Anxiety

[Willanna]

Hi all I have bronchiectasis for 5 years suddenly out of nowhere I've had to go one medication for depression and anxiety ,it's hot yo the point I don't want to go out but do as I don't want to be stuck in .anyone else have same problem.

[CarolMcl]

I can fully understand what you mean. I'm hardly out the door now and when I am it's usually with someone. I have no inclination to do anything or go anywhere and like you I don't want to be stuck in, at least I don't think I do. My mood had been very low for a while now but I don't want to take more medication. It's just feels like a vicious cycle 🌹

[Willanna in reply to CarolMcl]

Think it all started with covid like a lot of people .I'm determined to over come it ^ get back to some sort of normality.

[CarolMcl in reply to Willanna]

It probably did, for me shielding became too easy. I honestly didn't realise at the time how it was affecting me but looking back, my state of mind has deteriorated since then. I would love some normality but if I'm being honest, I find it very difficult. The worsening health issues makes me think what's the point? The wrong attitude I know 🌹

[knitter]

I used to go out most days coffee mornings , yoga , art club , WI. Out for walks

Most closed down when covid struck, but I have no interest in doing anything , going anywhere .

Panic attacks from nowhere ….breathing much worse .

I often wonder if I got Covid right at the beginning ….aching joints , everything tasted bad , sore toes .

Breathless but not my normal breathlessness , never felt right since .

[sassy59 in reply to knitter]

❤️❤️ bless you knitter. Xxx 🤗

[Homely2 in reply to knitter]

Asthma UK do an online mindfulness course that may help you.

[garshe in reply to knitter]

I used to go on my shopping trips every day now I don't leave my home..haven't been outside for over a year ..I wish I could but I just can't. Xx.Sheila

[knitter in reply to garshe]

I know you loved to be out and about , I have been thinking of you .

[garshe in reply to knitter]

Those days are over unfortunately. Changed overnight. Take care xx.Sheila

[Chocochip555]

I have been ill for many years, because of pain and and illness, I got depressed, I have had ADHD for my whole life, but was just recently diagnosed. I also have an anxiety disorder as well. My husband also has ADHD/Anxiety. My children all have anxiety some have ADHD. We have all gone through depression. One thing I have learned is that you need help to learn coping skills and things to help you make it through anxiety attacks and bouts of depression. You can't just will your way through it. You don't have to take meds. Meds really work for me, but they don't help my daughter. Find a way to be outside sit on the porch etc. Being in the sun and natural light can help. When you are in a bout of depression it is very hard to want to do anything or go anywhere, there are many ways to get help for this things not all of them involve medication. Please find the help you need.

[Swizzy]

I so agree with everything that evetybody has said. I coped with the ups and downs of living with a debilitating lung condition very well for most of my life. I had friends, walked my dogs, had a voluntary job as a guide at Shakespeare's School and went shopping and to the theatre and cinema a lot. Since my bad illness and long hospitalisation in 2023,, all of which was due to the professional negligence of members of the medical profession, the reduction in energy, pain and shortness of breath have robbed me of any enjoyment in anything. My dear sister comes every week and tries to get me to go out to lunch or doing something outside the house but I just can't be bothered because of the effort involved. My new little dog gives me a reason to get up and to struggle on walks for her. Living on my own with children too busy or too far away to spend time with me probably exagerates everything.I would never wish this on anyone but reading that I am not alone has helped with the guilt of thinking that I should really be making more of an effort.

Thankyou for sharing. I am thinking of you all.

[garshe in reply to Swizzy]

I know how hard it is I am still hoping I will get out again..good luck xx

[Swizzy in reply to garshe]

I miss your lovely photos of the results of your shopping trips. You always gave me such positivity. Hopefully when the worst of the winter is over we will metaphorically hold hands and venture out. My daughter popped in today and we took Lily to the sports field for a little walk. Having her with me gave me confidence. My love and thoughts are with you.

[garshe in reply to Swizzy]

Take care. This was me the last time I went out..memories xx.Sheila

Day out in Cardiff October 2023

[B0xermad]

Hi its the getting out of the door in the first place that can hold you back,the scary thought of breathing difficulties too ,slowly I decided to go to the end of my road and build it up from there and the breathe easy gym once a week has been a lifeline for me to go somewhere where everyone else is in the same position it helps to talk to people and get me out of the house for an hour .I hope you can find a way to feel comfortable and less anxious soon

[Jack70]

what medications have they put you on? I have this problem to can’t go out but really want to, I feel trapped and agitated which seems to cause more breathing problems. Have the meds helped?

[garshe in reply to Jack70]

I sympathise with you you are not alone..hope you can overcome this xx.Sheila

[Willanna in reply to Jack70]

I'm on sertalian 50mg a day it seems to have helped a little it can take up to 2 months to fully work properly .so fingers crossed it kicks in soon .

[leo60 in reply to Jack70]

I find Oromorph half an hour before I go out eases the stupid jitters I get building up to leaving the house. I get them even if I'm just going out to feed the birds or take the rubbish out! And then of course the breathing goes ..... But it's much much easier with it xx

[Izb1]

This last couple of years I have had different medical problems leaving me fatigued and in pain. I have worked through a few of them but have only been going out for shopping or hospital appointments . I am quite lucky that I haven't suffered depression as yet but with not going out much am feeling lonely. My daughter lives in Wales and works full time so I don't get to see her often. At one time it didn't bother me to catch the train and go to see them and I was out all the time, but find now I just don't have the energy and am in pain walking too far, the more this goes on the more I dont want to go out. I spoke with my rheumy doctor yesterday and she has put me in for physio which I am hoping will help. I don't think the weather helps we all want to get out when it's warm and sunny. I have lots to keep me busy, crosswords, books, films and cooking. A friend calls in sometimes to take me shopping which helps. Strange but I am happy in my little bubble whether it's healthy or not I am not sure but think it's my way of coping and keeping me positive. If your not coping speak with your gp or give the helpine a ring. I wish you well x

[knitter in reply to Izb1]

I have got used to being at home , keep myself occupied

Thank goodness for the internet , my breathlessness much worse, but I know the less active I am the worse it gets .

So then it’s harder to get out

[LissacFrance]

Only a quick suggestion this morning as wife has an appointment with pneumolist at 2.00 pm and we have a 2+ hour drive. So quick suggestion, meditation. My wife listens to various sources on her mobile, closes her eyes for 10-30 minutes depending on the site she uses. Give it a go. If you need any web addresses I`ll be happy to send them. Have a good day, Chris.

[garshe]

I used to go out on my shopping trips every day. Unfortunately now I am on oxygen 24/7 I haven't left my house for over a year. One minute walking everywhere even with Severe COPD. Then Pulmonary Hypertension diagnosed and put on oxygen. This has prevented me from going out as I find the portable cylinder too heavy.. now I have health anxiety and can't leave the house. I have tried but get a panic attack and unable to walk to my car..I have accepted now that I won't go out again

The last time I left my house was October 2023.. I've now got into a routine and can't be bothered to make the effort..

I hope you can overcome your fear and manage to go out as the longer you leave it like I have it's harder.

I wish you well .take care xx.Sheila

[peege]

Wow, thank you for your honesty, I very much sympathise with you and all those who've replied.As a truly resilient and self reliant person I'm with you on this and its a relief to know I'm not the only one.

You mention having had covid, I was diagnosed with CFS in 2016 (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - as result of a few years of chronic chest infections an 5 x pneumonia) so I recognise fatigue. I too had my 1st covid in June and pretty sure I had post covid fatigue for approximately 3 months - on top of CFS. In the last week of October I thoroughly overdid it and have and have had no energy since (not to mention coping with . It's sofa under a warm rug or warm bed. The only moment of sheer joy every day is climbing into bed warmed by electric blanket every night. I live alone, days go by without speaking to another soul. Friends fall by the wayside with their busy full lives and family are all far away. Being this way isn't attractive in any way so personally, I hide it plus I 'look well' so no-one knows. This will pass for me, I have to be patient and one day I'll wake up & fling back the duvet like I used to and be back to my normal, a life of pacing myself. Forcing myself out with the dear dog & into nature really really helps, it's uplifting (except in the rain & wind)!

PS perhaps the medication you're taking isn't the right one for you, do go back to the gp to discuss it with your honesty. Medications are now so clever and finely tuned, I think our generation have an inherent fear of taking antidepressant &/or anti-anxiety meds. Really they just hold you in place while a healing takes place, a bit like a plaster cast on a fracture.

[Patk1 in reply to peege]

Xxx

[Karenanne61]

In the summer of '23 I was dianosed with severe anxiety. It hit out of the blue but in hindsight it was not surprising with everthing I had going on. I couldn't eat, I could barely walk , leave the house, etc. just wanted to sleep or read. I was lucky. My incredible husband supported me, e.g. he'd take me on little walks around the lounge every hour to keep me moving. And, a gp at my surgery was amazing! Sorted the physical problems and encouraged me to seek therapy. It worked! It's been very hard work but I'm now almost back to my normal, theatre trips, days out, enjoying my family etc. Please , please seek help! Talking therapy really can help. (Mine was free, Oxfordshire Talking Therapy, but there are others) Good luck!