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Original poster

Small steps support thread?

222 replies

Soddingepiphany · 12/04/2017 08:00

I was thinking of making some small changes to try to get on top of my anxiety and wondered if anyone wanted to join me? Just recently my anxiety has gone through the roof and I have given myself gastritis with all the stressing, the anxiety is starting to feel overwhelming so I NEED to be proactive, not something that will come easily when I just want to curl up in a ball and hide from the world!

My plan for this morning is to actually eat even though I feel sick. Then I will get dressed and take my toddler and dog for a walk. My longer term plan is to get on my cross trainer regularly, do some of that mindful colouring (I thought it was a faddy thing but it does help me stop thinking for a while), and to take it one day at a time!

If anyone wants to join me please do.

OP posts:
wildone81 · 07/05/2017 13:48

Not had a great few days. Finally conceded to the anxiety and taken diazapam...hate it, but on balance the raging anxiety probably is not doing the baby any good either! Feel a bit spaced now but slightly more rational, which is probably a positive for shaking this long term

Outofsorts246 · 08/05/2017 17:09

How are you today Wildone?

Panic attack yesterday and the beginnings of one today, side effect of the ADs I suspect. Hot prickly feeling invaded arms as well as thighs. Both times I was out. No motivation when I get up either - went back to bed yesterday morning for a few hours and delayed getting showered/dressed today. Will ring GPs for advice but not sure I can stick with these.

How is everyone else doing?

wildone81 · 08/05/2017 19:04

Bit better today thanks. On edge this morning but not overwhelmed by panic. Signed off work till next Wednesday-good to have a bit breathing space and if I go back then, I'll only have three weeks to work till mat leave starts.

Just going to take it a day at a time till then

erinaceus · 09/05/2017 08:16

Sounds as if you have a plan in place wildone81. Hope that the breathing space helps you.

Outofsorts246 trying to find the right meds for you is exhausting, I do feel for you. Hope that you have a better day today.

I am doing okay at the moment. I am keeping busy and trying to remember to eat, sleep and rest. Getting the balance right is hard.

Joto369 · 09/05/2017 20:32

Hello all sorry for the absence! Happy i find some newbies and hope all others are well! I started a new job yesterday and so far it's good. Much less of a commute which is helping my stress levels. Anxiety wise I've not been too bad - no waking early or being poorly in a morning though appetite still not brill. I've seem a private menopause consultant who did what my gp should have done and prescribed HRT which should help with everything. Had my first emdr session today and ended up having a baby panic! I'm not sure about it as I don't have trauma from the car accident and not sure if dredging stuff up is the answer. Anyone any thoughts or tried it? Beautiful evening though - Tuesday night is church bell night (Not religious!) That and the birds are quite relaxing!!!

Original poster
Soddingepiphany · 15/05/2017 08:27

Hi everyone, sorry I completely disappeared, I had a horrible week of stressful events and a family drama thrown in for good measure. I let it get on top of me and have felt like I've been drowning in anxiety. Now I'm just trying to claw my way back to feeling ok again but I'm taking a more positive approach and deciding to look at it as a learning curve to deal with stress as it comes and not get caught up in other people's crap! Back to very small steps for me but hoping it gets easier with practice.

How is everyone else doing? I know no one has posted in a while and I'm sorry I should of been here to keep the thread going.

OP posts:
Joto369 · 16/05/2017 18:30

Hi epiphany good to hear from you! No need to be sorry for anything! My anxiety levels overall have dropped buy I still feel exhausted and like im.walking through treacle. Spaced cadet!! It's an unpleasant feeling but I just get on with it. Keeping those small steps going like you xxx

erinaceus · 16/05/2017 20:37

Hi epiphany I don't think that you need to be sorry. I think it is okay if these threads lie fallow for a bit. Good to hear from you though.

I am focussing hard on eating three times a day, showering every day, and sleeping enough at the moment. It is going okay but slipping a little bit. Today I had a long chat with an old friend though which was great.

Small steps, everyone.

Original poster
Soddingepiphany · 18/05/2017 07:48

Hi Joto, how are you managing with the spaced feeling?

Hi Erin, how are the small steps going?

Yesterday was tough because I had to go somewhere and with my current state of anxiety it felt almost like an impossibility but I did it, whereas I wouldn't of been able to do a few years ago. I can just about cope with the anxiety, it's the depression that hits after I've been anxious for a while that's hard, it leaves me less able to be productive in dealing with the anxiety and I just end up spiralling.

OP posts:
erinaceus · 18/05/2017 08:20

Hi Sodding,

Well done on doing it! Are you still spiralling?

On the small steps, I am really focused on them: shower, eat, sleep, leave the flat every day. I am holding on, just, building more coping strategies, etc etc. It's kind of...boring? I miss the self that did not have to work so hard at these things.

On the plus side, at the moment I am drinking a cup of camomile tea and that is going well.

Joto369 · 19/05/2017 06:03

Hi sodding how are you feeling? I just cope with it by ignoring but sometimes it just frustrates me and I have a good cry. I just want to feel like my usual self! The anxiety has eased off a lot and im sleeping better but this feeling us hanging on!!!

Original poster
Soddingepiphany · 19/05/2017 07:58

Hi Erin, I think I've stopped the spiral, I had a few moments yesterday where I actually felt like myself again. I can really relate to the having to work so hard at basic things and how easy it is to let them slide.

Hi Joto, I'm feeling better, I've been trying to get out of the house as much as possible and it's definitely helped. Having a good cry is definitely therapeutic at times!

Hope you both have a good day xx

OP posts:
Joto369 · 19/05/2017 17:04

Hi there. Not a bad day as the spaced feeling was absent!!!! I did feel more anxious though and had a panic attack albeit a small one.

TheGrumpySquirrel · 19/05/2017 17:27

Hi guys. Sorry I have not checked in in a while. Unfortunately I miscarried on Tuesday at 10+2. A scan at 9+6 showed no heartbeat and baby measured 8 weeks. I was meant to have surgery to remove everything on Wednesday but didn't make it as it happened naturally on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately it wasn't straightforward and I suffered large blood loss and had to go to hospital where they removed some pregnancy tissue that had got stuck in the cervix (no anaesthetic). I have bad health anxiety that has been under control for over 5 years now but I'm pretty traumatised by recent events not to mention trying to come to terms with the fact that I'm not having my baby in December. I keep wondering if it was something I did, like have 2 glasses of wine or do a yoga class. I did yoga on the day baby died. I know it's unlikely to be that but I'm struggling to understand why this happened. I took Valium on 2 flights but that was already after 8 weeks so baby had already died.
My small step today was to eat a proper meal for the first time in a week.

Joto369 · 19/05/2017 17:46

Grumpy I am so so sorry to hear this. I'm sending love and huge hugs xx its natural i guess to try find a reason but sadly these things happen. Now you need to take care of you. Talk. Grieve. Small steps. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is here if you need a friendly ear and support xxx

Original poster
Soddingepiphany · 19/05/2017 19:21

Grumpy I'm so sorry, I know it's hard not to wonder but it wasn't anything you did. Please take care of yourself and know that we're here if you need to talk xxxxx

OP posts:
TheGrumpySquirrel · 21/05/2017 08:56

Thank you so much. Was feeling a bit better last night so had a proper dinner and a beer with DH. Big mistake as woke up at midnight in a panic - I just can't cope with feeling out of control of my body. I didn't drink a lot but I realise that I can't just drink normal amounts of alcohol or caffeine yet, I'm completely over sensitive. I took a Valium then slept in till now - a decent sleep. How is everyone else doing?

erinaceus · 21/05/2017 09:31

Hi Grumpy. I am so sorry for your loss, really, really sorry.

I have gone teetotal at the moment, not for the same reasons as you exactly. I limit caffeine as well although oddly caffeine in moderation has a calming effect on me, never understood that one Hmm

I have been staying away from my hometown these past two nights which has left me a little discombobulated. I travel back to my hometown today and am looking forward to being in familiar surroundings again.

I made it to the swimming pool in unfamiliar town yesterday, which I view as a major victory. I feel safe in swimming pools, and often seek them out when I am traveling.

Best wishes to all small steppers Flowers

Joto369 · 21/05/2017 10:39

Morning all.I don't drink very much at all. Sane reason I don't like feeling out of control! My anxiety around eating is pants at the moment - had a panic attack after lunch in Friday. Nothing to do with not liking food im anticipating an attack which leads to worry which leads to lack of appetite. Crap. Small steps though. Im.just bloody impatient!

Tsutty · 21/05/2017 12:21

Hi :)
I'm suffering with crippling anxiety, and it's making my pregnancy incredibly difficult.
Looking for little ways to try and ease it and help relax. But I've no idea where to start!

Joto369 · 21/05/2017 13:40

Hi tsutty! Can you access meditation apps like headspace? Breathing exercises can be found online plus distraction helps me - anything from just playing candy crush (I swore I never would!) to reading or going for a walk. The best thing is to let it happen and it goes but I also know how hard that is. Is there anything specific you are anxious about??

Tsutty · 21/05/2017 14:03

Hi Joto369 :) Thanks for your reply and ideas!
I hadn't thought about apps, I'll look in to it.
It's been a really difficult pregnancy so far, frequent stays in hospital from as early as 7 weeks in (I'm 26 weeks now) and I seem to be getting complication after complication. Just making me over think and worry about every little thing. :(

Joto369 · 21/05/2017 15:30

That's what we're here for!!! I had a difficult second pregnancy and I was anxious too but it's normal because your instinct is to protect. The heart profession als habe you on their radar and im sure they will be there to pit your mind at rest. I do however understand the mind is a pain in the butt and can overthink and create stuff. I find for example with my fear of having a panic attack if I let the anxious thoughts cone and pass they do just that. If I fix onto them it makes it worse. I would look at the apps. I'm not sure if you can take Bach rescue remedy when pregnant but I use the drops in water too. Are you at ante natal classes or anything (it's a long time since I had my two!) If so talk to other mums to be you'll be surprised how common anxiety is xxx

Joto369 · 21/05/2017 15:31

That meant to say health professionals also have..........!

bigfatmeanie · 21/05/2017 18:32

Hi, I was wondering if I could join too please? Really struggling with anxiety, health anxiety mainly (worried about feeling possible prolapse)
Currently on beta blockers and having diffs eating and drinking and with nausea and dodgy bum (sorry tmi)
Just really needing some support and hand holding :(