Anxiety support, Hand hold or chit chat come say hi #2

[Fairydust26]

Hi everyone this is part 2 as the original thread is full up! But as the title says this thread is support for all that are struggling and could do with a handhold and a chit chat so come and say hello😊.

One good thing about being pregnant is now periods, hated the inpracticality of them but never got much pms, only ever got light periods my emotions were never related much to the time of the month. I do feel like a beached whale and am not looking forward to my postnatal recovery, described as, at best a heavy, long period.

Hey everyone glad to hear your all feeling somewhat better, I’m doing good at the mo sending you all positive vibes😊.

Noodles
I am not sure I have been diagnosed per say ... as over two years ago had a period with high anxiety, I had to leave work, took propanalol and did cbt followed by a psychologist... GP at the time said Generalised Anxiety Disorder, but Psychologist said, no you do not have any disorder, you were just in a state of stress burn out that caused all that. Yes, I was pretty stressed, work being main cause, but you know, family, DC, etc.

Two years forward, and I am back at work, and I have been always very careful on how much I take on since that episode, but the last month has been a bit full on. I feel that I have a threshold (lower than before) and if I go near I risk getting into the anxiety circle again .
So last week I got the anxiety again and a mini panic attack, as I call it (mini as it did not send me to A&E as it used to).
But I know I can get better, I just need to remember not to overload myself!
So I do not know if I am diagnosed or not to be honest.

Glad you are feeling better too!

I know what you mean about diagnoses longlunch. I have a friend who has struggled with various jobs and opportunities due to a teenage diagnosis of anxiety and aspergers, so I think psychaitrists are wary of diagnosing someone with a permanent sounding diagnosis. The only time my episode (s) have been referred to as a long term condition is with the dvla where they want a specific diagnosis which I have a variety of... Just read my first consultant psycatrist report which I found useful and nothing was a disorder/long term condition. I have wandered if I have bipolar but I am happier to just accept that anti-psychotics help me have a stable mood and sleep well.

Hi all, how are you all doing as we head into the weekend tomorrow? Weekends are usually worse for me as DH is working and I barely speak to an adult for 24 hours so v lonely - but this week I had an interview and I think it went well so I'm buzzing from that really. Sometimes a bit of adrenaline does give you a boost!

Long lunch I know you decided against going on Sertraline. I was struggling for a while before I finally went to seek help so I didn't notice any side effects. It just seemed to me that it took a few weeks to work. Even then they only took the edge off and it wasn't long before I was suffering again. So they upped the dose recently.

OhHolyJesus I know what you mean about the weekend. I am single and my DS doesn't want to be around me anymore. He spends a lot of time with his GF now.
I try and meet up with friends and my parents. Just to have adult communication.
Anyway better get off to work now.
Hope ye all have a good day.

I am a bit apprehensive today ... it turns out this weekend I am traveling for work. I have not done this with this job yet and is a one off, when I agreed was a few months back before my set back and I did not think twice . Now I am not so sure how I will be to be honest. My DH and DC will be at home, they will be fine , I am not sure what I worry about to be honest!
I hope I can make it there.
Hope your weekends are good

Hello everyone,

I'm on CBT and Sertraline 50 mg. Following...

You never know longlunch, may be a welcome break from routine... Have you tried any cbt techniques you could put in place for the weekend? I enjoy travelling so found it helped when my anxiety was really bad. Looking at thoughts behaviours physical reactions and emotions about the weekend might be helpful. Or just think about the positives of a weekend away if you can't think of any worries. Maybe a nice paid for quiet hotel room?

Anxiety is high after my hospital obs appointment. mental midwife mentioned the possibility of postnatal sectioning... She can be overwhelming unlike the mental health specialists who, if anything I find patronising... I thought about possibly being sectioned at the beggining of my pregnancy... I've never been sectioned and the thought terrified me but haven't thought about it since... I might be really well and happy after giving birth.. Midwife said when I asked how likely it would be I'd have to stay in hospital it's like asking how long is a piece of string. Physically I'm fine, except the baby is growing slightly faster than expected, I'm not as reassured as I should be... I'm worried about how my dh will react if they don't want to discharge me and baby immediately... I think he'd mind me more than me. Birth plans do my head in as I was feeling organised and informed after filling out a standerd NHS birth plan then the midwife asked these questions about birth I'd not even concidered...

Longlunch hopefully you'll be okay and it turns out to be a positive thing for you.
Embracethechaos hugs to you. That's a lot to have to deal with on top of being pregnant.

I have an under active thyroid, the dr told me that anixiety is a symptom. I let my medication for that run out stupidly. I am usually on top of it.
My DS is going on hols with GF and her fam. He'll be away for his B'day his first one away from me. His GF just text me to see if I wanted her to bring cards over. So now I feel like shit.
I know anyone would feel sad but I am close to tears and them there are the negative thoughts. The ones that say I am not good enough, he doesn't want to be around me anymore, once he leaves home he'll never contact you again.

Embracethechaos, I struggled after the birth of my first child cos I wanted everyone to go away and leave us alone. We had so many visitors, who all wanted to hold my baby, but I wanted to hold my baby. I wish I’d been more forceful about it now and said no to visitors coming to stay. Especially the grandparents. But then, other people like that and were desperate for grandparents to come and help. I hope you can get what you want.

Larla, hugs to you. That must be difficult.

I feel like I’m struggling just now. I feel like I am failing as a parent. Our house is permanently a mess and I can’t see how I can ever fix it.

Thanks Julie, I've given my postnal mental health a lot of thought, I have felt like I have too much support and would like to have some time just me, dh and baby. I've had conversations allready with my family about small groups coming over. I do feel guilty for pushing away support, because like you said lots of new mums struggle with lack of support. My consultant psychiatrist recognised the need to not overwelm me with lots of appointments but it's been hard having to try to balence the services of gp, obs and mental health... I didn't know which doctor/midwife to contact when I had severe anxiety related headakes... Now I've lost my prescription and only have one dose left so may have to get a weekend prescription from somewhere...I meant to collect my prescription on Thursday or Friday but the pharmacy in the supermarket had a queue so I put the prescription in a pocket and haven't seen it since. I'll have another search now...

Thank you all. I am on my way to airport! If anything I am happy I have made it this far 😀
I love traveling so you are right hopefully is a good break from that cycle.
I am sending you all big hugs for a positive weekend we all need it x

Enjoy longlunch, I'm just waiting for a call back from the doctor... Wasting a sunny Saturday, one of my final weekends before baby arrives, being stroppy with my dh because I'm not happy doing stuff at home, wanted to go to an art exhibition but there are things to do, I can't focus on them as I'm worrying about the possibility of tommorow night without medication...and generally slipping back now birth is so near..im struggling to eat healthy foods since I realised I probably lost my prescription...had a migraine this morning after eating too much chocolate ice cream last night and just feel quite sick. I could have got a prescription from the obstetrician appointment I had yesterday but I was not organised enough...

Longlunch a big well done for getting there! Hoping your flight went smoothly and you arrived safe and sound😊.

Best of luck LongLuch. Well done on getting to the airport.
Embracethechaos, hope you start to feel better soon.

Thanks Lara, I am feeling better now I know I'm picking up a prescription tommorow and ate a proper healthy dinner. They only wanted to give me 3 day prescription though then I have to make a GP appointment. Bit annoying as the prescription I lost was for 28 days... Not really a problem as I have nothing planned for Monday anyway. My dog is behaving strangely today, hiding and slinking about, prehaps picked up on my anxiety, my dh did take him on a long walk so maybe just tiered.

Maybe it's because I lost the prescription and it's not good that anyone could now get hold of so much prescription meds, It probably fell out my pocket out shopping and thats what I said. It will probably turn up at home in a couple of days though, that's what usually happens to lost things. Hope everyone is feeling well tonight.

I just went to a local street party with fireworks. It was a great evening in aid of childhood cancer. I do find I have to force myself to go out. I always have a good time when out but I am always exhausted when I get back.
In my pjs watching Billions now.

larla that’s great I’m exactly the same I fret so much before I go then when I’m actually there I enjoy myself. It takes a toll on me too sometimes and my bed becomes a welcomed relief afterwards. How you all getting on?.

I'm good thanks, it was really quick and easy to pick up medicine (not a prescription which explains why they're only giving 3 days worth) so I could get on with my day, had family over and they brought a picnic so generally nice.

EmbracetheChaos - I just send you lots of positive vibes, it must not be easy. I hope you do find the time, energy to do enjoyable stuff to hopefully keep your mind on enjoyable things that will keep you out of the cycle .
So true Larla and Fairydust - yesterday I had a very enjoyable meal with work and there was a couple of very funny people that made me laugh so much I actually forgot I was ‘anxious ‘ I was very tired last night and yes it does take a toll, but slept well in the hotel, better than I had done for many many days.
I still I cannot believe how I was on a border of a panic attack when I landed, only helped by propanalol but I was so excited to actually have made the trip that today I felt great. Looking forward to going back tomorrow to DH and DC tough.

LongLunch delighted to hear you're doing well.
Glad you got sorted EmbracetheChaos.
I am still waiting to hear about the jobs. Until I know what's happening work wise my emotions are going up and down. I tend to dwell on things.
Where I am now isn't bad but it's not great. I want out.

Long lunch, not sure if it's your good vibes, good weather or meds but I feel great still today. I know exactly what you mean Lara, it's a great feeling overcoming a potential panic attack. My mental health team have stressed that it's important not to avoid things that make me anxious. I have had panic attacks out shopping before, but went this morning to do a small shop on lidl as its not very big. The car park was full but I my car has no air con so I thought f* it and I parked not in a bay but not blocking anyone, walked round the veg twice before asking staff where the leeks are, apparently they don't have any (wtf). Got things for lunch and things for my hospital bag (they have a maternity event on this week which is why I went). I even managed to stay calm at the till which is the worst part and had my card ready and packed effectily. Then I drove home. My. Allthough I still have baby brain my concentration has really improved with stopping work and being on meds.