Feeling constantly sick and anxious at all times of day

[FauxElise]

Hi all

I have joined the BB community as I thought people could share with me their survival stories. I suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder and have for a very long time. My first anxiety attack happened in 2008 when I was 14. But with time (say, several months - up to a year), it healed. I still had panic attacks from time to time in the past few years, but nowhere as severe as then. My attacks would be very strong. Nausea would be the worst symptom of the attack, followed by raggedy breathing, heart palpitations, feeling clammy, shaky - no strength in my hands, hot/cold flushes, and the worst - a feeling of choking. Sometimes the feeling goes away within half hour, sometimes it can last a few hours.

Now, late last month, same symptoms came back as mentioned above. They because so strong within 3 days, that I was forced to call the ambulance (thinking I was going to die) & the day after, I visited the hospital to see a Psychiatrist. But after waiting for over 7 hours, being sleep deprived and feeling anxious, I left the hospital with no solution. I have contacted my public local mental health team after my visit to the ED, but they unfortunately weren't much help and told me to consult a GP for a mental health plan to see a local psychologist. That is fine and all. I did so, started to feel better even. Then a week and a half later same symptoms started again. Nausea, palpitations, trembling. I am so scared of being sick that the sensation just stays with me and sometimes can stay for a long time. I am also emetophobic (fear of vomiting), so that certainly does not help. I am still waiting to see my psychologist (wait time was 6 weeks, and over 3 weeks have passed since my referral).

I am very sleepless and have become dependent on sleeping over-the-counter medication. I was doing better with it. I am trying to come off it as I don't want to get any more addicted, and my sleep pattern, as well my anxiety has come back full circle. I was told by a pharmacist to stop them within 2 weeks, but my GP says it should be fine as it is an anti-histamine, therefore should not become addicted to it.

As for my anxiety and physical sensations, it would normally be worst at night, but now it's at any hour. I have recently changed my SSRIs. It has been 2 weeks since change of meds. I was also prescribed medication for the nausea. I am also feeling strong heartburn.

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi FauxElise,

Welcome to the beyondblue forum. You have reached out to the right place as there are many people here that experience anxiety and panic. Reading through the posts and contributing to the forum will offer you some support.

I commend you for having the strength to seek help as this can be difficult. You have a psychology appointment pending and I am optimistic that once you start some therapy you will get on track with your symptoms. Until that time there are some other things you can try.

You have already reached out on the forum and searching the word ‘panic’ you will find other people’s experiences and strategies which may be helpful.

Another strategy could be learning about Mindfulness. This practise can give you skills to not have a reaction to a worried thought and just allow the though to pass. It takes some time to learn this but you can a start by using an app called Smiling Mind that some people have found helpful.

You could also start a journal in anticipation of your appointment with your psychologist such as keeping a record of times when you are most worried or when you have a panic attack and what strategies got you through the experience.

I wonder if you have a reliable friend/ family member you can reach out to when you are anticipating a panic attack? If you don’t then you might try ringing the beyondblue support line on 1300 22 4636. Having someone to talk with in that moment can help you get through the experience and might divert a full blown panic attack.

Having a plan of what strategies are working best for you is also a good step you might take. The plan could include things like walking or exercising, listening to music, talking with someone, doing a mindfulness exercise. Having a plan written down of the things to try when you have an increase in your anxiety symptoms can be helpful as when your in the moment, people can often forget what has worked previously.

Your GP has some good advise about sleep. Without getting sleep it can make everything harder. It’s up to you but while you are working on your wellness, you might continue to take his advise. There are other strategies that help with insomnia can be found on the forum.

Switching medication can give many people side effects that can take time to adjust to. Be gentle on yourself and know that this is quite normal. Write down your side effects and if your not coping with them go again to your GP.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

[musicmystery14]

hello FauxElise!
i, too, experience anxiety attacks, with nausea being my primary symptom. i have emetophobia too, and it controls my life completely! it controls what i eat, how i act around others, how i build social relationships etc. i have no words of assistance, as i am yet to resolve my anxiety, but i hope this at most, makes you feel less alone.

all the best,

MusicMystery14

[Sezza_H]

I also suffer from anxiety and nausea is also my primary symptom - and I am terrified by it. It too occupies my thoughts pretty much all the time effecting my behaviour (e.g. I might avoid eating or going out because I don’t feel like socialising). I hate it! Unfortunately, this is still the case, so I can’t offer much advice either. I just wanted to let you (FauxElise) and also musicmystery14 know that you are not alone

[Dreamer235]

I was feeling these symptoms a couple of weeks ago, I’ve had a lot of rough moments over the past couple of months that have brought my anxiety on.

It is truly horrible that you have to wait so long to talk to somebody and get some relief. I’ve also tried to book an appointment to talk to someone as recommended by my GP but I feel how I feel now and don’t want to book for in a months time, I know I probably should book but things keep popping up and I keep putting other people and things before my own health.

I really hope you find some strength until you have your appointment, I wish there was more people to talk to, to help people through moments like this.

Anxiety is a horrible feeling.

I feel for your situation