them and soup, out of a cup because my body then sees it less as food.

StopStartStop · 29/07/2023 12:58

OP, to me, this sounds like a matter for A&E and the mental health crisis team.

Sixmonthcruise · 29/07/2023 12:55

I have anxiety and ARFID and totally understand the connection between anxiety and lack of appetite but I think because of your diabetes it’s important to seek medical advice. Could you call 111 and ask for their advice?
Because of my ARFID (and I have daily gut issues) I find eating just tiny spoonfuls of foods, especially soft foods like mashed potatoes can sometimes kick start my appetite a little bit.

Dymaxion · 29/07/2023 12:51

What are your readings like ? If you are a T1 , then you need some help sooner rather than later, can you ring 111 ?, do you have anyone with you ?

InSpainTheRain · 29/07/2023 12:46

Would some snacks whilst doing something else work e.g. yoghurt whilst watching TV (yoghurt as its half way between a drink and something you chew). Or a protein drink in a flavour you like.

Cheesusisgrate · 29/07/2023 12:43

LividHot · 29/07/2023 12:38

This is hugely more serious if you are T1 diabetic.

You need some medical help else you’ll do damage.

Second this

ThreeLittleDots · 29/07/2023 12:42

Do your diabetes care team have an out of hours number?

RedHelenB · 29/07/2023 12:40

Barbiepringle · 29/07/2023 11:58

Thank you.
I am managing to drink.
The inability to eat is from the anxiety. I’m so anxious I can’t eat. It’s not a deliberate withholding of food. I try and eat but am unable to swallow it because I feel so anxious.

Have you tried sacking sweets? Having an ice cream?

LividHot · 29/07/2023 12:38

This is hugely more serious if you are T1 diabetic.

You need some medical help else you’ll do damage.

LMNT · 29/07/2023 12:35

It sounds like you need electrolytes OP.

Get yourself some asap and in the meantime have a bit of salt in water and sip.

ThreeLittleDots · 29/07/2023 12:32

YANBU to feel scared, with vomiting, tachycardia and eating almost nothing for five days, on top of being diabetic.

Second advice to try to drink soups etc at first. You need to replenish electrolytes so anything is better than nothing. Are you doing BMs?

Kindly, your anxiety won't be helped by organ damage.

WineTime22 · 29/07/2023 12:27

Sorry you are feeling this way OP. As others have said, try drinking smoothies and if you can make yourself, you could try drinking nutrishakes from the pharmacy. Keep on with toast.

What are you feeling anxious about at the moment? Is something stressful coming up? Are there things you can do about that? Maybe sign up for psychology support from your local IAPt/well-being team or ask your doctor for CBT.

I'm surprised the GP prescribed sertraline. It sounds like they are focussing on the anxiety but not the eating. Sometimes sertraline can cause people to feel more hungry, but more commonly it causes.people to lose their appetite. I wonder if you could go back to the GP.and ask what would help increase your appetite?

Dombasle · 29/07/2023 12:26

I drink milkshakes with a straw. It goes down quicker with a straw and you don't realise.

LittleMonks11 · 29/07/2023 12:22

Can you try a protein milkshake?

MargaretThursday · 29/07/2023 12:20

I get like that with stress. The less I eat the less I want to eat, so I know I need to, which adds to the stress....
I find something I can nibble on works the best. Pumpkin seeds or nuts with some sort of fizzy drink is probably one of the best for me. I'll nibble while doing something like reading or watching something inane so I don't have to think about eating.

heatdeath · 29/07/2023 12:17

the vagal nerve breathing really helps - in through your nose for count of 4, out through your mouth for count of 8. If you are very anxious it's hard at first - try it a few times every 15 minutes or som until you feel less out of control.

MNetcurtains · 29/07/2023 12:13

Barbiepringle · 29/07/2023 12:04

I’m a t1 diabetic so sugary drinks etc won’t work for me.
But I will try some food that isn’t dry. Maybe that will help.
It is a vicious circle. My heart rate is too fast.

Try Bach Rescue Remedy drops under the tongue for the anxiety.

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