johnnicholls
09-03-10, 21:06
Hi
I've been on here many times and found much comfort from the postings and advice. I have not made many postings, but I hope you will bear with me while I rant a bit? :shrug:
My panic attacks started shortly after my first daughter was born by emergency c-section, when I was 31(i'm now 35). I had all the usual symptoms and eventually (as many here have too) ended up in A&E twice thinking I was having a heart attack or a stroke. The first time they gave me a full check up including an ECG and chest X-Ray. All was fine, I just had raised blood pressure. I continued to have anxiety and panic attacks, so went to see the GP, who refered me to a councellor. She helped me to deal with the panic and helped me find a way to relax using breathing techniques, which was great. I have always been quite a big drinker, and found that when I drank too much the anxiety and panic was always greater in the following days. What I found however was that I had become dependant on alcohol to relax of the evening, and to sleep. I was always grouchy the next day and suffered anxiety and depression. After having our second baby, again by c-section I became totally reliant on booze to get me to sleep. When I was younger drinking was never an issue, never having hangovers or being sick etc, but I suppose having two young children the lack of sleep tied in with the drink made things so bad. Anyway at the end of last year my wife left me, and I am now renting a house on my own. I have the girls maybe 3 nights per week.
Problem now is I cannot sleep without a drink. I have tried Horlicks and herbal sleeping aids, and having the radio on etc. I can go a maximum of 2 nights without a drink, but the nights are awful with palpitations and rarely more than 4 hours asleep.
It seems I can control the panic attacks, but the anxiety is always with me. I am convinced that drinking so much for so long has damaged my health someway and take many pills trying to make myself better. I am frightened to go to the doctors in case he confirms there is a problem. Usually after a night of not drinking I feel great, and as a walker can easily do a 10 mile hike without getting out of breath, which then confirms to my mind that I am actually Ok and can afford to have a drink that night.
I am depressed with the loneliness of being by myself, and that it was my fault my family has fallen apart. How can I break this circle and start pulling myself together? Should I go to the GP? Or is there a way I can help myself and break the circle of drinking to sleep? I'm sure if I can go a certain time my wellbeing will give me the opportunity to sleep and start repairing myself. I often convince myself I am jaundiced or have pains in my liver, always looking for yellow eyes etc. Although when I visit friends or family, they tell me I look fine and the usual colour etc.
I'm 35 and want a life now. I'm sure the counseller I saw did her best, but there must be an under-lying problem that has caused me to be this way? Would anyone recommend an hypnotherapist?
Cheers anyway
John.
:wacko:
I've been on here many times and found much comfort from the postings and advice. I have not made many postings, but I hope you will bear with me while I rant a bit? :shrug:
My panic attacks started shortly after my first daughter was born by emergency c-section, when I was 31(i'm now 35). I had all the usual symptoms and eventually (as many here have too) ended up in A&E twice thinking I was having a heart attack or a stroke. The first time they gave me a full check up including an ECG and chest X-Ray. All was fine, I just had raised blood pressure. I continued to have anxiety and panic attacks, so went to see the GP, who refered me to a councellor. She helped me to deal with the panic and helped me find a way to relax using breathing techniques, which was great. I have always been quite a big drinker, and found that when I drank too much the anxiety and panic was always greater in the following days. What I found however was that I had become dependant on alcohol to relax of the evening, and to sleep. I was always grouchy the next day and suffered anxiety and depression. After having our second baby, again by c-section I became totally reliant on booze to get me to sleep. When I was younger drinking was never an issue, never having hangovers or being sick etc, but I suppose having two young children the lack of sleep tied in with the drink made things so bad. Anyway at the end of last year my wife left me, and I am now renting a house on my own. I have the girls maybe 3 nights per week.
Problem now is I cannot sleep without a drink. I have tried Horlicks and herbal sleeping aids, and having the radio on etc. I can go a maximum of 2 nights without a drink, but the nights are awful with palpitations and rarely more than 4 hours asleep.
It seems I can control the panic attacks, but the anxiety is always with me. I am convinced that drinking so much for so long has damaged my health someway and take many pills trying to make myself better. I am frightened to go to the doctors in case he confirms there is a problem. Usually after a night of not drinking I feel great, and as a walker can easily do a 10 mile hike without getting out of breath, which then confirms to my mind that I am actually Ok and can afford to have a drink that night.
I am depressed with the loneliness of being by myself, and that it was my fault my family has fallen apart. How can I break this circle and start pulling myself together? Should I go to the GP? Or is there a way I can help myself and break the circle of drinking to sleep? I'm sure if I can go a certain time my wellbeing will give me the opportunity to sleep and start repairing myself. I often convince myself I am jaundiced or have pains in my liver, always looking for yellow eyes etc. Although when I visit friends or family, they tell me I look fine and the usual colour etc.
I'm 35 and want a life now. I'm sure the counseller I saw did her best, but there must be an under-lying problem that has caused me to be this way? Would anyone recommend an hypnotherapist?
Cheers anyway
John.
:wacko: