I feel like a broken record & apologize

[kama24]

I have suffered with GAD and panic attacks for yrs. Tried numerous meds from physciatrist, naturopaths, you name it I've done it. The last 5 months I am living a life of total FEAR. I wake every am feeling nauseated and pressure in my chest and sometimes faint. I have to go for an endoscopy in the near future and am terrified that they will not sedate me, terrified I will not wake up, terrified I will die. I am a mess and I admit it. I also have to travel out of town mid Sept to a pain clinic for a pinched nerve and the dr will be doing an EMG test: Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve's stimulation of the muscle. The test is used to help detect neuromuscular abnormalities. During the test, one or more small needles (also called electrodes) are inserted through the skin into the muscle. If I feel like I do now I don't know how I can make it. have been waiting over a year to get in and hate to cancel. FEAR is all consuming and daily. My family don't understand it and are tired of hearing me talk about it. I do understand that. I think I've likely tried every suggestion out there but does anyone have other ideas how to stop fear. I am sorry for sounding like a broken record. Our family dr. has no suggestions.

[Funkyfaerie]

Hi,I've seen your posts on here before, I used to be on here a lot when I was really suffering, but in the last few years I only look now and again... The reason? I have learned to live with the fears, the symptoms and all the worry, thinking and analysing that you do when suffer anxiety.

I have no magic cure, but if you wanted to chat, I'm here, had some symptoms the same as you. Take care x

[kama24 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

thank you so much. I will be in touch by priVATE message

[Funkyfaerie in reply to kama24]

OK, talk soon.

[b1b1b1]

I had an upper endoscopy a number of years ago when they were done without sedation. It is not a painful test. If there is no sedation they spray the back of your throat with an anesthetic so you don't feel the camera and there is no gag reflex. There was absolutely no pain and no sensation of any kind. I was able to watch the test on a monitor. It was very interesting to see the inside of your stomach.

I don't know what the procedure is in Canada, but if you want sedation I am guessing they would use it. You can ask the gastroenterologist now as it may reduce your anxiety. Also, the test does not take very long so you would wake up very quickly as it is very light sedation.

Keep in mind that you are likely to feel very relieved after the test by getting to the bottom of what is causing your nausea.

[Turquoise44]

Hi, the only things that have helped me with all of my anxieties are the books by Dr Claire Weekes. Shes incredible! I believe you can still get them on ebay/ amazon.

[Dgdv]

The test is nothing..not payinful , l had a couple 👍 done

[kama24]

thank you for replying, I hope you were sedated.

[Plantlover14]

First thing - you’re not alone. I always feel like a broken record. But that’s out ocd thoughts.

have you been in therapy before? Finding the right therapist can truly be life changing and sometimes we can’t heal until we put in the hard work and uplift these deep feelings and traumas we have. Therapy has been truly amazing for me.

Finding a support community? Possibly a church, or health anxiety group. I love following even a few on instagram! @health_anxiety is a good one to follow and @honestlyholistic . There’s some good podcasts out there as well.

Not wanting to offend anyone but Bible studies on anxiety are truly amazing. I won’t expand just in case. But you can message me back if you want me to

I’ve started adult coloring books. I’ve found it relaxing.

Have you talked to your doctor about this? Maybe trying a medication that can help you.

I am also full of fear. My therapist talks to me about where my fear comes from and about having compassion towards it for trying so hard to protect me. Try talking to it. “Fear I know you are trying to help me but you can take a rest right now”

Hope at least one thing was helpful. Wishing you the best.

💜

[kama24 in reply to Plantlover14]

Thank you so much for the reply. Yes I see a wonderful therapist bi weekly, she never gives up and suggests all sorts of things to try, She is great, I try but just no let up of FEAR. I too do adult colouring on canvas and enjoy it, I also do at home work for a local animal rescue by doing on line auctions...6 yrs now doing the, I took a course once at the hospital for overactive thinking.....long time ago...here I am still a mess. Dr is sending me for an endoscope and I am terrified....he wants me to try ambilify too (I curently take 2mg ativan and Luvox. My mind is so powerful I am ruining my own life, what is left of it. Death is my biggest feat due to things in my childhood and the loss of so many family and friends. I am old and just want to enjoy life

[Plantlover14 in reply to kama24]

I was recommended ambilify as well. Let me know what you think if you do start to take it. I’m currently weaning off Remeron.

Sounds like you’re doing the work so that’s good! Just keep showing up for yourself!

I’ve also been doing acupuncture for anxiety. I think it helps

[kama24 in reply to Plantlover14]

Remeron did not help me. My dr. wanted the liquid ambilify for me as the pills must be swallowed whole and I have NEVER been able to do that. Liquid not available in Canada. My druggist is going to show me the sizeof them today and says smallll I hope so. I also did acupuncture for anxiety but no help. Guess I'm a write off eh?

[kama24 in reply to Plantlover14]

did you mention you were considering Paxil? I took it for about 5 yrs and I did feel like a new person...then it stopped so dr took me off it, and oh my withdrawal was unreal, I was one hyper angry nasty person to my poor hubby but it did wear off. Scared to try again in case I needed to stop it again

[Plantlover14 in reply to kama24]

Remeron doesn’t seem to be helping me either. You are not a write off! You will find something. Keep searching and trying.

Yes Mr dr recommended Paxil. I haven’t started it yet. I want to be totally off Remeron first. But I’ve heard that from so many people!’ That it really helped for years and then it stopped.

Did you have to wean off Remeron? I’m a little scared as I heard it’s hard. I’m on day 4 I think of lower dose, so if they withdrawals start it will be soon. :/

I take pure cbd twice a day and it has helped me quite a bit. Also aromatherapy

[kama24 in reply to Plantlover14]

I just picked up Ambilify from pharmacy....thank God it is tiny, I will be able to swallow it whole. I have a friend who has been on Paxil for about 15 yrs and all is good for her. Yes I slowly weaned off Remeron, no problems getting off it like I did with Paxil. We have a medical clinic in town, I took CBD capsules for a yr.....no help, then dr. put me on THC capsules....still no help so I quit. There are times I just want to shut myself in a closet and cry and cry. I have lavender spray, smells lovely but thats all. Take care

[Plantlover14 in reply to kama24]

I’m so sorry but don’t give up!!! Nothing is forever. There are still many things to try. Have you tried magnesium glycinate or b complex vitamins daily?

[kama24 in reply to Plantlover14]

yes tried all sorts of vitamins and minerals...right now I am a basket case worrying about the endoscopy. I wonder if I should cancel it however still waking with nauseau. I never expected to end my senior yrs like this.

[Plantlover14 in reply to kama24]

Do you have a benzo when you’re feeling it’s out of control? I use Klonopin sparingly when I need it

[kama24]

No never had either and now there are no Physciatrists taking on new patients or in our area. I took 2nd ambilify....I hope it helps. I was so sleep deprived I too 2 sleeping pills last night and fell asleep in about 10 min. I needed that. A friend who is a RN came for a visit today. Say's I will be put out for the endoscopy, oh my I hope so. I'd like to cancel but then "what if" there is something serious and it won't be found.

[Always-frozen]

I'm late seeing your post but I've had two endoscopies and three colonoscopies over the years and while they make me nervous, I tend to be okay with them because when it's all over, I am anxiety and pain free for a few days from the meds they use. I've always said if I could just go once a week for those drugs, I'd be good. :]

I've had anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia since I was 15, sometimes I go years without symptoms and then something will trigger it for weeks or months on end. My last bad session was in 2018 when my son was in the hospital for two weeks and then diagnosed with lymphoma. My anxiety was crippling but I had no alternative but to push it aside and do what needed to be done. Soon I realized that while I was completely stressed, I was handling it. Sometimes you just have to push through the fear, or accept it, either way, and just keep going. I know it's easier said than done but for me, that's what it comes down to. That and at really bad times, I have used Xanax and magnesium. Ativan never worked for me, you might ask your doctor about trying it.

As someone mentioned, Claire Weekes' books were amazingly helpful to me too. Sorry I turned this into a novel. I hope you can find your solution.

[kama24]

Thank you for replying. I have taken Ativan for years also Luvox and now on Ambilify, only wish I got some relief. I've had anxiety since childhood. I did buy Dr. Claire Weeks book and read it. I have had this daily nausea now for many months, thus the endoscopy ordered. I pray they will put me out for it as there is NO way I could be awake. I have been dealing with non stop pain for a year now from a pinched nerve. I go mid Sept to a pain clinic out of town for a EMG test.....It would be nerve racking enough but with the nausea and fear I will have to deal with them too. I have no life anymore as it is so painful to walk or even sit. I guess I have to take it one day at a time but it sure makes one feel down. I hope you will continue to get through your days and be well.