Tips for managing intense anxiety

[Orchidflower1]

Just that really feeling edgy, anxious- will be on my own until dc get bk from school (11&9) then on my own until dh gets in from pub tonight.

Thanks all for your posts and making me feel like I'm not alone. Going to try a meditation app. I've tried beta blockers but they lowered my blood pressure too much.

Thanks for the advice KindDogs
You're right in that the infection immediately after having dd2 has really made things very difficult. I have felt more positive these last 2 days but still having wobbles where I get stressed about my health. I'm going to ask my Dr or midwife about supplements as I'm bfing but I'm sure I'll be able to take some things that will help! I'm on the actimel at the moment but I do think proper probiotic supplements would probably be better.
Thanks for starting this thread Orchid it's been really helpful, how are you feeling today?

OhWhatAPalaver
It was such a useful thread Orchid started. I think a lot of us feel anxious a lot of the time.

I am glad you are feeling more positive in these last few days. Following an infection and anti-biotics I am presently taking Boots Digestion Support Plus probiotics with added prebiotic, and either Fage or Rachels organic greek yogurt with my own added berries. Re: natural alternatives for anxiety, you could show your doctor the Pubmed article about Magnesium, as that is a proper medical source for the information and I think the Vitamin D council has information of its own. (The worry would be if there is anything you shouldn't have in your present position). I hope you feel even better soon.

I've had a terrible day girls - incredibly anxious- was sick this morning which I'm 99.9% sure was anxiety related. I've decided I'm going to start duloxetine tonight. Phoned doc and cried and she said it's really the best thing until cbt kicks in. My kids deserve better than this. On a positive note the meditation gif mentioned earlier is good. Thanks for your posts xx

Your kids have a wonderful mum, who happens to be struggling with her health, that is all. They are very loved. I hope that the duloxetine helps.

I wanted to say the meditation app I use is called Mindfulness, it is a blue icon of a white silouette person sitting to meditate, it is free. You can do basic breathing meditations, but if you are worried that these will make you panic, or it is hard to focus, then you can also download various reflective meditations from the store (in app purchases, there is a store tab, these are 79p each). These are done by various different teachers, so you can find one which suits you (I don't find male voices soothing at all, for example) and work with that.

I am very sorry Orchidflower [flower]. I hope you will feel much better soon.

Hope the duloxetine is helping you Orchid and hope you are feeling a bit better today.
I had a panic attack this morning when I had a hand delivered letter through my door asking me to contact my drs, cue me panicking about my health for 45 minutes until they opened only to eventually get through and find that they just wanted me to register dd2! Felt like an idiot after that... I had to laugh at myself when I got off the phone.
I got some metatone yesterday that has magnesium in it as well as some other good stuff so hopefully I'll perk up a bit more soon.

Hi all on third day of duloxetine and feeling awful😢. I'm taking it at night as it's supposed to make you sleepy but have got terrible palpitations, banging head , sicky tummy but worst of all each morning woken feeling faint , sweaty and disoriented- don't know whether to persevere or not.

Very sorry you are feeling awful Orchid. I hope it gets better.

You could try taking it at a different time of day, or with food (if this is an option), this might change your bodies reaction? I had headaches and insomnia when I started Setraline, but these went away in 2-3 weeks. I also had slight dizziness, now I think on it. But I felt an effect on my mood too, so it seemed worth persevering.

How long does it take you to feel okay in the morning? Is there anything which helps? If side effects don't improve, maybe ask to try a different medication

body's reaction, I mean. Grammar fail.

Hi the lightheadedness is easing but got terrible palpitations with two episodes yesterday of feeling faint/ racing heart. Dh has been helping this morning and got kids breakfast- hope the perseverance is worth it.

Good that the lightheadedness is going; hope the palpitations ease soon too. Hope DH continues to do his bit.

Had terrible palpitations yesterday and hot flushes. Had two anxiety attacks / periods of feeling faint and panicy yesterday. Decided last night to stop taking duloxetine. This morning no palpitations and lightheadedness/ doped up feeling eased. However got fluttery anxiety and been sick. Dh not impressed sadly as he thinks I should stick with it. Going to try some herbal stuff I think but going to phn doc first. I'm fed up. Do I have debilitating on side effects but feel calmer or fight the anxiety?

It is not your DH's body or his decision to make.
Speak with your Dr before doing anything else, he or she may have a suggestion for different meds.

If you want to try a herbal route, I got Rhodiola Stress Relief from Holland & Barratt. I took it between when I tapered off fluoxetine and went onto Setraline. I found it somewhat helpful. The move to Setraline was to do with PTSD symptoms, rather anxiety - I was having very draining and vivid nightmares as well as dissociative symptoms (otherwise I would have wanted a natural route too). But then things kicked off with xH too, so I gave up the natural approach and went onto Setraline (my doctor said most people are able to tolerate it well, which I am).

I take Sertraline (100 mg) for anxiety. Works a treat, but it did take some perseverance, after about 6 weeks I felt it was under control. My GP gave me diazepam for the really tough times while I was getting used to Sertraline. Sleep was also an issue so I take a small dose of Mirtazapine (7.5 mg) to help with that.

I'm all for pills, but if you're not then I would suggest trying the Headspace app. You get a free trial which you can come back to again and again. I've signed up for the whole package though, which is pretty good. I found that there's something calming about allowing myself time out. A GP friend (who also suffers from anxiety) also suggested doing something nice for yourself every day, and I think there's something in telling yourself that you are on your side, iyswim. For me anxiety is a sort of self punishment and breaking that cycle is important.

Anxiety is an absolute horror. You're not alone, and it can be treated.

Would you be willing to try the magnesium suggestion I previously posted a link for Orchid? That article was about magnesium helping with anxiety and was written on the basis of research.

Hey all thanks for your posts. I've ordered some suppliments and Bach rescue pastiles from Holland and Barrett. Tried the head space app befor bed last night and was helpful. Thanks for the support xx