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Original poster

Does anyone want an anxiety buddy?

53 replies

Imagineit · 21/02/2021 14:09

I feel like I would benefit with having someone to chat to and I'm
Sure I can help someone else too as I'm normally pretty good at dealing with this stuff myself. Anyone want to buddy up to try to help one another through this difficult time

OP posts:
Lokikitty · 21/02/2021 17:16

Hi, Imagineit, how are you? Are you sleeping any better? It's very hard to get sleeping tablets, did you have any luck with your doctor? I've been taking Mirtazapine for a week. My sleep has definitely improved. I also take propranolol as and when I need it.
Here if you need to chat 💐

Original poster
Imagineit · 21/02/2021 20:03

Hi thanks for replying. Couldn't figure out how to PM you. Yeah the doctor gave me some tablets thankfully and I was able to rest at last. It's been a long few days, just hope I'm on the mend.

How's stuff with you? I've not heard of that med. what's been going on for you? X

OP posts:
Shieldingending · 21/02/2021 20:05

Please can I join? Really struggling with some anxiety at the moment ... no one would know because at work I support everyone else !

Lokikitty · 21/02/2021 20:16

Hi, Shielding, it's so easy to put on a mask at work, isn't it. Hope you have someone at home to support you.
Imagineit - I think you just go on the 3 dots to PM someone. Do you know what's causing the insomnia?
I'm off sick with anxiety and depression. I was struggling to cope at work. I work in a school and the past few months have been crazy. Being at home is hard in a different way. Too much time to think and nothing to do. Feel so exhausted most of the time.
How about you?

Original poster
Imagineit · 21/02/2021 20:16

@Shieldingending

Please can I join? Really struggling with some anxiety at the moment ... no one would know because at work I support everyone else !
Hi of course, I'm so glad to have people to chat to who get it. I'm a teacher and mum to a three year old. I feel like I too am always looking after everyone else, that's probably our downfall. Is there anything specific triggering your anxiety?
OP posts:
Original poster
Imagineit · 21/02/2021 20:57

@Lokikitty

Hi, Shielding, it's so easy to put on a mask at work, isn't it. Hope you have someone at home to support you. Imagineit - I think you just go on the 3 dots to PM someone. Do you know what's causing the insomnia? I'm off sick with anxiety and depression. I was struggling to cope at work. I work in a school and the past few months have been crazy. Being at home is hard in a different way. Too much time to think and nothing to do. Feel so exhausted most of the time. How about you?
I can't see the three dots? I'm on the Mumsnet app?

I work in a school too. I'm a teacher, working with our nursery class this year.

Have you been on meds before? I've been on them for years and felt I had everything under control. This flare up is hard to pinpoint. It's a combination of a really bad time with my health, a bad year of upset and being given meds for migraine which shave awful side effects.

OP posts:
Shieldingending · 21/02/2021 21:47

Thanks for the welcome, another teacher here! I was actually shielding in the first lockdown but I found that was very bad for my mental health, so this time after a discussion with my consultant I have decided not to shield so I am in work which I actually feel helps me. Although I worry about Covid I am also fortunate that I had my first vaccine in January so I know that by now I will have some protection. At the moment I just seem to have a lot of other things going on in life – my dad has terminal cancer and my teenager is struggling at the moment. Feel like I’m walking a tightrope between supporting her, and making her worse by asking her too much if that makes sense! I have been citalapram in the past when I was depressed, but I don’t feel that I’m depressed now, just struggling with anxiety. At the moment I haven’t spoken to the doctor about it because I keep hoping it will get better! I’m also peri menopausal so I wonder if hormones are exacerbating the anxiety?

lokikitty I can understand school being stressful, yet being at home also being hard - I face that dilemma too. Is propranolol helpful?
imagineit glad you got some help with sleep, lack of sleep is a killer! I have some zopiclone leftover from a previous generous doctor so I am using those on really bad nights at the moment! I teach nursery too, in a special school.

Lokikitty · 21/02/2021 22:07

Shielding - propranolol is really good for the physical symptoms of anxiety. Glad you managed to get back to work. I was off work in the first lockdown because I thought my DD's asthma made her vulnerable. After weeks of going crazy at home, I asked my doctor if it was okay for me to return to work. I was so relieved when he said that I could! Covid has changed work so much though. It just isn't the same.

Original poster
Imagineit · 22/02/2021 09:04

How are you both today?

OP posts:
Original poster
Imagineit · 22/02/2021 09:26

I had a bad night. I realised I didn't tell my story. I was given propranolol for my migraines but after 4 weeks it started to make me nauseous and anxious. The doctor said i could come off it but when I did I had massive withdrawals of panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety and sweats. I'd have gone back on to taper down more slowly but it was to the point I couldn't eat at all with the nausea and I wanted off. I've read it'll take about two weeks to feel a bit better and I'm on day 5 today so praying things improve soon.

OP posts:
Lokikitty · 22/02/2021 15:56

Imageit - that sounds awful. Hope you start feeling better soon. Have you been given new meds?
I'm sat outside, enjoying the unusually nice weather. Been a bit more productive today but overwhelmed my the thought of returning to work.

Original poster
Imagineit · 22/02/2021 18:17

I've no idea if the anxiety is related to withdrawal or me? Very confusing, I find myself wondering if it was all a side effect or all in my head.

Yes it was sunny here too and I managed to take my son in the garden to play for a few hours. Anxiety is has been awful today and I've twice had to take half a diazepam. I'm on sertraline which I've had for over a year so I wonder if I need to increase my dose. I'm
Going to call the doctor tomorrow to discuss it but I feel like such a burden I've called them so many times, taken so many appointments.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imagineit · 22/02/2021 18:19

Kitty can I ask how useful you find propranolol? How much do you take at a time? I had 80mg slow release for four weeks and it caused nausea for me but I'm wondering if a small amount might help me when I'm feeling overwhelmed

OP posts:
Lokikitty · 22/02/2021 18:29

I take 40mg as and when I need it. It helps and the only side effect is lower back pain.
Don't worry about making another appointment. You are not a burden. You need help to get better 💐

Shieldingending · 22/02/2021 19:36

@Imagineit

How are you both today?
Thank you for asking. Work was actually really good but my DD is hysterical tonight about the thought of going back to school. She's hugely anxious which sets me off. I'm trying to remain calm for her sake but it eats me up. It's really interesting to hear about propranolol. I have had diazepam in the past which helped when I felt anxious but I've not had it prescribed for a long time.
Shieldingending · 22/02/2021 19:38

Imagine it you're not taking to much doctors time, you deserve their time and support Thanks

Original poster
Imagineit · 23/02/2021 15:13

Thanks both, the doctor has upped my sertraline to 100mg and also given me diazepam for times I get overwhelmed. I'm feeling so much more level this afternoon, no intrusive thoughts and mind racing has stopped. Even if I go down again I feel like I've had a sign it can and will get better

OP posts:
Original poster
Imagineit · 23/02/2021 15:14

Oh and haven't needed the diazepam but it's nice to know it's there. I needed it twice yesterday

OP posts:
Shieldingending · 25/02/2021 22:46

Imagineit how are you doing now? I know exactly what you mean about intrusive thoughts and mind racing, that sums it up so well. Hopefully the increased dose of your meds won't take too long to kick in and help you

Original poster
Imagineit · 25/02/2021 23:34

Hi @Shieldingending I was ok today and fell asleep last night no meds but woke up with a nightmare that sent me into a panic and I feel like I've just taken a big step backwards Sad

OP posts:
Shieldingending · 26/02/2021 06:52

Oh. I, nightmares are awful, everything seems so real when you wake up. In my case dripping with sweat then I'm cold too!! Hope today is a good day for you

Shieldingending · 26/02/2021 06:52

I wish you could edit on mumsnet!! Should obviously say "oh no" at the beginning!

Lokikitty · 26/02/2021 12:29

Hi, Imagineit, sorry you had a bad night. Hope today is a better day for you 💐

Original poster
Imagineit · 26/02/2021 13:31

I have counselling soon so hope that will help. I have this overwhelming sense of being a failure- needing tablets, needing help from my partner, feeling like a burden, not being a better mum for my son right now. I haven't had this happen to me in years. I hate asking for help and I hate that I look so weak.

I had a better day yesterday but each bad day feels like a personal failure, like I'm not strong enough to control it

OP posts:
Lokikitty · 27/02/2021 16:31

Imagineit - this year has unfortunately taken people with mental health problems to a darker place that they thought was well and truly in the past. I know that's been my experience of the pandemic.
I know how hard it is to ask for help but you have to do it in order to get better. Hope your counselling goes well. I started counselling yesterday.

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