Been off work for 3months with anxiety. I have lupus profundus which mainly affects my skin. Had a few flare ups doing the lockdown in 2020 which I worked through but then the anxiety hit this year. Doc started me on Prozac and I was so ill. Physically sick, shaking etc etc, doc convinced me to stay on them 6 weeks and I demanded we stop. Lost 3/4 of a stone and look hellish. Doc then started me on Sertraline ( 3 weeks in ) not so ill but still anxious, talked about doubling the dose this week. Anyway read an article about Lupus and the nervous systems and it lists all my issues. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, feelings of numbness or pins and needles, raynaulds in fingers and toes, stomach issues, sickness and diarrhea, headaches,depression and anxiety.
So , is there anyone out there who is going through the same thing ?? Need to know if its all connected .
Thank you
Montysmum1
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Montysmum1
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Hi Montysmum I’m sorry your having anxiety I have lupus but luckily don’t suffer with anxiety but I know a lot of people on here do - my mum does and she is on sertraline which has helped so please bare with them as it takes a while to get the dose right - 1 of my sons has suffered with anxiety really badly in the past and he now mediates every day and it has really helped him . Sending big hugs to you 🤗💕
Hi , my son has lupus profundus, for several years before his diagnosis he went through a dark time with pain headaches, fatigue and he felt depressed. Now we know that these were all symptoms of the lupus. Some of these particular symptoms have improved, the headaches and depression, but he still has the pain and fatigue. His skin is good at the moment though.
I think it helped him to know that his symptoms were the result of the lupus and that the gps weren’t thinking it was in his mind .
I hope you can get things under control. He finds that exercise helps , mainly walking as his fatigue can hit him hard .
Do you have a rheumy nurse you can contact for support?
I have called my consultants secretary in the past . I tried yoga but found it too painful but so glad it is helping you . I have found relaxation and mindfulness can also bring some peace. Take care 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
The only relief I have gotten for my severe anxiety was with Mindfulness based cbt and EMDR therapy. Meds never really helped me but therapy and mindfulness have changed my life. For most of my life prior to therapy I had multiple bouts of butterflies in my stomach daily. I have not experienced those stomach butterflies in the three years since treating my anxiety with CBT.
I use a lot of daily meditations I find on utube to supplement my weekly therapy sessions. I really like Sara from the mindfulness movement and The Anxiety Guy. Progressive Hypnosis videos are also helpful for me. I no longer ruin today with my worries of tomorrow. I have truly learned to live just in this moment and by doing so I now experience so much more joy in my life.
I actually believe that anxiety causes autoimmune disease by putting our systems in a constant fight or flight state thereby activating our natural immune defenses not the other way around. Trauma is frequently the precursor to lupus.
Roarah I think your assessments for anxiety GAD generalized anxiety disorder are very
True and applicable to a very large population. The slippery slope here is that those individuals experiencing anxiety at a frightening level may blame themselves for it. Therefore, a person may feel guilty and blame themselves for their illness; lupus or other. Trauma as research reveals can be a precursor to autoimmune diseases or other illnesses. But it is very important to stress to an individual that they are not at fault for the resulting illness from the trauma.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBD is very
Effective tool in psychotherapy but if it does not work thankfully there are other
Tools in the psycho lol toolbox. CBD was very effective for myself soon after it’s birth
In early 80’s ( it was alive before then, but in this era it became very well known and expanded on theory) but only effective with medicine as well.
I know you have had great success with your protocol. Recovery from anxiety caused by trauma has many different remedies. Organic methods such as mindfulness or yoga and such I’m not minimizing. Very effective if the individual can make progress without medication. And if they can not, that’s okay. Best, Titters
I am all for medicine if they are working. Meds alone are not shown to be very effective for ptsd( my official diagnosis) but EMDR ( a lot like CBT) is showing promise in many studies.
HiI have been referred to a Councillor for CBT but waiting on that starting. I have downloaded the app Headspace and it's good for tips and videos. I just want the anxiousness to go as its so draining....
Hi there, firstly can I say that I am so sorry that you are feeling so low. I was put on Prozac and I had severe suicidal ideation , it frightened me. I am now on Citalopram which takes the edge off. My diagnosis of Lupus is being disputed now but I certainly can relate to the anxiety. Prior to becoming ill I had a pressurised job, I thrived on the stress. Since being ill just going out I start to get anxious about all the worst possibilities…will I fall over, wet myself, have an asthma attack, hemiplegic migraine? Will I be able to get out of the chair? Will I get stuck? Will there be steps? It is endless and sucks the joy right out of me. Once I am out and settled it dissipates. It is truly exhausting, you have my sympathy. I really hope that the Sertraline helps you xx
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lupus?
lupus or/and fibromialgia?
Lupus
Is this lupus?
