Please please help :(

[Parmaviolets13]

I've name changed for this so I hope it worked. I just really need some help or advice or just some friendly words of encouragement.

I suffer with anxiety, more specifically I feel sick when out, I get hot and panicky, worries of fainting etc. It happens alot and I've noticed I go out less just to stop these feelings.

Although I get these feelings all the time. I feel sick all the time. And I don't know what to do anymore. I'm lying here in bed crying my eyes out because I can't cope anymore. The doctor has given me tablets but that's it... What else can he do? I'm so fed up and I've really hit a brick wall. I work alot so even finding time off for myself is incredibly difficult but I really think I need it.

Does anyone have any kind words? :(

Ok. What tablets have you got? I suffered from panic attacks and anxiety so if I can help, I will

breathe slowly, and make a cup of tea. That will focus you and then call the samaritans and talk it over 08457 909090. You don't have to be suicidal, but talking to them will help. I promise.

Just cyclizine. I take one when I know being drowsy doesn't matter. Considering going to counselling etc for the anxiety, but the sickness is really getting me down :(

You poor thing - anxiety is a bastard. What tablets have you been given? how long have you been taking them? they can take a couple of weeks to work sometimes. You can self refer for counselling, but your doctor can also refer you - this will help give you some strategies to cope.

One thing i was told, that anxiety sort of runs itself out, you can't maintain that hyper panic state for very long. The nausea is probably caused by a rush of adrenalin (fight or flight). Your body will only produce loads of this for a short time before it either runs out or other hormones kick in to shut it down - so even though you feel like its never going to end and just escalate and escalate, actually, it doesn't, you do calm down eventually. I used to bury my head in the corner of the sofa and wait.

Thanks paddington I may go give them a ring :)

This article really helped me. They also have articles on medications but this one talks through symptoms and why they happen
www.nomorepanic.co.uk/articles/symptoms/

ok, so i have just googled your meds and they are used to treat sickness - i think you need something for the anxiety, its this that is making you feel sick. Is your doctor understanding? Did you explain to him/her about the anxiety as well?

Lemming I haven't been given anything for the anxiety yet. I was given cyclizine for the physical symptoms, and then was told to return in a month or so to see how things are. And that was just under a month now.
It's not just the anxiety that causes the sickness, it's nearly all the time and its driving me mad :(

How awful for you, I can really hear the distress in your post.

I used to suffer badly from anxiety and developed agoraphobia which royally fucked up my life for a couple of years in my 20's.

I would strongly suggest getting as much help as you can before you get deeper into a cycle of avoidance - I found Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and anti-depressants very helpful - can't remember the name of the drug I took as it was aaaages ago. I dunno if this helps but for me even after a horrible few years, the anxiety did fade and I am now fine. There is hope xxx

The sickness could be part of the anxiety, your body responding to your tension. If you can start releasing done of the tension, reducing the anxiety, the nausea will probably ease as well.

Have you ever tried re-breathing into a paper bag? That can help, if the nausea is caused by hyperventilating.

Did your doctor talk to you about any talking therapies? CBT can be very helpful for anxiety. (It doesn't have to be either drugs or talking, they can complement each other.)

Distract yourself for a start. Anything - candy crush, any game, a film, cleaning
My mantra is "hi panic!" I sort of acknowledge I am feeling it and carry on
I worried I would pass out in public. Crowded places were worse
I took propranolol which stopped the heart racing and citalopram which I still take. I had cognitive behavioural therapy via the GP too
It's a horrible, horrible feeling so I'm here to hand hold

Thank you everyone for your kind words. The GP I saw was a locum so probably reluctant to start something new but I'm going to ring and go back this week. I can't keep on like this.
Being out is fine but I have noticed a lot recently I panic about where I'm going and will I feel X Y and Z whilst I'm there.

I'm going to ask about CBT - I read about it today and think it may help.

I work 6 days a week too so might try and take some time off just to help recover a little, it's all building up I find and work is making it harder to deal with! Or is that a bad idea?

Thank you all xxx

I would definitely try to reduce your hours a bit - you must be exhausted!

Not wanting to sound like your mum but you need to take care of yourself, eat well, sleep well, try to reduce stress, take time to exercise. Try to cut down on alcohol and caffeine. All these will help with reducing anxiety. Also try mindfulness - probably better sites out there but a quick google got this

Good luck with the GP, a very good idea to go back.

It's strange but I always used to feel sick, but I think that's what's caused the anxiety. I go out now and it's all 'am I going to feel sick? Are there crowds of people? Will it get hot, so il faint' etc. But now, the anxiety is causing the sickness. They've caused each other so now I'm in a vicious circle.

Thank you for your advice, I will definitely look after myself, or try!

Off to try and sleep

I used to feel sick a lot for years and years, nearly all my adult life, and I'm 49! The only thing that has helped is drastically changing my diet. I've cut out gluten, dairy, most sugar and carbs.

It might be worth trying an exclusion diet. Cut out dairy sugar and carbs and caffeine for a week or so, then slowly reintroduce them one at a time, e.g. add in some dairy slowly for a week, if the symptoms come back you may have an intolerance, it would be worth asking the gp for some tests then .

I cut those foods out for other reasons, I was feeling very out of sorts, and heard an interview on the radio with zoe Harcombe, who thinks certain foods can cause problems and also weight gain. I strongly recommend a look at her website and her book.

Feel free to pm me, I know how miserable this can be and no one had an answer for me.