Please can this Doctor join?

[poldoc]

Hi everyone.....yes I am a Doc with Post viral syndrome, anxiety, panic attacks, resolving depression, insomnia , nausea and loss of apetite. I was admittedly working very hard being a single handed GP and a Police surgeon till last Nov when I hit the buffers and stopped all work for the 1st time in 28 yrs. I managed to get back part time jan to march , but had to stop again due to the severe fatigue, insomnia, panic, anxiety and nausea. I started seeing a psychiatrist weekly, a psychologist weekly and an acupuncturist weekly. The psychiatrist put me on Cipralex and Zopiclone, the psychologist started CBT and the acupuncturist sticks needles in me. Its a bit of a living nightmare/groundhog day scenario, not having had a day off sick for 28 yrs I find it very difficult....the boredom is the worst. My patients are desperate for me to return but the anxiety about returning stops me. I am sure it will make me a better Doctor in the long run. I guess the first step is to try to come off the Zopiclone........as a patient I am having to take advice, the doctor in me tells me how irrational it all is but it is very difficult to control isn't it. So I am left with nausea , lack of apetite and anxiety on a daily basis.....not a very good position for someone who was used to working (too) hard.....any tips or hints gratefully received
Mike

[Daisybun]

Hi Mike
Of course you are very welcome, there are lots of us in professional jobs that have got too overworked and stressed and hit the panic anxiety button, and wham your body goes into overdrive. As a dr you don't need me to tell you what's happening to your body, nervous system etc. You've probably had to deal with patients in this situation a lot - doesn't make it easier I know. I have found relaxation has helped, aromatherapy oils - soothing and anti-anxiety ones burning and used in massage have helped too. Bachs Rescue remedy for panic, Kalms and i have to say I have resorted to the odd diazepam or two but I'm keeping an eye on that and don't want to use them too much. Starting some CBT possibly but may just go see private counsellor who knows me better. talking and sharing experiences helps, that's why this forum and chat are so good. Sorry you are feeling so rough, but it will improve and you will find strength through this experience.
Take care

Daisybun


'This too will pass'

[clickaway]

Hi Mike,

A big welcome to the site.

First thing is to accept anxiety for what it is; a nervous condition and not a physical one.

Secondly, don't worry about the fact that you are not there at the surgery and put yourself first. There will be others to fill your shoes. I'm sure patients will miss you, but it will also give them the opportunity to be enlightened byanother GP with a fresh pair of eyes.

Thirdly, how are you adjusting to the change and filling your day?
I have my photography hobby, and also attend groups at my local mental health resource centre, one of which I started up myself.

Take Care,

Ray
http://www.anxietyrelease.org.uk/

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
~Mark Sanders and Tia Sillers

[Alexandra]

Hi Mike

As Ray & Daisy say a big warm welcome to the forum..

Im sure you will get all the advice, help, support & chat you need to get back onto the right track.

Take Care



Alex

Many People Will Walk
In & Out Of Your Life
But Only True Friends
Will Leave Footprints
In Your Heart

[Dan]

hi there
you will find this site a god send have yoe read any books by dr Clare Weekes they really helped me at first
Dan

[Wenjoy]

Welcome to the site
I have had panic attacks for years and have just started hypnotherapy today to help me calm myself down by breathing correctly as being asthmatic I am a chronic hyperventilator!! Good luck and keep using the site as its so helpful. Wenjoy x

[Two heads]

Welcome to the forum it really is a god send.You will get all the help and advice you will need here from people that will really understand you.Unless youve lived and breathed anxiety theres no chance of really understanding it!You will be back to normal with the relaxation you need and support in good time.xxx

[nomorepanic]

Hi Mike

A warm welcome aboard and lovely to see you here.

Sorry to hear you are suffering - we all know how hard it is.

I hope you find some help and support here and soon make a recovery and get back to your very valuable job.

Nicola

[trac67]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum, you will get a lot of good advice here and make some new friends.

Take care
Trac xx

'Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten'

[marie ross]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the site, i hope you find a lot of help and comfort here, it has helped me tremendously knowing that so many other people are going through the same things.

Take care.

Marie XXX

[joolsukuk]

hi
and a big welcome i know you will get loads of tips and advice and support on here xx

jools xx

[Paddington]

hello there :) Sorry to hear of your anxiety and all it brings!Yes it is awful and a shock when it hits like a bolt from the blue,scarey too!You have come to the right place,we all know how you feel,and hey how many people,when they say that ,are being truthful??Keep posting,we are here.love mary-rose.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

we are all in the same boat and can guide each other ashore

[giddy]

Hi Mike
Welcome to the forum
Love Helen

[shiv]

Hi there and welcome,

I've been told that yours is one of the most stressful professions around and if you're predisposed to anxiety then WHAM you're going to get hit with it sooner or later.

On the positive side, I've had anxiety on and off for years and I have periods of years sometimes, when I'm pretty much anxiety free, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Exercise, as I'm sure you already know, is one of the best things you can do to lift your mood and burn off that excess adrenalin.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Shiv x

[hayles]

A very warm welcome to you.
I hope you find a lot of reassurance and relief from this site as I did.

Take Care

Hay x

[pips]

Hi Mike,

A BIG warm WELCOME to the site. Sorry you are suffering at the mo.

This site has great advice and tips.

Your body has just burnt itself out and you need a rest and time to heel your self.

Small steps patience and time wil help aid in recovering.

Take Care,

Love PIP'S X

[Piglet]

A very big welcome to the site to you :D

Piglet x

"Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?" said Piglet.
"Supposing it didn't," said Pooh after careful thought.

[janie]

hi mike and welcome

I am a newcomer to anxiety also - it is quite alarming how suddenly it can hit you and take over (if you let it).

There is so much friendship, empathy and humour on this site (just check out in the health anxiety forum "Today I will be mostly dying of..." - it made me laugh for ages and lifted my mood.

I see a cognitive therapist once a week and it really does help - it's not a quick fix but takes time to learn to change the way you think. Be gentle on yourself - when you are a professional person with a busy lifestyle it is difficult to take time out but it is worth it. Good luck mike - and don' t forget there is always someone to talk to. x

[fizzbomb]

:Dhi mike
welcome to the forum,my brother in law is a doctor and from what hes told me i can understand the pressures of being a doctor, perhaps this is a way of telling you to slowdown, but you will get some really good advice here, everyone is really friendly,and when your feeling down a viit to the chat room can really make you smile

take care

[bernadette]

hi there thinking of you i would like to hear i anyone has tried rescue remedy i have just got a bottle and a bit nervous to try it i know wot to do with it but i hope it does,nt make me go funny if any one has tryed please let me know thank you bernadette

[Granny Primark]

Hi mike, youl get loads of help, support and encouragement from this site. Youl also learn to laugh again if you visit the chatroom. Everyones so friendly and encouraging. I also reccomend another site that has been useful to me and thats www.anxietynomore.co.uk
TAKE CARE
lynn