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Original poster

Sudden horrific anxiety

82 replies

Phyllis321 · 10/01/2021 15:58

For the last 4 days I’ve plunged into complete panic. I am wound like a spring, can barely eat or sleep. Had to contact the weekend GP yesterday for some Diazapam so I could get a little relief from the stress.
I am really scared that I can’t work like this and will have to be signed off.
Has anyone experienced anything similar? It’s like the world has just crashed on my head.

OP posts:
Mammy1981 · 10/01/2021 18:23

Hi yes me. Happened in October and have been work ever since. It’s needed. We need to put outs health first. I’m not on medication and starting therapy this week. It came out of nowhere. Sitting with my friend and my body started tingling. Since then I haven’t been right. I’m trying my best to keep it together. Worries constantly in going to loose my job but if that’s what it takes to get better I choose my health! You are not alone. Get some help soon. I’m no where near better but I’m not as bad and as panicky as I was. I’m managing it a bit better. I wake up in panic and play games on my phone till I calm down. Bea rely leaving the house which is not like me I’m really sociable normally. This is a blip. We will get better x

Original poster
Phyllis321 · 10/01/2021 18:43

Thanks for replying. It really is crippling, isn’t it. My stomach hurts from being so tensed up.

OP posts:
Mammy1981 · 10/01/2021 19:13

Yeah I’m the same. At least we know it’s a treatable condition than can be managed. It makes me so depressed that I hardly speak. I force myself for my kids and have had a nice night tonight with them. X

Mammy1981 · 10/01/2021 19:14

When are you at work? Honestly I couldn’t face going in and still can’t. We pay plenty taxed and out health is more important. Sometimes time is what we need to heal. Feel free to inbox me to chat if you want. X

kateshair · 10/01/2021 20:08

This is me at this very moment !
It’s all consuming and awful.
I can’t eat sleep or relax.
I would love some diazepam but reckon it’s not that easy to just get hold of.

I can barely get of the sofa :-(

kateshair · 10/01/2021 20:10

Thank god am off work tomorrow.
Could not function.
Just need to eat and hope this passes

Toilenstripes · 10/01/2021 20:10

Have you talked to your GP about longer term medication? Diazepam can be a nasty drug.

Original poster
Phyllis321 · 10/01/2021 20:19

Thanks for replies.
I’ve only got a few Diazapam; they’re very cautious with them!
I’m watching a film and trying not to think about work tomorrow. The very thought is terrifying but I don’t really know why. It’s like it’s a sickness bug but in my mind.

OP posts:
Mammy1981 · 10/01/2021 20:20

You can get some tablets to calm you down in the short term but they are addictive. I was given lorazepam which worked great but as I say in the short term. If you don’t feel like going to work please take some time to get better. I couldn’t face going back and still can’t two months later. Luckily I get paid for six months. I need to decide what I want to do. Maybe my body is telling me something needs to give x

Northernsoullover · 10/01/2021 20:22

I had this in lockdown #1. I've been on Mirtazipine ever since. I have always been cautious about taking antidepressants but honestly they have saved my sanity. I don't know whether it was covid fear or menopause related but it was crippling.

Orangeblossom77777 · 10/01/2021 20:23

Antidepressants might help. I'm back on fluoxetine after feeling the same and it is better, less panic attacks and the totally wound up feeling is gone.

Mammy1981 · 10/01/2021 20:24

Did you stay off work at all cause if this ? X

kateshair · 10/01/2021 22:06

I’ve started on fluoxetine 20 mg - think it’s a combination of hormones, a biggish change I have coming up that’s triggered mine.

One thing that has helped a bit is an antihistamine tablet I had two of those they contain bendrayl ? Obviously not a long term solution but they have eased the anxiety a bit ...

Alfiemoon1 · 10/01/2021 22:17

I was like this earlier in the week sudden anxiety unable to eat rang the gp prescribed sertraline and now panicking about starting taking it

Alfiemoon1 · 10/01/2021 22:18

Oh I will try antihistamines thanks

CheshireCats · 10/01/2021 22:23

@Northernsoullover may I ask if they have caused weight gain? Sorry for the personal question!

Twotoesmo · 10/01/2021 22:24

I feel for you. I’d recommend seeing your GP for ADs ,and also fitting in more exercise if possible. I was you, and it was nightmareish. I still have to walk or run off the anxiety. Breath work also good - four breaths in through nose, seven out through the mouth. Good for when you’re feeling very panicky.

kateshair · 10/01/2021 22:26

alfiemoon1
Definitely give them a try they have stopped my stomach from churning over.
In my desperation last night unable to sleep I thought I had some in my bag- took them still couldn’t sleep. Turns out I’d taken one of my menopause supplements 🤨

Original poster
Phyllis321 · 10/01/2021 22:36

Hope everyone gets some sleep tonight.

OP posts:
kateshair · 10/01/2021 22:44

phyliss321
Fingers crossed we all do

Northernsoullover · 10/01/2021 22:46

[quote CheshireCats]@Northernsoullover may I ask if they have caused weight gain? Sorry for the personal question![/quote]
A little bit. When I first started taking them I had horrendous munchies. That's all sorted itself out now and I'm no longer eating for Britain. I probably put on about 8lb in total so not a huge amount. To be honest they worked so well that I really didn't mind.

rainbowninja · 10/01/2021 22:48

I feel like this too 😞 here if anyone wants to chat. Anxiety is horrible, I know that clenched stomach feeling so well.

WishingHopingThinkingPraying · 10/01/2021 22:48

Yes! Me. In May and it took a while to get better but I'm great now. Two weeks or so of barely functioning but ok, just unwell after that for a few months. I never took the diazapam, I kept it for short term emergencies and managed without it. I did need sleeping tablets for about 4-6 weeks but came off them as soon as I could and have been sleeping great since. I've been on sertraline since but will come off it as soon as my GP gives the go ahead, probably about a year after I started it.

But it was very fucking scary and I really think you need to deal with it before you end up in the state I did. I lost the coordination of my limbs, hands especially. I was vomitting anytime I exerted myself. I couldn't eat a thing and dropped weight rapidly. Took me an hour to eat one slice of toast (I love my food usually). But it was all an extreme anxiety disorder. And my first experience of it after 39 years of very very good mental health.

WishingHopingThinkingPraying · 10/01/2021 22:51

Oh and I forgot the beta blockers. I took them for the first 3 months I think. But came off them when I felt stronger knowing that they are a drug you can take to control physical symptoms but can take them as and when, same as panadol. The sertraline you must take every day no matter how good you feel.

rainbowninja · 10/01/2021 22:52

@WishingHopingThinkingPraying it's good to hear from someone who has come out the other side! Anxiety seems to have been with me for most of my life one way or another but I'm glad that you feel you've come through it