Hi Miss Jess 🙂
I've had many of the same thoughts and sensations as you have - pins and needles, fearing loss of loved ones, panic, having to yawn a lot - and never being able to take a full deep satisfying breath, catastrophising, exhaustion, etc. I also sometimes get pains in my tummy and other places.
Like you, I sought help from my doctor and took some medicine. I was in a bit of a tough situation like you, with never-ending thought cycles. Anxiety has a nasty habit of clinging onto anything it can. Grrr.
It took some determination and effort on my part to make my way out of the situation. I have maintained a strong and regular connection with my GP and have been fully up front about any yucky feelings I have. If you keep a connection with your doctor and perhaps also have someone else you trust to talk to openly, you might find those thought cycles diminish in strength. And you'll gradually be able to apply other tools to maintain your wellbeing - for me, some aspects of 'mindfulness' and 'acceptance and commitment therapy' have really helped. But also some aspects of cognitive behavioural therapy. I tend to pick and choose from each - I don't find it all necessarily works for me.
For me, I acknowledge that I am simply wired as a 'worrier' and will always need to closely monitor my anxiety and maintain a healthy lifestyle. But that's ok with me. It's made me the person I am today.
When I was in the thick of it, I couldn't see myself ever getting out of my ruminations and isolation from the world. That was 7 years ago. I've had a few little set backs but I bounce back more easily and quickly each time.
Sending you a great big virtual hug xo
