Never had Anxiety before not handling well...

[Jeenie64]

Hi everyone. I have developed anxiety due to having eardrums operated on. Went pretty much deaf in an instant and within days drove me over the edge with panic attacks and lack of sleep. In a week I was put on medication to sleep. Tried anti depression tablets for only 3 days and came off those due to excessive shaking and made me feel worse. I then went on a Herbal remedy which within a week it quietened me down. Haven't really had a panic attack since I started this 9 days ago. My hearing is slowly coming back but I am still dealing with anxiety. I am usually a fit healthy athlete and go to gym everyday. This has changed my life since operation on 11th Sept a month ago. Just want my old life back.

[Substituder]

Hi,

Have you thought about talking to somebody about these feelings?

I know bottling up these feelings can make things worse. And it isolates you from the world.

I believe this will be temporary, you will get through it. One day at a time. Focus on your breathing and the present moment, and you will find all that panic will eventually pass. Repeat this every day until you don't even have to try and then hopefully one day you'll just wake up and you can look back any think 'gee, that was tough, but I got through it ok.'

All the best.

[Pixie15]

Hi Jeenie64,

If you are having the anxiety attacks because of this change in circumstance (the loss of hearing) it may be temporary. It must be very unsettling to suddenly not be able to hear what is going around you. I have panic attacks if I feel I am under threat, real or imagined. The thing I find with anxiety though is that it feeds on itself and too much anxious worrying can spiral down into depression. 

I hope you recover your hearing quickly and the anxiety is only temporary. Peace, Mulberry.

[Jeenie64]

Been a while since of been on. My hearing is slow healing, my anxiety is still present, but learning to cope a bit better. I have started back at the gym and doing athletics in about the last four weeks. I sleep ok but if I have a bad night, more good nights to bad nights I usually have a day which I'm a bit more anxious. I am proud to say I have been off sleeping tabs for 48 days. I can drop off to sleep quite well. Still seem to wake up around 12.30 when I used to wake for a tablet (any helpful hints most welcome to stop waking at this time. I do go straight back to sleep usually)

Due to anxiety I seem to get a good dose of Diarrhoea every morning to start my day. I have tried to regulate my diet so it's not high fibre. Is this common amongst anxiety sufferers? I have lost 11kgs in 3months. Am at a good weight at the moment but don't want to loose much more. I take probiotics everyday to help my tummy. Any suggestions for changes to help my diet normalise..

[Pixie15]

Hi, It is normal for the bowels to work first thing in the morning. I had IBS at one stage. There are off the shelf drugs that can help. You may want to consider speaking to a nutritionist.

I am not sure what you mean by it is not high fibre. There are sources of fibre which are gentler on the digestive system. I personally find that vegetables are the best way to get fibre into my diet. Some of the whole grain and seed products are difficult to digest and can really upset the system when it is delicate. 

The trouble is that being anxious about your digestive system can actually make it worse. I beat my IBS by ignoring the physical symptons, eating a normal (for me) diet and running. I did see a doctor and was checked out for all other possible causes so I knew it was the stress. Peace.