Please help!

[retrogal]

I've always had anxiety and been a mildly anxious person but felt I had it under control until a recent unexpected hospital stay 5 weeks ago. Since then I've been on edge but trying to get back on track - eating really healthy, getting outside heaps etc - until just over a week ago when I woke up in the middle of the night suddenly with extreme chest pains, heart palpitations and trouble breathing, My GP said it was probably asthma and sent me on my way, but the medication did nothing to stop the symptoms. I went back after a few nights of not sleeping and severe anxiety and he gave me some anxiety medication to try and calm me down so i could catch up on sleep. This has only worked for a few hours at a time to sleep and my anxiety is still through the roof. I'm finding I need the anxiety meducation everyday to function at the moment otherwise I'm a complete zombie from the lack of sleep.

I went back once more yesterday and said I just can't take it anymore and he has given me medication to take. I tried Valerian with no effect first and don't know where to go from here. I feel like if I could just catch up on sleep I could asses the situation better. But it seems to be impossible. I've never been on antidepressants before and am scared to start. ANY advice or thoughts would be so greatly appreciated .

[Croix]

Dear Retrogal~

It was a good move to come here and get other's views. Things can be pretty confusing just trying to rely upon your own judgment, and cause further stress and anxiety simply by not knowing what's happening, making matters worse.

First of is the physical. Asthma can be tested for properly, I have been and it takes special equipment but come back definitive. The chest pains, palpitations and the other nighttime problems too need to be tested properly to see if there is any physical basis for them. I've had this too. Sometimes it can be quite hard to accept negative test results but I have over time.

If, as has happened to me for chest pain and other things they come back negative then your doctor may judge they are caused by anxiety or some other mental condition.

If that's the case then medication and therapy plus a life-style that relives stress can all make a huge difference. I've been on meds for very many years, and having found the right ones my life is good, symptoms normally under control.

I'd suggest after visiting your doctor you life be as healthy as possible, wiht exercise, balanced nutrition, practicing sleeep hygiene and avoiding any situations you can that increase stress , which can even include avoiding some people at times.

Beyond Blue talks about anxiety here:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety/anxiety-management-strategies

and lifestyle and sleep here:

https://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/file?token=BL/1785

and there is a very useful but long thread about what people have found helped here:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/self-help-tips-for-managing-anxiety/page/5

(You have to copy/paste these links into your browser, they are not live)

As I mentioned giving medication a try would seem sensible, some like myself take it permanently, others just for a while

Once you get decent rest and anxiety levels reduce you will be in a better position to make long-term decisions about treatment.

Please let us know how you get on

Croix

[geoff]

Hello TRetrogal, thanks for posting your comment.

From what you have told us I think that you should maybe consider going to another doctor for an assesment because anxiety can cause insomnia and many other symptoms which may effect your day to day activities and they can happen whenever you least expect them to.

With your anxiety there maybe a chance that depression also appears, although I'm not qualified to say, but this is what happened to me.

If you are still struggling I would be asking your doctor about antidepressants (AD) and maybe refering you to a psychologist, where you can get 10 Medicare paid sessions with them per year.

Can I suggest you click 'The Facts' at the top of this page and scroll down until you see 'K-10' test, if you can do this test several times, not straight after the other, then take this result with you when you go and visit your doctor.

Hope this helps you.

Geoff.

[Tonych]

I have been unable to sleep for 2 days now. I cannot control my anxiety, seems to come in waves. I have an overwhelming sense of panic which I cannot calm. Would appreciate any help advice

[retrogal]

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. I saw my new GP again this morning and sat down and really explained in detail the way that I'm feeling and I think he really understood. I said the lack of sleep is fuelling the anxiety and vice versa and that its become a vicious cycle. He has prescribed me an AD to trial for 2 weeks, one that focuses on melatonin, controlling circadian rhythms (to help with my constant heart palpitations) and sleep pattern regulation. Not an SSRI.

I've also just started seeing a counsellor for CBT as of last Thurs and he suggested it was great to continue with that as well, along with continuing to eat healthy, getting sunlight and exercise every day (which I was already doing). The gym seems to be my only 'happy' place lately! (been 10 times in the last week haha)

Will give these meds a try and see how they go.

[retrogal]

definitely go and speak to your GP. Just talking to someone will make you feel a bit better and then you can go from there. I've been trapped in a cycle of panic, anxiety and insomnia for the past week and I feel I might be FINALLY getting somewhere. You just need to stay calm and take the steps to get the help you need. Mediation music, breathing exercises may help get you through until you can see your GP. Good luck x

[retrogal]

thanks Geoff, did exactly that, saw a new GP, showed the K-10 test and he was great and didn't blow me off like the other one did. Actually listened to me and came up with a solid plan. Sometimes that's all we need. Started on a trial of an AD for 2 weeks to see how it goes. I feel so much better already having the GP actually listen and try to understand.

[retrogal]

thanks Croix. Have decided to give some medication a try, along with CBT which I already started last Thursday. I've had every medical test under the sun including ECG, heart enzyme blood test, complete blood count, and the heart monitor and all, including my blood pressure have come back perfect. I eat extremely well, exercise and go to the gym everyday (have lost 50kg!) so the anxiety is the only part of my life that wasn't in check. I'm hoping with a few nights of good sleep I can start to feel better and re-evaluate things.

[Croix]

Dear Retrogal~

I think you have all the ingredients; lifestyle, decent GP, CBT and meds. I have a pretty strong feeling things are going to improve a lot. Taking the K10 - and how it worked out - as suggested by Geoff was an excellent thing to do and shows to all - including yourself - you have some control of the situation.

Croix.

[blondguy]

Hello Retrogal

Ive just picked up on your thread topic ......Croix and Geoff have provided accurate and valuable support above

You are very proactive with your health and congrats to you! You are an amazing person as you have noticed that our anxiety does have a detrimental effect on the quality of our sleep which can have a profound effect on our well being....career...personal life....immune system etc

I understand you Retrogal as I wasnt as proactive as you have been by taking up the meds when I was having anxiety. I was anti-meds for a long time and the anxiety exacerbated...(for me)

The meds are never a fix all...unfortunately...They do provide us with a solid foundation on which we can heal more effectively using ongoing counseling

Really great to have you as part of the forum family Retrogal. Any questions are always welcome 🙂

my kind thoughts for you

Paul