Enough

[Minnie87]

Hi everyone.

Today something clicked in my head and I realised the way I am living isn’t normal.for 7 months ive barely left the house,barely the sofa and I don’t want to do this anymore.so I called the doctors today and booked in to go tomorrow night for some blood tests.i feel so unwell that I need that piece of mind that this is just anxiety.

I’ve had ecgs, blood pressure, thyroid but not blood work.

I could start to accept this for anxiety if it wasn’t so extreme to the point that I can’t function.ive had anxiety symptoms on and off my whole life but never this bad.

Am I wasting my time and theirs?

[Agora1]

Your physical health is important Minnie. It is never a waste of your

time or your doctors. Remember that the mind/body connection is

intertwined. When you feel good physically, you feel good mentally and

vice versa. Good Luck with your blood test tomorrow. Hope it gives you

some peace of mind. xx

[Minnie87 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much Agora.

I just worry because I’ve seen them so many times and they all say the same thing.i need to get some guts and start the sertraline but I’m so frightened.

How are you doing? Xx

[Agora1 in reply to Minnie87]

Minnie, I know how frightening it can be to start a medication. There was a time

where I filled each and every prescription ordered by my doctor, only for them to

sit on the pantry shelf. Too afraid to take them. I'd go back in the time they expected

to see some results from me, only for me to say that I hadn't tried it yet.

When does the right time come? I finally got to the point where I asked to be admitted

in patient. It was at that time that I was started on Lexapro. All different dosages tried

until they came to the right dose for me. It's been several years now and it's the best

thing I could have done. I'm off my benzos but the SSRI is carrying me through with no

side effects.

Since then I realize that I need to be fair to myself by trusting in my doctor and taking what I need to w/o any hesitation. (I'm talking any medical issues that require medication) When you are ready and have had enough (which I think has happened)

you will let someone know you are about to start a new med. Write down the name,

the dose and the time you take the 1st pill. Do not sit around and focus on it. Do things to keep busy. You are on your way to feeling better. x

[Minnie87 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so so much for replying to me.that is exactly how I feel.ive let myself get to such an extreme point and I probably could have taken the help earlier and got it under control.

Such a strange concept being scared of the meds.if I had diabetes I’d take insulin etc but with anxiety it seems abhorrent.

I’m so glad that you found a release in medication.i think many people do.

How are you doing?do you enjoy life now? Xx

[Agora1 in reply to Minnie87]

I do enjoy life. It's not that anxiety has left me completely but it no longer

frightens me. And that's a big deal with us. I rationalize everything now.

Hey, I'm human, I'm allowed to feel some distress once in a while. I always

ask myself if I start to lose it for a moment, "Hey, is this going to help?"

Of course not...it will just make matters worse and I immediately calm down.

Sometimes when fear or butterflies come about, as they will, I will even say

out loud "STOP IT, this is my life and I'm in control." There's something about

hearing your voice out loud that jars the mind into calming down.

Minnie there are so many methods and tools out there that we can use, medication

is just a little support as we find what tool works best for us. Hugs, Agora xx

[Minnie87 in reply to Agora1]

I wish I could have an ounce of your wisdom and courage.

I admire you very much.

You are so right about not being frightened of it and accepting it.

Thank you for all your kind words xx

[greeneyes2 in reply to Minnie87]

Agora is brilliant and Daisycup too thank you both xx

[happy_kitty in reply to Agora1]

To go off of what Agora1 said:

I have ADHD so I have trouble keeping control of any emotions and what I learned to do to take back the reigns is ask myself 3(ish) questions: Why do I feel this way? Is this response justified? If it isn't, how can I calm down? If it is, what can I constructively do about it?

Not sure if that will help but I though I'd share.

[Agora1 in reply to happy_kitty]

happy_kitty, your response helped immensely. This is how we help each

other, by sharing what we have learned in helping ourselves. Thank you for

sharing your thoughts. We are open to everyone's inputs. We live, we learn.

xx

[greeneyes2]

Hope you are ok we can all relate Some great people on here x

[Hidden]

I feel unwell a lot despite sometimes having a good night sleep. So now I am anxious about dying because I will be 72 in April. I overthink everything,