Anxiety ruining my life

[Lou1971]

7 weeks ago I came off opioids I had been on for 3 years and my depression and anxiety went out of control. I suffered both before coming off meds but not this debilitating. The physical symptoms r the worse fast heart rate, nausea , churning in stomach, feeling like there is something more wrong with me, chest pains, extreme fatigue , tingling under skin, shaking inside and out. I have just been put on some other medication it will b 3 weeks this Thursday but am not feeling anything yet. I have an awful sense of doom and gloom and find no joy in anything, I just want the days to b over so I can sleep and not feel these sensations but morning is worst it's all there again ready to give me another day of hell. I think everyday is my last as I feel like I'm dying inside. I never knew anxiety could b this bad. I get scared of doing too much as I think my body won't cope and I'll die. Any feedback would b appreciated.

[Zeal]

Hi Lou,

Welcome to the forum!

I'm so sorry that these physical symptoms are causing you so much distress and pain. While I don't have advice based on personal experience, I urge you to please keep seeing your doctor (GP) and/or the specialist who prescribed your medication. When you came off the opioids, did your doctor give you good support and advice?

Having emotional support from family and close friends is important too. Do you live alone? If this is the case, would it be possible for a family member to stay with you for a while?

If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

I'd love to hear back from you 🙂

Best wishes,

Zeal

[blondguy]

Hello Lou1971

Welcome and good on you for posting too!

Your anxiety is spiking...The physical feelings are dreadful Lou....they are still feelings with all that adrenaline being pumped around your system...

The good news is the severity of the anxiety does lessen over time....I understand your pain as I have had chronic anxiety for many years....

3 weeks is still normal until the meds kick in. Yes its a pain but they will.

Your body is stronger than you think....the feelings are crap....but they are harmless.

Just a couple of tips if thats okay

* Avoid any coffee....have none

*Avoid using your mobile/PC/Tablet at least one hour before sleep...It only overstimulates brain activity

*Avoid negative and overly critical people (if possible of course)

* Try to have one or two friends that you can lean on now during this difficult time

*Please try not to 'fight' these feelings.....it takes time to learn but try to 'go with them'

* Gentle occupation with your time is also good value...Just doing something quietly to occupy yourself to prevent over thinking the anxiety feelings.

* These awful feelings are very very common with anxiety...you are not on your own

There are many kind people here on the forums that can be here for you Lou. You are more than welcome to post as many times as you wish...even if you just want a chat 🙂

my kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Lou1971]

Thank u for ur replies

i came off opioids cold turkey due to an slergic reaction that started after three years. For some reason the opioids were causing more anxiety. I was in and out of ER so many times with heart rate if 170 thinking I was dying and shaking uncontrollably. Since coming off them my heart rate has not been this high. My main problem atm is I'm scared of doing too much as I feel my heart will give in and I get dizzy and feel safer laying on my bed as if it's going to protect me. I do do bits and pieces throughout the day and make myself go to shops but it is so hard. I keep thinking there is more medically wrong with me. Is this what u call anxiety paralysis, like fight flight or freeze? I get scared of getting up and moving around.

[Lou1971]

Hi zeal yes my dr wanted me to wean off opioids. But my symptoms on them were to severe so I went cold turkey. My dr has been supportive and I went to mental health ward at hospital for a week while starting a new drug  as I was scared of side effects

im just hoping it works for me as I have depression also and don't find anything good about life, I want to get back to the old me. I live with my husband and teenage children and feel like I'm really lazy for not doing a lot and wish I could me there more for my family but feel incapable atm.