Posted by GLYN on January 26, 2001, at 9:29:58
In reply to Re: Any UK people out there, please? » Lisa Simpson, posted by Leonardo on January 26, 2001, at 5:58:00
Lisa,
I had to laugh when you mentioned that about the inhaler in the bath - I do that too. Ever walk down the road and suddenly think you might have left it at home? The sense of panic is enormous. The thing I am learning is this: Most of the tiume I think I need my inhaler I really dont. I am often experiencing shortness of breath due to anxiety (a very, very symptom of anxiety indeed). I have tried to reduce my intake of the inhaler by trying deep breathing exercises when I get nervy and it amazes me how often I really dont need it - try it - I reduced my anxiety by 50%.
A word of encouragement here, anxiety disorders like you are expereincing are extremely common, not a sign you are a loony, almost always temporary and respond EXTREMELY well to treatment. In fact I wouls say I am almost completely cured.
My mum has had the same thing a few times in her life and she loaned me a book which, without any exageration, almost completely cured me within the first hour of reading it as it exaplins that in fact you are afraid of nothing more than fear itself and all of your bad experiences and horrifying bodily sensations are in fact not dangerous at all but part of a natural, healthy fight or flight response. It also maps in simple steps how to overcome your problems easily and without too much pain. When I read it it was as if the author knew me amnd just that alone made me feel better.
The book is quite old and rather laughable called "self help for your nerves" - sounds cheesy but its great. Its by Marion Weekes. It may be out of print now so if you like I could mail it to you (no charge). If you dont want to mail me your address then I'll send it to a PO BOX, afriends house or your work place if you prefer.Now, the other thing. Are you on medication? You really do need to be. Its not defeat, its just better than the booze. If you really do drink the way you describe I strongly suggest telling your GP about it. I may make myself unpopular here but I have been a drunk and I've been on Valium and I'd rather have the valium anyday (You never see a valium addict lying in the street and asking for change do you ?). Valium is extremely good at treating anxiety, within minutes you'll feel relaxed, happy and confident - the trouble is it wears off and after a few months of use you'll find it hard to give up and less effective than it used to be.
However, if you resolve to stop drinking (valium makes this easy even for a drunk as it works on the same area of the brain and has a similar effect to alcohol yet without the booziness) and instead just take 2 mg of valium when you feel more anxiou than you can cope with I reckon you would be in a happier state than you are now. HOWEVER - dont take it unless you really need to and only see it as a occasional rest from the exhaustion of anxiety.
Now, one more point, you have less chance of getting valium (diazepam) from a doctor than winning the lottery in the UK - because they have decided to stop dealing it out due to bad pressand instead prefer to give out dangerous antipsychotics as tranquiliser - I know this because my wife is a doctor (I am too but, alas, not a medical one but an academic).
However, I buy my valium online from a chemist in India - they always delivfer quickly and its always what I ordered and its cheap. I think I recently paid £40 for 500 pills including delivery cost (which was more than half the cost of the total).
Valium is safe and stable drug but like fire, it is a great servant but a very bad master so be careful.I buy online from www.indian-drugstore.com (I'm not affiliated by the way) and as I said they are a great source as most online chemists never deliver or else charge silly prices.
At the very least I would recommend the book - just promise to return it if you do want to borrow as it is my Mum's :-)
Best wishes (and please no lectures about drug pushing everyone you have no idea how narrow minded the NHS is in the UK - and who said state healthcare was a good thing?)
mail me at Glynwinter@hotmail.com if you want the book.
Glyn
poster:GLYN
thread:52015
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52616.html