Any tips pls?

[panicky88]

I've had this anxiety/panic thing 10wks now - it consumed me completely for the first 6wks, I was convinced I was going to die of heart attack. I had so many tests which were all clear. In this time I had experienced 4 panic attacks one which was severe.

I got to the point where I was in panic and couldn't sleep, was agitated, couldn't calm myself etc...this lasted 2days before I went to the doctor (who I'd previously seen 4 times in 3wks for anxiety). He saw i was struggling and prescribed 30mg Cymbalta. Took it two days and felt rubbish so stopped. After two more days without it I felt back to my normal self FINALLY my life was back to where I wanted it....for two weeks.

4 days ago I had he funny dizzy feeling in my head again...and occasionally have felt jittery and have the buzzing in chest feeling although no racing heart...these above things have stayed with me four days now and I honestly don't know how to get back to normal again...but I don't want this to last for ages I want it to go...any tips? The head weirdness is mostly all day...but heightened when I have to go to the shops etc...I relate it to panic cos when I've had the panic attacks my pupils dilate so huge that there's hardly any colour in my eyes. It doesn't stop me doing things but I HATE feeling like it and want tint to go away!!

[evanruden]

Hello,
Since you are new to this I must tell you to not let this stop you from doing anything. Many people, like myself, try to stay home or be near a 'safe' person and develop further problems.

I know it is hard, but accept your anxiety. Allow yourself to be anxious and not feel all that great. We do that when we get a cold, right? These feelings are nothing but FEELINGS.

[panicky88]

It doesn't stop me doing what I need to, I just really hate feeling this way...I guess like everyone else I am just trying to find a way to get rid of it. It took me weeks to accept anxiety made me feel these things...now I can accept it's anxiety (mostly, sometimes I doubt it) but I just want it to go away.

It's daunting. When I'm sick usually I'm crap for three days and the fourth I begin recovering (almost every time without fail) unfortunately anxiety ain't like that and I'm suffering, so is my life and my family!

I have a first appt with a psychologist at beginning of feb tho...

[Speranza]

I think you are doing exactly the right things already. Trying to carry on but seeking help and coming on here.

You WILL get through this. My personal belief is that severe anxiety is our psyche hammering on the walls begging us to get in touch with our feelings. We certainly can't ignore anxiety!

Just a weird hunch - have you been checked for hormonal imbalances at all? Some people keep a mood diary and find a very very clear four week pattern. Maybe worth a try?

[panicky88]

I think the only hormonal checks the doc did was thyroid and thyroid function. I've had plenty of blood work, cholesterol, kidney/liver function, inflammatory markers, something that checks heart and clots, full blood count etc...I've had ecgs, ct scan, chest xray, 24hr holter monitor, ultrasounds and had specialist do some neurological stuff and look right in my eyes with a light...all fine.

I have considered trying the cymbalta again cos I'm desperate to try feel normal but I never wanted to be medicated from the beginning.

We will all get there eventually, I'm just impatient and want to b my normal self again!