I'm fed up with anxiety and lack of sleep

[Marne]

I'm going to see my GP this afternoon if i can get an appointment, feeling really run down, ill and tired, i'm fed up with feeling sick and anxious all the time, today i feel like curling up in a ball and not moving .

What can the GP do? is there anything i can take for the anxiety?

I can't take sleeping tablets as i need to tend to dd2 (ASD) in the night, i have been sleeping on the sofa with dd2 for 4 years and i just cant do it anymore , i have a bad back and the sofa is uncomfortable but i need to be with dd2 as she is unsafe to be left on her own and does not have her own bed room.

Feeling really anxious about talking to the GP because they don't understand what i have to go through every day looking after 2 dd's with sn's.

Sorry to hear you're feeling like this and the difficult situation you are in with your dds I suffer from anxiety and am having a bad day too so know how you feel. The gp may be able to offer anti-depressants to ease the anxiety and symptoms, they may also suggest cbt or conselling and generally encourage things like exercise, relaxation techniques etc. I hope you get the support you need.

Oh me too. I'm with you. I woke up at 3am with that horrible, horrible sick anxious knotted stomach feeling. It's crap, isn't i? I don't even have anything to feel anxious about - sounds like you have a lot on your plate.

Good luck with the GP xx

Don't really know of any anxiolytics that aren't sedating, but obviously some very mild or available in low doses. GP might be able to point you in direction of help and support - have you had a carer's assessment? Is the housing situation something that can be helped - sell and rent privately for example? Maybe someone can help you find ways to improve the practical difficulties.

As for the insomnia, there are pills (like temazepam) that just get you off to sleep but won't stop you waking if you need to. During day there's stuff like diazepam short term, bit out of favour but they very much have their place and can really help - when you are very anxious it tends to counteract any sedative effects. It could take the edge off sufficiently to help you cope a bit better and explore possibilities for improving living circumstances, respite services etc.

Gp wont give me anti-d's, she said i need to have some councelling and i need help with the dd's, she asked me 'which one thing would make your life easier' and its deffently going to be tackling the anxiety, she said 'there are no pills to cure anxiety but councelling might help'. I have had counceling in the past and CBT and i'm still stuck with the anxiety. I ended up crying to the gp as i feel there is no way out from this horrid feeling .

I feel so tired now, i wish i could go to bed but i have the dd's to look after, i think i'm comming down with something which makes me feel even more anxious and sick , the GP has given me anti-sickness tablets as i have a phobia of being sick.

I can't wait for dh to get home and help with the girls (but no doubt he will be too tired).

Piggy and Becky- so sorry you are going through this too. Sending you hugs xxxxx

I have a phobia about being sick too so feel for you in that respect too.

Sorry you didn't get on too well Marne. But anti-d's do help with anxiety - they help control the anxiety so that the cbt and counselling are more effective and that you have to tools to deal with anxiety once you stop taking the drugs (and I'm not even on anti-d's or a drug 'convert'!!).
You could always try to see another doctor and explain the situation. Can you get any practical help with your dds? relatives/carer's allowance type things to give you a break?
I'm feeling a bit better after a nap - tiredness makes my anxiety so much worse, but anxiety stps me from sleeping - such a nasty cycle Big hugs to you and Becky xx

Thank you, i have spent most the day in bed, luckily dh has a few days off. The GP is going to get in touch with the hv to see if there is any help i can get for the dd's. I have to go back to the GP next wed to see how i am getting on and to arrange to see the councilling.

Hi Marne sorry to see you feeling like this. You must be at the end of your tether, simply worn down.

I do and I don't agree with the GP - a low dose of anti-depressants can really help with anxiety but that is pure symptom management where as it is your (not by choice!!!!!!) life situation that makes you so overtired and therefore anxious. I hope counselling will help but it's like water drops on a hot plate when it compares with the hard slog of being the loving parent of an ASD child.

I would say right from my heart that you need help with the sleep situation, some respite etc but pigs fly and all that .

How old is dd? One of my friends has an 8yo ds with multiple disabilities and that includes ASD and he has a bed that he can't get out of - keeps him safe and gives him peace too as it is his space where the other dcs can't come.