Feel awful.

[BooksChocolateAndSleep]

Hope it's ok to post this here, the mental health board is quiet and I'm having a bit of a moment.

I suffer with anxiety (mainly health) which seems to be getting worse.

Ive had a headache for 11 days because of a neck problem and I can't see it going away, I'm terrified I'm always going to feel unwell. I'm waking every morning with my heart racing and this feeling of dread of another day of feeling awful with these headaches. Everyone keeps telling me that I'm making the headaches worse but I can't help it. I'm 10 days into starting Citalopram but it's not working.

I can't keep waking up like this and I've turned into a seriously shit parent. I went to A&E yesterday and she has given me strong medication to help with the neck but all I keep thinking is what if nothing helps and I'm here with these headaches and dizziness forever.

10 days is too soon to decide it’s not working.
It took a month before we saw the slightest changes in my DH.
What dose are you on and do you have a follow up appointment booked ?
Take some painkillers regularly for now, don’t wait for the pain to start.

Whats actually wrong with your neck, you need to focus on getting that better

Ok so it's an ongoing issue but the doctor in A&E said that the whole of my neck and shoulders are hard as rock and I need to take the strong medication and literally do nothing for a few days to relax it all (husband is away until tomorrow evening so I can't do that until then). She said that's what's causing the headaches.

Deep down I know this but every morning I have this racing heart and feeling of utter dread that I'm going to feel like this forever, I'm going from the bed to the sofa because the only thing that helps is resting my neck. I need to go out for the kids today (birthday) and i don't know how im going to get through it.

Have you ruled out Covid OP?

I'm in 10mg of Citalopram. Regular painkillers don't work and I can't take the strong stuff until my husband comes back because they make me sleepy.

You need to take painkillers and keep your neck moving. Not moving it won’t help.
You will get through today, and tomorrow.

I must have done 15 LF tests o er the last 12 days! I saw an osteopath 12 days ago which is what kicked off these headaches, the doctor doesn't think he's done damage just over manipulated it.

What is the medication?

I would consider having a massage, or a series of them, with someone very experienced, if I were you. They can be extremely helpful for pain like that. You could also book in with a private physiotherapist.

Don't despair. You will not be in pain forever. There is so, so much that can help relieve this, I promise.

My DH started on 40mg and is on 30mg for life now.
Do you have a medication review booked ?

I'm absolutely no expert but I did take citalopram for a while a few years ago and remember the headache for the first two weeks. My Gp warned me about this as I am prone to headaches anyway but it definitely went away after two weeks. I hope it improves for you soon. Take care.

@BooksChocolateAndSleep

I must have done 15 LF tests o er the last 12 days! I saw an osteopath 12 days ago which is what kicked off these headaches, the doctor doesn't think he's done damage just over manipulated it.

LFs aren't that reliable. I'd book a PCR in case, to rule it out.

Ach im sorry @BooksChocolateAndSleep, i have health anxiety too and its awful. I have propanolol for rhe physical symptoms of anxiety, the racing heart, feeling clammy with panic etc. It slows everything like that right down. A couple in the morning or when you feel like that would really help. I dont take anti ds but ive heard they take a few weeks to kick in.
Hope you feel better soon

@Innocenta

What is the medication?

I would consider having a massage, or a series of them, with someone very experienced, if I were you. They can be extremely helpful for pain like that. You could also book in with a private physiotherapist.

Don't despair. You will not be in pain forever. There is so, so much that can help relieve this, I promise.

Thank you for that, that seems to help when someone tells me that it definitely won't be like this forever. Messages from friends saying "oh that must be terrible I hope you can find someone to help" makes me feel worse because then I panic what if no one can help and I'm stuck laying on the sofa forever. I know that sounds really dramatic but that's how I am at the moment.

Doctor has given me 30mg of Codeine and 5mg of Diazepam, told me to take them and take myself to bed for 2 days.

I would consider having a massage, or a series of them, with someone very experienced, if I were you. They can be extremely helpful for pain like that. You could also book in with a private physiotherapist.

I had a very similar thing many years ago. Headache for two weeks and neck and shoulders like iron. I had an Indian head massage and it literally went straightaway.

@ssd

Ach im sorry *@BooksChocolateAndSleep*, i have health anxiety too and its awful. I have propanolol for rhe physical symptoms of anxiety, the racing heart, feeling clammy with panic etc. It slows everything like that right down. A couple in the morning or when you feel like that would really help. I dont take anti ds but ive heard they take a few weeks to kick in. Hope you feel better soon

@ssd that sounds like something that would help, the second I open my eyes my heart is racing, I feel shaky and just despair that I've got to get through another day. Not in a suicidal way just another day of feeling awful both mentally and with this headache.

I need to tell my husband this when he gets back because he doesn't know any of it, he knows about the headaches and my neck but not the anxiety. He doesn't "do" mental health problems or illness and prefers to just let me deal with stuff until I'm feeling better, not sure I can hide this anymore.

I understand OP. I also suffer from health anxiety and have been suffering with issues down below since I had a UTI last month.

As soon as I waken in the morning or during the nights I am aware of it. It is all I think about.

Have you developed any techniques that help to calm your breathing?

DS sometimes has severe pain, almost like a huge spasm and if he can concentrate on his breathing, so breathing in to the count of 4 and out to the count of 4, it takes his mind off the pain and actually relaxes the muscles as well.

If he does this he recovers quite quickly, if he doesn't it can last for hours.

@AnxiousAbi

I understand OP. I also suffer from health anxiety and have been suffering with issues down below since I had a UTI last month.

As soon as I waken in the morning or during the nights I am aware of it. It is all I think about.

@AnxiousAbi thank you, that's exactly how I am. The second I wake no matter what time I'm thinking about the day ahead with this pounding headache. I hope you get your UTI problem sorted soon, they are so painful. ❤️

@DominicRaabsTravelAgent no I haven't I'll have to try that today, maybe that would work. Thank you.