Anxiety – please help?

[wheresmyheadat]

I’ve suffered from anxiety for quite a few years (although only realised in the last couple of years) but it seems to be affecting me more frequently in the last year or so. I seem to have episodes that last maybe a week then I’m ok for a few weeks then it comes back again. I have no real idea what triggers these episodes but I do know they make me so miserable and the lack of sleep during them only makes the situation ten times worse.

Really I am looking for any help/advice or any words that can ease my situation?

I have been to my doctor and discussed this a few times but have never taken any meds for it although he gives me diazepam for flying so I sometimes take one of these to try relax me.

Here are my main symptoms:

"Surges" in my head and/or chest when trying to sleep which make me physically jump – this is probably one of the scariest symptoms I get, It makes my literally jump around my bed and makes my head shake. This lasts a second or two then I feel ok again and lie back down.

Can’t get to sleep

Sometimes when I do sleep I get a feeling like I cant breathe and I’m fighting to wake up and get a breath, I feel like I’m half asleep half awake but could be dreaming? This is very hard to explain but basically I’m desperate to wake up, I eventually fight myself awake and get a few deep breaths – again very scary…..is this anxiety though or something else?

Heavy head feeling/feel very lethargic

Sharp chest pains randomly

Dizziness

"Shaking" head when walking, feel faint like I could collapse

Rib cage tightness, pressure, or feeling like a tight band around my rib cage

Heavy sensation in chest like I'm being pushed on – when I have this I can’t have anything leaning on the left side of my chest, for example my gf leaning on me as it makes this feeling worse, when I’m driving and feeling anxious my seatbelt makes me uncomfortable as its on my chest also.

General headaches

"Rush of blood" when I stand up sometimes

I'm eating as normally as possible but don't have my usual appetite when in an episode

I am only a social drinker (sat night only in general) Sometimes if I drink alcohol I feel better but sometimes I can still feel things and the next day I feel miserable and when I have a hangover the surges in my chest and head can get unbearable when trying to sleep.....last night I jumped around my bed till around 5.30am before eventually crashing out, probably through exhaustion.

These all happens at different times but afternoons seem particularly bad and when I’m trying to sleep, also I dread driving any significant distance as I get the weird head feelings and heavy chest..... I can just be sitting relaxing though and this can come on really bad.

Should I go back to my doctor? I thought about looking into hypnosis as I read this has helped some people, is this worth considering? (You can prob tell I’m desperate for anything that will help)

Thanks for taking the time to read this, any help would be much appreciated.

[wheresmyheadat]

Hey guys, that episode lasted around 10 days and was very tough. I went to see my doc again and after a long chat she prescribed me citalopram. I was scared about taking an anti depressant but I spoke to her again last week and re assured me it would do me no harm to try them and I wouldn't become dependent on them? I started them today, felt sick this mornin and had diarrea, she said this could happen so it's hard to tell if I've brought this on by thinkin bout it or if it's a true side effect? Does anybody have any experience of this med? This is my first ever time on med for this so that in itself is making my anxious just now. Should I stick with these and see how I go?

[lilgamble]

i feel exactly the same as you i have been suffering for 3 n half years now i cant cope any more my life is a total misery due to it i constantly fink im going to die! if i ever found a cure id give it away for free! i hope u get better and i hope someone who can truely help us will! xx

[Lizzy3040]

Hi, I too have suffered with all the same symptoms you are having.  And one of the worst symptoms is when you are trying to fall asleep and that feeling you get when you're almost asleep and feel the need to force yourself awake is the scariest.  I also have days when I feel so good for about a week and then BAM! I'll wake up all shaky and nervous and my stomach has that butterfly fluttering inside.  I am on Zoloft 100mg and I also take Klonopin .50 mg at night and only when needed during the day.  I also get the feeling my head is shaking, tingling and tight and my jaw is quivering.  I just get different symptoms whenever I get these episodes.  Sometimes they last a couple days or sometimes a week or two and then I'm good.  Even though the medication helps somewhat I still get anxiety.  And I don't even know why.  I have had all kinds of tests and I'm am perfectly healthy.  I'm happy and really have nothing to worry about.  I am a little stressed from work and family but nothing extreme so I don't understand why this anxiety pops up.  And when I think about it, the symptoms get worse.  I always come to this site which helps me feel a little better knowing that other people have this and I am not going crazy.  I also walk my treadmill and exercise which will help for a few hours when I am having exciting.  Feel feel to write to me any time.  I have been going through this for over 5 years.  Take care.

[Haych22]

honestly, ur not alone....im so new to this anxiety stuff(2months)...and literally been tested for everything, its all come bak to anxiety, im only just accepting it now....ur symptoms are so simular to mine its relieving to know im not alone or going mad! i dread bedtime too for simular reasons...and i cant drink alcohol anymore as it makes me feel weird/sickish for days after, ive get real bad sharp chest pains and get heart pulps often and rushing of blood feelings, im on meds to control it just recently. also when i drive long distance i get weird feelings in my head aswell! i get faint and clammy at random times, short of breath, reflux, heavy/tight head...the doctors will only do so much...put u on meds or send to to a phyciatrist, my meds help just get fatiuge from them real bad wich isnt nice, if it helps go and hava chat with ur doc n see ur options to help you through ur symptoms...i dnt kno anything bout hypnosis so keep me posted with this one im desparate too...