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Mental health

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Original poster

Extreme anxiety/ panic

31 replies

Roxy1988 · 30/07/2023 15:42

I have been suffering with extreme anxiety and panic over the past year and a half and it has ruined my life :( so much so that my nearly 10 year relationship ended and my 3 year old daughter lives with her dad full time. I spend the day with her 3 days a week but do not have her at my flat and am always with one of the paternal grandparents for support. A lot of my anxiety is around my daughter and looking after her. I don't know what it is but I'm almost afraid of her being so dependent on me. I also have a fear of her being sick at any given time :( my life has literally been ruined. I can't spend time with my daughter on my own as I am too scared. I haven't put her to bed or woken up with her for months :( I take 150mg of clomipramine and 10mg of olanzapine. I don't know what I am asking but has anyone else been in a similar situation? I was hospitalised last year due to feeling suicidal brought on by the extreme anxiety.

OP posts:

flowertoday · 30/07/2023 15:51

I am sorry you are going through this - it sounds horrible. I can relate a bit as I am suffering from a level of anxiety that feels high for me after several bereavements and other difficult family events. The panic aspect of anxiety is so awful, and hard to explain to others.

Have you been offered any talking therapy or other help with your symptoms ?
You are doing the best you can, you can't do more. Do look after yourself 💐

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 30/07/2023 15:54

@flowertoday thanks for your reply. I agree it is hard to explain. I had 12 sessions of CBT last year but it didn't really help :/ I suppose I could try again. I am seeing a psychiatrist tomorrow so will discuss maybe changing medication with him/her

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Original poster

Roxy1988 · 30/07/2023 15:55

@flowertoday also I am sorry to hear you are also suffering :(

OP posts:

hiding5675687 · 30/07/2023 15:58

So sorry. Have you had levels of iron and minerals checked? Low iron and B12 are documented as causing anxiety, among many issues.

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 30/07/2023 16:03

@hiding5675687 I don't think so although I did have a blood test whilst I was in hospital last year, I guess that would have shown low iron or B12

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Lucy377 · 30/07/2023 16:07

Has this only arisen in the past two years, or had you other episodes like this in your life?

You are doing the best you can, given your current internal resources.

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 30/07/2023 16:08

@Lucy377 I have always suffered with anxiety but have been able to live a normal life up until about a year and a half ago. I've had 2 close family bereavements within the past 2 years and have also gone through a break up so I guess those things have contributed.

OP posts:

Lucy377 · 30/07/2023 17:39

Have you had any therapy so far? Longer term counselling might help. So you can continue to rebuild your inner sense of security.
Likely it felt you were knocked off your perch following those bereavements and cast adrift. It takes time to recover from that. Go easy on yourself.
Your daughter is safe and she is loved very much by both her parents. 💐

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 30/07/2023 17:59

@Lucy377 I had 12 sessions of CBT last year but it didn't seem to help much, I guess I could try again but know the waiting list is months :/ my daughter's Dad (my ex) is an amazing Dad and I know she is extremely loved and safe with him. Obviously she is also loved by me and I hope to soon be able to be a proper Mum to her.

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GiveYourHeadAWobble · 03/08/2023 12:18

Have you tried different medications? I had extreme panic disorder and it took a while to find the right medications, but once I did it was like a switch flipped in my brain and I felt ok again.

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 03/08/2023 17:59

@GiveYourHeadAWobble I have tried quite a few different one's. Do you mind me asking what you take?

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GiveYourHeadAWobble · 03/08/2023 22:12

@Roxy1988 Cipralex and Pregabalin have been great for me so far. I've tried a few different medications in the past. My diagnosis is panic disorder, GAD, depression.
Do you have bipolar? Just wondering because of the meds you're on. I guess the approach would be different if you do.

Elsiebear90 · 03/08/2023 22:15

I have generalised anxiety, I found mirtazapine and Propanolol to be really effective when my anxiety was at its worst. My anxiety is very manageable now, but was definitely exacerbated by my periods, I believe I have PMDD, been taking the mini pill for a year and I’m like a different woman.

fullbloom87 · 03/08/2023 22:37

I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through OP. I had a period of intense panic attacks and anxiety in 2020. Starting with a 6 year fear of cancer due to a cancer scare that was made worse by my daughter starting to have nocturnal seizures during lockdown , then my nephew dying of Sid's. All that trauma broke my body completely and I was bedridden. Thankfully sertraline was all I needed but I'm still not well and struggle daily although not bedridden anymore.
I want you to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Have you considered hypnosis? Xx

kizziee · 04/08/2023 10:28

@fullbloom87 how effective have you found the sertraline ?

SameKeyThough · 04/08/2023 11:34

@Roxy1988 I have suffered extreme anxiety and panic disorder, pregabalin has been the most effective medication by far. Actually HRT has, but I am in perimeneopause, that is probably not the case for you given the age of your daughter.

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 06/08/2023 19:25

@GiveYourHeadAWobble I'm thinking of asking to switch to pregabalin... how effective have you found it to be? I've tried citalopram, venlafaxine, sertraline, fluoxetine, escitaloprám and clomipramine. No I don't have bi polar, the olanzapine was to help with eating and sleeping and as a boost to the anti depressant I think.

@Elsiebear90 sorry to hear you also suffer with anxiety. It's horrible isn't it. I've never though there could be a link to my periods but might be worth looking at.

@fullbloom87 sorry to hear you have also struggled with anxiety but happy to hear you are no longer bed ridden. No I haven't tried hypnosis but might be worth looking into.

@SameKeyThough I'm going to call the dr tomorrow and ask to try pregabalin. What else had you tried previously if you don't mind me asking?

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GiveYourHeadAWobble · 06/08/2023 19:31

I've found Pregabalin to be really effective. I do notice a difference with the Escitalopram/Cipralex but I still need something extra and that's the Pregabalin. I know it's not effective for everyone but it's really worth trying because it can be life-changing if it helps.

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 06/08/2023 19:35

@GiveYourHeadAWobble thanks I'm definitely going to speak to the dr about it tomorrow

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kizziee · 06/08/2023 20:32

@Roxy1988 how did you find clomipramine. I took a low dose for a number of years and was well but had a horrible relapse 4 months ago and increased the dose but doesn't seem to be working this time (also doing cbt etc as well.)

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 06/08/2023 20:36

@kizziee I have been taking it for a good few months now and I don't think it has really helped unfortunately

OP posts:

Hohohoholidays · 06/08/2023 20:47

I have also had success with pregabalin

Original poster

Roxy1988 · 06/08/2023 20:54

@Hohohoholidays that's good to hear! What do you take it for if you don't mind me asking and in what way does it help?

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BeeLievable · 06/08/2023 20:59

I'm sorry you're suffering like this. I feel compelled to reply because the reasons you describe are exactly what I went through. I had a terrifying fear of being alone with my daughter and her being so reliant on me. I always felt panicked that I would faint or be sick or be unable to care for her, plus I was also panicking if she were ill. I've wanted a second child but this anxiety is terrifying me and I feel such guilt all the time that she's an only.

I battled with it daily until she turned four and it started to ease as I felt she was less reliant. I just wanted to empathise and wish you well and let you know you are not alone.

SameKeyThough · 06/08/2023 21:28

@Roxy1988 I have historically suffered from depression, not anxiety, so have been on Prozac, venlafaxine, citalopram and now sertraline for that. For anxiety I have been on beta blockers, various benzos, olanzapine, mirtazapine and pregabalin. Am now slowly one by one hoping to come off everything except sertraline, and possibly stay on a lower dose of pregabalin (on 450mg currently)

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