Carrera74
23-06-11, 12:14
Hi everyone
My Introduction ( a bit long, sorry!)
I’ve suffered with some sort of anxiety for as long as I can remember. I remember having my first panic attack when I was at high school. Mine always started with feeling hot and then I’d get panicky. I’ve been able to manage the anxiety through my life but have had a few rough patches. The main one being towards the end of a very volatile relationship with my ex. I felt I was continually walking on egg shells and my GP prescribed me Half Inderal to get me through the split and court case. I weaned myself off these 5 years ago and have managed any periods of stress without meds.
Now why I am here….. I got a nasty flu bug at Christmas and then got another bug at Easter and have felt continually run down since. I went to see my GP a month ago as I was not feeling any better. If anything I was feeling worse. Was continually tired, struggling to concentrate at work, having hot flushes and felt on edge. I was hoping I had a thyroid problem or anaemia as it would be an answer to the way I was feeling. GP did a full MOT and the bloods came back clear. He said I was emotionally exhausted and said to remember I wasn’t physically ill and to get myself out and about and enjoy some fresh air and I would be fine. He said if the symptoms continued he could prescribe me betablockers but he didn’t want to do that and he said I’d been fine in a few days.
I had taken the week off work so did as he said but if anything I was just getting more panicky and anxious. Each time I went out I would feel continually on edge. I would panic and even though I know how to deal with panic attacks they would just take over. As I wasn’t feeling any better I went back but saw a different GP and I broke down. I am so frustrated at myself for not being able to get a grip of myself. I am unable to leave the house without panicking, feel dizzy, etc. My GP asked a few questions and prescribed me Sertraline and Propranolol. He signed me off work with anxiety and depression for two weeks and said to go back once the drugs had kicked in. I left quite shocked that I had just been diagnosed with this (only 5 days after my last appointment). This GP tried to prescribe my Citrapram (sp?) but I have tried a half dose of this previously but I had an awful reaction to it and never took it again. He also didn’t seem to know any of my previous mental health history. To be honest it felt like he just fobbed me off with a prescription and a sick note
Anyway I came home and thought I would just take it easy for a few days. Stop drinking wine (I know I have been drinking too much lately, it’s the only thing that relaxes me….) and eat properly. I tried to leave the house for small walks but the panic would set in. I feel constantly on edge, my heart feels like it is constantly racing (although my heart is 80 beats per minute) but it feels so much faster. Each time I leave the house I have increased anxiety. I have been avoiding going out but on Saturday I went to get a card from the shop and I had a huge panic attack. One so bad I thought I was going to die. I was terrified. I drove home but it was the longest journey ever. It was only a 5 min journey but I didn’t think my heart would get me home.
Now I am sorry for this long post. But this is the reason why I have found this site. I am scared to take the medication. I am scared to leave the house. I have cancelled going on a few dates with my friends and husband as I can’t leave the house without hyperventilating. It’s taken control and I know I need to take the tablets but I’m too scared.
I hope I find some peace on this site and I hope I find the confidence to try the betablockers as I need to get my life back x
My Introduction ( a bit long, sorry!)
I’ve suffered with some sort of anxiety for as long as I can remember. I remember having my first panic attack when I was at high school. Mine always started with feeling hot and then I’d get panicky. I’ve been able to manage the anxiety through my life but have had a few rough patches. The main one being towards the end of a very volatile relationship with my ex. I felt I was continually walking on egg shells and my GP prescribed me Half Inderal to get me through the split and court case. I weaned myself off these 5 years ago and have managed any periods of stress without meds.
Now why I am here….. I got a nasty flu bug at Christmas and then got another bug at Easter and have felt continually run down since. I went to see my GP a month ago as I was not feeling any better. If anything I was feeling worse. Was continually tired, struggling to concentrate at work, having hot flushes and felt on edge. I was hoping I had a thyroid problem or anaemia as it would be an answer to the way I was feeling. GP did a full MOT and the bloods came back clear. He said I was emotionally exhausted and said to remember I wasn’t physically ill and to get myself out and about and enjoy some fresh air and I would be fine. He said if the symptoms continued he could prescribe me betablockers but he didn’t want to do that and he said I’d been fine in a few days.
I had taken the week off work so did as he said but if anything I was just getting more panicky and anxious. Each time I went out I would feel continually on edge. I would panic and even though I know how to deal with panic attacks they would just take over. As I wasn’t feeling any better I went back but saw a different GP and I broke down. I am so frustrated at myself for not being able to get a grip of myself. I am unable to leave the house without panicking, feel dizzy, etc. My GP asked a few questions and prescribed me Sertraline and Propranolol. He signed me off work with anxiety and depression for two weeks and said to go back once the drugs had kicked in. I left quite shocked that I had just been diagnosed with this (only 5 days after my last appointment). This GP tried to prescribe my Citrapram (sp?) but I have tried a half dose of this previously but I had an awful reaction to it and never took it again. He also didn’t seem to know any of my previous mental health history. To be honest it felt like he just fobbed me off with a prescription and a sick note
Anyway I came home and thought I would just take it easy for a few days. Stop drinking wine (I know I have been drinking too much lately, it’s the only thing that relaxes me….) and eat properly. I tried to leave the house for small walks but the panic would set in. I feel constantly on edge, my heart feels like it is constantly racing (although my heart is 80 beats per minute) but it feels so much faster. Each time I leave the house I have increased anxiety. I have been avoiding going out but on Saturday I went to get a card from the shop and I had a huge panic attack. One so bad I thought I was going to die. I was terrified. I drove home but it was the longest journey ever. It was only a 5 min journey but I didn’t think my heart would get me home.
Now I am sorry for this long post. But this is the reason why I have found this site. I am scared to take the medication. I am scared to leave the house. I have cancelled going on a few dates with my friends and husband as I can’t leave the house without hyperventilating. It’s taken control and I know I need to take the tablets but I’m too scared.
I hope I find some peace on this site and I hope I find the confidence to try the betablockers as I need to get my life back x