Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Kathleen on March 29, 2015, 04:20:32 PM
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Hello ladies.
I wanted to send my sympathies to all ladies suffering the dreaded menopausal anxiety. In my experience these feelings are unique and nothing like the run of the mill anxiety that everyone has from time to time.
I am reminded of a comedy play I saw many years ago where a heavily pregnant mother of three goes into labour at a really inconvenient time. Everyone around her starts panicking and one man suggests she could just have indigestion. She tells him she knows the difference as indigestion doesn't make your eyes bug out! I was young and single when I saw the play but I got the joke then and I certainly get it now!
Wishing everyone well and take care.
K.
PS the play was written by Neil Simon so some men do understand!
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Fab post Kathleen. It is truly baffling what hormones (or the lack of them) do to our brain function - we just know it's not the usual anxiety or depression - menopause anxiety is definitely unique and very distressing.
DG x
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I think that play might have been Same time next year ,but then again might not have been :-\
Definitely meno anxiety is in a class of it's own,it is not like other anxiety you have about day to day things and its so hard to describe or convey to others ! If you haven't been there you just don't understand how it feels !
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Yes it feel quite unique. Mine feels like a sort of bleak panic. Even something as simple as a TV program ending makes me anxious. Or someone walking out of the room. Or it getting dark outside. Totally irrational and embarrassing to try and explain to someone else.
I feel very restless and the thought of just sitting quietly with a cup of tea and a book fills me with dread and low level panic.
It's quite hideous and though similar doesn't feel the same as the anxiety I suffered with when I had PND.
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Yes, this meno anxiety is hideous and very different from the regular worries and anxiety I've experienced before. Sometimes I feel I must be going mad - then I get even more anxious! - it is hard to believe how very powerful our hormones are.xx
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I can feel a rush of adrenaline at the drop of a hat - someone opening a door, waking up, the constant feeling that I have forgotten something important. It makes my tummy sore :(
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I already knew that my hormones were quite powerful because I used to get so irritable and angry when I had PMS. Not pleasant at all, but it felt more 'positive and pro active' if that makes sense? Even when feeling PMS anger and irritation I never felt scared to leave the house or panicky at the thought of going to bed.
The current feelings of dread and anxiety are so much worse, and they completely frighten and debilitate me so much more.
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Hello ladies and thank you all for responding, I wish you didn't have to if you know what I mean lol!
I've woken up feeling normal so far but who knows what the day will bring. Last week a thought about hoovering the bedroom brought on a surge of panic so I went out for a walk instead. No wonder we all fear we are going mad.
Wishing everyone a calm day today. Take care.
K.
P.S Dazned. You are right, the play was Same Time Next Year. Most enjoyable. Well spotted!
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Yup. I've dealt with panic attacks since puberty. Very functional and very well controlled. I actually now wonder if my panic has ALWAYS been hormonally regulated ( puberty, post partum, birth control).
Peri is on a whole new level!!! The thought of making supper was causing attacks. Nutso!!
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I always feel better by evening. That way I can't let anyone down if I've agreed to anything during the day.
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Me too CLKD. I love closing the curtains and tucking myself away with my book, my sewing, the TV, knowing that the "shoulds and ought-tos" of the day are done with (or successfully avoided!).
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I feel frightened today, no other word for it. This feels like pure, take your breath away fear. I have no reason to be frightened. I'm on school holidays with my three gorgeous kids, its a beautiful day, I have nothing urgent to do except visit family at the weekend which involves a big trip, but looking forward to seeing them. I feel robbed of normal emotion and I'm sick of it. I'm just thankful that I am beginning to realise that tomorrow or even in an hour I will feel different again. I'm definitely coming back as man.
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Dogdoc I can identify with that one! The thought of making dinner sometimes throws me into complete and utter terror! Now what's that all about ! :-\
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:hug: jedigirl. You are right, it could all blow over at any moment. It's soooo annoying when it happens.
I've got the jitters and dread in the pit of my stomach this morning.... and what was I doing? Driving to work, like every other day...
...same route, not much traffic with schools on holiday, and the sun is shining. So why on earth am I jittery and close to tears this morning? Stupid hormones >:(
Galadriel x
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I can relate to these posts too. Anxiety has totally floored me today. At home alone, DH and son at work, my youngest staying at my mums for the night. No pressures but I can't move. Hands shaking, head pounding with what ifs and maybes. Terrified feeling in pit of stomach. I used to be the most level headed person but perimeno has reduced me to a recluse. I can't even take my lovely goldie out for a hike in the woods :-\
Hugs to everyone who is suffering xx
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You have brought a few tears to my eyes this morning. I have been away from the forum for a couple of months and I logged in this morning to write a post about just this thing.
This thread was the first one I saw and by the time I read it all through I didn't need to make my post any more. The thoughts and feeling described in these posts are all familiar to me.
Being away from the forum reduced me to thinking there is something very wrong with me. I have been given Propranolol because of my anxiety and my BP was high in January but the stuff makes me feel really unwell and isn't helping.
I am now going to try and relax in the reassurance than many others are also feeling this thing.
Thank you so much for this thread dear ladies, it's good to share and support :hug:
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Oh ladies, we do go through the mill don't we?
babyjane, i know without this forum I would have been so much worse. It helps immeasurably to be able to come here and read similar posts and know we're not alone.
This is hard and if someone says "just hormones" to me today you may see me on Sky news tonight :P
Hugs to you all
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I feel a rant coming on. I suspect that if all of this suffering wasn't considered "natural" and if women hadn't been expected to keep going through gritted teeth during period pains, PMS, morning sickness, etc etc it would be classed as something more serious than "women's trouble". I also suspect that if we started making a fuss about all of the above we'd find ourselves being labelled as "feeble" or "delicate" and equality in the workplace etc would crumble. It's so hard to believe that with all the advances there have been in medicine nobody has been able to/had the incentive to do something better for us that one-size-fits-all medication based on trial-and-error and guesswork! Right, got that out of my system. Grrr.
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>wave< BabyJane! Maybe your dose is too much in one day!
Jedigirl - your feelings earlier may be because your routine is altered and you aren't having the adrenaline rush to keep you going! I HATE a change of routine even to visit Mum [later this week].
Claireylou - better by evening? >hug<
I understand the fear element too :'( - the fear that this will, as it did in the 1990s, take over again …….. DH tells me to take the emergency med immediately rather than see if it goes away but I can see the amount in the packet diminishing :-X
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CLKD thank you for the hug. I'm always ok by the evening. It feels like a weight has lifted? What's that all about ?? :P
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CLKD re change of routine; I can handle them fine when having a good spell and get jittery when in an anxious spell.
There is also an element of worry every time physical symptoms flare up, "will this settle, can i cope, what if i can't manage work, how do i make it better"etc.
So a cycle of being anxious about how bad things will get unsurprisingly sets off more anxiety!!
I wonder which hormone is settling or coming into play by evening that so many of us feel calmer then.
How are you all today?
Jedigirl x
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Clareylou, I don't know but evenings are better, mornings are the worst (cortisol maybe?)
CKLD I have replied about dosage in the other anxiety thread :)
I must say, since finding this thread I have stopped moaning to my husband, poor man, and read these posts instead. Much more helpful so thanks again
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Babyjane, as soon as my eyes open in the morning I get that lurch in my tum. Some days when it's really bad I just cannot go outside the house. I have found these threads comforting too and I've shown them to DH to help give him a better understanding. We have a buzzword now (for when it's really bad) to use in front of our sons and DH will then arrange extra outdoor activities for them so that I can take some deep breaths and go at my own pace. I long for the day when I can join them too :-\
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I am sorry you get this too but it helps me to try and remember that you, and others, are feeling the same way I am. It takes the sting out of it a bit. My very best wishes to you x
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Thank you, you too :)
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Yes. I completely understand that sudden overwhelming fear at the thought of doing something totally mundane. For me I get scared of it getting dark outside. I also get scared when people leave the room or a TV program ends. What on Earth is that all about?
The joke is I am considered incredibly sensible and very level headed. In my job I am required to be calm in a crisis and in control.
It's so random. Last week I had to handle taking my daughter to an event 40 miles away in a strange town, then back home to host an afternoon get together for my son and his friends (lots of noise and boisterous behaviour in the garden). Had to rustle up tea for 12 children, deal with a split lip and a sprained ankle. I did it all with a smile and was completely calm.
Today I am getting stressed and panicky just at the thought of having to make lunch for me and my husband.
I hate this. I hate this. I hate this.
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Yes my are worse mornings to,I definitely put it down to cortisol!
Cortisol is at it highest production rate early morning,this = adrenaline,this then = anxiety ! They are all hormones which react on each other like domino effect . The body is like a very,very high tuned car engine if one thing is out of balance the whole thing comes down like a house of playing cards ! :-\
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Gypsy Rose Lee done sympathize with you I really struggle to make meals don't know why ! :-\
I too HATE these stupid anxiety,palps,etc. >:(
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HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT :bang:
Cortisol?
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Apparently it's the precursor hormone to adrenaline ! :-\
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Off to do a 'search' ! Sounds like a mouth wash ;D
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Yes my are worse mornings to,I definitely put it down to cortisol!
Cortisol is at it highest production rate early morning,this = adrenaline,this then = anxiety ! They are all hormones which react on each other like domino effect . The body is like a very,very high tuned car engine if one thing is out of balance the whole thing comes down like a house of playing cards ! :-\
Maybe that is where the early morning run comes in (hates running :o )
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Yes if you have to have a blood test for cortisol ,I have ,you have to get to hospital first thing and tell them what test you are having so they can get you in first because it's at its highest early morning.
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Oh and interesting you may be asked to stop taking estrogen before test as it can cause interference ! So all hormones are linked together and rely on one starting then that in turn fires the others off ! Just like a stack of dominoes ! Cortisol plays a part in stress response.
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Again forgot to say low estrogen causes raised levels of cortisol maybe explaining why some of us experience anxiety,when you eat cortisol levels decrease.
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when you eat cortisol levels decrease.
now that really is interesting as for a short time after a meal my jittery feelings subside. I put it down to blood sugar levels.
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They are linked babyjane. ;)
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Great post Kathleen
I also agree, menopausal anxiety is unique.
You wake up and you start worrying about things that, often, aren't even a problem, but you get that stomach churning feeling when you wake.
The only anxiety I can compare it to is when I was tapered off diazepam through my doctor, and I suffered anxiety as part of the withdrawal symptoms.
I get anxiety as part of who I am, but never like meno or tranquiliser withdrawal type anxiety, it is definitely diffferent.
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I don't have anywhere 'safe' to run any more :'( now that panic attacks take over when I'm at home
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Dandelion, the only time I have experienced a similar sort of anxiety is when I had PND. The anxiety then was crippling and felt very similar. But as that was also hormonally caused it's perhaps not surprising.
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But the BIG question is...does HRT stop the anxiety? If it does then I will gladly take it.
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When I first experienced it badly 4 years ago hrt stopped it straightaway ! This time when it reappeared hrt needed changing but struggling to get it sorted,guess because 4/5 years older hormones are much more depleted!
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Hope you don't mind me asking Dazned but were you still having periods 4 years ago? And had you ever experienced anxiety before?
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No I don't mind you asking,nothing's sacred nowadays ! ;D
I was 49 still having periods regularly,totally normal woman then ,out of the blue for absolutely no reason I became nauseous,horrendous panic attacks,palpitations,anxiety,I was off work for about 4 months ! Took me that length of time to go through all the doctors at my surgery then to finally get one to agree it was hormonal! Most wanted me to have ADs,I wouldn't,well I tried a few mainly to placate them ,couldn't get on with them. One doctor even wrote me a prescription for an asthma inhaler which he said was why I had a tight chest and feeling of not being able to breath properly! It wasn't !
Eventually started hrt symptoms all went ! Back to work happy bunny,until now symptoms started to creep back end of last year so trying to get hrt tweaked which has been a roller coaster to say the least . Thought it would be easy as I struck lucky with first hrt. :-\
Just started another one this weekend so we will see but I must say the mirtazapine has stabilized me somewhat . If this new regime seems to suit I will attempt to stop taking mirtazapine, if symptoms come back I will continue mirtazapine,if hrt this time doesn't suit me I will stop the hrt and see if I can cope without it just the ADS! If that doesn't work guess it's back to the drawing board !
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@CKLD sorry you suffering so bad, are on hrt? do you mind me asking?
@gypsyroselee I never had PND but it sounds a nightmare. HRT has stopped most of my flushes and bed sweats, but I still get bad moods and anxiety, I'm going on a stronger dose in a couple of weeks so we will see how that goes. Prof Studd said in the Daily mail that anxiety is harder to deal with than depression in menopausal women, and standard antidepressants don't work.
Mine aren't working, Ive been weaning off them, was on 300mg trazodone, now on 50mg, going down....
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No I don't mind you asking,nothing's sacred nowadays ! ;D
I was 49 still having periods regularly,totally normal woman then ,out of the blue for absolutely no reason I became nauseous,horrendous panic attacks,palpitations,anxiety,I was off work for about 4 months ! Took me that length of time to go through all the doctors at my surgery then to finally get one to agree it was hormonal! Most wanted me to have ADs,I wouldn't,well I tried a few mainly to placate them ,couldn't get on with them. One doctor even wrote me a prescription for an asthma inhaler which he said was why I had a tight chest and feeling of not being able to breath properly! It wasn't !
Eventually started hrt symptoms all went ! Back to work happy bunny,until now symptoms started to creep back end of last year so trying to get hrt tweaked which has been a roller coaster to say the least . Thought it would be easy as I struck lucky with first hrt. :-\
Just started another one this weekend so we will see but I must say the mirtazapine has stabilized me somewhat . If this new regime seems to suit I will attempt to stop taking mirtazapine, if symptoms come back I will continue mirtazapine,if hrt this time doesn't suit me I will stop the hrt and see if I can cope without it just the ADS! If that doesn't work guess it's back to the drawing board !
It's a shame it all went well first time, and now, your having struggles.
I was having meno symptoms about 5yrs before I started hrt. Started at 42 but got periods all teh way throughout, although irregular. An australian online friend suggested I get tested and look for hrt.
the regime I am on now is almost helping, but like a shoe that is just that bit too tight, I need the next size up or next dose up and I should be ok.
My symptoms got worse and worse over the last 5 years, more so last year and the year before, flushes got hotter, more sweat etc
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Don't need HRT apart from to ease vaginal atrophy. That was like razor blades up there >:(
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Thank you Dazned. Sorry for being nosey.
It sounds like our symptoms arrived out of nowhere in the same way. Though I was younger and only 43 when all this started. I took amitriptyline last year to help deal with the mood swings and anxiety. it helped but to be honest the anxiety still was capable of breaking through. Gaining 14lbs in weight wasn't pleasant either.
I hope you get your new HRT sorted soon. I get so angry that all these days I am losing to anxiety/low mood I can NEVER get back >:(
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Thanks for replying Dandelion.
Touch wood I have never yet had a hot flush or a night sweat. Physically I am getting away virtually Scot free with symptoms. But my Mum didn't experience any physical symptoms either. But like me suddenly started suffering with random anxiety as she entered her 40s. And as a young girl I remember her having mood swings. Being sad and tearful one moment, then an hour later laughing and giggling.
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Just to add I've never touch wood had hot flushes either just get all the other rubbish >:(
Are we related GypsyRoseLee! ;D
Ive never ,ever been an anxious person before this time,always an incontrol person which I think now makes these feelings much worse because I have no control over Damn hormones >:(
Interestingly the specialist asked me how were my periods when I was a teenager regards pmt ,I was truly evil coming up to my period way back then,you didn't dare look sideways at me ! ::) but I sort of grew out of it and he said it was linked but instead of being hot headed and purely venomous it now manifests as anxiety . :-\
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Very interesting Dazned.
I had dreadful PMS through my late teens and twenties, too. When I saw my consultant she said she would diagnose me on the basis of just 3 questions.
1. had I always suffered with PMS - YES
2. how did I feel when I was pregnant - GREAT
3. how did I feel after having my baby - AWFUL PND
She said that was all she needed to know, and that I was a classic candidate for hormonal related anxiety/depression caused by peri menopause. She wasn't even interested the results of my blood tests (normal).
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Most don't go on blood tests as they only show a snapshot of that day which means nothing really,they go on symptoms.
It's all trial and error unfortunately,and what suits one doesn't suit other's. :-\
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Thanks for replying Dandelion.
Touch wood I have never yet had a hot flush or a night sweat. Physically I am getting away virtually Scot free with symptoms. But my Mum didn't experience any physical symptoms either. But like me suddenly started suffering with random anxiety as she entered her 40s. And as a young girl I remember her having mood swings. Being sad and tearful one moment, then an hour later laughing and giggling.
Hi
It's good you have not had flushes or night sweats, they just add to the misery for me.
Sorry to hear you have the moods.
Sometimes we can take after our mothers with meno, but I don't know who I get my genes from.
I have two sisters the same age as me, well a year and a year and a half apart, and I don't contact them very often, but my mum does and she says that they are just starting, now to get early perimenopause symptoms.
One sister doesn't want to use hrt, she wants to use mind over matter, dunno about the other sister.
My mum said no one in family, as far as she knows, started perimenopause in their early forties like I did. I must be a throw-back hahahahahh
I think that because i have always had a nervous disposition and fight-or-flight has biological process, maybe because I have always released lots of stress hormones, then this may have had an effect on my endocrine system and sparked off an early meno.
My dad was a stress-head and I kind of knew he would die with a heart attack and he did. Just goes to show how a stress-head personality, or a nervy personality like me, can affect the body, I suppose it's logical really.
I woke up and even before I woke, I felt anxious and hot. I did have two tops on last night though, a short sleeved top and as my arms got cold, a long sleeve one, so that could have made me hot.
I'm looking forward to trying the evorel 100, that dose might be my sweet spot.
The 75mcg has definitely reduced my sweats and flushes and also helped my IBS.
I'm not fully banking on it, but I hope it lifs my mood and helps me not to feel so scared all the time.
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Dazed. Can you tell me what dose of HRT ypu started way back when that worked so well for you 4 years ago. About two years ago the bad symptoms started. I'm only 42 now so definitely early for peri. On hrt now and so much better!!! But also so not normal still lol.
Sitting here wondering if the new 'arthritis' feeling in my hands is hormonal or just me getting old. :P.
Currently on 37.5 first half of cycle, and 50 in the second half to counter the rapid drop. Big improvement from last month. But would like to feel more normal if possible.
So uncertain if I should just go up till all symptoms go away or just take enough hrt to take the edge off.
Tara
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Hi Dogdoc I was on Estelle duet 1mg estrogen/1mg progesterone.It worked a treat for me. You say 42 is early for peri but really there is no definitive age ! When I look back now I realise for a couple of years before I had hrt things were awry,did ask doctors could it be hormonal they said I was too young ! At that time I was very naive hadn't even heard of peri,just thought you had menopause ! :-\
Hopefully I will get on track with new regime soon but it goes to show things fluctuate so you have to be prepared to change meds to keep track with your body .
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'mind over matter' - we'll wait and see on that one then ………... ;)
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Mind over matter ....... :whist:
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Dazed. Can you tell me what dose of HRT ypu started way back when that worked so well for you 4 years ago. About two years ago the bad symptoms started. I'm only 42 now so definitely early for peri. On hrt now and so much better!!! But also so not normal still lol.
Sitting here wondering if the new 'arthritis' feeling in my hands is hormonal or just me getting old. :P.
Currently on 37.5 first half of cycle, and 50 in the second half to counter the rapid drop. Big improvement from last month. But would like to feel more normal if possible.
So uncertain if I should just go up till all symptoms go away or just take enough hrt to take the edge off.
Tara
Hi Tara
You can have perimeno at 42. I started mine then, I'm 48 now. I'd been having that 'morning dread' seconds after waking, or on waking, and flushes and sweats for five years before I realised I was perimeno.
I just assumed I'd be more like 52 when I started it. I was on psychiatric medication and coming off tranquilers at the time and I put the anxiety, sweats, flushes down to drug withdrawl.
I'm on evorel patches and utro, I'm no the 75mcg, and it has defnitiely helped, but I still get really warm, and some flushes, but not as troublesome. The moods and morning dread are still here. I'm going to trial the evorel 100mcg for a month and then go back to my GP.
It's taken me a couple of years to get the hrt right, I started on femoston pills which did nothing.
Oh, and another thing, I had really bad IBS and the evorel 75mcg has definitely had a positive effect on that, as it was really troublesome.
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Thanks dazed and dandelion. Yeah. Looking back I'm going to have to say symptoms likey started in my late 30's ( irregular cycles and 10 days of pms... Which I've not ever really glad before). 40's is when it kicked into high gear. :
So far on the hrt for the first two weeks im( dare I say it) almost back to normal but the second half things 'break through' but they're still better. The insomnias back and the arrhythmia and anxiety are also trying break through. But copable. Might stick it out at this rose for a month or two and just see what happens.
:) Tara
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Such a reassuring thread to read of others experiences so I know I'm not going mad! The anxiety and panic attacks are the one thing about perimenopause I really find hard to cope with and impacts on my life more than anything. Just comes out of the blue and is utterly horrid and like so many others have said, appears when there is no reason to be worried/anxious/frightened. I miss my old self when going through phases like this and hope beyond hope that some semblance of how I felt pre all of this stuff will return.
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Just wanted to add that I really appreciate this thread. In my late twenties and early thirties I suffered from panic attacks - I used to get hot and dizzy, think I was going mad and usually had to run to the loo. Although I was drained once the attack passed, I sort of understood physically why they were happening (I was very stressed at the time and I read up about the adrenaline fight or flight response which helped me understand what was happening to me). I also completely cut out coffee, took up more exercise and tried to get more stable work (still working on that last one!).
However the recent menopausal panic attack I had that railroaded my plans to move back to Canada was so totally completely different that I didn't recognise it as a panic attack. It happened first thing in the morning - I woke up in a state of absolute utter terror with every fibre of my being feeling like I could not go through with moving back to Canada. It was an utterly bizarre experience. And as soon as I changed my plans it went.
Then the anxiety came back - especially when the shock of what I had done hit me. But since I've been on HRT (Day 17/18 now) I noticed that I have days where I'm shaky inside and days where I have no anxiety and feel completely competent. It's so totally weird to experience.
I'm wondering whether anything has been written up about menopausal anxiety in terms of how it occurs at a physical level? I notice that some people mention the impact of cortisol - I'm wondering whether if one wakes up with a high level of cortisol that this then somehow causes anxiety to occur? I would love to read up on this area - it would be so helpful to have an understanding of what is happening to me physically so that I can explain it to myself when I'm feeling rotten.
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Cortisol is at it peak early mornings so I think that is why some of us wake up with these anxiety,palps,etc. Panicky type attacks ,usually if I can manage to get up and do something it helps somewhat,easier said than done sometimes ! Think then the adrenaline has somewhere to go.
Cortisol = adrenaline= anxiety,palps,etc
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Hello ladies.
I'd like to add another observation about menopausal anxiety.
I've noticed that if I wake up during the night I feel completely calm and normal. It is only later when I wake up a the beginning of the day that I experience the feelings of fear. Clearly something is happening during those early morning hours.
I have never had drenching sweats at night or indeed at any other time and on the few occasions I've had disturbed sleep I usually have a drink of milk and go straight back to sleep. All my problems occur during the day and I often feel better by the evening.
Maybe my circadian clock is at odds with my hormones and the answer is to become nocturnal!
I think my experience adds to the theory that stress hormones are flooding our bodies at around dawn (I'm sure I read that heart attacks are more likely at 4 am).
As with everything related to the menopause, understanding the process is helpful but ideally this would be translated into a practical and effective treatment for us all. We live in hope!
Take care ladies and wishing everyone a good day.
K.
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Certainly men who get up to pee often drop dead in the early hours which is why I insist on DH sitting on the edge of the bed before rising to the bathroom. I also insist that men sit on the loo to pee in the early hours, can't be doing with the thought of an emergency call at that hour! ::)
I know that I feel OK in the early hours because I have still time in bed before I face the day. The closer to dawn I get the more uptight my gut feels :-\
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I'm not great in the mornings either. I set my alarm for an hour before I need to be up. I get up and feed the dog then I make a cuppa and go back to bed with my kindle to read the news, and also read my book. It helps a bit as I'm a complete disaster if I have to rush.
Another of my problems...and I don't know if it's just me....a car journey anywhere except local is such an ordeal. I'm fine on the way home but on the outward journey I am a bag of nerves. It's a nightmare and as I always feel this way I expect it which just makes things worse.
Makes going on holiday a challenge to say the least.
Honeybun
X
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honeybun,
I started to struggle with longer journeys too. I think it was feeling I was getting further from home causing panic, the unfamiliarity of where we are going and if I'd be okay there. Are you the driver?
If not and you are a passenger, I've found that listening to music and meditations that I've downloaded while wearing headphones helps distract me. Can you try that?
JG xxx
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I'm not the driver . I have gone from being able to drive anywhere to being limited to short journeys. I drive a round trip of thirty miles three times a week to look after my mother. If it wasn't for the fact I have no choice then I probably would hardly drive at all. I had a couple of panic attacks on the motorway and that was that. I really miss being able to enjoy driving as I loved it. I now feel light headed and avoid it whenever possible.
Not much better as a passenger. Maybe I should just walk ::)
This anxiety is just rubbish and really limits the things you used to enjoy and really want to do.
Honeybun
X
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Yep anxiety is the pits, I guess we find the best way round it we can until we can be ourselves again, which I believe we will.
Maybe a sedative would help, a Kalm or something to stop you associating travelling with panic?
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I can only travel when DH is driving ……….
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How strange, these things are so horrible and yet here again are others feeling the same - re car journeys.
Mine got worse after Christmas when we got caught in the mother of all jams on the way home from our daughter's when the world and his wife were also travelling home.
Now I only have to see red brake lights and I start to panic. We go on holiday in just under 7 weeks time :(
My GP gave me a few Diazepam tablets to help when I told him about it, but after reading all the possible side effects on the leaflet I am too scared to take them :'(
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Take 1 at the weekend to see if you can tolerate the effect. I used Valium: initially 10 mg and then 5mg: on an 'as necessary' basis for years. I wouldn't be here otherwise.
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can you cut them in half?
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There's no point! what dose has the GP given you?
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2mg
I am so sensitive to medication, I react badly to almost everything :(
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2mg how often per day? I doubt if you will over-react at 2mg as a 1-off. However, if it's in the back of your mind you can talk yourself into it …… I always worried about what would happen if I swallowed new meds., ate food, went for a walk :'( - which is why I suggested taking it at the weekend. With food. At night before you go to bed to stop those anxiety surges first thing. Then when you know how it works you will be able to judge when you need it re going anywhere ;)
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thank you the label says up to a maximum of 2 a day but I only really need one for the journey on holiday and one for the journey home and another one for a wedding in the autumn.
I'm a bit scared of 2 things. One being side effects and the other of it working too well and liking it and getting addicted as I also have an addictive personality. I used to know a woman at church who used it and she ended a complete neurotic mess.
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I have an addictive personality with OCD thrown in ::) but when I am not anxious I don't even think about taking medication. Knowing the triggers makes me aware of when I need to reach for the emergency tablets. Because I know that the tablet will ease symptoms I don't need to take anything un-necessarily!
Stop worrying about other people, this is about *you*!
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BJ
I'm very sensitive to medication too. I have diazepam 2mg which I take very occasionally. I'm fine, absolutely fine. It just unwinds all the knots and makes you relax but not to the point of being sleepy. The only side effect that I sometimes get is a bit of a headache about four to five hours after taking it. It comes and usually goes within half an hour.
I echo what CLKD advises. Take one before you really need to. I don't think you will be in any danger of becoming addicted simply for the reason your GP won't give you that many. They are very wary about prescribing these days.
It will take all the worry out of your journey.
Let us know how you get on.
Honeybun
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thank you, both of you. I also take Propranolol. Is it safe to take them both?
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Best check with your pharmacist
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Hi Greenfields :)
I would love to read more about the physical effects that these massive mood swings have on your system, too.
I felt desperately low and anxious on Thursday. Just awful. Then woke up Friday feeling much brighter and happier. But I also felt massively drained and physically weak. Like my body was recovering from a huge shock to the system. Which I suppose it 'was' in a way?
It was wonderful to feel so much more upbeat again. But physically I felt like I needed to lie on the sofa all day with a cosy blanket over me and sip soup. I felt like a bit of an invalid in a Victorian novel.
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I also take Propanolol. I asked my GP ans was told it was fine to take both together. I have and I have been just fine.
I have to say if I was completely honest...I would love to take diazepam every single day but as I have a very healthy respect for them...and I am a big woos....I never will. My last prescription was for 15. That was in November last year and I still have seven left. Just having the option is sometimes enough to see me through.
Honeybun
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Thank you so much Honeybun. My GP gave me 10 and said just having them might mean I don't need to take them, but knowing I can.......... :)
I will certainly try one before we go on holiday.
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Diazepam are fantastic. But you have to be very sensible with them.
My GP gave me 14 of them last March (I think) and I still have 4 left. Just knowing they are there has often been enough.
I find their effect on me is very, very similar to being on Amitriptyline. Feel calm, slightly dreamy, sleep beautifully, and a definite feeling of 'Well, what does it matter really?' etc. But you can take Amitriptyline every day and it is non addictive. Just in case anyone is interested ;)
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Amitriplynene [sp] did absolutely zilch for me …….
Yep you can take Valium and Propranolol - do you take the latter regularly Babyjane? I do, every evening about 'now'.
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Babyjane
I find that sometimes half a diazepam is enough to take the edge off. Have taken half this morning after a particularly stressful night/morning and feel so much more relaxed and even had some food :)
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It's the 'must eat/can't eat' scenario which makes my anxiety worse :-\
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CLKD
I keep protein shakes in the house for such times, takes the pressure off trying to get something down.
x ::)
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Love the cat reading the paper ;D
Protein shakes, I tried Complan :sick02: years ago ::)
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NOooo not complan, I get the protein drinks for athletes (live in hope) they're ok when chilled. Can get them in Boots etc.
The photo is from my sons extreme reading challenge at school, he took a photo of the cat reading a book about rabbits!! ;D
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Hugs to everyone on here. I wake up in the night with panic, which isnt nice. Dogdoc, I also have had trouble with anxiety/depression since puberty and now thinking its all to do with hormones, or lack of!! Just want to feel ok really, it would be lovely. :) :)
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I take 5mg Propranolol three times a day, this seems to keep me on an even keel and keeps my blood pressure at a reasonable level.
Jedi I intend to take half a 2mg Diazepam until I see how I react to it. Not this weekend because daughter is coming but the weekend after and if I am ok I will know I can use it if I need to.
thank you both for your input and advice.
Gypsy I tried Amitryptilene once and hated it. I flushed them down the toilet. I wasn't in control of myself at all.