Chronic anxiety - advice please

[whimsicallyprickly]

Can anyone help me understand my anxiety?

I take a low dose of sertraline and sometimes I'm ok. But other times I'm so anxious and there's not truly anything to be anxious about. I try breathing and a bit of meditation but once the feeling of anxiety takes hold, I dont seem able to shift it.

What on earth's the MATTER with me? I'm an intelligent, rational woman who seems unable to get out of her head. It affects my body too....bowels, tummy, heart rate.

Can anyone empathise and/or advise?

TIA

How long have you been on sertraline? You may need it upping.

Once my dosage was correct my anxiety definitely became less. Just more normal anxiety (like doing something new or a meeting at work but not knowing what it’s about)

For me, when I’m having lots of anxiety but clear reasoning, it’s just been that my body was in fight or flight mode from my issues. Even when nothing was happening.

Thanks @JayJayj

I've been on 50 mg for a couple of years. Yes! It DOES feel like a constant fight or flight and yet there's nothing to run from!

I have anxiety too and find sometimes other factors mean it’s more prevalent than other times, alcohol- I don’t drink anymore, whether I’ve had a bad nights sleep, sugar, hormones, caffeine. I’ve not been eating much sugar last few days and feel loads calmer. Also I’ve reduced my dose from 50 to 25 with the help with of seeing a counsellor and also I have started taking Ashwaganda Calm supplement in the evening. I think a bit of anxiety is normal and you can’t block it out as it were but can use other methods to deal with it.

Sugar! I wouldn't have considered sugar as something which increases anxiety, @teaandtoastwithmarmite

I did mean no clear reason!!! Lack of sleep and I didn’t proof read.
I am definitely worse when I am not sleeping properly.

I do think it’s worth a call to your doctor and discuss upping your tablets.

Yes I definitely find mine is worse from too much.

Oh it's just horrible isn't it. I empathise very much with you. Anti-depressants did nothing for my anxiety (tried 3 different ones at varying doses over the years) but the minute I went on propranolol, everything changed. Far less anxiety and much able to deal with symptoms if they appear.

Propranolol helps stop the physical feelings of anxiety so I no longer get a racing heart beat or palpitations which would often trigger thoughts of anxiety. Perhaps have a chat with your GP about increasing your existing meds or trying something else. Good luck!

(My anxiety increased horribly during peri-menopause and I found HRT really helpful too - not sure how old you are)

Thanks! It's incredible how many people suffer with anxiety

Have you had your bloods checked recently? I felt like this when I was anaemic. A course of iron tablets sorted it out.

What age are you? Not trying to make everything “perimenopause” but my anxiety went through the roof over seemingly innocuous things as I hit 50. Went on HRT and it has definitely helped.

Have you ever looked into hypermobility? I only got diagnosed age 37 randomly, I was refered to a rheumatologist for unexplained aches and pains, and the diagnosis explains everything, and it causes not just slightly bendy joints, but also anxiety, terrible sleep, fatigue, stomach problems, vascular problems.