Increased anxiety before stims 😬

[lnf17]

Morning,

Did anyone else start having increased anxiety & panic attacks before starting their treatment.

As someone who suffers from pretty bad anxiety, I was warned by my Dr, when we first enquired about IVF, that it is a tough journey mentally, aswell as physically.

I have been trying to prepare myself for this by daily yoga, going 4 walks & writing my thoughts out.

Since finding out last wk that we have been switched to short term protocol & could start injections nxt wk my physical systems have been increasing. Had pretty bad panic attack yesterday & spoke to my Dr as I was struggling to eat without feeling my throat was closing.

Feeling abit better 2day &’started my day off with a meditation but scared my body is taking over..if that makes sense 🤔

We have waited nearly 2 years to get to this point & I am so excited but the stress has definitely taken over the last couple of days.

Today is a new day though! 🤞💗 xx

[XOXO13]

Hey,

So sorry you suffer with such bad anxiety and panic attacks. Your doctor is right, this is a tough journey mentally and physically but you’ve got this 💫 keep telling yourself that.

Do you speak to anyone about your anxiety and panic attacks?

I was suffering with anxiety attacks following my miscarriage last year, and I’ve worked really hard to try and keep them at bay since then. Lots of yoga, Pilates, walking, eating a healthy balance diet, drinking lots of water and having good quality sleep. I also explored jigsaws and listened to podcasts whilst I did them - I found them really therapeutic and calming. I could sit for hours and complete one whilst listening to How To Fail by Elizabeth Day, or Fearne Cotton with Happy Place (I recommend both if you’ve not already listened to them).

I also tried reflexology and this really helped with my anxiety. Since December, I’ve also been going to acupuncture which has helped to improve the quality of sleep (I think..).

The key thing is to look after yourself, lots of self-care, try not to forward think things (easier said than done..), keep talking when you need to talk and writing things down is a really good way to offload. If I ever feel an anxiety attack coming, I close my eyes and hold my chest and just practice deep breathing.

I don’t suffer with them in the way you describe, and I’m sorry that you go through that. I hope some of the suggestions above can help in some way though.

Take good care of yourself and best of luck 🤞🏻💫 xx

[lnf17 in reply to XOXO13]

Thank u so much for your response 💗💗I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage, it is such a tough thing to through. I suffered one a couple of years ago. Sending u lots of love & hugs! my Dr is really good at listening to me re my anxiety...they’ve had a lot of experience of my meltdowns by now lol.

Anxiety is such a bizarre & horrible thing 2 predict & try 2 control but I am getting there.

Thank u for all ur suggestions, podcasts is a really good idea! I’ve never listened to one but it could be a good distraction.

Determine not to let my mind beat me on this! 💪🏻💪🏻 Having this outlet also is really helping!

Thanks again & lots of luck on your journey!! 💞💞xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to lnf17]

This outlet is really helpful, a source of amazing support to help you through.

One day at a time, that’s how I take this journey!

Best of luck 🤍💫 xx

[Millbanks]

I think that's a bit mean of your doctor to say that! I'm not saying that it's not a tough journey, I find that there are stressful and anxious times, but for me it's certainly not all the time. There are highs and lows. I am a massive needle-phobic and was really nervous to start stims, but after the first few they were fine and I realised that I'd built it up in my head way too much. You get used to all the appointments, scans, injections, tablets - honestly they become second nature. My advice would be to take each day as it comes - try not to think ahead too much (which I know is really hard!) and give yourself a pat on the back after each injection / scan / appointment - you're doing so well. xx

[lnf17 in reply to Millbanks]

Hi Millbanks, thanks so much for your response, it’s much appreciated!Think my Dr was trying to prepare me as I am so bad at overthinking & it can lead mss we 2 spiral quite abit.

Thanks for sharing ur experience, it helps a lot! Being on this group really helps put things in perspective & is calming in a weird way!

Defo going to try focusing on each day. We are all warriors! 💪🏻

Take care & wishing u lots of luck 💞 xx

[Melonay1987]

Hi.I'm due to start my stims next week too. I'm starting to panick too, but mine is more around whats going into my body. I know it sounds mad but I get really worried about medications and how my body will react.

I hope you manage to settle your anxiety, I fine this forum really good for calming me xx

[lnf17 in reply to Melonay1987]

Hi, many thanks for responding 💗I totally get why u would feel that way about the meds.

It’s understandable to be abit apprehensive when we’re putting additional things into our bodies.

I’m trying to focus on the end result & just take each day at a time.

Wishing u lots of luv & luck on ur journey! U got this! 💪🏻💫xx

[Melonay1987 in reply to lnf17]

Me too, one day at a time. Thanks lovely sending you lots of luck too xxx