Anyone else with health anxiety?

[HomeTutor]

Crushing health anxiety here. Massive history of panic attacks and anxiety, and I have self medicated with alcohol for years.

Have just injected my first dose of MJ, 2.5, and passed out within 5 mins 😂 Needle phobic doesn't help...but I also have huge adrenaline responses and low blood pressure anyway, so used to fainting with needles/blood tests etc.

Now I'm convinced I have chest pain and am dying 🙄 I can feel the injection site, am weak, bloated, and acting like a dramatic toddler. Anyone want to come and be a wimp with me? Plenty of space on my Bench For The Ridiculous.

I have anxiety too, but since I started taking high strength vitamin D a month ago, I've not had a single symptom, my mood has improved so much and I feel strong. Really recommend it.

Be kind to yourself and love yourself. Life is tough enough without you being tough on yourself. Take it easy, watch a movie or show or do something you enjoy to distract yourself from the injection. Deep breaths and meditation to relax and the anxiety symptoms may ease. There are lots of videos on YouTube. Hug a child/sibling/person/teddy/animal, smile ❤️

Also wrap yourself in a blanket and eat chocolate/ice cream, I've got an electric blanket that I've laid on my sofa and sprawled out on. Hot water bottles are also great for these moments 😊

You’re okay and you’re safe. The chances of having an adverse reaction are miniscule. You can do this.

By all means wrap yourself in a blanket but don't eat chocolate or ice-cream. High-fat foods increase the likelihood of side effects from the tirzepatide.

OP, you mention self-medicating with alcohol but have you sought medical help for your anxiety? Treatment is available. You don't have to feel like this.

What helped me was to have an action plan ready for each of the most common adverse effects e.g. I bought some ginger tea and ginger biscuits in case of nausea. This helped me to feel more prepared. Six weeks in and I haven't needed them.

If you're able to keep busy / distract yourself, that will help too.

Keep yourself hydrated, and remember to eat regular meals, even if they are small. I'd avoid anything fried or high in fat or sugar, especially in the first couple of days after an injection - chocolate and ice cream can wait until you are more confident with how your stomach might react.

I must be one of the lucky ones then as I have always had a lower carb, higher fat and protein diet and never had any of the dodgy side effects in over 3 months on mounjaro! I am also 43 and don't have a single wrinkle and a few days ago I got told I look 28. Fat is very good for the skin and hormones, I also still have a perfectly timed 28 day monthly cycle. Yes good fats are better, but the odd ice cream or chocolate when feeling low, has never harmed anyone, chocolate increases endorphins. In fact, last week i had cheese and crackers most days and cheesecake and I was still well within my calories and not a single side effect.

Oh I'm well medicated for anxiety; have autism and have been on SSRIs for over 18 years now.

Nights are the worst, lying here feeling everything and waiting for the heart attack etc!

I don't care about puking or pain. Luckily none of that so far. It's the fainting and panic that I hate 😔

Urgh, imagine being one of those slim women who enjoy the gym and can just have one biscuit! Sadly I use food as a distraction/comfort/celebration/anything. I'm having help for the alcohol too, and have managed to not have a drink for 4 days which is unheard of for me 🙂

MJ does seem to trigger anxiety attacks for some people (and for others, it improves their anxiety). So it's worth considering if it could be the MJ itself if your anxiety gets notably worse.

It’s great that you have avoided negative side-effects on MJ. Your individual anecdotal experience does not negate the fact that the manufacturer advises avoiding fatty foods to help minimise the risk of side effects. Actively seeking out chocolate and ice cream only hours after the first jab when the OP does not yet know how sensitive she is likely to be to the drug would be very foolhardy indeed and it’s very strange advice to double-down on.

I don't remember seeing this on the manufacturer information sheet. Can you point out where it was? I did remember avoiding alcohol was mentioned. In all the other mounjaro groups, never have they said specifically to avoid fat. In fact carbs are well known to cause insulin spikes. Clearly its your individual negative experience with fat that is being projected onto others here. Just lime some people can't tolerate spicy food. We are all different. I really can't stand people who tell others what to do in their higher than thou attitude. OP could be sensitive to many things, but she still has to eat.

Certainly. Here is some guidance from the manufacturer, Eli Lilly:

https://zepbound.lilly.com/how-to-use

I've been a fairly active user on this board since starting Mounjaro in April and the advice on fatty foods comes up fairly frequently. I haven't personally had adverse reactions to fatty or spicy foods but I'm aware that such reactions are very common.

OP has explicitly said that she has a history of using food for comfort and distraction. You suggested that she should use food for comfort and distraction, hours after taking her first jab, and I am of the view that this is poor advice. No doubt other opinions are available; it would be nice if they could be expressed without unpleasant personal attacks, please.