To be very anxious

[scaredofwhatswrong]

I fainted three times this morning . Felt funny when I woke up at 5, palpitations and giddy, then collapsed first thing running around the house, then again in house, then in chemist .

Third time I got taken over to GP, practice nurse checked ECG and blood pressure and stuff and said I have significant postural hypotension (BP 150 lying, dropped to 100 stabding), anaemia (B12 and folate - bloods done a week ago), a bit iron deficient, propanolol tablets, heavy and painful period, taking cocodamol, and dehydrated .

ECG, temp and pulse normal .

She and GP said it’s zero wonder I’m collapsing - sent home for bed rest and back for more bloods and recheck BP tomorrow .

I have severe health anxiety to the point of quite horrendous illness with it, and can’t calm down . Can’t bloody stand up and walk 10 steps without feeling woozy, but I think I’m working myself up into a frenzy and making it much worse than needs to be ?

Would you try to calm down and relax a bit? Nurse and GP were lovely but I’m struggling.

Earlier on they said if I faint again dial 999, but that was before my appointment, and now I’m not sure if I faint again if that’s what I do ? Have been drinking water/lucozade all day, and managed to eat a bowl of pasta for tea .

If you faint again, I assume there is someone around who can phone for help?

My husband phoned 111 when I fainted twice in quick succession and they sent an ambulance. (I had pneumonia, it turned out. I had no idea, just had a fever).

Your GP sounds very proactive but they are not a 24 hour service so don't hold out waiting if you have trouble this evening.

Have you tried eating something salty? I have low blood pressure and it helps.

I’m with my mum yes, and at my gran’s house ... her NDN is about too (nurse) . I’m just panicking I think and making myself feel even worse .

Are you on any medication? 50mg of sertraline has knocked my anxiety dead.

Could you be pregnant? I get postural hypotension when pregnant.

Yeah, take propanolol morning and night and mirtazapine before bed . I tried sertraline a few years ago but really didn’t get on with it sadly .

Definitely not pregnant, although that would be a lovely explanation !

Yes, calm down (in the nicest possible way) are you taking the co-codomal for your period pain?

I am yeah, it’s codydramol I think tbh so a wee bit stronger . Not very pleasant stuff !

Ok so you've got plenty of people keeping an eye on you. Deep breaths.

I'm considering seeking medical help for my own anxiety so I know it's easier said than done, but try to distract yourself as much as you can.