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Original poster

Anxiety without depression.. drug treatment ?

74 replies

Miasma · 30/09/2010 18:47

I have had PTSD related health anxiety for about a year and a half on and off. I get hideous physical anxiety symptoms and panic attacks, the physical shit is really difficult to deal with as it feeds the anxiety, it's a horrid vicious circle. I was prescribed sertraline last year but never had the guts to take it and then the anxiety got better and now it's got worse again. My GP was also going to prescribe me valium for the anxiety attacks but I couldn't have it as I was breastfeeding at the time

Does anyone take drugs for anxiety if they don't feel depressed ?

Are there any drugs that can be usefull for panic attacks ? Ive only recently started having these and they are not much fun. TBH I think it was them that has kicked off this round of anxiety.

I can't continue being neurotic about my health, it's annoying and exhausting but I don't know if it's worth borthering my DR with it again. I did have some councelling last year which was only slightly helpful but the problem obviously isn't going to just go away as hoped so maybe i need some chemical assistance.

OP posts:
Toffeefudgecake · 18/10/2010 16:35

Glad to hear you have been to the dr and that she was so helpful. Good that you can see your old counsellor too. CBT works really well for anxiety, by the way.

I hope your DH starts to be a bit more sympathetic soon. It is hard to live with someone who is suffering from anxiety, especially if you have no understanding of it yourself. But he could do better! I'm glad that your colleague was so understanding though. It's amazing how many people have suffered anxiety/depression - and it's often the most outwardly confident, so you never can tell.

Good luck with the side effects. Stick with it and things will start to get better soon.

MiasmARGGHHH · 18/10/2010 16:48

I am an outwardly confident person, I've been described as a 'strong character' ( read in to that what you will!)

I gave dh a kick up the are earlier and told him how he needs to react when I'm being an irrational nutter. Hopefully he absorbed it or I might have to sack him

LadyInPink · 18/10/2010 16:51

Yey, that is fantastic news Miasma. Well done you! This is the starting point you know, recognising you need help and getting it. So proud of you. So glad Dr was lovely, mine was too thankfully.

I would heed the no drinking for at least a few weeks as the side effects won't be good otherwise, plus battling with side effects from meds too it's definately not a good idea. After a few weeks you may fancy something and yeah go for it otherwise drink non alcholic or low alcholic as sometimes it is just the thought of alcohol that is what you need.

Keep us updated and all the best on your week off. Concentrate on the job in hand not what needs cleaning etc as getting well is your main priority.

Smile Smile Smile

MiasmARGGHHH · 18/10/2010 16:58

:) thanks !

I could do with drinking a bit less anyway really, I might see if I can last without till Christmas Shock

The job in hand will be sitting on my arse watching the hours of stuff I've got clogging up my V+ box and eating chocolate. My mil is even having ds for me
Tomorrow so I can properly relax. Hopefully I can put the weedkiller poisoning episode behind me though it's still playing on my mind! I've had to throw my nice leather gloves away.. God only knows why I decided to wear them whilst weedkilling

Thanks all for the support, it's really helped :)

LadyInPink · 18/10/2010 17:13

Til Christmas Shock wow that would be amazing - though scarily it's not that far away.

I have just realised that it was this time of year that i was feeling just like you so maybe there is something in this season that effects us more. Had a holiday booked for 1st week in November and it was the worse thing i could have done as being so far away from home comforts and English speaking people made me panic more. I will encourage you by saying by Christmas i was practically back to my old self though obviously still on meds so it's not that long away.

If it helps log on here daily to give us a brief synopsis on how you are doing/feeling etc. i wish i had had MN when i was feeling bad so glad i can help you even in a tiny way Smile tell us to bog off though if it's too much Smile

A mantra of "it's just a phase" works quite well as you know there will be light at the end of that dark tunnel of side effects (if you even get any, you may not). You are on different meds to what i was on so i can't be sure.

Sending you good wishes and thoughts Smile

MiasmARGGHHH · 18/10/2010 18:57

Well I've just taken the first one Shock

I hope it's ok !

MiasmARGGHHH · 19/10/2010 05:12

Just woken up and feel decidedly weird :(

Toffeefudgecake · 19/10/2010 12:35

Sorry, Miasm. I felt weird too. It wears off eventually. Take it easy for today.

LadyInPink · 19/10/2010 19:00

How're you feeling now Miasma? Another good tip is avoid caffiene (sp) as it's a false up then you can feel more shaky.

Just take one hour at a time and know these feelings are a side effect and will subside in time.

MN hug x

MiasmARGGHHH · 19/10/2010 19:28

I don't feel to bad actually. I've had a few moments and my jaw feels a bit clenchy and i've had a bit of a gurn but I feel ok. When I woke up this morning I felt like my feet were on fire which was most bizarre but I had a cuddle with DH and watched an episode of wonders of the solar system on my phone under the duvet and fell back to sleep and when I woke up again later on I felt fine. I've just taken number 2, i wonder if i'll feel worse tomorrow ?

Thanks for the hug :)

Toffeefudgecake · 20/10/2010 09:45

How are you feeling today, Miasma?

MiasmARGGHHH · 20/10/2010 13:57

A bit shaky and odd but generally ok. Still anxious thoughI dunno how long to expect it to take before I stop feeling so bad.

I've not taken the propanalol yet, I don't think I could cope with too many side effects!

arcadia96 · 20/10/2010 14:39

Hi Miasma glad you feel OK. I was given propanalol yesterday and have taken a couple. Doesn't seem to do much though I did feel a bit more relaxed than usual yesterday evening. I took the opportunity to have a nice cup of coffee this morning - caffeine normally makes my heart race! Wink

LadyInPink · 20/10/2010 14:42

What you are feeling is quite normal don't you worry unduly about that.

Haven't had any dealings with propanalol but if it is similar to diazepam then it is best taken at night so you sleep through side effects and have good aided sleep.

Stick with it you are doing great believe me hon xx

MiasmARGGHHH · 20/10/2010 14:46

What does were you given Arcadia ? Did you enjoy your coffee ?

I've been given 80mg in long acting capsules, it says on the back that when I start taking them I need to speak to the dr befor ej want to stop as I will need to reduce them gradually. I was hoping for some to the lower dose ones to take as and when, I don't want to be on beta blockers permanently when I might only need one every couple of days. I don't know if maybe my dr gave me the wrong dose ?

MiasmARGGHHH · 20/10/2010 14:49

Thanks Ladyinpink :)

I don't think propanalol is a tranquilizer like diazepam (?)
It works by slowing he heard and dilating the blood vessels so doing away with the anxiety symptoms I think.

LadyInPink · 20/10/2010 14:56

Sounds amazing ! It is def worth a try then - is there any way you can half a tablet or pour half of the stuff out of a capsule? Or just get used to the sertraline first for a few days and slowly introduce the propanalol. Did the Dr give you any advice?

It's early days yet miasma, don't fret hon but take one day/hour slowly.

xx

LadyInPink · 21/10/2010 18:49

How have you been today Miasma?

MiasmARGGG · 22/10/2010 10:16

I'm ok, I'm starting to feel a bit less shaky but my anxiety hasn't really reduced and I'm still obsessing about my health.

:(

Toffeefudgecake · 22/10/2010 10:22

You won't be feeling any benefits yet, Miasma. It takes time. At least two to three weeks, usually. But you are four days' nearer to that time now. This is the hardest bit, when you feel the side effects without feeling the benefits. This was the point at which I was about to give up. I'm so glad I didn't.

MiasmARGGG · 22/10/2010 11:31

I just feel so Bluuurrrggghhh! Really under the weather, shaky, weak, gone off food (I've lost 5lb!) I'm spotty and greasy and don't really feel like myself.

And I'm still worrying!

I will feel normal again won't I ?

Toffeefudgecake · 22/10/2010 11:44

You are on different pills from me, so I can't speak for those ones, but generally you do feel awful at first. It's horrible, I know, but you will feel normal again.

Going out now, but will check up on you later. [hsmile]

LadyInPink · 22/10/2010 13:12

Of course you will feel normal again, this is a very common feeling don't you fret. You are doing great.

I lost lots of weight too and felt totally bleugh so again this is all par for the course.

Hang in there hunni and believe me it will gradually begin to get better. Don't be afraid to get signed off work for a bit longer by your dr as think you need to address this and put yourself first.

Hope your DH is being helpful and you have family and friends rallying round helping you too.

xx

arcadia96 · 22/10/2010 16:02

miasma I have been given 40mg tablets of propranalol and I'm just taking them when I feel like it, which has just been a few times over the past few days. From what I understand they just reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety (racing heart, shakiness). They don't sedate you like diazepam. I don't think they change your 'mood' like ADs, either. I haven't noticed much when I've taken them. I don't think they are a big deal, TBH, I think it's one of the milder things you can be given. I wouldn't worry about trying them.

LadyInPink · 24/10/2010 19:03

How has your weekend been Miasma?

Hope you have had some sunshine where you are and managed to get out!

Best wishes for a good week ahead - take it easy if you are going back to work.