Anxiety and panic

[Shaun B]

Hello all I am new to this site and hoping to interact with a community of people to understand. I have always had anxiety and has kind of been ok for the last few years. I had an operation three weeks ago to have appendix removed and have spiralled out of control lots of panic attacks night cold sweats and all the other horrible anxiety things we all no so well. Convincing myself something else is wrong with me and driving my wife crazy. Been to doc so many time but the tablets I tried made me so ill. I hate feeling like this I have two young boys and just want my life back. Not fare what I am puting my family through.

[fisher]

Hiya shaun,i am exactly like u,well i suffered awhile ago with anxiety,got through it great,still had little bits but told myself it was ok,i work on a ward in a hospital but i have a health phobia anything to do with myself i get anxiety and i am 8 months pregnant and all through i have felt times were my heart will beat fast and had heart tests doctor is fed up with me,i am going in on the 17th july c section and getting my anxiety back and know that i will panic while in theatre and while i am in hospital i will have constant anxiety.

[Shaun B]

Hi Fisher I am glad you can relate to what I am going through. Feel like your on your own sometimes because unless you are like it you just don't understand I think the docs think we are crazy. People say snap out of it don't be stupid ect ect, my wife has had two c sections and i can fully appreciate why you are feeling so bad. The problem is people with anxiety are far to self aware and read into everything. My wife works in the medical profession also and understanding all the risks and what ifs is not good. Wish I was laid back and had a care free attitude but never going to happen it was not the way we where made.

[alankay]

Fisher, what meds did the doc have you try? Any stressful situation can cause anxiety to flare or spike but after you heal well from surgery you should start to drift back to where you were before anxiety wise. They should be able to give you something while in the hospital to calm your anxiety just like they do for folks with bad anxiety at dentists, etc. Alankay

[fisher]

hiya alankay what do you think they can give me to calm me down?i have always been to scared to take anything

[Shaun B]

They can give you diazepam in dome case or something similar. I should of asked for this but where it all happened on the same day for me I did not think. But you are having a baby do not sure they could offer anything like that so I don't really no.

[alankay]

They(hospital staff for procedures)) like shorter acters like midazolam or ativan but valium(longer acter) is great as well. I have used valium for years and it does the trick for me for dental appts, air trips, etc. Just remember with a benzo if you feel drowsy, the dose might have been a tad high and if you still feel allot of anxiety the dose was a bit low. Benzos(valium, ativan) can be taken "as needed" where ssri's need to taken daily and take weeks to work. Alankay

[fisher]

Thanks guys,oh just wondered when you take a valium how does it make u feel?

[Shaun B]

Depends on the person fisher but it helps you relax it calms you down and can make you a bit sleepy it just really takes the edge off. For short term quick relief it's very good I think. I was on a low dose for a few days a week after my op and just helped me relax and slow all the bad thoughts. Does not make you feel out of control or anything like that. I am no doc or anything like that but at really high anxiety point can really help for short term support. Valium/diazapam are the same as far as I am aware.

[fisher]

oh i might need something if am that bad when i go in,thanks for that and keep in touch and let me know how u get on x

[Shaun B]

I will do Fisher if you need any support I am here I am no expert but lived with the same as you for a very long time so can fully relate to everything you are going through. I will let you no how I progress over the next few weeks I hope it starts getting easier with time.

[alankay]

Well. For most they sure kill anxiety. A life saver for truly anxious people. Just remember it's all in the dose, too much will make you a bit drowsy, too little still anxious so take enough to counter anxiety but no more. Start with a small dose if you worried but I am very grateful they have them to rx for us. Alankay

[fisher]

Thanks shaun here from u soon