Anxiety with copd

[Jansy16]

I have severe COPD, anxiety plays a big part in my condition. I find it so difficult to relax which makes my breathlessness worse. My Dr at my request has given me Diazapan 2 mg once a day, I've also been given Setraline, has anyone taken it & do you find it helps. I know there are a lot of you with the same condition & wondering if there is anything else I can take legally to help my anxiety. Many thanks for listening. Its nice to be able to talk on here to anyone who understands & suffering with this problem.

[CDPO16]

Hi Jansy, I have very severe COPD and anxiety. I think that the two go hand in hand unfortunately. I too find it very hard to relax and find that distraction works best for me. I have diazepam 2mg, one tablet twice a day, mirtazapine 15 mg, one tablet twice a day and lorazepam 1mg as required.

When I was first prescribed the diazepam I had a wonderful sense of calm. That feeling gradually wore off and I don't feel any benefit from them now. I have regular visits from a hospice at home nurse who thinks that the dose needs increasing but my GP tends to disagree. It's 18 months since I first started them. It is the same with the mirtazapine and lorazepam but I wonder if I would be worse without them. Of them all, the lorazepam helps the most.

I was prescribed sertraline years ago but couldn't cope with severe side effects. I don't have any problem with the mirtazapine. That has limited effect. As with most things your body gets used to things. My inhalers aren't as effective as they used to be but they are the best that I have had over the years.

[Jansy16 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you for replying, its hell not being able to relax & yes you do get use to the meds. I'm on Trimbow & Ventolin & don't find them much help. I've just had a rehab nurse visiting me 2 weeks running trying me with some exercising & meditation to help me but I'm worn out after which doesn't help me relax. Unfortunately nothing seems to work anymore. Take care & thanks.

[CDPO16 in reply to Jansy16]

Keep in touch, the support here on the forum helps a lot xx

[Tdster43 in reply to CDPO16]

There is some lovely work on coaching for anxiety/ depression and breathlessness. Our local colleague Karen Heslop-Marshall a respiratory nurse is well know for being a passionate advocate for this being part of patient care; many of our local patients have done brilliantly through her help. She also proved it worked in a trial but sadly this doesnt appear in many COPD guidelines

CBT coaching ; The role of cognitive behavioural therapy in living well with COPD

Karen Heslop-Marshall, Graham Burns

Breathe 2019 15: 95-97; DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0119-2019

cut and paste this and you can read directly;

DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0119-2019

Trial paper

openres.ersjournals.com/con...

[Yumz199725]

I don't have COPD but I understand the anxiety and stress affecting my asthma I'm on mirtazapine 15mg for my anxiety really helps x

[Ern007]

I think a lot of us has been down the anxiety journey, It's not very pleasant, diazepam 2mg, is the minimum you can have, once a day. I uses to take diaxepam 4mg morning and night.

I told GP they really was not that great - So I got Lorazepam 2 tablets morning and night.

My point being you need a plan with your GP.

CDPO16 has written a good post below mine about Setraline, and alternatives.

You ask "is anything else I can take legally to help my anxiety. " - The short answer is not really , some you can buy for mild anxiety will cost a lot, and not help you.

Best legal way the get relief is proper anxiety control from your GP.

Best of luck

[CDPO16 in reply to Ern007]

A lot depends on the GP. I had a brilliant one for 2 years who listened and understood. He was happy to try different medications to see which helped the most. Unfortunately he left the practice last month and, while the rest of the team are quite good, he had the edge. I don't know where he move to but suspect it was out of my area. Some people have got a good doctor now.

[Ern007 in reply to CDPO16]

When I was first diagnosed with COPD/AF years ago, I had a brilliant doctor, if I went to surgery with a flare up, he would take me in treatment room and on a nebuliser. He retired and it was never the same , I hated going to that practice,

When I moved to this village 4 or 5 years ago, we had to find a new GP and I got the jackpot, one of the best,

[CDPO16 in reply to Ern007]

I'm pleased for you Ern xx

[Ern007 in reply to CDPO16]

Thank you Carole - it does matter, I was told to come of diazapam near every week, with the practice in town , then he reduced the dose. xx

[garshe in reply to Ern007]

I take 0.5mg Lorazapam when required. Great as not addictive like most . xxSheila 💕⚘

[Ern007 in reply to garshe]

I take it regular - it's not as a addictive but the super calm has gone Sheila, in a way I am glad. xz

[leo60]

I have Oromorph, which I find helps a lot, but I keep that in reserve, as you have noted the efficacy of meds lessens if you take them all the time. But as Carole (CDOP16) said, I find distraction the best remedy, Something fairly mindless! I do adult colouring, crochet and houseplants to name a few. Ern paints! It's got to be better than taking lots of meds if you can get it to work for you!

Good luck 😀 xx

[peege]

I was prescribed it by my gp for CFS, he said that some people find it helpful . I really don't know if it did because I had nothing to measure it by. It certainly didn't help the fatigue but perhaps I felt less miserable about it.One thing that was very useful was that he advised me to take 1/2 a tablet daily for two weeks then go in to full dose (the tablets are tiny & easy to halve). Apparently some feel nausea when first taking a whole dose. I felt no nausea whatsoever.

It's definitely worth a try if it helps to reduce your anxiety , it's just no way to live & life is far too short.

I bought a pill cutter to reduce the dose very very slowly over 3 months

[garshe in reply to peege]

Made me feel odd stopped after first tablet and binned the rest , also didnt like the side effects far too many . xxSheila 💕⚘

[peege in reply to peege]

Jansy16, just to add, it takes time for the helpful effects to kick in (check what it says on the leaflet), my dose was 50mgs so I took 25mgs daily for two weeks to lower side effects (I personally, had none). Best wishes to you. P

[Bevash]

hi there. I live in nz. My respiratory clinical specialist has recently put me on a very low dose of midazolam. I have found this has made a huge difference to my anxiety. Hope this helps.

[Zand60]

Yup that's me, anxiety overload! My doctor put me on Sertraline some months ago. My husband chuckles at me as I say " oooo I'm on a line" but you are on a Pam! Isn't it helping your anxiety? I'm on 150g per day but when I'm in the car I still grit my teeth when we approach a roundabout and if hubby dares to go in the outside lane to go straight over I have meltdown! He has been very patient with me. Day to day I have to adjust to moving slow, like Brian the snail, that's been the hardest for me as I always ran around at full speed, working and grandkids and dog. This site has been great for me as I've realised I'm not on my own. It's in the breathing and relaxing your shoulders, easier said than done. I hope you feel ok soon.Love Lesley xx

[garshe]

You should read my last post . I was given sertraline but binned them. Didnt like the list of side effects I take 0.5 mg of Lorazapam small dose but works and doesnt have problems getting off them. Only take them when need be not every day..before I go out. Good luck xxSheila

[Ern007 in reply to garshe]

I refuses antidepressants for anxiety - Some while ago a doctor gave me serotonin which was worse than nothing. Lorazapam or similar is good enough for anxiety x

[PaulineHM]

Oh poor you. I understand that anxiety and COPD/lung disease can be very scary, especially with breathlessness.

There are several techniques, not involving medication, which can be used to reduce anxiety, sometimes they are a quick fix and sometimes not. You may have probably tried a few of them ?

Often we get into a big habit with our mental state and that takes a while to let go of and change our thinking for the better.

There are some good techniques to be found on the Calm app and the Headspace app. Perhaps have a look at those ? I understand the Sing out programme may help as well.

I have severe Asthma/COPD, diagnosed 20 years ago, ambulatory oxygen at 5 litres per minute. Have practised yoga and meditation for 35 years which is incredibly helpful now. I attend two exercise classes a week and meditate daily. All those programmes seem to help me and I enjoy doing them.

I wish you well and hope you find some peace.

Go well.

Pauline

[Karate-Kid1]

I had severe anxiety and was prescribed lorazepam but found it worked sometimes but not others so the dr prescribed mirtazapine 15 mg to be taken at night.It made a huge difference and was able to sleep5or 6hours at night which is good for me. I also 2and a half mils of liquid morphine when my breathing becomes a problem and it really calms me down. The dr says with such a small dose you won’t get addicted

[suzy-lou]

I was referred for Pulmonary Rehab this year and the whole programme certainly helped. Might be worth asking your Respiratory nurse/ GP for details. I agree with all our other friends who recommend complimentary therapies such as mindfulness, yoga and , if you are able, why not think of joining a choir - a good sing is not only good for breathing but really can lighten the spirit! Much love and hugs.

[Germantara]

I can understand how you feel my copd is worse when my anxiety is high and my breathing is worse its not nice it makes things difficult

[Ergendl]

I was prescribed Valium many years ago. They worked for about a month. By six months, I was taking triple the dose. It was a challenge getting off them.

To deal with my anxiety, I now use concentrating on breathing as I slow that down, listening to New Age style music, and using calming audio CDs and You Tube videos. I also look at the things that I am anxious about and take steps to change the situations that lead to them where that is possible.