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Mental health

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Original poster

Finally booked an appointment with GP

19 replies

Ladyem · 02/05/2010 22:42

Hi,

I have a history of panic disorders and anxiety. I was given diazapam originally for the panic attacks and then a few years back I was on Citalopram for about a year and a half.

I have felt fine for the last few years, but since having DS 8 months ago I am full of anxiety and panic. I panic about DD (3yo) and DS getting ill. Every time I hear that someone is ill I get all hot and cold, feel sick, shaky and need to escape. I'm getting a bit obsessive with the anti-viral hand spray, too . I've tried to brush it under the carpet, hoping it would go away. DH knows all about this and has been encouraging me to see the GP for months, but I just couldn't bring myself to have that tearful discussion with my GP yet again.

But after a week of intense panic (which totally ruined my first night out in ages), I have resigned myself to the fact that I need some sort of treatment. I want to enjoy my children and not be panicking about everything. They deserve better than this.

How can I tell the GP everything without breaking down? He isn't the most sympathetic man and I can't face crying in front of him. But I have to go. Don't I?

OP posts:

instructionstothedouble · 02/05/2010 22:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MadLenny · 02/05/2010 22:55

Could you see another GP? To open up about things like this you really need to be comfortable with the peron (as comfy as you can anyway).
Someone suggested to me that I write down everything I wanted to say about how I was feeling, what was happening and then just give this to my GP. I found it really helpful as I was clear and didn't miss anything out, it also gave my GP much more info than if I'd started talking as would have burst into tears straightaway and then - nothing understandable would've come out. MY GP also seemed to like the idea and used it to ask me for a bit more info on specific things, wrote notes all over it, has had my note scanned into my records and on subsequent appointments has referred back to it. Is this something you thin you could manage?

Original poster

Ladyem · 02/05/2010 23:02

Thanks for the replies.

In my surgery you can only see your own GP, so I'm a bit stuck. He is good, just I'd feel a bit daft crying in front of him.

I will definitely write a list. Like you say, madlenny, that way I can write it all down and not get all jumbled when/if I start to get upset!

Thank you so much. I just have to keep telling myself that I need to do it. It's no fun being like this.

OP posts:

MadLenny · 02/05/2010 23:13

Just remember, the fact that you are aware of it and doing something about it is actually a HUGE step and you should be proud of yourself. I try to tell myself this too and I know it's not easy, but asking for help is the first step

Original poster

Ladyem · 03/05/2010 11:59

Thanks, Madlenny! I feel a bit better knowing that I have actually made the appointment. In a weird way, that was the hard part! It's not until next Tuesday, and wish it was sooner really, but at least I know that next week I'll have a plan to start dealing with all of this.

Am going to use the time up until the appointment to get my list sorted and make sure I give him a clear picture.

One of the ladies on my post natal thread is a Psychotherapist and suggested that it could be related to birth trauma. I'd not thought of that, I just assumed it would be hormonal or something. Anyway, hopefully the GP will be able to help in some way.

Thanks again

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Esmee · 03/05/2010 12:01

Good luck Ladyem, I know how it feels. It took me a lot of courage to go back to the GP too after a very long time (due to bad experience first time around). But actually, I was pleasantly surprised. I told her the issues and she helped 'normalise' the experience for me if that makes sense. She spoke matter-of-factly (but still sympathetically) about the different options I could take. I walked out of there feeling armed and ready to consider the next step I needed to take. Let us know how you get on!

Original poster

Ladyem · 03/05/2010 14:50

Thanks for the reply, Esmee. I'm glad that your GP was a help to you. How are you feeling now?

I worry that they will just want to give me medication, where as I feel that I might need some form of therapy, too. I want to sort this once and for all as it totally takes over my life. I think I'd feel better talking to a female GP, but there aren't any at my surgery! So if this GP isn't much help I'll ask to see another and see if they will let me. Although, I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt as you never know, he might be very sympathetic with things like this!

OP posts:

Esmee · 03/05/2010 16:40

I'm feeling OK thanks, am awaiting appointment for possible CBT and considering starting a course of citalopram soon, hopefully it might take the edge off, KWIM?

Also, don't feel as though you HAVE to walk out of the surgery with medication in your hand, you can see what they say, take the prescription and go home and think about it before you take it on. I'm sure they will have a range of options

Can anyone go with you to the appointment? It's always nice to have a hand to hold

Original poster

Ladyem · 03/05/2010 20:01

I'm glad you are feeling ok . I've had Citalopram before and it really helped me. Was on it for about 18 months, then came off it slowly. Have been fine for the past 5 years or so, but it has come back with a vengeance.

I don't have any one who can come with me as we live away from our families and all of my friends are at work during the day. I'm a SAHM, so I'm having to go while DD is at play group as I don't her to see me cry at the GP's or pick up on anything I'm saying that she might not understand or might scare her. For me, I'm usually better at doing stuff when I have to do it on my own. Then I have no choice but to get on with it!!

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racingheart · 03/05/2010 20:23

Good luck. I'm making an appointment tomorrow too. First time in ages.

Esmee · 03/05/2010 20:31

That's great to know about the Citalopram. I have a friend who takes it for SAD and says that things don't worry her as much when she takes it. Also she doesn't get any side effects, did you have any when you started taking it?

Sorry that no one's free to go with you, but if you're happy going on your own then good for you! Understandable about your DD too

Original poster

Ladyem · 03/05/2010 20:33

Good luck, racingheart. Sorry you are feeling bad, too. We can get through this! I hope that you get seen by the GP soon. Do you have a good GP? At least we'll have a plan on how to start feeling better once we've been to the Drs. I'm trying to focus on that part of it.

OP posts:

charlotte89 · 03/05/2010 20:47

Hi ladyem..

Im so sorry to hear about ur problem but as a matter of fact, i have a simular problem,I also suffer from panic attacks (have done for 2-3yrs)

its awful and no one actually understands until they have experienced it..

I was the same, kept telling mysef it would go away and it didnt. I went to my gp who was brilliant - i broke down every time, so did my mum when she came with me, bcuz she knew how down i was.. I was referred to a thepist and a counsellor along with being perscriped clomipramine.. I am so much better now, still on the medication that im looking to be on for another few months to insure im totally clear.. My therpist was also very good to, I no longe see her anymore..
I was house bound for months, wouldnt go out, I now go out as long as it not to busy. and i feel fine... you will soon look back and think how silly you where..

I wish you all the best, well done for making a gp appointment, you will be fine, dont worry about crying, atleast ur getting help x x x x

Original poster

Ladyem · 04/05/2010 14:44

Thanks, Charlotte89! It's really reassuring to hear that you have had some good help. I hope you don't mind me asking, but did you have to push to get seen by a therapist or did the GP suggest it? I'm pleased to hear that you are feeling much better and that there is hope! Thanks again!

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kizzie · 04/05/2010 18:15

charlotte89 - sorry to barge in here but do you mind if i ask you how long it took for clomipramine to work for you and what dose you take. Ive just started another thread about this. (Im taking it for anxiety/panic attacks and depression.)
Thanks

Ladyem - hope the appointment goes well. Agree totally with the writing it down idea x

Original poster

Ladyem · 04/05/2010 21:08

Thanks Kizzie! Hope that the tablets start to work soon!

OP posts:

Original poster

Ladyem · 11/05/2010 08:29

oh help. The appointment is in an hour and a half and I'm seriously dreading it. Feel like backing out, but need to go. Feel like I'm being silly over nothing and that they'll tell me nothing's wrong. Don't want to waste their time.

OP posts:

charlotte89 · 12/05/2010 18:48

Kizzie - Hi, no worries about bargin in, Am happy to help.. It took a good month for the tabs to start working, you have to start on a low does and work up.. I went up to 100mg but have now dropped down to 50mg!! A little word of advise, DO NOT just stop taking the tablets, you will feel worse than you did b4 u took them. it made me very very sick and panicky!! good luck!!

Ladyem - hope all is going well, have you yet seen your gp??? My gp reffered me to our local mental health clinic, sounds horrible and full of phycios, but its not at all!!! I was then seen pretty quick. I was also referred by my therpist for a CBT but I didnt go as was improving by myself :D x

kizzie · 12/05/2010 22:38

Thanks Charlotte x

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