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Sheer panic

gailyb
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 y go made urgent referral to ent which appointment has just come through for Friday. I am unable to cope with the thought of cameras up my nose and down throat let alone waiting for diagnosis which I fear the worst. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks on a day to day basis. Any help out there .

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    I have my appointment on Tuesday with ENT for the same thing.  I have previously had an endoscope up my nose (6 years ago) and it wasn't as bad as I imagined - you sniff in a nasal spray and it totally numbs the area.

    What are your symptoms?

    x

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    Hi there,

    It would be worth speaking to your GP or specialist about taking something like Lorazepam before it.  I imagine this probably isn't an uncommon request.  Alternatively they may be aware of someone that offers relaxation techniques for patients?

    I ended up agoraphobic in my teens/early 20s due to severe panic attacks so can totally empathise.  I did, after 10 years, get myself through them and the instigator for that was a book called Understanding Panic Attacks and Overcoming Fear by Roger Baker.  I still had to do the hard work (essentially doing CBT on myself daily for years) but I am now over a decade panic attack free.  I still have some lingering anxiety at times but I nip it in the bud to ensure it is never allowed to grow again.  I guess it will be a lifetime of work but it's worth it to have a life.

    I really hope you work something up, but don't be afraid to speak to your GP or specialist for help with this, it is part of their job.

    LJx

  • Offline in reply to ayyjaybea

    Yellow lumps on tonsil and back of throat. Ex smoker I am afraid

  • Offline in reply to TwinTwo

    Thank you so much for replying. It’s an illness that I do not think others can appreciate and unfortunately rules your life. Will try that book 

  • Offline in reply to gailyb

    Best of luck.  Just FYI I'm not someone who recommends things, this is the only book I ever recommend and I've bought copies of it for easily over 10 people that have come to me now because they started having panic attacks.

    Don't be afraid to ask for help with it though, it is tough to do it yourself.  Maybe get a family member or close friend to work through it with you.  And I know talk therapies are struggling in the UK but you could at least ask your GP for a referral for CBT.  It takes commitment, it's incredibly difficult, and the only way to get through it is to keep your eye on the prize of getting your life back.  I ended up able to go back to uni (my panic attacks forced me to leave early on), travel and get a career, all things I never thought I'd be able to do.

    Best wishes beating your panic attacks, you will get there :)

    LJxx

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