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Mental health

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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:

MiasmARGGG · 25/10/2010 20:04

Hello :)

I'm still feeling shitola tbh ! Same old same old.

How are you ?

LadyInPink · 25/10/2010 21:39

I'm doing ok at the moment thanx - it's half term so LO not at school so no early morning rushing stress. I hate the dark cold early mornings!

Don't forget you have only been on meds for one week so this is normal hon. You are doing great and believe me they are working but it won't seem like much as you feel so shitty but gradually you will see the benefits. Stick with it and keep popping back and up dating us as we are all behind you and willing you to get better - and you will

SkeletonFlowers · 26/10/2010 00:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OnEdge · 26/10/2010 01:11

sorry haven't got time to read whole thread. I suffer from anxiety and am not depressed. Mine is always made worse by pregnancy. I found Citalopram inneffective. I am now taking Sertraline and the anxiety is almost gone. I only have the odd half an hour of anxiety, say about once a week now. My baby is 8 weeks old now and I am BF her.

Once my anxiety lifts, I feel extremely content and dare I say, happy. I don't know which is me. The miserable anxious one or the happy one. Do the meds allow the real me to surface? Or am I living in a drug induced state of euphoria?

Either way I like it

Toffeefudgecake · 26/10/2010 08:54

I always wonder about that too, OnEdge, but I like to think that the anxiety prevented the 'real me' coming out and now I am free to be myself. And, like you, I feel it is so much better than the alternative that I have no intention of changing it.

However, I do sometimes wonder if I am the modern equivalent of the 50s housewives who survived on Valium....

Miasma - how are you doing? Hope the side effects are wearing off now. If not, it shouldn't be long.

Toffeefudgecake · 26/10/2010 08:56

Skeleton - sorry you were having a bad day yesterday. It's awful, isn't it? I'm sorry Citalopram didn't suit you. Did you stick on it long enough to get through the initial side effects? Anyway, hope you are feeling better today.

SkeletonFlowers · 26/10/2010 11:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Toffeefudgecake · 26/10/2010 12:55

Ah yes, it can do that. I felt so bad before I went on it initially that I didn't really care about sex and DH was very understanding, but once the anxiety was under control that did become an issue. I have been much better on a lower dose. And I think your body adjusts to it over time.

SkeletonFlowers · 26/10/2010 14:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Toffeefudgecake · 26/10/2010 14:35

I think that's normal if you have been out of the workplace for a while. Propanolol should help to take the edge off. Have you asked your GP for CBT? That is very successful in treating anxiety. Had it myself.

MiasmARGGG · 26/10/2010 16:32

Hello! Sorry I have taken so long long to reply.

I'm actually feeling human today ! I'm still a bit dizzy and wobbly but 90% me! I actually feel like I'm
A bit pissed hopefully that'll fade over the next few days. I'm still having waves of anxiety but it's not all consuming, physicially I'd give myself a 7/10, mentally 6/10

Skeleton, sorry you're feeling so shit :( I can't tell you about the propanalol as I didn't take it. Are you suffering from a lot of side effects ? I don't have much of a sex drive to lose so I hope it doesn't zap It completly, dh will not be happy !

What do you do for work ? Could your dr sign you off ?

OnEdge, sounds like sertraline has really worked for you! How long have you been taking it ? I'm excited that you are anxiety free, I hope it works as well for me :)

Toffee and ladyinpink, thankyou for keep coming back to this thread [hgrin]

LadyInPink · 28/10/2010 10:44

Oh yes i remember that drunk feeling well. It will pass but you will have to put up with it for a while. A 6 and 7 out of 10 is great - well done you!

Toffeefudgecake · 28/10/2010 10:51

Hope you are feeling a bit better today, Miasma. (Hello again, Lady! We keep bumping into each other this morning!).

LadyInPink · 30/10/2010 12:28

Have a lovely weekend hon - are you into Hallowe'en? We have decorated the house and are going to a party tonight - not really in the mood for going out but it's for kids.

Hi Toffee >waves in case your lurking< we seem to have a lot in commen - back to back babies plus these threads!

Toffeefudgecake · 30/10/2010 12:38

Miasma - just checking on you. How are you feeling today? Hope side effects are beginning to wear off by now.

Hi Lady! Yes, we do seem to be following each other around! Enjoy your Hallowe'en party. [hsmile].

MiasmARGGG · 31/10/2010 18:23

I'm starting to feel almost normal actually I've still got that horrible wobbly feeling going on occasionally but things are looking up. The anxiety has improved too. No panic attacks! Ive had a few moments but generally I feel better and have found it easier to rationalise and not obsess over my health.

The only problem is I am bloody exhausted. I go back to work tonigt and I feel like I could sleep for a month. I've been in bed by 10 every day this week but I've had a vile tooth abbcess so haven't been sleeping very well, hopefully that will improve as I start catching up.

Anti depressants are very weird though. I feel very strange.

LadyInPink · 31/10/2010 18:51

Just left you a nice long message and mumsnet decided to go offline for 30 seconds and i have lost it - grrr!

Just to say well done you for sticking with it, the meds are obviously working for you and doing the job they're supposed to do. You must be so proud of yourself - i'm proud of you too.

Take it easy still as you are probably a bit run down hence why you are exhausted so at work do the least you can get away with.

Hope you have another good week and continue on the path to full recovery. You will still feel wobbly so watch out for over doing things, let your DH take the strain.

All the best hon and keep us updated on how you are doing x

MiasmARGGG · 01/11/2010 18:36

Thanks Pink :)

I struggled a bit during my nightshift last night. I think the combination of being awake for the side effects of the drugs and the stress of work sent me in to a bit of a panic :(

I've been really anxious today and i've got another 12 hour shift to contend with tonight.

LadyInPink · 01/11/2010 18:42

Oh you poor girl - it's so hard isn't it. Two 12 hr shifts on the trot sound hard even when you aren't suffering from anxiety. Would it be an idea to take the other pill, propanolol (sp) just to take the edge off?
What line of work are you in out of interest?

MiasmARGGG · 01/11/2010 18:49

I work in a nursing home so it's not exactly stressful.

The propanalol is actually a really good idea, i'd not thought of it.

I have a doctors appointment on wednesday i might ask if she will sign me off for a while. SSP is such a measly amount though isn't it.

Tonight is my last shift till next sunday so i'll probably muddle thought :)

LadyInPink · 01/11/2010 19:05

I have worked in nursing homes and i would call it stressful so don't be down on yourself.
SSP is crap i know but it is better than nothing, your health is what matters here though i can understand lack of money is a cause of stress too so it's swings and roundabouts!
Great your next shift isn't until Sunday, see how you feel and if you are worrying about it see your Dr and get signed off just for a week or so until the meds really kick in. If you do go in tonight then def take the propanolol and say to the other staff how you feel, chances are they will ease your load.

All the best whatever decision you decide on.

You are doing really well though, sure i was still feeling wierd at this point in the meds.

MiasmARGGG · 01/11/2010 19:08

Thnaks i really appreciate you listening to me whitter on about it all

My team are quite cool so i'm sure if i do tell them how I am feelin they will help out :)

LadyInPink · 01/11/2010 19:27

That's great phew!!

It helps to voice how you are feeling, i only wish i had had access to mn when i was feeling like poo all those years back. A problem shared and all that............

LadyInPink · 04/11/2010 11:10

How did the Doctors appoint go? Are you signed off?

Hope you are doing okay as you haven't posted for a while!

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