Ongoing Anxiety

[Danielle2419]

Hi Everyone,

Im new to this forum although am registered on the Lupus forum. I have been suffering with anxiety for as long as I can remember, was first treated with Citalopram back in 2014 but my symptoms back then were not really major. I also did CBT therapy however that itself didn't benefit as much as the meds did. Fast forward down the line to 2016 and my symptoms returned with a vengeance. The knot in stomach, trembling, rapid heartbeat, sweating and sense of doom. They say that anxiety is caused by a traumatic event and I've had many from an abusive and controlling ex, to getting Lupus, nearly loosing my job over someone else's mistake and then nearly breaking up with my current boyfriend. 2016 I got put back on Citalopram at an increased dose, this helped in some way and I was on this for 3 years in 2019 my symptoms seemed to disappear apart from some mild depression that was it.

I then started a new job after taking a month of work, I had worked for the company before however went back to them, I still knew some of their faces so would be easy to settle I thought, WRONG!! I had an immense anxiety attack the day before work it continued causing me to vomit and have diarrhea along with shaking, sweating, rapid heartbeat and immense knot in chest. I then got put on Sertraline 50mg along with short term Diazepam 2mg to relax the anxiety symptoms. This helped and by the middle of 2019 I started to wean off the Sertraline. Christmas that year I saw my Nan in a blind state which she refused to go to an eye test I booked for her and then my mum got slightly ill over new year and this sent me to an anxiety attack as to me this wasn't routine, its normally me thats ill. January 2020 I was placed back on Sertraline 25mg (half a tablet) all was going well then one of my past problems with Lupus (bladder problem) reappeared causing mild anxiety, I didn't focus on it to much as I was going Paris. Well the whole trip was destroyed I had an anxiety attack on the Eurostar that lasted for my whole trip being worse in the morning. I felt out of routine and just wanted to be home with my mum even back at work too. I started 50mg of Sertraline in Paris, however after returning was placed on 100mg with some sleeping pills for trouble sleeping or feeling tired. Symptoms subsided near the start of the month however came back again last Wednesday Morning, so much so I had to be sent home from work in a state. GP told me stay on Sertraline 100mg and gave Diazepam again follow up on 18th March. However for the past 5 days I have immense anxiety (knot in my chest) in the morning and I dont even have any idea what im thinking about apart from when will this anxiety past is in my head. I'am at a loss.

Sorry for the long post please any advice on meds or coping strategies with the anxiety attacks in the morning is helpful.

Thanks

Danielle

[Elienne]

Welcome to the Anxiety and Depression Support forum, Danielle.

I don't have a great deal of specific advice on meds or coping strategies right now. But I do empathize with your axiety-related experience of peaks and valleys.

In the past, what seems to have worked to minimize your anxiety? Can you recall any periods, however brief, when you felt at ease, trusting that things would be okay?

One clear connection to anxiety I've personally made is coffee consumption. I experience both anxiety and depression.

On occasion, when I've felt depressed, I've resorted to drinking coffee to perk myself up.

But, it doesn't take much coffee before I begin feeling anxious. So, I really have to practice moderation with coffee consumption.

Have you had any experience with smartphone applications created to help with stress, anxiety, and/or depression? There are a wide variety available through app stores for both iPhones and Android devices.

Again, welcome to the forum! I hope you find sharing here to be of comfort and support to you.

[Danielle2419 in reply to Elienne]

Hello Elienne

Thanks for your reply. I haven't found much that helps me cope apart from excessive walking, however with lupus im fatigued more easily so don't walk much. I stopped coffee/caffeine as well as energy drinks as I especially had these alot. I have replaced it with ginger tea and no sugar diluted apple juice. Haven't noticed much difference. But now im off the caffeine no point in going back.

Thanks for the reply.

Danielle

[Elienne in reply to Danielle2419]

Danielle, what about smartphone applications for stress, anxiety, depression, and pain management? Have you tried any apps?

More and more people seem to be using them in addition to medication and psychotherapy. Would you be willing to look into what apps might be of potential usefullness to you?

I believe keeping an open mind to all potentially helpful resources serves us best.

[Elienne in reply to Danielle2419]

Here's a link to a professional review of smartphone apps located online at the Association for Depression and Anxiety of America, maybe something on the list might appeal to you:

adaa.org/finding-help/mobil...

Please get back to me if you find an app of interest.

P.S. The Association for Depression and Anxiety of America is the organization responsible for starting this peer-to-peer anxiety and depression support forum.

Best wishes!

[nickky]

Hi danelle I’m so sorry to hear how you are feeling I’ve felt like it so many times in my life it’s just something that comes and goes there isa light at the end ov the tunnel I’m on 40 mg of citalopram and tried so many medications over the years and it’s the only one that works for me but everyone is different I think the diazepam will help you it does me when you feel anxiety attack coming on take one or two I don’t know what the doctor has prescribed you but I also take propranolol which is a beta blocker and will stop your heart from racing they also help with panic attacks I know it’s hard to relax and you probably feel like you are going mad sometimes but you are not try to put yourself in a happy place in your mind relaxing breathing techniques are good and as another women said down load some apps sit in a quiet place and listen to the music with your headphones on hope this has helped you as I can relate to what you are going through x nickky