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😊.

BadCopBadCop glad to hear you’re feeling good at the mo long may it continue for you!😁.

Thank you for all your kind words. Still feeling absolutely dreadful today. Can’t stop bursting into tears, just on the edge all the time. Feel like there’s this huge weight in my chest. Basically not coping at all. I’ve bookd to see the out of hours doctor to see if they can give me something to calm me down a little while I wait the few weeks for the tablets to kick in. I just can’t function and I need to function because I’m the one that holds everything together. Just counting the hours til I see them at 4pm. Scared I’m having some kind of full blown breakdown or something.

Hugs elf. Your brave to take cetrlaopram. I didn't think even try because I didn't want to lose up to 2 weeks of my life during pregnancy as I was struggling with work as it was. I was less worried about birth defects, being in the second trimester. Hope you see an understanding doctor. X

Sorry back to me again... I've been off work this week and I'm really anxious about when I'll be allowed back/management discussions and general gossip. We are really understaffed and I'm off sick for the second time during school holidays (my husband works in a school...) apart from that I've had a relaxing day but am getting really bored. I made an Instagram page for my dog today. Could have cleaned, tidyed or done some art instead...

Thanks, lyra. The out of hours doctor prescribed Phenergan as well - 10mg up to three times a day. I took one (sceptically) around 8pm last night and half an hour later could hardly keep my eyes open. It's great for sleep but not much use when you need to be up and about and busy! Anyway - I haven't started the citalopram yet. I'm reluctant because I've been on so many rounds of ADs and was so pleased to finally be off them (since last year). Hmm.

Also (and bear with me on this) I recently had a steroid injection for joint problems. It occurred to me that "cortisone" is probably chemically similar to "cortisol" (the stress hormone). Turns out there are a lot of people out there who get raging anxiety after these injections - which might explain a lot, and also makes me feel less bewildered.

Hi Unwise elf. Sedative medication is irritating but you need to look after yourself first. Hopefully you will be happier and more productive in the long run. As a radiographer I've seen loads of spinal steroid injections. Not sure the science behind your theory. Chemicals have very specific reactions. Cortisode causes the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline. It's more likely that the ineffectiveness of the injection and pain killers causes more stress and anxiety. For some people the injection has no effect. For others it gives months of pain relief. One gp does both NHS steroid injections and acupuncture privately. Personally that sounds like the least relaxing thing ever, but it must work for some people... Arthritis sucks, I'm really anal about caring for my back as I've seen so many damaged backs and there's not much that can be done about it...

Hi all. First post in about 5 years wave. I am pregnant with my second (23 weeks) and I just cannot explain what is going on with me. I am teary ALL the time, upset, stressed, argumentative and just generally really down. I have this massively overwhelming feeling that I cannot shake and it’s getting worse.

I feel awful even writing that, I should be enjoying this time and grateful for this journey; I’m normally really confident, outgoing, social etc but I am just not myself. I suffered with post natal depression after my first and I’m terrified that this is the start of something again.

I don’t know what I’m hoping to achieve by writing this. But I felt compelled to. Is that odd?

Welcome Starrsmummy hope you find some comfort posting here😊. Not odd at all! Theirs a lot of us on here that can totally relate to you. Have you spoken to anyone about your postnatal depression worries at all?

Hi Fairydust. Thank you for your post reply.

No I haven't, my midwife talked about referring me for pre natal counselling (when she saw my records) but I haven't followed up on it, I don't know why. I just really don't want to. I'm hoping this all just goes away in time. Although maybe I'm being naive x

Hi starrsmummy. I'm pregnant with my first (26 weeks). I feel very similar. I've had previous mental health issues and have been told I'm high risk for post natal psychosis and depression. I'm also quite resistant to mental health support and all the appointments are overwhelming. I really didn't want medication as I've had bad past experience but I've been prescribed one I'm getting on well with. Dreading psycatric review on Tuesday because I think they are pushing too much to get me on higher dose before childbirth. Last dose increase was a disaster, dropped back down after a couple of days but took a while to recover and it caused me to be signed off work sick. I keep telling myself to be open minded but it's easier said than done! Are we naive, stubborn or headstrong? Who knows.

Hi everyone,

Can I come and join you guys please? I posted a couple of days ago about my health anxiety so am copying that over. I could definitely do with a group to chat about everything and support each other

Over the course of the last few years I seem to have developed more and more anxieties and I am always expecting the worst thing. This can be work related, in my private life etc.

As I result I find flying difficult and often worry about my health, even when it's just a small thing.

I'm currently on holiday in the Caribbean and I love it here. However I can't shake the anxious feelings!
Throughout the flight (10 hours) I moved frequently - every could of hours maybe? I also moved my feet a lot, stretched out etc. Everything I was advised to do.

Nevertheless I now really worry about DVT. The back of my left knee hurts - it feels like a long tendon? It doesn't have any swelling or discolouration though. I've been on a speed boat this holiday, scuba diving and climbing in and out of the water loads. I fell of a step. So really there are loads of possible explanations why this bit might hurt. Nevertheless I can't shake the fear it might be something worse, even though I have no other signs- a few bruises everywhere but again it's an active holiday. I have stretch marks back there which I have never noticed before but then I'm quite fat (which I know is a risk factor).

I spoke to a family member who is a doctor and they reassured me that my pictures don't show any sign of DVT and that I don't seem to have any symptoms. They said my leg would hurt (it obviously started feeling funny after the phone call) and that a pulmonary embolism would be obvious due to coughing, shortness of breath...
Well we all know anxiety and I coughed twice today and my chest hurt. Anxiety levels through the roof!

I know this is ridiculous. With no signs but a bit of leg pain I know it could be anything. But it makes me feel so anxious. I actually think I might have had a little panic attack as well about it. Going to the doctor here would be ridiculously expensive and I'd lose a whole day. Why can I never shake my fears? I will have to speak to the GP when I'm home I think. My husband is only just realising the extend of my issues I think and to be honest I think so am I. I explained to him over dinner how I've spent the last two nights sleepless and worrying about dying in my sleep and he looked shocked. He was so supportive but I just felt embarrassed.

Sorry to start with such a negative post.

Of course TheOneWithTheBaby welcome😊 I totally sympathise with you on the health anxiety I find it likes to show it’s ugly head when I’m stressed or not particularly busy!. Try and take some comfort in what your dr friend has said I know it’s hard not to worry but if they really thought you were in trouble I’m sure they would of said so. Try and enjoy the rest of your holiday and if it’s still worrying you when you get back home make an appointment with your gp. Sorry I couldn’t give much advise just know that your not alone and we’re all here if you need to offload😊.

Thank you so much Fairy. It has actually really helped to read your post and the rest of the thread. It feels like quite a lovely issue usually!

I am enjoying my holiday a lot and I think you're right-it's when I have time to think that I feel more nervous and anxious. I don't think I need to see a GP for my legs, I think I should speak to them about anxiety though if this continues.

Feeling dreadful again this morning. I have meetings all day and am really struggling when I need to be on my game. I've phoned the duty doctor as I just can't go on like this. I just can't function! Just really sick and nauseous and spaced out and frightened. Horrible.

Unwise elf, hugs. No advice really escept I've felt the same and been sent home from work a number of times. Currently signed off until I get an occupational health appointment. Hate being off work today, got a psyatrist appointment this afternoon and my husband just said he's not well enough to come (hungover) , I did get him water and toast but never have any sympathy for hangovers, esspesally now I'm pregnant. Also I feel guilty for encouraging him to drink to relax at the weekend, after he's been t-total for so long... Now he's annoyed me enough by telling me to eat less chocolate just as he was waking up that I've shut his door. I wish I'd gone to work today. I haven't done any housework for ages, just can't be bothered... He's on holiday and when I was trying to arrange for my sister to come up visit and come to my appointment he said he wanted to come... Now I'm just spending the day alone. I'll go out to town soon, buy myself some lunch before my appointment...

He's not a completely incompetent husband like I made it sound. He does most of the housework and cooking. I create mess when I try to tidy under pressure. He's had quite severe depression but refuses to see his gp. I'm not sympathetic and get called mean or that I'm too hard on him sometimes, but I think his mum (as lovely as she is) pandered her sons too much and I don't appreciate being asked pathetically to make toast and tea when I'm feeling crap myself. Frustratingly our relationship has been so much better since I started this medication but he is not comfortable with it, thought he might want to discuss it with the psychiatrist... I hate the responsibility of being pregnant and my body not being my own...

Appointment went well, no dose change recommended but I woke up at 4, against my better judgement checked my phone to see 2 upsetting messages.. Grandmas back in hospital and a friend has just been dumped. slept 9-4 so I'm out of sync...

How’s everyone doing?.

Hi fairydust26. I had a really rough start to the day. I think the phenergan my GP prescribed for insomnia gives me night terrors. So I woke from a long but really scary night’s sleep, still all jittery and full of fear. Horrible. Then had to just get on with things but found myself shaky and tearful. This just isn’t ‘me’ at all: I’m the calm and capable one who holds everything together usually.

Anyway I’ve made it through most of the day. Weirdly mid-morning I started having excruciating period pains. Makes me wonder if this is all part and parcel of the hormonal tsunami of perimenopause? No period for months now but then this. I don’t know.

GP ordered blood tests yesterday to rule out thyroid issues and I’m seeing him tomorrow morning.

Any practical advice on what to do when the anxiety ramps up? Anything that you find really helps? Anything to avoid? I’ve cut back on caffeine but do occasionally still have a proper brew (!).

lyra thank you for the hugs. I’m sorry I don’t have any words of wisdom for your situation, and delaing with the upsetting messages. I hope things are better today than yesterday with an un-hungover DH! Glad your appointment went well.

UnwiseOldElf sorry to hear you haven’t been doing too well I’ve been feeling pretty rough too had a constant anxious stomach these past few days the annoying thing is I’m not particularly anxious about anything in particular so now I’m worrying about that and the vicious cycle starts again!. I just try and be kind to myself when anxiety ramps up and know that even though it feels like it it will soon eventually ease just like riding a wave you’ve gotta get on your surfboard and try not to fall off. I hope better days are coming for you soon!.

UnwiseOldElf I also found hormones play a big factor in how I’m feeling too! Oh the joys of being a woman.

Hi all. Still here and following the thread. Im not great at giving advice but i do sympathise.
Sorry to hear you are not too good fairy. I get that anxious feeling too but I always have to have a reason for being like this so I find something to fret about.
I'm currently trying not to let myself go down that road and honestly the things I am stressing over are just not worth it. In the grand scheme of things I'm worrying about trivialities. Yet I still do it!

Pinkcoat124 I know what you mean I feel like I go through phases where I feel absolutely fine then it hits me like a tonne of brinks and I forget how to cope with it and I’m back to square one again it’s so exhausting!!.

GP thinks it's unlikely to be perimenopause as the anxiety is so severe. He's reiterated that it's worth trying the citalopram. I'm having weekly follow ups with him too, and he's recommended I contact a local counselling service. I can't afford the counselling (and financial worries are part of the problem) but my Mum has helped out for the first few, which I am hugely grateful for (and embarassed that at 47 I can't pay my own way at the moment - but this is an unbudgeted new expense...)

Anyway. Keeping on, but still feel pretty rubbish. Sorry to hear you're similar, pink and fairy, although it helps to know I'm not alone.

unwiseelf, I can symaphise with finacial issues and embarassement about parental support in our 20s is something common with all my friends, many of them live with their parents, I know 20s doesn't sound old but when our parents were financially stable at our age and we are all graduates, often even more qualificatied and working multiple jobs as well as volenteering just to try to get on in the early stages of their carrer and pay rent if they aren't living with their parents...As an NHS profesional I'm actually pretty well off...I feel guilty that my parents are richer than friends so they are giving us a substansial deposit and insist I don't have to pay it back (inheritance tax)... maybe you need some young friends.

I've some nice few days with my husband, he's given up on vaping (only restarted as he got given a vape for his birthday)...so he's just been sticking to caffine.

Fairy dust I know what you mean about hormones, my husband is very sensitive, empathetic and thinks he understands women well.... but he's never experienced female hormones personally so I get angry when he is too sympathetic/ thinks I'm being lazy or being disorganised on purpose. Today my anxiety is really high though as the baby was above normal limits for the first growth scan, might have my dads big genes...imaging all the different complications including baby coming early before I'm ready. I had a feeling that the baby was growing too fast but dismissed it as anxiety and it's my first baby so what do I know?... hard to distingish maternal instinct from mental illness...even harder to know the difference between medication side effects and pregnancy symptoms...midwife was good, explained the graph and said I'm fit and well, just might need another US scan in a few weeks after my next appointment to look at the growth...better than too small I suppose...for the babies health but not for childbirth. Also tried to book a tour of the maternty unit in the acute hospital but they are fully booked for the rest of my pregnacy... I'm going to the acute centre tommorw for an occupational health meeting but I'll probally have to drive myself and it's further than I've driven and I've been getting migraines which my husband makes worse by arguing with me when I just was to lie down in a dark room and shut out all sounds. I have an audio processing issue with my dyslexia and he works with autistic children and his dad has dyslexia so I thought he would understand... My family understand migranes at any rate, my aspershic little brother used to get them after missbehaving then being told off, he's now giving me stress reducing tips which I never thought would happen.