Grumpy_guts
11-03-12, 20:42
Hi all,
I've posted here in the past but that was ages ago and my life and issues have moved on since then, so I though I'd re-introduce myself!
I'm a 35 year old web developer living in Hampshire with my gf.
I've suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for about 12 years now. I have health anxiety, mainly focusing on my heart and the possibility of having a heart attack.
I have some specific phobias, namely flying, dentists and vomiting. I also have a general traveling anxiety; I'm not good on trains, won't go near a plane and unfortunately, after being in a bad car accident just after Xmas, I now have problems with being a passenger in a car. Funnily enough, I don't have any issues with buses... Sometimes, I also suffer from depression too.
The only thing that really helps with the anxiety is Diazepam. I don't take many as I know how addictive they are and I'm paranoid about them reacting with alcohol if I do have a drink.
That said, I drink very little these days. Anything more that 3-4 pints will result in a panic attack in the middle of the night and my hangovers are unbearable these days. I still like a pint on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and I'll have 2-3 beers on a Friday or Saturday night but that's about it.
I've taken Paroxetine and Citalopram in the past. I took the Paroxetine ages ago and stopped as I thought I'd got better. I've taken Citalopram twice, once a long time ago and then again about 18 months ago. The second time, I only managed 10 days as the side effects were much worse than the first time I took them and I developed a horrible intolerance to even the smallest amount of alcohol.
I've had CBT a few times, most recently for about 10 sessions. I found it helpful for understanding my anxiety but not particularly useful for "curing" it.
I have a lot of problems with my stomach. I suffer from:
Heartburn
Indigestion
Stomach pains
Frequently urinating
Frequently passing stools (sometimes 5-6 times a day)
Loose stools
Rumbling stomach and gas
Bloating if I eat too much
Nausea + dizziness / light headedness.
Sharp pains in the rectum
I've had 2 endoscopes and have tried various acid suppressing medications, all to no avail.
I do however, have a hiatus hernia and the last endoscope only revealed gastritis.
I've recently starting losing weight unexpectedly although it could be because I've cut right back on the booze and don't eat as much as I used to. Large meals make me feel bloated and when I'm feeling nauseous, I don't really want to eat.
About 50% of mornings, I wake up feeling "rough". By that I mean I have headaches, little energy, a fuzzy head, nausea and dizziness / light headedness and generally feel under the weather.
Things are getting progressively worse and I'm starting to get to the end of my tether. I've not been able to find a doctor that I can build any kind of rapport with although I've recently been prescribed with sertraline anti depressents and propanalol beta blockers. I haven't got my prescription yet as I'm worried about the side effects of the ADs and a re-occurance of the nasty reaction with alcohol.
I'm not sure what I'm looking for here at No More Panic. I feel very isolated as my partner doesn't understand what I'm going through and she doesn't know what to say or do. I don't really have any friends to talk to so I guess I'm just looking to talk to people who are going through the same things that I am...
Cheers,
GG
I've posted here in the past but that was ages ago and my life and issues have moved on since then, so I though I'd re-introduce myself!
I'm a 35 year old web developer living in Hampshire with my gf.
I've suffered from anxiety and panic attacks for about 12 years now. I have health anxiety, mainly focusing on my heart and the possibility of having a heart attack.
I have some specific phobias, namely flying, dentists and vomiting. I also have a general traveling anxiety; I'm not good on trains, won't go near a plane and unfortunately, after being in a bad car accident just after Xmas, I now have problems with being a passenger in a car. Funnily enough, I don't have any issues with buses... Sometimes, I also suffer from depression too.
The only thing that really helps with the anxiety is Diazepam. I don't take many as I know how addictive they are and I'm paranoid about them reacting with alcohol if I do have a drink.
That said, I drink very little these days. Anything more that 3-4 pints will result in a panic attack in the middle of the night and my hangovers are unbearable these days. I still like a pint on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and I'll have 2-3 beers on a Friday or Saturday night but that's about it.
I've taken Paroxetine and Citalopram in the past. I took the Paroxetine ages ago and stopped as I thought I'd got better. I've taken Citalopram twice, once a long time ago and then again about 18 months ago. The second time, I only managed 10 days as the side effects were much worse than the first time I took them and I developed a horrible intolerance to even the smallest amount of alcohol.
I've had CBT a few times, most recently for about 10 sessions. I found it helpful for understanding my anxiety but not particularly useful for "curing" it.
I have a lot of problems with my stomach. I suffer from:
Heartburn
Indigestion
Stomach pains
Frequently urinating
Frequently passing stools (sometimes 5-6 times a day)
Loose stools
Rumbling stomach and gas
Bloating if I eat too much
Nausea + dizziness / light headedness.
Sharp pains in the rectum
I've had 2 endoscopes and have tried various acid suppressing medications, all to no avail.
I do however, have a hiatus hernia and the last endoscope only revealed gastritis.
I've recently starting losing weight unexpectedly although it could be because I've cut right back on the booze and don't eat as much as I used to. Large meals make me feel bloated and when I'm feeling nauseous, I don't really want to eat.
About 50% of mornings, I wake up feeling "rough". By that I mean I have headaches, little energy, a fuzzy head, nausea and dizziness / light headedness and generally feel under the weather.
Things are getting progressively worse and I'm starting to get to the end of my tether. I've not been able to find a doctor that I can build any kind of rapport with although I've recently been prescribed with sertraline anti depressents and propanalol beta blockers. I haven't got my prescription yet as I'm worried about the side effects of the ADs and a re-occurance of the nasty reaction with alcohol.
I'm not sure what I'm looking for here at No More Panic. I feel very isolated as my partner doesn't understand what I'm going through and she doesn't know what to say or do. I don't really have any friends to talk to so I guess I'm just looking to talk to people who are going through the same things that I am...
Cheers,
GG