Called in sick

[catsmewow]

I'm a regular who's namechanged for what will probably seem like obvious reasons, talking about personal stuff and stuff to do with work. I posted in here because you all seem like a thoughtful and sympathetic bunch who have good advice.

Today I called in sick at work. Said I had a migraine, which isn't entirely true but, well if you knew my line manager you'd understand. Or maybe not. Anyway, I got told off and asked why I hadn't taken any pain killers (this is a fairly typical reaction from you know who). Just to explain by the way, I am not the always calling in sick type. I've had, I think about 3 days off in the last 18 months.

The truth is I am exhausted after 4 days of not sleeping properly due to anxiety and stress. Well, it's always there, generally I manage it ok, but every so often it flares up and today it's really affecting me.

This morning I woke up at 2 am having a panic attack and have been feeling sick (not actually being sick, feeling nauseous) and very shaky/headachey ever since. A friend took DS into school for me.

Normally I would work through it (work ethic and all that) but today for some reason I just couldn't face going in to work. I really, really couldn't bear the thought of it.

Have a doctors appointment later.

I suppose I just wanted to say all that and 'get it out' and ask how all of you who suffer with anxiety/stress deal with it?

Thank for listening, any advice welcome.

Morning cats,

Don't beat yourself for calling in sick...it's just one of those things!! At the end of the day we work to live...not live to work

I used to work for a boss that when you called in sick she would just hang up on you, lol!!

Anyway, I have GAD. So have good days n bad. I mostly just work through the tough days as best I can and look forward to bed time.

Do you know what's making your stress/anxiety worse at the moment? X x

Thanks Yommy. I'm looking forward to bedtime too :).

Well, the panic attack this am was caused by such a silly thing, forgetting to hand in my son's milk money at school, can you believe it.

There's various bits and pieces going on at the moment which are contributing. As I said though I normally manage it ok, it's just sort of blown up recently. I don't want to say too much as it will be identifying.

I am looking for another job, which is part of it.

Btw do you mind if I ask what GAD is? Feel free to say MYOB if you don't want to say.

Oh cats the things we worry ourselves over

Well the truth is I have never been officially diagnosed with anxiety disorder. Even when I was under the care of my GP and going for "therapy" I was never told - this is what you have. Anyway, GAD is just generalised Anxiety Disorder. It basically means that I get anxious about anything and everything rather that having full bowl panic attacks. Although, I have been on the verge a handful of time but thank fully some how manage to pull myself back!

How do you cope with the attacks? X x

Yommy, I very rarely have panic attacks so I couldn't say how I deal with them really. If this one was anything to go by they are horrible (shaky, struggling to breath, heart racing) I forced myself to do deep breathing and that helped me calm down.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder...that sounds like it might be what I have. Hmm!

I feel like the anxiety is floating around waiting for something to attach it to, if that makes sense?

Yeah that's what happens to me, just feels like you are really out of breath...but if I concentrate on that and sip on juice or water it helps bring your breathing back to normal.

Anxiety in any for is really horrible though how are you feeling now? X x

It is awful isn't it.

I'm ok, I've calmed down but still feel 'on edge'. It's awful. I felt it 'coming on' yesterday and went to bed early hoping I could head it off but that didn't work.

Yeah that definitely makes sense cats! The constant feeling of being on edge and just waiting on the worst to come!

Glad you are feeling better. Be as good to yourself as you can for the rest of the day! Eat rubbish, was crap tv, and relax!!!

Have you always had anxiety? I've only had it since the birth of my DS1. It wasn't something that happened over night j think it was months of stress. New baby, stressful job, money worries...the list goes on!

I have gotten much better, at one point I struggled to leave the house to hang the washing out. I had to force myself to go places, but I'm glad I did as I would hate to be stuck in the house. I am generally much better than I was, but still have bad days/weeks where I want to just stay under the covers n hide from the world. But my little angels wouldnt allow it...I'm so grateful for them

Yommy, are you me?! .

I think my anxiety has always been there in one form or another. I'm a single mum, 1 (absolutely lovely) DS and I work too so things can be tough.

When it's not troubling me I'm great, on top of the world, but when it flares up I find even simple things very hard going, although, like you, I do force myself because hiding away indoors is no life.

Recently I've been on beta blockers which have helped a bit but that's not a long term solution.

It helps so much just knowing your not alone doesn't it

What age is your DS ?? Mine are 6 and 3.

Have you ever tried AD's? I am really put off due to side effects, etc but would love to be rid of anxiety. Catch 22! When we're were going on holiday last year I went to my GP to ask for Beta blockers as I was so nervous about flying. He told me no, but gave me something else (can't remember what it was now) hmm! Anyway, I never took the pills just wanted a back up "just in case"! I was so proud of myself I got through the flight and post of the holiday panic free! We are going away ageing in 2 weeks and although I'm nervous I am actually excited this time

X x

It certainly does :).

My DS is 7. It's a great age isn't it? He is full of life and questions. It can be exhausting but its great.

I've been on ADs in the past and they've helped - I'm lucky as I don't seem to get any of the bad side effects you can get.

Totally get what you mean about having the back up; I think knowing it's there can help. Amazing you managed without though, that's fab!

Glad you're excited looking forward to your holidays - are you going somewhere nice? I know they can be anxiety provoking too (for me at least)...just another example of how rotten anxiety can be cos it spoils something that should be fun, IYSWIM.

Yeah they are at a great age...and great company too

We are heading off to turkey for a week. Holiday are definitely anxiety provoking! I was ill with worrying last year, I lost so much weight as I could hardly eat the first week we were away! But once I started relaxing a bit I really enjoyed it! I have been much more anxious thaws past few weeks about going away again, but because I know I was fine last time I'm not as bad this year. I will go to GP and get some more meds just in case

I really people who don't seem to have a care in the world! I hide it well to outsides, but some days it really eats me up inside

Oh well onwards n upwards

Are you still going to GP today? Are you hoping to get something for the anxiety? X x

If I'm totally honest about the holiday, the moment I land I'm already looking forward to going home lol! But I try to make the most of it while I'm there. And of course for the sake of my boys! X x

Aren't they just! :)

I know what you mean about people who don't seem to have a care in the world. How do they do it?

I was thinking about what you said upthread and my anxiety has definitely got worse since my DS was born. It';s just managing everything I think...hard going sometimes.

I'm still going to the GP and I'm going to ask if there's anything I can take to help.

I meant to say it's been really nice talking to you as well. It's such a relief to talk to someone who knows.

The pressures of being a mum, working, and managing everything else in day to day would be enough to send anyone over the edge...in my opinion

I'm off on an afternoon of site visits and a sneaky early finish .

Please let me know how you get on at GP's.

It's been really lovely speaking with you this morning x

I will do Yommy. And thanks :) x

Just a quick update Yommy - had a successful trip to the GPs.

He listened to me and asked what I thought would help. It makes a real difference to be talked to rather than at.

I am going to try a new anti anxiety med called Mitrzapazine which apparently is good for helping with sleep so I'll see how I get on tonight. I hope it works.

Thanks again for the lovely chat :).

That's great news cats!!

I really hope the new drug works...maybe hope for me there too

Please keep me updated with your progress! Are you feeling much happier tonight? X x

Hi Yommy, just wanted to update you as I didn't get the chance to come back last night.

Took my first dose last night and it knocked me out for 6 which was good, I slept really well, which is unusual for me.

The bad news...I can't seem to stop eating and I am feeling woozy and not very with it, which is making me a bit snappy and irritable. However the doc warned me about this so fingers crossed it's just temporary.

How are you - have you had a good day? x

Hi cats,

Glad to hear you got a good nights sleep, it can make such a difference!

How long did the doctor say the side effects might last? Hopefully they will pass in a few days.

I have been good today thanks. I have my DS2 nursery trip tomorrow. Almost 2 he's on the bus each way. I thought I would b feeling more nervous about it, but actually feeling fine... For now! Lol!

Did you go back to work today or have you been signed off til the meds kick in?? X x

Hi Yommy,

How was your DS's nursery trip? Hope it wasn't too nerve wracking.

I'm ok, although the side effects are not great (so much for me not getting side effects). I'm sleeping well, which is great, but unfortunately I'm constantly hungry and very irritable. Had to really bite my tongue at work today...although that may just be the people I work with .

I REALLY hope the side effects wear off soon!

Hi cats,

DS's nursery trip was great :) never even had a wobble that's the usual with me worry myself for ages before hand going over in my head...what if I freak out, etc!! On the day I'm usually fine!

Today hasn't been so great though been feeling pretty tense all day and in the verge.It's horrible, i hate dats like this. Hoping it will pass for tomorrow!

Fingers crossed ur side effects pass soon, have they helped at all with the anxiety or is it too soon to tell? X x

Hi Yommy. Hope today was better than yesterday.I know exactly the feeling you describe. Tense and edgy. It's awful, isn't it? I hope it subsided.

I'm glad you had a good trip out - the worrying yourself sick beforehand and then everything is fine on the day, I get that too :).

I can get like that before trips out. Running through everything in your head that could go wrong and then imagining the worst case scenario...does that sound familiar?

I seem to be feeling less anxious..there's more just getting on and doing things instead of faffing and panicking but that may be because I have more energy due to sleeping better.

How are you getting on today?

Morning cats, today has been a little better, still feeling a little on edge, but not as bad as yesterday.

We have a v busy day with swimming lessons this morning, 2 parties this afternoon n one tonight!

In reality all I want to do is snuggle under a duvet with my boys as the weather is so horrible outside

Tomorrow I plan to have thee laziest day...ever, lol! Really looking forward to it already

Hope ur having another good day x x