Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Penguin on February 08, 2024, 06:54:13 AM
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Has anyone seen a psychiatrist for their anxiety? Mine is part OCD (all health related) and I don't feel the ssri I've been on for 18 months is doing enough. My spikes are still really high and I lurch from one thing to the next.
Was wondering if anyone has seen a psychiatrist and / or been prescribed alternative drugs to antidepressants for anxiety/ intrusive thoughts/ compulsions?I already have some emergency diazepam and a beta blocker I can use ad hoc but I need something I can take all of the time as its constant at the moment and I need to slow down my thoughts.
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Are you able to see a psychiatrist privately Penquin ? about 2 to £300 in our area. You may find it a long wait otherwise.
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Hi Penguin
Can only sympathise with you in this I have been told I have severe anxiety syndrome (or something like that) which means I’m in a permanent state of panic for hours at a time
Have only managed to be referred to local mental health services and due to have first CBT today .. phone consultation..
GP didn’t want to prescribe medication and said I have to go through the stages of treatment
Totally exhausted all the time unable to function and really can’t see an end to it all. But just hang onto the hope that it will pass eventually
So try to live a day at a time and grab any glimmer of normality you see.
Sending you a virtual hug and positive thoughts x
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Yep. For several years I paid through work insurance to have sessions with a psychologist - talking therapy really helped. It enabled me to vent. It didn't help my anxiety though I did get rid of a lot of background 'noise'. I was paying £70.00 per hour which never accounted for an hour. By the time she had left her client to walk across the hospital to where her office was, it took 7 mins. Then she began winding up after 40. I stopped going.
When my depression was severe a psychiatrist visited me at home and worked out that I have a 22 month cycle of feeling low, followed by depression treated with medication; then as I felt better I stopped the ADs = repeat cycle.
In the 1990s [at the same time as I had the talking therapy], my GP prescribed 'valium' 3 times a day for a week followed by as necessary. In the early 2000s I was given Propranolol which helped ease the early morning surges.
Is there a particular point of the day when anxiety is worse Penguin?
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Are you able to see a psychiatrist privately Penquin ? about 2 to £300 in our area. You may find it a long wait otherwise.
Yes I can pay, I know there's no chance otherwise. I was wondering if they have access to a wider range of drugs to prescribe than the GP. I've found one near where I live with good reviews. I'm feeling really desperate now.
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Hi Penguin
Can only sympathise with you in this I have been told I have severe anxiety syndrome (or something like that) which means I’m in a permanent state of panic for hours at a time
Have only managed to be referred to local mental health services and due to have first CBT today .. phone consultation..
GP didn’t want to prescribe medication and said I have to go through the stages of treatment
Totally exhausted all the time unable to function and really can’t see an end to it all. But just hang onto the hope that it will pass eventually
So try to live a day at a time and grab any glimmer of normality you see.
Sending you a virtual hug and positive thoughts x
Oh gosh I'm sorry you are going through all of that. I hope you get treatment that works soon. I wonder if this is how mine is developing. I don't know but I am just scared as the gaps are getting closer and the spikes are lasting longer.
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Yep. For several years I paid through work insurance to have sessions with a psychologist - talking therapy really helped. It enabled me to vent. It didn't help my anxiety though I did get rid of a lot of background 'noise'. I was paying £70.00 per hour which never accounted for an hour. By the time she had left her client to walk across the hospital to where her office was, it took 7 mins. Then she began winding up after 40. I stopped going.
When my depression was severe a psychiatrist visited me at home and worked out that I have a 22 month cycle of feeling low, followed by depression treated with medication; then as I felt better I stopped the ADs = repeat cycle.
In the 1990s [at the same time as I had the talking therapy], my GP prescribed 'valium' 3 times a day for a week followed by as necessary. In the early 2000s I was given Propranolol which helped ease the early morning surges.
Is there a particular point of the day when anxiety is worse Penguin?
It was also just in the morning and then would pass as my anti depressant kicked in and hrt started working. But yesterday it started suddenly in the evening, seemingly out of the blue and it hasn't gone 13 hours later. I've just taken diazepam but I'm so scared, I can't calm down from this one.
I have a counsellor but feel like I need a psychiatrist who can actually prescribe and maybe have access to a wider range of drugs than the GP has. I feel like I'm going nuts, the fear is horrendous right now. I increased the citalopram from 10 to 20mg about 12 days ago now and I am wondering if this is the short term side effect of the increase.
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Yep. For several years I paid through work insurance to have sessions with a psychologist - talking therapy really helped. It enabled me to vent. It didn't help my anxiety though I did get rid of a lot of background 'noise'. I was paying £70.00 per hour which never accounted for an hour. By the time she had left her client to walk across the hospital to where her office was, it took 7 mins. Then she began winding up after 40. I stopped going.
When my depression was severe a psychiatrist visited me at home and worked out that I have a 22 month cycle of feeling low, followed by depression treated with medication; then as I felt better I stopped the ADs = repeat cycle.
In the 1990s [at the same time as I had the talking therapy], my GP prescribed 'valium' 3 times a day for a week followed by as necessary. In the early 2000s I was given Propranolol which helped ease the early morning surges.
Is there a particular point of the day when anxiety is worse Penguin?
CLKD I have only ever taken 2.5mg of diazepam in one go - I cut a 5mg tablet in half. Do you think if I take the other half it'll make a decent difference? Will I still be able to function as I need to be able to pick my kids up later (walking not driving)?
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Are you able to see a psychiatrist privately Penquin ? about 2 to £300 in our area. You may find it a long wait otherwise.
Yes I can pay, I know there's no chance otherwise. I was wondering if they have access to a wider range of drugs to prescribe than the GP. I've found one near where I live with good reviews. I'm feeling really desperate now.
Great that you can pay. You will need a referral from a GP.
Family member went recently to sort out their medication regime. It was worth every penny as little joy and no confidence with the GP.
I don't know about wider access to a range of drugs but was given a way to come off one drug with a plan and advised of a different level to be able to go to with another drug which the GP hadn't mentioned or maybe that was just wasn't within their GP scope.
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Are you able to see a psychiatrist privately Penquin ? about 2 to £300 in our area. You may find it a long wait otherwise.
Yes I can pay, I know there's no chance otherwise. I was wondering if they have access to a wider range of drugs to prescribe than the GP. I've found one near where I live with good reviews. I'm feeling really desperate now.
Great that you can pay. You will need a referral from a GP.
Family member went recently to sort out their medication regime. It was worth every penny as little joy and no confidence with the GP.
I don't know about wider access to a range of drugs but was given a way to come off one drug with a plan and advised of a different level to be able to go to with another drug which the GP hadn't mentioned or maybe that was just wasn't within their GP scope.
I think that's what I'm looking for actually, just a bit more expertise, particularly in the OCD side of things as I've already tried what is the NHS gold standard of treatment and it hasn't worked, in fact it's got worse and it's happening more frequently. Besides I find it so hard to get across how I feel in the short amount of time you get with a GP even though my GP is lovely. I feel like he thinks he can't do anything more for me but I can't live like this, it just isn't sustainable.
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And we're due to go away tomorrow for the weekend, me and husband for a long awaited break, and I feel like I can't cope and that I'm going to ruin it for him.
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Penguin - I was on 5mg 3 times a day initially. Then 5mg in the morning and eventually, took it the night B4 an event that I was unable to get out of. Visiting family >:( ::)
2.5mg isn't much at all, cutting doesn't always give a measured amount of active ingredient.
So take another dose now. When I was desperate to go into hospital because I felt unsafe, the Nurse there told DH to give me more 'valium' >:( having discussed how often and which dose I was taking daily.
It's designed for that purpose, relaxation, it was used as a pre-med as well as relaxant for patients in acute back pain for example. Ah: the dreaded pre-holiday anxiety! I get that when I decide to book a hotel :'(.
It's better to get the anxiety under control as 4 me it spirals: Take the extra with a glass of water then sit and relax. It will give you breathing space. Is DH aware?
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Penguin - I was on 5mg 3 times a day initially. Then 5mg in the morning and eventually, took it the night B4 an event that I was unable to get out of. Visiting family >:( ::)
2.5mg isn't much at all, cutting doesn't always give a measured amount of active ingredient.
So take another dose now. When I was desperate to go into hospital because I felt unsafe, the Nurse there told DH to give me more 'valium' >:( having discussed how often and which dose I was taking daily.
It's designed for that purpose, relaxation, it was used as a pre-med as well as relaxant for patients in acute back pain for example. Ah: the dreaded pre-holiday anxiety! I get that when I decide to book a hotel :'(.
It's better to get the anxiety under control as 4 me it spirals: Take the extra with a glass of water then sit and relax. It will give you breathing space. Is DH aware?
Thanks, I'll do that now. I'm still shaking after 2.5mg so obviously not enough.
Yes DH knows and sat up with me last night, he's amazing but even he has run out of things to say when im focused on worrying about something that intellectually i know isnt real - my panicked mind says otherwise. We've both agreed I need more help, so I've spoken to someone this morning and filled in the referral form for a private psychiatrist. No referral needed but they need to liaise with my GP which I'm fine with.
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Anticipatory anxiety is the pits >:(. It's haunted me for years. Usually once I've got there I feel better, once home I am great. I would like to get to the end of the holiday first, to know whether I've had panics or not :-\ then I can enjoy myself. It that makes sense?
R U under any pressure to 'do' stuff once there ?
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Anticipatory anxiety is the pits >:(. It's haunted me for years. Usually once I've got there I feel better, once home I am great. I would like to get to the end of the holiday first, to know whether I've had panics or not :-\ then I can enjoy myself. It that makes sense?
R U under any pressure to 'do' stuff once there ?
No pressure to do anything, DH wants to do as little as possible so he can unwind from work. We can do little walks, relax in the room, use the pool, there'll defo be no pressure to sightsee or anything like that unless I feel up for it.
It's happened before that I've been this anxious, gone away and it's distracted me enough to snap me out of it. But for me it is definitely the anxiety about being anxious and dreading it because I know how bad that feels. Plus the dread of the travel itself when I feel this bad. I guess that's where the diazepam will help.
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I've also used Bachs rescue remedy mouth spray with success in that I don't wonder if it works/doesn't. I've sprayed it prior to anxiety starting i.e. B4 a long journey. Dextrose tablets for energy when I can't eat ......... as well as mixed dried fruits and nuts to nibble or dry biscuits.
My GP has prescribed an emergency drug begins with an L [I think] name escapes me to take immediately. It does knock me out though! Do U have enough Valium for the weekend if necessary?
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Yes I do, but running low and I don't think GP will give me anymore. Can you remember the name of the drug beginning with L, as it if helps in the moment, perhaps the psychiatrist would be willing to prescribe it? Does it help calm your thoughts? That's what I need.
I do find that I can go a decent period of time, sometimes a month or more, without needing the diazepam. But when I do need it, it's usually for 2- 3 days, until I calm down again and whatever I'm anxious about has worked its way out of my system.
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Hi Penguin
I am so sorry the anxiety has reached to these levels. Is there a notable pattern during your cycle? My anxiety was bad during the month( rages,tears, fear of going out etc ) but went through the roof prior to my period being due. PMDD???
I know the absolute crushing fear and panic. Many forum members ( including yourself) helped to reassure me it will pass,even though when you are caught up in the middle of it that seems impossible.
As you say, maybe your weekend away, once the fear of even getting there is over,you may be distracted enough to calm a little, even if it is just reprieve for a couple of days.
And you have a plan of action,along with your husband's support, you have a plan set up, to go to with the psychiatrist appt due. If it helps just a little bit, hang on to that knowledge that you have been strong enough to plan towards that. That's a real positive.
I wish I could help more, but you have always helped so many on here,so keep in mind you have understanding and support here too. Xx
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The GP prescribed it - name still escapes me ::) - and I use when anxiety threatens to take over.
How many Valium do you have left?
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The L drug may be Lorazepam.
Hope that your appointment goes well for you.
Just a heads up if it happens to you is that the psychiatrist our family member saw wanted payment up front. Not good in my book but had to go with the flow.
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Some of the impressively promising studies over the last few years of psychedelics on MH conditions such as treatment resistent depression, ptsd, eating disorders etc.have also included studies using patients with OCD.
If you are based in the UK, Imperial College are currently recruiting for an OCD trial https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/participate-in-a-trial/ocd-study/ (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/participate-in-a-trial/ocd-study/) - eligibility criteria are listed
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Hi Penguin
Big huge hugs ♥️ I see you lovely…I saw a psychiatrist for chronic anxiety & OCD and the balance of medication to suppress the terror but enable me to not feel zonked is perfect.
I take 262mg of Venlafaxine to target anxiety & mood every evening and just before bed time 50mg quitiapine. Scary initially as it’s an antipsychotic but the psychiatrist explained that in a teeny tiny does like this, it is perfect not for psychosis but anxiety that is generally always there and not fleeting. It works on moods instead of quick attacks like diazepam.
I hear you say “well why do you have such horrific health anxiety then”😂🤦♀️ if you have seen my posts here…..but that is relatively new to peri and I’m going to have to get some targeted help for that..:it’s debilitating but related to an isolated incident in childbirth….. the meds genuinely really help in day to day life….
Thinking of you darling it’s a scary and miserable place to be…but you’ll come thru with the right people that know their stuff 👌♥️👌
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How R U feeling now?
Great advice Girls - :thankyou:
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The GP prescribed it - name still escapes me ::) - and I use when anxiety threatens to take over.
How many Valium do you have left?
I think about 20 x 5mg tablets plus a few 2mg ones, more than I thought actually so that buys me some time until I can see the psychiatrist in early March. The 5mg worked well today, 2.5mg didn't touch the sides but the 5mg has stopped me shaking and slowed my mind.
I was thinking another dose before bed. Do you think I'll wake up calm if I do that?
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The L drug may be Lorazepam.
Hope that your appointment goes well for you.
Just a heads up if it happens to you is that the psychiatrist our family member saw wanted payment up front. Not good in my book but had to go with the flow.
Yes I think that's likely the case here. When it's self pay they tend to want upfront and my insurance won't cover it as anxiety is an exclusion due to pre existing.
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Some of the impressively promising studies over the last few years of psychedelics on MH conditions such as treatment resistent depression, ptsd, eating disorders etc.have also included studies using patients with OCD.
If you are based in the UK, Imperial College are currently recruiting for an OCD trial https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/participate-in-a-trial/ocd-study/ (https://www.imperial.ac.uk/psychedelic-research-centre/participate-in-a-trial/ocd-study/) - eligibility criteria are listed
Thanks for that. I've had a look but my OCD is a secondary rather than primary diagnosis so rules me out! Interesting looking study though!
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Hi Penguin
Big huge hugs ♥️ I see you lovely…I saw a psychiatrist for chronic anxiety & OCD and the balance of medication to suppress the terror but enable me to not feel zonked is perfect.
I take 262mg of Venlafaxine to target anxiety & mood every evening and just before bed time 50mg quitiapine. Scary initially as it’s an antipsychotic but the psychiatrist explained that in a teeny tiny does like this, it is perfect not for psychosis but anxiety that is generally always there and not fleeting. It works on moods instead of quick attacks like diazepam.
I hear you say “well why do you have such horrific health anxiety then”😂🤦♀️ if you have seen my posts here…..but that is relatively new to peri and I’m going to have to get some targeted help for that..:it’s debilitating but related to an isolated incident in childbirth….. the meds genuinely really help in day to day life….
Thinking of you darling it’s a scary and miserable place to be…but you’ll come thru with the right people that know their stuff 👌♥️👌
Thanks, I have looked up anti psychotic actually, and that one is one I'm going to ask the psychiatrist about. I've read a lot about OCD being best tackled with two drugs, a standard anxiety one and then adding in a mood stabiliser like yours. Would you mind if I pm'd you at some point to ask more, please?
It sounds like your initial diagnosis is similar to mind, my anxiety is constantly there low level but the OCD flare ups are horrendous, I just can't cope with them anymore. I am literally at the point where I'll try anything!
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How R U feeling now?
Great advice Girls - :thankyou:
Yes thanks so much everyone, I feel really listened to and supported. It's been a long time since I've been this bad and it seemingly came out of nowhere and this place is great for help in a crisis!
I am feeling a lot calmer thanks. Its still there but I've come down from the manic shaky looping thoughts bit, and I think taking the full 5mg did that.
I've put a lively soft scarf around my neck to stop myself from palpating it on autopilot (body checking is one of my compulsions) and I keep reminding myself that it isn't my physical health that's a problem, it's my mental health. I lose track of that when I get in an OCD spiral as at that point I'm convinced I'm dying of something.
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Hi Penguin,
Just pleased to see that team MM have been supporting you today.
I do hope you feel a bit calmer and at peace now?
Sorry this isn't something I know much about, but it seems you are tapping into all the available tools in the box right now.
I hope you manage to have a relaxing weekend away..
N xx :foryou:
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I have actually just been told that I shouldn't have dropped my estrogen back down again when my period started (I'd increased it during the progrsterone phase), so I've just put 1 pump of gel on in case it's the dip in estrogen that has contributed this spike.
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Hi Penguin,
Just pleased to see that team MM have been supporting you today.
I do hope you feel a bit calmer and at peace now?
Sorry this isn't something I know much about, but it seems you are tapping into all the available tools in the box right now.
I hope you manage to have a relaxing weekend away..
N xx :foryou:
Thanks Nas, yes calmer and actually just exhausted now. I have my late mum's lovely scarf around my neck and it's so comforting thinking of her. I should probably go and have a cup of my Amber gaba tea too eh!
Hope you're doing a bit better now too. I've pm'd you, but no pressure to reply x
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I have OCD thought patterns: when I find myself washing hands 'too' often I make a list to tick off when I actually need to do so. I am also single minded/obsessed, i.e. DH can be talking to me but when I see a dog, I'm off :o in mid conversation :-X :-\. To learn more about the dog, never bothered about the owners :-\. I don't even pause for breath, I'm gone ......
When we are going away I make sure that I pack the cases weeks early so that if I am stricken, most is done. There's the meds, wet weather clothing and maps to put in last minute without thinking too much.
When R U due back?
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Hi Penguin,
Just pleased to see that team MM have been supporting you today.
I do hope you feel a bit calmer and at peace now?
Sorry this isn't something I know much about, but it seems you are tapping into all the available tools in the box right now.
I hope you manage to have a relaxing weekend away..
N xx :foryou:
Thanks Nas, yes calmer and actually just exhausted now. I have my late mum's lovely scarf around my neck and it's so comforting thinking of her. I should probably go and have a cup of my Amber gaba tea too eh!
Hope you're doing a bit better now too. I've pm'd you, but no pressure to reply x
Awww.. yes take comfort from your precious scarf and have a cuppa. Sometimes things just get a bit too much don’t they and we need some relief.
I’m okay thanks. Got your message, but struck with an awful cold ( courtesy of my son!!) so just doing the basics until my nose stops running!
Chat soon x
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We go tomorrow evening back on Monday night. Drop the kids off mid pm on way to airport.
Do you reckon I should take some more diazepam tonight? Will I wake up calm in the morning? I've never taken it before bed....
I also get single minded about other things. It is mainly health worries that have me on a loop, but I can hyperfocus on other things too. Health is by far the scariest for me though.
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Health anxiety is physical.
I would be inclined to take 5mg this evening. How many tablets do you have?
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I've got about 20 left so I can defo take 5mg tonight.
My appointment with the psychiatrist will be around 8th March so I will have enough until then. Besides I should hopefully be feeling okay ish in next 24-48 hours or so, once I get past the travel which is always stressful, so shouldn't need to dip into them again for awhile. It is rare it gets this bad, thats why this past 24 hours really shook me.
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Hi Penguin, just caught up, I am really sorry you are going through this. I have had it in the past and I so sympathise. I just wanted to add that I think if you take 5mg tonight you will wake up in the morning feeling lovely and calm. So that will be something really nice for you to anticipate. xx
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Hi Penguin, just caught up, I am really sorry you are going through this. I have had it in the past and I so sympathise. I just wanted to add that I think if you take 5mg tonight you will wake up in the morning feeling lovely and calm. So that will be something really nice for you to anticipate. xx
Thanks Gnatty, I'm in bed already as exhausted from the last 24 hours and have the tablet ready but waiting for a bit longer so the effects last longer. It will be so nice not to wake up with that shot of adrenaline and a massive feeling of heat and anxiety like I did this morning.
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Also you won't lay awake thinking 'what if I panic in the morning'. Getting some rest will certainly help. When I come out of panic attacks I am exhausted! Even my shadow aches.
U probably won't require any more Valium once you get to the destination. You're doing more than I could, that's flying: I can't even book a holiday more than 3 hours away from home :-\ ::)
Let us know how you get on once you return. ...... and breathe ;-). Take it about 10.00 or as you begin to feel sleepy. I used to wake to see if I'd actually been asleep ::)
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Also you won't lay awake thinking 'what if I panic in the morning'. Getting some rest will certainly help. When I come out of panic attacks I am exhausted! Even my shadow aches.
U probably won't require any more Valium once you get to the destination. You're doing more than I could, that's flying: I can't even book a holiday more than 3 hours away from home :-\ ::)
Let us know how you get on once you return. ...... and breathe ;-). Take it about 10.00 or as you begin to feel sleepy. I used to wake to see if I'd actually been asleep ::)
That's true, there's nothing worse than waking up in a panic in the night and knowing you won't get back to sleep because the anxiety is so bad. It all looks so much worse at night too. At least I know I'll sleep through. I've packed the valium in my hand luggage, flight isn't until 6pm so I'll take one when we leave for the airport to get me through the travel. I proved today that even with 5mg I was still alert enough to do stuff, not that I have done much at all today lol. You're right, I doubt I'll need it once we're there, all the different stimulation will distract me sufficiently.
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What you said before about wishing you could know for sure in advance whether you'd be able to relax and enjoy the holiday is very apt for me today!
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Tnx Minusminnie - Lorazepam.
I'm sure that your break will be OK once you arrive and realise that you have the Valium to hand. Because I knew how it worked for me and when to take it appropriate, I never required the extra 5mg to 'get through'.
Will U B sending a post card ? ;-)
This evening I was talking to a depressed friend who asked if I was every worried about becoming reliant on 'valium' as I do have a tendency for obsessions, but because I've always known that it works when needed, it never crossed my mind that I would require it every day. Eventually it stopped having a soothing effect and made me feel quite 'odd' [well odder than normal] so I didn't take it again. In fact the old meds from the 1990s: Valium, Tramadol and another that I can't remember went to the surgery to be destroyed on Friday ::)]. There was a time when I believed that I would never leave the house again :'(, it took a while to learn my limits and not take on too much at once.
Same with Lorazepam, when anxiety begins to take over is when I swallow it: it either enables me by easing the feelings or knocks me out. Once I wake from a deep sleep all the anxiety has gone.
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Did U sleep?
I remember that after taking 5mg Valium the effects would relax me for about 3 days
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Did U sleep?
I remember that after taking 5mg Valium the effects would relax me for about 3 days
Yes I did thank you! Slept from 930pm until 5am. Woke up relaxed, applied estrogel and was jittery and all over the place within 15 minutes. Weird. Surely it couldn't do it that quickly although I can't see what else it could be. Took half a diazepam and feel fine again. Neck sore from checking yesterday, still wearing scarf. Gutted that turns put psychiatrist won't be until 23rd April now as that is the first date for new patients as you get a full hour at first appointment. I can see two other psychiatrists sooner but neither of them are as experienced, neither specialise in OCD and they just don't appeal. Given how much the appointment is costing me, I think I'd rather wait if I can.
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Hi Penguin
Glad to hear you've got an appointment, shame it's such a long wait. I've been seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist for nearly four years for my depression and anxiety. I don't take anti-depressants, too many bad experiences put me off. As an alternative to Valium you could try 0.5mg clonazepam (Paxam), it has similar effects but maybe not as sleepy (although it does help me sleep if I'm having racing thoughts), it also has a longer life span than Valium, so you can take it long term. I also use 2.5mg olanzapine, I think it's an anti-psychotic but a very low dose. I also take CBD oil for pain, which massively helps my general anxiety. I've just gone from peri to post and the anxiety and panic attacks are terrible, I completely understand your fear of going away.
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Hi Penguin
Glad to hear you've got an appointment, shame it's such a long wait. I've been seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist for nearly four years for my depression and anxiety. I don't take anti-depressants, too many bad experiences put me off. As an alternative to Valium you could try 0.5mg clonazepam (Paxam), it has similar effects but maybe not as sleepy (although it does help me sleep if I'm having racing thoughts), it also has a longer life span than Valium, so you can take it long term. I also use 2.5mg olanzapine, I think it's an anti-psychotic but a very low dose. I also take CBD oil for pain, which massively helps my general anxiety. I've just gone from peri to post and the anxiety and panic attacks are terrible, I completely understand your fear of going away.
Thanks for your reply. My brother in law who is a doctor has also suggested clonazepam as the closest possible thing to diazepam and that doctors are more willing to prescribe long term. Either that or an anti psychotic so i will look at the one you mentioned. My ssri isn't even touching the sides at the moment, I might as well be taking a sugar pill. Would you mind me asking what type of anxiety you were diagnosed with, as I think they only give clonazepam for some types, although I'm hoping a private psychiatrist will be more flexible than the NHS as their prescribing guidelines are very strict. I seem to have a mix of health anxiety, OCD and panic disorder.
I could actually see someone from the same clinic on 29th Feb, but he has nowhere near the same amount of experience as my first choice person so I am trying to hold out.
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Arya Underfoot,
Could I ask what CBD oil you take for anxiety and pain please?
I too ( like Penguin and so many ladies on here) am also trying to find a way through the roller coaster which menopause brings.
Penguin, really hoping you manage to relax a little, once you are away. Thinking of you x
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Anxiety is anxiety .......... I don't know why 'experts' try to make it something that it ain't :-\
It's the Fight/Flight response, however knowing that doesn't stop anxiety surges taking over :'(.
Postcard please ;-)
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Anxiety is anxiety .......... I don't know why 'experts' try to make it something that it ain't :-\
It's the Fight/Flight response, however knowing that doesn't stop anxiety surges taking over :'(.
Postcard please ;-)
When I'm there and I know I'm okay, I'll post on the holiday thread!
Yes agree re anxiety, but the NHS guidelines unfortunately categorise (and often in quite an out of date way) which is why GPs have limits on what they can prescribe without referring you on. It's annoying, especially when I know what has worked for me.
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<wave>
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I have no idea what my anxiety diagnosis is but I think the main reason I was prescribed those medications was the severe state of mind I was in and the fact I refused to try any further AD's because I was worried about increased anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I'm sure a doctor would prescribe these for you since the AD's aren't helping. We really need a little extra care at this time of our lives and sometimes that means taking medication, we can't be strong all the time.
In regards to CBD oil, I've tried various combinations, 25 CBD, 25 THC, 100 CBD(4 THC) and now on 200 CBD(8THC). I found the 100 CBD to be the best for anxiety, gave me about 8-12 hours relief per dose. I ended up increasing to 200 purely because of my pain. THC is better with pain but it doesn't improve your anxiety. The whole medical cannabis is still very under researched and it's very much trial and error with the doses. Also getting the balance right between the CBD and THC is different for everyone. There's also a bunch of other compounds in cannabis that there really isn't a lot of knowledge about. It really saved me when I was at my lowest point and it got me off opiates, so I definitely recommend.
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Hi
Yes, I have, but not for a long time.
3 x 10mg diazepam daily for two weeks. It's a reset. Not what you were asking, however, does indicate dosage levels required when I'm shaking myself to bits.
In terms of daily, if anyone finds one that works, is love to know.
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Hi
Yes, I have, but not for a long time.
3 x 10mg diazepam daily for two weeks. It's a reset. Not what you were asking, however, does indicate dosage levels required when I'm shaking myself to bits.
In terms of daily, if anyone finds one that works, is love to know.
Totally know what you mean. I felt the 5mg was enough to calm me down but I reckon I could have taken more. I am going to keep this post open for when I see the psychiatrist and will update with any and all information I get. Apparently its an hour long first appointment so I will have a list of questions with me. I am in desperate need of something for daily use, I've accepted that now. And possibly something to add in for acute episodes like this week. I have actually been doing a lot of reading and found a lot of people like me, with the same manifestation in terms of what I'm scared of and then the looping thoughts and compulsions that relate to it. Apparently ssri medication deals only with one part of that, making sure you don't lose serotonin, but I may well also have issues re dopamine regulation too which is why my body seeks the constant reward of checking to calm me down. That requires different drugs. And I think where the GP is limited is that they tend to give you one drug as a cover all. I have hopes that the psychiatrist will understand the different pathways involved and how they do / don't work together effectively in some people, and therefore know what combination will be best. It really does seem quite bespoke as in what works for one won't work for another. But everyone on here has been so kind sharing their experiences and what they've tried that I at least know where to start looking.
So anyway, long winded way of saying I'll be asking about diazepam for acute use, or an alternative, plus doses alongside something daily so keep an eye out in April as I'll either update this post or start a new one with everything I glean from my appointment x
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I have no idea what my anxiety diagnosis is but I think the main reason I was prescribed those medications was the severe state of mind I was in and the fact I refused to try any further AD's because I was worried about increased anxiety and suicidal thoughts. I'm sure a doctor would prescribe these for you since the AD's aren't helping. We really need a little extra care at this time of our lives and sometimes that means taking medication, we can't be strong all the time.
In regards to CBD oil, I've tried various combinations, 25 CBD, 25 THC, 100 CBD(4 THC) and now on 200 CBD(8THC). I found the 100 CBD to be the best for anxiety, gave me about 8-12 hours relief per dose. I ended up increasing to 200 purely because of my pain. THC is better with pain but it doesn't improve your anxiety. The whole medical cannabis is still very under researched and it's very much trial and error with the doses. Also getting the balance right between the CBD and THC is different for everyone. There's also a bunch of other compounds in cannabis that there really isn't a lot of knowledge about. It really saved me when I was at my lowest point and it got me off opiates, so I definitely recommend.
Thanks Arya Underfoot, yes that's exactly where I am, I don't want an increase in ssri as I have tried that twice and it made things so much worse. I wouldn't say suicidal but definitely felt life not worth living if it is going to stay like this. I want a bespoke approach now and, after your post, I read a lot more about clonazepam and I really like the sound of it so I hope its deemed suitable for me. Like you I probably need an anti psychotic too as I've read about the pathways they work on, with my limited knowledge. The brain is a complex thing.
Anyway thanks for your post, very helpful to know what you take and pleased to say we made it away for our weekend. Am there now and feeling generally okay. One episode of checking this morning but knocked it on its head so we're going out for a wander and maybe do a little tour.
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Ladies, just want to say a big heartfelt thanks to everyone!!! I can honestly say I've never felt and seen and as heard as I've felt these past couple of days. You lot really get it, don't you. And that makes me feel a lot more normal than I have been feeling - normal and not alone. You are all amazing, I've learnt so much and feel very supported. And I've made it for my weekend away! Staying off of Google but can't say I'll stay off here though as its a bit of a lifeline for me atm. Defo in a much better place today xx
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Used correctly under GP supervision Valium isn't addictive. I never felt that I needed to take more than the 5mg at night prior to an Event but knowing that I was able to do so, helped a lot.
[MinL hated it when I fell asleep mid afternoon during a daily visit ::) as I began to relax, my thought pattern was 'without my medication you wouldn't have time with your son' ;-). She would wait until I was dropping off in the chair and then "Did U have an early start this morning X?" Eventually I told her "My GP has advised that I sleep when my brain requires it". The journey there was 2 hours at least so it had meant getting out of bed earlier than usual].
Propranolol helped me a lot, taken every night.
........ and breath Penguin, tnx for the update. U can continue here by changing the subject line to alert us.
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And don't forget to have a lovely weekend doing as much or as little as you both require. You know you can check in here if you need to - it's like carrying extra anxiety meds in your bag... You may not need it, but it's the reassurance it's there. Just In Case. Xx
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And don't forget to have a lovely weekend doing as much or as little as you both require. You know you can check in here if you need to - it's like carrying extra anxiety meds in your bag... You may not need it, but it's the reassurance it's there. Just In Case. Xx
Love this… have a relaxing time Penguin ❤️❤️
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Did U survive the weekend ?
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I did thank you. It was a bit mixed as I was still on high alert and had moved onto a different body part by Sunday morning, but there was also plenty of enjoyable times too and amazing food. Husband was great and we had some really good conversations about the future, life in general and also the best way to manage this. Surprisingly I slept really well, which is always the tricky bit with anxiety as it's usually hard to stay asleep and then the lack of sleep makes it all so much worse. But yeah, I survived and am glad we went!
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PHEW! bugga - anticipatory anxiety is so awful :'( :-\. Now that U are aware of how much 'valium' U need to knock it on the head, you R 1 step ahead.
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That's a good point. If I know it'll work it's way out of my system in 24-48 hours )the panic I mean), then I can calculate accordingly.
As an aside, you have been given propanalol haven't you? I was wondering about trying that next time, did you find it helped calm your mind at all?
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Valium left me relaxed for 3 days after taking it.
Propranolol worked well for me to ease early morning anxiety attacks.
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Yes it definitely feels long acting. Thanks
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I should add relaxed with the backing of 'valium' even when confronted with stuff ::)
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How did you find the propanalol helped, did it just calm your body?
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All over relaxation. Initially in 2002 it was 80mg 3 times a day for 3 weeks then the GP dropped it to 40mg twice a day; after a few years of feeling better in that the early morning cortisol anxiety surges were gone I dropped to 40mg at night. Then to 20mg then in 2002 as we went into lockdown I stopped. I didn't know if the background early morning headaches were the hang-over effect or Covid ::).
My neighbour however gets hyper on it ::). Agitated. There are several types of BetaBlocka so worth bearring it in mind as a try. I also used Bachs rescue remedy mouth spray .... and relaxation therapy.
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I think I need a private consultation. On fluoxetine 4 weeks now with no great improvement and heart racing put my chest every morning.
I'm exhausted from health anxiety and checking my body. I just don't want to exist in this state
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Dawn: it's awful at times! MayB look at your local hospital websites to see if there is a dedicated menopause clinic?
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I think I need a private consultation. On fluoxetine 4 weeks now with no great improvement and heart racing put my chest every morning.
I'm exhausted from health anxiety and checking my body. I just don't want to exist in this state
Are you on hrt? I would try that first, and also give the fluoxetine longer. My GP said 6 weeks for full effect, they can make you feel worse before better which is why i have never been able to increase the dose. I've tried for 18 months with the ssri though and 14 months hrt, but this is after years of anxiety of various sorts, morphing into health anxiety at the start of peri. I feel your pain though, the cycle of thinking and checking is horrendous. I don't have any answers except I know from bitter experience that giving in to the checking only perpetuates the cycle. I still do it when things get bad though. I don't even need a trigger to panic now, it seems to happen all on its own.
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Keep an eye on this post popping up again in April though, as I will update with any info I get from the psychiatrist so that others can benefit.
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:thankyou:
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Dawn: it's awful at times! MayB look at your local hospital websites to see if there is a dedicated menopause clinic?
Rang the meno clinic in Aberdeen they said I need a referral from my Dr. My Dr can't even phone me till march. So many of us are suffering
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Dawn - have U been given a date when the GP will ring you? MayB write an e-mail to the surgery to explain why you need the discussion. Could a Nurse Practitioner see U, speak to a GP and hurry that referral letter?
March ins't far away so make a list of concerns to take to the appt. when it does arrive.
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Keep an eye on this post popping up again in April though, as I will update with any info I get from the psychiatrist so that others can benefit.
Hi Penguin, just been reading through this post and wondering how you got on? I too am struggling with anxiety atm 😔
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Hi Dawn, I started seeing the private psychiatrist in April and he has helped me immensely. I switched from 10mg citalopram which he said was too low a dose to be effective for ocd which requires much higher doses, and put me on fluoxetine. I've gradually been working up and started on 40mg last weekend. Doing well in general, although had a bit of a dip since going up on the weekend although we are actually going through a lot of change at the moment so it is understandable. I have a beta blocker if physical anxiety kicks off and diazepam if I start looping and can't stop checking. I must say a toolkit like that works well for me and I haven't needed it as much as I thought. However, I do feel a lot of stuff is stored trauma so I am now looking into doing some body work too like somatic experiencing. It is very expensive though and I'm trying to decide how much I can afford. I do believe the fluoxetime has made a big difference once I got up to a higher dose. I thought I'd given up on ssri meds but what he said made total sense in terms of the meds working differently and at different doses depending on the condition.
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For me, SSRIs helped up to a point, but the physical anxiety and that wired-but-exhausted feeling never fully went away.
What actually helped take the edge off (especially with sleep and that constant baseline tension) was trying medical cannabis through this medical cannabis clinic (https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/releaf.co.uk). They set me up with a doctor who actually understood the overlap between hormonal stuff and anxiety. It’s not some miracle fix, but it gave me more stability than I expected, and it felt good to have another tool in the mix that wasn’t just “wait and see.”
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R U in the UK Sophya? Lots have tried 'gummies' with some success for anxiety.