Doctors tomorrow what to expect for Anxiety?

[anitagreen]

Hi I'm sorry for posting yet again about Anxiety, but I've tried so many things I tend to go downhill around the beginning of the month during and after my period, and pick up from the 12th-24th. I'm finally going to the GP but I'm scared to be honest with them and I'm scared they will just throw antidepressants at me and I'm scared that they will turn me suicidal as I've read that they can? I have tried magnesium, vitamin b12, 5HTP and a B complex since last week but haven't noticed much improvement yet. I just don't know what else I can try honestly I'm scared by it it's been a good solid 8 months now

Oh god but how many times did I write the word scared!
I'm just panicking so much I just want my life back because I've had anxiety for about 10 years but it never ever was this bad, I mean some days are great and I wouldn't say I'm depressed I have shit days like everyone else but I feel really alone and just trapped by it

Not wanting to take antidepressants is the anxiety talking. If your GP recommends them, it really can be the best approach. They generally start you on a very low dose. That low dose got me to the point where I could realize that I needed just a little more. Been on a low dose for years now. I Don’t regret that decision for a second.

@Purpleartichoke what are you like on them though? I'm worried I'll end up like a zombie I really wanted to try cbt first but I've waited four months now x

Ask for bloodtests to rule out any deficiencies, low Vitamin D or B12 for instance can make you feel pants. Once ruled out make another appointment to discuss therapies or medication. If it were me then I would want bloodtests before going onto meds. Well done for making the appointment, you are on the right road now to feel better. Anxiety is so awful, I suffer myself x

When I first went to the doctors with anxiety it was a relief first and foremost just to tell someone who could do something and get it off my chest!

My GP did prescribe anti-depressants (Sertraline) but it was evident that my day to day life was being severely affected. Sometimes, they are necessary. I was terrified of them. I can honestly say that after the first few weeks had passed, they were a godsend for me personally. It was such a relief to be able to feel "normal" and not have to live every day of my life as a battle. She did also give me the number for a counselling referral but I never made that referral.

Good luck. Don't be scared if they prescribe pills. They're not for everyone but believe me it's worth trying. Anything is to get out of the hellhole that is anxiety!! They will make you aware that the first few weeks can be tough and you can feel worse but it's worth the perseverance. They may also discuss counselling and CBT with you which are both really useful tools.

@Goldenphoenix that's what I'm hoping it is a lack of b12 as I do have other symptoms but I'm really frightened if it's not that and just bloody me x

I’m on a high dose of fluoxetine (Prozac) For severe depression and anxiety. Honestly it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. They don’t make me feel numb or zombie like - they just make life a little bit easier and help me get out of bed in the morning and face the day. Please try antidepressants if you’re offered them. They work best with other things such as cbt but don’t be scared to try them

I take 20mg fluoxetine for perimenopause symptoms including anxiety. It's the best thing I ever did. Do not focus on the extremes of side effects that you can read about. For most people after a couple of weeks of feeling a bit sick and spacey (no worse than early pregnancy) you feel loads better. Don't be afraid to try because it's so much better than living with anxiety.

How old are you, op? It sounds like your anxiety is due to fluctuating hormones. Mine was and I started HRT. My anxiety went away pretty much immediately.

@Aquamarine1029 I'm 25. But I am wondering if it's hormone related because it used to be that when my period started it would ease but now it's throughout from just before to the end of the period and a few days after, some days I feel great for about 10 days but that's it x

Are you on the pill? If not, perhaps you should try it.

No I'm not on any hormone things x

Yes, the pill might help if it is hormone related. I suffer really bad with anxiety and depression, but during my pregnancy my symptom's were not as bad. Doctor recommended the pill to me for that reason.

Whilst anti ds don't work for my anxiety now, they literally saved my life when I had post natal anxiety and ocd. They turned me from a zombie considering awful things to some who could function as a person.

I weaned off them after a year. I have found subsequently they are not that helpful for less intense bouts of anxiety where cbt and self care have been more successful but everyone is different here.

I do second blood tests. Anaemia for example if you have heavy periods. Also hormone related anxiety is a total thing. I track mine and my most awful low days are almost always a few days before I come on. Do mention to the drs as that may give some alternative treatment options.

Also don't rule out the other treatments - if you only just started trying them last week it's unlikely they have had time to kick in yet. Talk to the dr though.

If you go for the pill, don't go for Cerazette as for myself and a fair few other people according to posts I've seen have found that they have actually exacerbated MH issues.

Microgynon I've never heard of affecting MH.

I don't take ADs for anxiety, I take beta blockers. Maybe those are an option for you.

Hi OP, I've just started anti depressants for the same reason as I was so distressed by the PMS low moods and anxiety that it was turning into every day anxiety.
Can't say I'm doing that great a week into the meds but hoping to do better soon. I had blood tests too that came back normal.
I had read that the pill can make PMS worse so have tried SSRIs first.

I'm so sorry you're struggling OP. I've been there, so I know how awful it is. My anxiety is often hormone related (set off by taking the mini pill years ago) and I used to have massive flare ups around my period as well. I'm no help when it comes to medication, as I was always reluctant to take it, however just thought my two pence worth might help a bit.

With the magnesium, what type are you taking? It comes in different compound forms and magnesium citrate is a lot better and more bioavailable than a lot of the others (e.g. magnesium oxide). I took "magnesium" tablets originally, which didn't help a whole lot, but switching to magnesium citrate (you can get it at holland and barrett i know for sure), made a big difference. I also discovered a thread on another forum years ago which suggested also taking amino acids along side the magnesium, and that was a huge help as well. I believe agnus castus is also sometimes used for helping with regulation of female hormones but i can't remember the details, so might not be useful. Another thing which has helped me immensely is acupuncture.

GP wise, i've had cbt, which is useful for helping deal with some of the anxiety, and I also had general counselling last year, which seemed to help me remove a lot of the fear of anxiety, and helped me feel more in control of it. I was reading this book at the time as well, and it was fantastic and has really made a profound difference to my overall anxiety www.amazon.co.uk/Dare-Anxiety-Stop-Panic-Attacks-ebook/dp/B0158S7E1G/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=dare+response&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1546976847&sr=8-1 I would really recommend it for some strategies for managing anxiety.

I hope the doctor is helpful. Like i mentioned, i've always been too scared of taking antidepressants etc, so can't advise on those, but I hope you are feeling better soon. Anxiety is truly horrible

I very strongly recommend that you speak to your doctor about trying the pill. Do some research tonight on the most effective ones for helping with anxiety and talk about them during your appointment.

I agree with aqua. Good luck tomorrow op. Well done for taking the first step, anxiety is truly awful.

I would also second @needanappp and say be wary of cerazette. That's what I took when my anxiety kicked off big style and I would t wish feeling like that on my worst enemy. When I researched it at the time I found so many women had experienced the same with that pill

@misskatamari I'll attach a pic I believe these to be the oxide ones they are 100mgs and I've been taken 4 a day, it said 3 was 80% of the daily recommends allowance but I've noticed no change.

Low B12 is very rare in healthy adults. I've worked in healthcare for over a decade and only come across a handful of cases, the majority were elderly people (presenting with memory problems/brain fog as a result of B12 deficiency which resolved with B12 injections) or people who were very malnourished. You can ask your GP for a B12 test to put your mind at rest.

Do ask for thyroid function tests too, as hypothyroidism can cause anxiety symptoms.

SSRI antidepressants are a first line treatment for anxiety, including anxiety from PMS and PMDD. Certain ones like Citalopram and Sertraline are very effective for treating anxiety. You may feel worse for a few weeks but no medication is without side effects. The reason GPs 'push' SSRIs is the huge evidence base supporting their effectiveness.

Propranolol (a beta blocker) is another commonly prescribed anxiety med, that's taken as needed rather than daily.

Ask your GP to refer you for CBT or counselling too. Or consider private therapy if waiting lists are long.

Benzodiazepines (Valium etc) are rarely prescribed these days unless it's for occasional use eg phobia of flying as they're so addictive.

Hope you feel better soon! Chronic anxiety is horrible but very treatable. Your doctor is a more reliable source of info than google or the many alternative practitioners trying to sell you homeopathic/herbal products.

Hi OneStepSideways, that's why I decided to opt for trying an antidepressant, because the research showed that SSRIs were first line in treatment for PMDD. I'm five days into sertraline and not having a great time. Feel worse than my anxiety/low mood was before. Do you have experience of treating PMDD?

Hiya I went and doctor agreed she didn't think I needed anti depressants but if I want them I can have them, she's going to help push my cbt referral to be done quicker,
Said there is nothing wrong with me and she believes I'm fine and once I get the cbt I will recover and be fine, still a little scared for now but I just need to find more things to do in my life as I currently do nothing all day long except housework or with the kids. Feeling really positive and hopeful now and just got to stop over thinking and reading so many negative things. X