21 y/o Chronic Pain, Anxiety & Panic attacks

[JackD]

My Name is Jack. I am 21 and I have suffered from Anxiety on and off for 3 years. My anxiety has been born out of having chronic back pain for 5 and a half years. I suffer from a herniated disc in my L4/L5 lower spine which I developed when I was 16. This condition prevents me standing for long periods, bending without pain, sleeping, sitting for long periods. I can't work and have had to drop out of university because my anxiety has become so severe. I am due to have surgery for the second time to fix my problem in a couple of months.

An initial panic attack while I was driving left me shaking, scared, confused and unable to drive before my mother had to come and get me. Since then, the fear of having another panic attack has left me battling against severe anxiety. While it comes and goes, I have been able to continue living quite well. In the last couple of years I have moved about 7 times which always makes my anxiety worse but eventually comes good. 

Recently, after moving, my anxiety became quite severe and I went to see my GP for some advice. Instead of referring me to a psychologist, he prescribed an SNRI for me to take daily and told me there was no risks taking it. While it did curb my anxiety temporarily, I cannot stress how unsettling the withdrawal symptoms were coming off this drug. These include chronic brain zaps (which occurred every time I turned my head) and anxiety.. thats right.. the withdrawal symptom of a drug that is meant to help anxiety causes anxiety.. I was only on this medication for only four months and it was a nightmare trying to come off it. I changed GP and he referred me to a psychologist while helped me to get to the core of my anxiety. 

This experience has helped me to learn about finding the right GP to talk to because not all of them are right and you need to do your own research about any medication they prescribe. I would advise anyone to see a psychologist before resorting to any sort of prescribed medication. While it is expensive, I was lucky enough to be given a Mental Health Plan which allows me 10 free psychologist visits through medicare. As someone who have no income, this was so helpful.

I experience panic attacks, the feeling of electric shocks in my head, clouded thoughts, intense tightness around my ribs, tights muscles, shakiness, tiredness, increased heart rate, sweaty palms. 

My anxiety is a daily struggle but I am lucky enough to have a great support group including my GP, my friends and especially my family who have gone above and beyond to accommodate for my conditions.

Here are some things that have helped me cope with anxiety: Finding a support group: Friends, Family, GP, counsellor or psychologist. Be social however you can, however brief, it helps you get out of your own head. Exercising and health: Walking 20-30 a day with music/podcast/audiobook, stretching, not drinking alcohol, avoiding too much sugar/caffeine. Learning: reading up on the symptoms of anxiety so you dont freak out when you experience it. Breathing: Slowing your breathing when you feel anxious, too much oxygen will lead to a panic attack. Being in touch with your body helps you understand what you need and when you need it. Distractions: when I find myself becoming more anxious, instead of feeding the fear I find something to distract myself, usually something physical like housework or something where I'm using my hands. 

Currently, I have had to drop out of university as my anxiety and pain have become more severe. Being inactive has not helped my anxiety so I'd advise to remain as active as possible when coping with anxiety.

After my surgery, my hope is to return to a normal life where I am studying, being social and active, returning to surfing and appreciating what I have been through to become a better person and helping others.

Also, for anyone suffering from chronic pain, there are copious support groups out there for people suffering from chronic pain. Managing chronic pain is a lot like managing anxiety. Accept that you have it and don't beat yourself up for having anxiety, its a serious, legitimate condition and should be treated as such. 

Thank you for reading my story.

Jack.

[BenD]

Hi Jack,

My name is Ben, I too am 21, I have chronic pain in my legs caused by a car accident and I also have a problem dealing with anxiety (although I'm fairly certain it originated before the accident). Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

Firstly, I don't know if this is your first post, but welcome to beyond blue and thanks for sharing your story. 

Chronic pain is hard to deal with, by definition it's persistent, can affect your mood, and can limit your lifestyle. For me, I get irritable, frustrated, sad and anxious if I don't manage it properly. Do you experience anything like that?

I also get crippling anxiety sometimes, where I'm completely paralysed and unable to do anything productive. I too am at uni and these kinds of episodes are pretty detrimental to studying. I haven't been to a lecture in weeks and am struggling to keep up with the workload. I was thinking about dropping out of uni…I took last year off and it was one of the best years of my life, but at the same time I keep getting told I would be better off with the degree. 

As for medication, I take pretty strong painkillers for my pain and they do the job of taking it away - but they also put me in a kind of 'high' state. Admittedly, it feels good but equally not sure if they're a long term solution. They have also helped with those times that I'm feeling low. Without going into names or doses, do you just take over the counter stuff or get prescriptions?

I live at home with my parents at the moment, probably going to move out soon though, just wondering if you have any experience with living out of home and if so, what impact that has on your feelings?

I also love your summary of coping strategies, they will be immensely helpful. In regards to your support groups, where do people our age go for chronic pain specific groups? It's a bit different going through it in your 20's than in your 60's.

Would love to hear your opinion on a few of those things. 

Cheers,

 Ben.

[Lauren91]

Hey Jack,

Thanks for sharing your story, I was so pleased to read someone that is in a very similar situation to myself. 

I'm a 22 year old female whom has also been battling the everyday struggle with chronic pain. Last year I was diagnosed with L4/5 S1 fractures along with disc problems causing pains and numbness all the way down to my toes. I'm also unable to work, study or carry out regular day to day tasks. 

The whole situation made my anxiety that I has previously had so much worse, along with the panic attacks over nothing, social situations, chronic pain and sleepless nights. 

My neurosurgeon is looking at doing spinal fusion at 3 levels after all other options have been tried and failed. This is difficult to deal with as there is so much grey area of unknown if it will fully help or need further operations down the track. 

Deal with anxiety/depression on top of what is a difficult situation is very challenging. I find it difficult to enter new situations or one I know I can't control, I find it difficult to socialize and feel like I have no friends. I feel like over little things or nothing at all I can have a panic attack, where I feel my whole chest caving in, shortness it breath my hands tremble and I feel like it's never going to stop.

Thank you for sharing your story, it makes me feel a little better that I'm not the only young adult facing these daily struggles. 

Thanks Lauren 

[Chazza92]

Hi jack,

thanks for sharing your story, I too am 21 but I do not suffer any of the chronic pain it seems you have to endure. I do though suffer extreme anxiety where some days i get panic attacks over what underwear I should choose.

Also in regards to bens comment about university. Have you spoken to anyone at uni? Like your degree coordinator. I found I have been wanting to drop out of uni for a long time due to my increase in anxiety over study. I almost always am changing exams and assignments and attendance of classes due to some symptom of my anxiety creeping in the way. I struggled all last year and only passed 2 of my 8 classes. But after speaking to my degree coordinator I was able to resolve that to 6/8 due to supplementary assessments. I find that if I know problems are coming up that if I speak to him he can help me compete my degree but via a different route. 

I have halved my study load, I get extensions and extra help on assignments and he even helps my write up study plans as to stop my anxiety with that.

prior to meeting with him my panic attacks were almost daily. The worst was one I had in the library which got so severe I was escorted home by campus security as I couldn't move of even think.

my doctor tells me to just remember that I shouldn't feel guilty for my anxiety, it's an illness and disability thst the university has to help me get through.  Even if trying to get out of bed every morning is a big struggle.

sorry to be rambling on here but I'm just relieved to have other people my age suffering similar anxiety symptoms. 

I am deeply sorry you all have the added stresses of chronic pain on top, not sure if I could cope with much more happening to me

thanks guys

chelsea 🙂