Please help crippling anxiety can't cope

[user1469032438]

Hello,

I have started suffering from crippling anxiety and panic attacks, I am 7 weeks pregnant and although I don't feel anxious about it they think this is what has caused it, it started about a week ago when I suddenly couldn't breathe and nearly passed out in work, queue lots of tests all coming back normal.

Then for the past week it has been getting worse just this sudden feeling that I am going to die and I cant breath and my heart is racing and it is honestly the most horrible feeling I have ever felt and then it all culminated Wednesday night worse than ever with me crying on the bathroom floor to my husband convinced I was going to die (I feel stupid saying that but that is honestly what I thought was happening)

Went to A&E (feel stupid now but I would hate to die) they did tests found nothing suggested anxiety and told me to see the GP Thursday which I did and had a breakdown there the GP said its panic attacks but I don't know why they keep happening they have started me on meds and I have a plan in place going forward and follow ups which I guess has helped a bit.

But I just feel awful, I have constant adrenaline and I'm shattered and just spend all day trying to calm myself down so I don't end up in full blown panic again. I have a 5 year old too and I just feel like I'm failing her.

I know the meds aren't instant and I know there is no quick fix but if you have ever suffered from anxiety did the meds help? How long did they take to work? Me and my husband have been planning this baby for a long time and at the minute I feel like I don't the baby because I can't carry on feeling like this and I am contemplating an abortion which would crush my husband (and me but it feels like the lesser of two evils)

Oh OP anxiety is bloody awful. Medication can most certainly help. CBT helped me too. Have they referred you to the mental health team who deal with maternal MH? (Can’t remember what it’s called!)) In the meantime distraction, mindfulness, getting outside each day and some very very gentle exercise can also help.

Thank you, they haven't reffered me to anyone just made me an appointment to go back and see them, just today I feel worse than ever and I don't know if it's the tablets cause they said they can do that but I don't think I can function like this much longer. Do you think it's worth going back on Monday? Or is it too soon?

Not too soon at all. Could you ask to speak to your midwife to get referred to the team? What’s your plan to get through the weekend? Or even just this morning?

Thank you so much for replying, I have gone to my mums atm so I am not around my 5 year old because it doesn't feel fair on her and she keeps asking why mummy isn't very well, need to go home soon though. I haven't planned any further than this morning.

I haven't got a midwife yet, I've had 2 miscarriages in the last year and because of the first fainting spell I'm under the EPU now so have a scan on Tuesday and if that went well I was going to ring the midwives then.

I have had anxiety all my life and at times in my life where it peaked is soul destroying so I understand how you feel.
my first thought was it was probably something physical with the pregnancy has triggered the first one but you say they have done tests ?
when I was pregnant I kept feeling faint nearly blacking out when walking up station steps . The baby could be lying on a nerve they said .
the trouble with panic attacks is you dread the next one .As you have described so it becomes a vicious circle . Yes the medicine will work but anything else you can do to relax you and your vagus nerve will help. Yoga would be a good one .Baths ,massages ,walks in nature.
is there anything else that is causing you stress in your life ? Try to focus on things you love .Make sure getting enough sleep .