Who Has Anxiety And It Rules Your Life?
I am 37 and I all of a sudden got anxiety and panic attacks about 2 years ago, it was so so horrible I was hospitalized for dehydration, I couldn’t eat, drink or even leave my room, I was a mess. The first time I got it was at night when i couldn’t get to sleep, now 2 years later I am on medicine that works pretty good but im still nervous that I wont be able to sleep so I take sleeping pills every single night, this makes me tired every single day.
Does anyone else suffer from this and have done something that really work.
I would appreciate any help
thank you
Hi, I’ve suffered from much the same thing for 12 years now. I’m a 30 year old Mum of 3 and it has been crippling at times to be honest.
My panic attacks start at night usually when I get into bed and certain things trigger them. The triggers have changed over the years so some things that used to make me anxious no longer bother me.
I saw a psychologist every fortnight to talk through my triggers which was upsetting but actually helped me become desensitised about them. I’ve tried so many things to try and stop them :herbal tablets, meditation, exercises, changing my bedtime, sleeping in a different room. Some worked for a while and I thought I’d cured it. After a while though the panic attacks would come back and it would be so debilitating when I realised they were back every night.
I’ve used Zopiclone, Stilnoct and various antidepressants over the years. I’m currently prescribed Temazepam to take when needed but for the past couple of years I’ve been trying to use Propranolol instead. Propranolol is a beta blocker which is used (experimentally) for anxiety and PTSD. I’ve had really good results with it and only take it when I feel I need it. It takes about 20 mins to work and stops the physical symptoms of panic attacks. This helps calm me down considerably and can stop a full blown anxiety attack happening (which would usually keep me up most of the night without medication.)
Have a word with your doctor to see if you could try them. They may help you and it stops the morning after tiredness too.
Top tips for when you are having an anxiety attack… BE KIND TO YOURSELF!! I know it sounds new age and silly but really it’s so important.
I can’t stand to be around anyone when I’m having an attack so I make sure I make myself as comfortable and safe as possible whilst waiting for medication to work. I take a pill, go to the toilet/vomit if I need to, put on a dressing gown/robe/jumper and socks (my feet go so cold when I’m feeling bad!), grab a warm blanket and prop myself up on the sofa with the lights on low. I sometimes put the tv on quietly as background noise. Usually something i won’t be interested in like the infomercials. This all helps me as it takes my mind off the rising panic and keeps me busy whilst the medication takes effect. I usually grab one of my kids Nintendo DS and concentrate on a sodoku puzzle or a scrabble game. I don’t usually finish them but again it focuses my mind on something other then the panic attack.
I’m afraid nothing will be an instant fix for this problem but I hope this gives you some ideas and lets you know you’re not alone with this awful condition. If it helps…I’ve been free of panic attacks for just over a year. I have had to change a lot of things in my life to get to this point and I wouldn’t say I was cured as I do avoid triggers on a daily basis. It’s took me 12 long years to get to this point and it’s been hard work but you can make it easier on yourself with little steps.
Add me on YAnswers if you like. I’m happy to be a sympathetic shoulder if you need one.
Sorry for such a long answer but I’ve never “met” anyone who’s had the same problem! Let me know if you need a friend
Jenny
Edit…thanks for the email. I”m at work today but will reply when I’m home later today. (I’m on UK time) x