Freaking out!

Hi again, I have posted before on here and on the GERD and Crohn's forum but I think it's been a while.

A bit of background. I've suffered from anxiety on and off for a while but it has worsened since December. I've had a tough year, my Mum had a stroke last January and as she lives across the street I've been her primary carer since September. I was kinda dreading Christmas and just wanted it over, I was worried my Stomach would play up, we go to my in laws and it's a long day! I get acid and take Lansasprazole for it.

Since the day after Christmas I've been getting a burning sensation across the whole of my back which sometimes comes round to the front and around my breasts, I feel really hot but I don't sweat, and my skin is not hot either, just sensitive and tingly and I feel flushed. I've also had a numb tightness across the top of my head. I've found it eases after I take a bath and try and relax but I'm finding it really hard to relax and not freak out. I think I have health related anxiety, I'm petrified I'm going to just drop dead or have a stroke like my Mum, I feel so stupid and sad that I'm letting this ruin my life.

I went to see my GP yesterday and came out feeling a lot better, he took my blood pressure which was fine and he said the burning was probably anxiety and guess what - I didn't get it yesterday. I did get a burning stomach last night though and it set me off again, the acid was quite bad and then today I'm all panicky again and I developed the burning in the supermarket, this time I did sweat though. I feel like I'm overheating without being hot, it's very weird and scary. I can't shake this feeling of impending doom

My GP has ordered blood tests to check my thyroid and other things and I have an appointment with him on the 19th Jan. He has also prescribed 20mg Citalopram/Celexa which I'm not sure I want to take. I said I would try anything but I'm a little scared to take an anti depressant. I wanted something like xanax to take when I was overwhelmed but he said that we don't take that approach in the UK.

I have a bit of the burning again now on the underside of my arms/ armpit and my cheeks are really flushed, what is this?? If it's anxiety why won't it go away!! And will Citalopram help me? Does anybody take it for similar anxiety? I read it might make my anxiety worse before it gets better, I can't take it any worse.... Oh and I'm 38, could any of this be hormone related, I know wrong place but i thought I'd ask.

Any words of advice and wisdom would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

Gillxx

Post Edited By Moderator (Nanners) : 12/30/2009 12:57:36 PM (GMT-7)

Thanks Gail, yeah I did ask for something just for when it gets bad but he said drugs like that can be hightly addictive and frowned upon it. Yesterday was a really bad day but last night I felt better and relaxed which has given me a little confidence. I have the burning again now, in the centre of my back and a little down my arms but I'm trying not to let it overwhelm me, it went off last night after my bath, it will go off again. *deep breath* It's like one of those things that if you knew what was causing it you could easily cope with it, but it's the worrying what it is that is the worst thing. I keep trying to tell myself that it cannot be anything serious, it's coming and going and your back is where all the tension goes when you are stressed so it makes sense doesn't it? It's just my nerve endings all on edge. I feel like if the burning would just go I'd be fine. Oh well fingers crossed it goes very soon, and stays gone!!

Gill xxx