Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Hello friends,

My friendly warpathers were the first people I thought of before attempting to find / branch out to other message boards, groups, etc.. I am seeking some information on what may or may not be wrong with me, before going to the doctor, so I can be as educated as possible.

To make a long story short, I have been dealing with what I feel is crippling anxiety/depression/something. It has been with me for the past 6 months, it has been severe the past 2 months. It affects me most seriously in the early morning hours before going to work. I am usually up out of bed by 4:30 - 5:00 AM, completely wide awake due to nervousness. It is very bad in the early hours of my job, but it usually dissipates by 10:00 AM and I actually feel good the rest of the day, but around bedtime, I get nervous again because I am thinking about going back to work the next day. On a "bad day", it never leaves all day, I do not eat anything, and when I come home I am so exhausted from being nervous all day that I sleep in a recliner, not really sleep, just kind of lay there dazed.

Saturdays are the only "free" day where I feel completely normal. Sundays aren't bad, but around 6PM, when the day is winding down, the process starts again. For those who don't know me I am 28 years old, in a happy marriage, in good health, and in good physical shape. Many days I have a normal routine in the evenings, working out, playing xbox, etc., and feel fine...right up until bedtime. I worry about what this is doing to my health long-term. My wife is concerned for me too. She knows how bad it is for me and tries to be as encouraging as she can. What I don't want is for this to ruin my marriage.

In closing, I believe the "incident" that caused this, was when I lost my job suddenly and without any warning in July 2011. I was working for a company that was going out of business, and during the final months/weeks, I had the exact same symptoms. When I got a new job, I was symptom free for nearly two years and believed it was just because of the uncertainty, but now it is back. I have nightmares regularly about being back at my old job, sometimes I dream about my current job. My close friend has suggested I may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to getting (mentally) healthy and taking control of my life again, and not letting whatever this is rule me? Thank you guys you are all my friends and most of you are like family, the way we have talked, argued, etc.. over the years :)

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

I deal with mild-moderate depression, I'm not medicated and I think it's because I spent a year in therapy. I thought it was kinda lame at first but about 2-3 months in, I could see it making a major difference in my life. I've been out of therapy for a year now and I wish I could go back (for distance reasons I can't currently).

You might want to look into a mental health professional who deals in cognitive behavioral therapy, as that helps to deal with things such as PTSD and has a very high success rate.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Damn dude. Tbh, I came in here with the intention of cracking a couple jokes and keeping it chill, but your post made me feel bad. I wish I could help you, under my old boss, I generally hated going to work every day, and every day I kept looking for something that would give me the opportunity to get out of there. Then he got fired, I get along great with my new boss, got promoted two weeks ago, and am now generally happy with where I'm at. Long story short, a simple change can make a world of difference.

As far as your situation goes, it sounds work related, it also sounds like since you are stuck in your routine, which isn't helping. I would suggest possibly breaking the routine, talking to your boss about it and seeing if maybe he could let you take a little time off to figure out how to get out of this funk, and thirdly seeing a therapist. PTSD can lead to worse things if ignored, and if you don't have the money/don't want to see a therapist, maybe just try opening up and talking to someone about it, someone you are comfortable with, who you trust and has good intentions, aka not a friend who would just laugh and tell you to have a drink and relax. I know there are people on this site who have a lot more wisdom and experience than I, so I hope myself or someone else here is able to help you figure out the solution to your problem.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=mooby;1007025]Damn dude. Tbh, I came in here with the intention of cracking a couple jokes and keeping it chill, but your post made me feel bad. I wish I could help you, under my old boss, I generally hated going to work every day, and every day I kept looking for something that would give me the opportunity to get out of there. Then he got fired, I get along great with my new boss, got promoted two weeks ago, and am now generally happy with where I'm at. Long story short, a simple change can make a world of difference.

As far as your situation goes, it sounds work related, it also sounds like since you are stuck in your routine, which isn't helping. I would suggest possibly breaking the routine, talking to your boss about it and seeing if maybe he could let you take a little time off to figure out how to get out of this funk, and thirdly seeing a therapist. PTSD can lead to worse things if ignored, and if you don't have the money/don't want to see a therapist, maybe just try opening up and talking to someone about it, someone you are comfortable with, who you trust and has good intentions, aka not a friend who would just laugh and tell you to have a drink and relax. I know there are people on this site who have a lot more wisdom and experience than I, so I hope myself or someone else here is able to help you figure out the solution to your problem.[/quote]

You are more than welcome to crack jokes about me, I kind of felt lame after I posted it with that title, but I didn't know what else to name it, lol.

Regarding work, it seems strange to say this but I actually like my job, and I like the people there. I have a great Boss and I get along with her wonderfully, we never have any issues. All of the people I work with are nice and the environment is generally very pleasant, that's why I am so confused because it would make sense if it was like my old job.

By contrast, my old job was terrible, I hated the people there, including one man that I worked with, I hated him so much that I threatened physical harm to him, I still have something for him and wouldn't think twice about cracking him if we ever crossed paths again today...

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;1007028]You are more than welcome to crack jokes about me, I kind of felt lame after I posted it with that title, but I didn't know what else to name it, lol.

Regarding work, it seems strange to say this but I actually like my job, and I like the people there. I have a great Boss and I get along with her wonderfully, we never have any issues. All of the people I work with are nice and the environment is generally very pleasant, that's why I am so confused because it would make sense if it was like my old job.

By contrast, my old job was terrible, I hated the people there, including one man that I worked with, I hated him so much that I threatened physical harm to him, I still have something for him and wouldn't think twice about cracking him if we ever crossed paths again today...[/quote]dude don't feel lame (like emotions are controllable..haha). Mental illness can dehbilitating. And everyone has it in some way. Hope your dr can get you started on the right track. It will probably by a long haul but it can be done.

[QUOTE=SolidSnake84;1007028]You are more than welcome to crack jokes about me, I kind of felt lame after I posted it with that title, but I didn't know what else to name it, lol.

Regarding work, it seems strange to say this but I actually like my job, and I like the people there. I have a great Boss and I get along with her wonderfully, we never have any issues. All of the people I work with are nice and the environment is generally very pleasant, that's why I am so confused because it would make sense if it was like my old job.

By contrast, my old job was terrible, I hated the people there, including one man that I worked with, I hated him so much that I threatened physical harm to him, I still have something for him and wouldn't think twice about cracking him if we ever crossed paths again today...[/QUOTE]

I hear what you are saying about why it ought not to be work related, but the symptoms would seem like it is. Like was said, it may simply be the routine/rut of work. Maybe if you have flexibility in your daily tasks, try moving your early tasks to later in the day, and change up your morning routine.

overall, don't discount it as lame or silliness - depression and internal sadness can be an insidious weed, so its good you are aware of your feelings and are seeking to deal/cope with them.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Just do what I did....self medicate with alcohol and drugs....
OH WAIT, that F...d me all up! Don't do that.
Well, you need to start seeing a professional, but take the time to find someone or a group that you feel comfortable and confident about....it matters.
AND exercise will help Anything like this as it gives you strong positive feelings of accomplishment, and will help knock some of the jittery crap off you especially on Sunday nights!
Everybody has their own Demons SS...they just don't talk about it. Good Luck

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;1007022]Hello friends,

My friendly warpathers were the first people I thought of before attempting to find / branch out to other message boards, groups, etc.. I am seeking some information on what may or may not be wrong with me, before going to the doctor, so I can be as educated as possible.

To make a long story short, I have been dealing with what I feel is crippling anxiety/depression/something. It has been with me for the past 6 months, it has been severe the past 2 months. It affects me most seriously in the early morning hours before going to work. I am usually up out of bed by 4:30 - 5:00 AM, completely wide awake due to nervousness. It is very bad in the early hours of my job, but it usually dissipates by 10:00 AM and I actually feel good the rest of the day, but around bedtime, I get nervous again because I am thinking about going back to work the next day. On a "bad day", it never leaves all day, I do not eat anything, and when I come home I am so exhausted from being nervous all day that I sleep in a recliner, not really sleep, just kind of lay there dazed.

Saturdays are the only "free" day where I feel completely normal. Sundays aren't bad, but around 6PM, when the day is winding down, the process starts again. For those who don't know me I am 28 years old, in a happy marriage, in good health, and in good physical shape. Many days I have a normal routine in the evenings, working out, playing xbox, etc., and feel fine...right up until bedtime. I worry about what this is doing to my health long-term. My wife is concerned for me too. She knows how bad it is for me and tries to be as encouraging as she can. What I don't want is for this to ruin my marriage.

In closing, I believe the "incident" that caused this, was when I lost my job suddenly and without any warning in July 2011. I was working for a company that was going out of business, and during the final months/weeks, I had the exact same symptoms. When I got a new job, I was symptom free for nearly two years and believed it was just because of the uncertainty, but now it is back. I have nightmares regularly about being back at my old job, sometimes I dream about my current job. My close friend has suggested I may have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to getting (mentally) healthy and taking control of my life again, and not letting whatever this is rule me? Thank you guys you are all my friends and most of you are like family, the way we have talked, argued, etc.. over the years :)[/quote]

Sorry to hear, but the first step is going to your primary care physician and then ask him/her about a professional counseling/therapy. Ask for suggestions and figure out your preferences. You need to be open to taking medication because when you say you wake up and your baseline anxiety is already so high coming out of sleep, that is concerning. Your probably gonna need a medication that brings down that overall baseline/threshold. I got 2 close friends, ones a therapist and the other a lawyer. Good to have those services close.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

SS84 I totally hear where you are coming from. In HS I use to have a lot of the same issues and I talked to my PCP. A lot of it was just me imagining bad things going to happen and then I would stress about things that had not even occurred or were going to occur.

I still remember this today and it helped me the most. My PCP said our minds say lets of things we don't have to listen to everything it says. He said think of your thoughts as a radio station if something comes on the station and it worries you pick a new station (meaning think of positive stuff). It took a lot of self discipline for me to do this but over time I trained my mind to change the channel. I can remember at times worrying about something then changing the channel and I forgot what I was so worried about.

During high stress times it still comes back to me. This past month I have struggled with it with my move. I would worry about all these crazy scenarios and literally wake up just like you described. I drove my realtor crazy I am sure.

My wife has helped a lot too and she will say listen nothing has happen yet so if it comes we will tackle it then but until then don't worry.

You got learn your triggers as well.

Mine are:
Big Change (moving, new job, etc...)
Watching Sports (I can get nervous watching a big game then it won't go away even after the game is over)
Some video games (FPS after playing them get me too spun up)
Repairs (if something is broken it will worry me about how to fix it)
Lying (I can't lye not even white ones; the guilt afterwards drives me crazy)

The biggest one is major change the others are smaller and I have learned to deal with them so I can still enjoy the activity (FPS, Sporting Events, etc.. not lying).

SS84 I hope that is a help in some way. I think your best bet is seeing your PCP then going from there.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Seek out some counseling asap. No shame in asking for some help. Might just be some minor issues you need to identify and work through.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Sounds like you hate your job. Personally while I don't hate my job, I don't exactly love it either. And personally I know all to well that late Sunday Night feeling that you described all to well. Lately I find myself happiest on Friday nights/very early Saturday. Saturday I'm also pretty cheery. Then I wake up pretty late on Sunday realizing that I have to go to bed soon at my normal time to be at work on Monday and I start to get nervous.

It also possible if you're a night person like me that waking up at 4:30 AM to 5:00 AM to get ready for work isn't doing you any favors. The fact that you start to feel good 5 to 5.5 hours after you wake up suggest this.

Semi left field question Snake. Does your wife ever complain that you snore at night? If so you might have lingering effects from sleep apnea that warrants a sleep study. Ironically enough one of the side effects of sleep apnea is depression.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Dirtbag59, actually when I do sleep, I sleep like a corpse....I've never had a snoring problem.....when I get to sleep on friday night or Saturday, I wake up feeling great....

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

SS84, what amount of physical activity are you doing?

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Exercise can definitely help with mood, stress, and anxiety. Nothing clears my mind better than a good run.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=Mattyk;1007099]Exercise can definitely help with mood, stress, and anxiety. Nothing clears my mind better than a good run.[/quote]

Yeah, that's where I was headed. It's surprising to a lot of people how self destructive a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet can be.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=RedskinRat;1007097]SS84, what amount of physical activity are you doing?[/quote]

Running at least 4 miles 3 days a week, lifting weights, and doing mixed martial arts every Thursday. I also do not drink or smoke..

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;1007118]Running at least 4 miles 3 days a week, lifting weights, and doing mixed martial arts every Thursday. I also do not drink or smoke..[/quote]

I think you just need to simply ask a expert for advice.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

You have what any person might have when worried about having a job and taking care of your family. I have the same issues from time to time when trying to meet sales goals. I actually just had those feelings last week as I was trying to hit some sales goals to win a trip. I don't want to say its normal but your worried about failing or loosing your job. What you have to learn to do is to worry about the things you have control over and to try and not worry about the things you cannot control. Easier said then done when you have a family. One thing to remember is that you lost a job and made it through so if worse comes to worse you can do it again. Either that or you hate your job.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;1007118]Running at least 4 miles 3 days a week, lifting weights, and doing mixed martial arts every Thursday. I also do not drink or smoke..[/quote]

For once I agree with mredskins, but you may also benefit for doing a Yoga/meditation session before bed to help calm your mind.

Crazy as this sounds but sexlife can make u feel this way too. I've had that issue in the past, we just had my first son( 4yrs ago) and after that it seemed like I was always down and out about stuff. He made me happy but I didn't like my job at the time, my wife and I didn't really get along all that well( sex was basically non existent) and I felt trapped from doing things for me because of my child.

I started exercising and playing basketball every chance I got, just to take stress away. Don't get embarrassed man, we all have problems but some folks hide it in until they blow up and that was me.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;1007118]Running at least 4 miles 3 days a week, lifting weights, and doing mixed martial arts every Thursday. [B]I also do not drink[/B] or smoke..[/quote]

That's the problem right there. 5 or 6 stiff drinks some hot sex with the wife and you will sleep just fine.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

As much as I respect the opinions of everyone on this board, you should ignore us and go talk to your doctor. This does not sound like the kind of thing where you just need to go blow off some steam. At least not to me. These sound like symptoms you're going to want to work through with a professional at your side.

See your primary care physician as a first step. If you don't have one, now is definitely the time to get one. You can even express a preference to explore options other than medicine if you wish, I'm sure the doc can refer you to a good psychologist.

How is your health insurance? Hopefully good enough to cover this stuff.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

SS84, first as Matty said, see a professional to help you understand the causes.

Everything here is just life based opinions. That said, I agree with FD that I think everyone goes through spells like that. Personally, I can't really say I like my job, but I am thankful for it, and every night before work I think of issues that will arise the next day, don't get to sleep because of thoughts, and most mornings I wake up at 330 (leave for work at 6) and can't get back to sleep because the latest must handle crisis is going to happen that day. I'm not married, and my kids are not with me, so mostly I just cope and move on, but if I had more of a family driven life I would certainly be looking for a different job or in a more strict counseling system. As it is, Jim Beam and I cope well enough.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

SS do you have any kids and what age?

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=firstdown;1007152]SS do you have any kids and what age?[/quote]

We do not have any children.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=firstdown;1007126]That's the problem right there. 5 or 6 stiff drinks some hot sex with the wife and you will sleep just fine.[/quote]

I took my own advise and had 6 or 7 drinks and slept like a baby last night.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=firstdown;1007283]I took my own advise and had 6 or 7 drinks and slept like a baby last night.[/quote]

Probably the exact opposite thing a doctor would tell you to do in order to cope with anxiety. But to each his own!

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=CRedskinsRule;1007130]SS84, first as Matty said, see a professional to help you understand the causes.

Everything here is just life based opinions. That said, I agree with FD that I think everyone goes through spells like that. Personally, I can't really say I like my job, but I am thankful for it, and [B]every night before work I think of issues that will arise the next day, don't get to sleep because of thoughts, and most mornings I wake up at 330 (leave for work at 6) and can't get back to sleep because the latest must handle crisis is going to happen that day[/B]. I'm not married, and my kids are not with me, so mostly I just cope and move on, but if I had more of a family driven life I would certainly be looking for a different job or in a more strict counseling system. As it is, Jim Beam and I cope well enough.[/quote]


I can obsess on work too, especially when I am really busy. I took firstdown's advice last night and had no problem falling asleep but I woke up at 430am thinking about work.

This happens to me a fair amount and i find the best way to prevent it is to stay organized. Unfortunately organization is not my strongest suite so i have to have a back up plan. So whenever i wake up thinking about all the things i need to do or worry about at work the next day i type them into my phone and email them to myself. Sometimes it works and i fall back to sleep and sometimes it doesn't, but i at least reduce my anxiety and stress about what i need to prioritize and get done the next day. I just completed my list from last night, btw.

SS, do you use a planner pad or another system to plan out your work week or schedule you time effectively? I feel like people don't stay organized now a days. All the successful old timers i know do, but so few of us younger guys actually take the time to plan things out. Sometimes just staying organized and focused can alleviate any anxiety you have.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

I wanted to update everyone and say that I have decided to go and first talk to a primary care physician, then see what happens from there.

Tuesday was the worst day I've had in a long time. Woke up with the normal anxiety but it never eased up the whole day, in fact only got worse and by 3:30 PM that day I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I had pain in my chest, was sweating, had sweaty palms, etc... This was also the first time I started seeing like little black "stars", it sort of looked like bugs flying around. This has never happened to me and quite honestly scared the hell out of me.

I got home from work and fell asleep in the recliner at 5:30, I was suffering from what was obviously an adrenaline dump from being on edge for 12+ hours.

Hoping to get help but also afraid to find out I may have something worse than could have been imagined. I'm not thinking that way but it sure seems that I am not suffering from normal worries or anxiety...

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

Get some help sooner rather than later.

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

[quote=SolidSnake84;1007729]I wanted to update everyone and say that I have decided to go and first talk to a primary care physician, then see what happens from there.

Tuesday was the worst day I've had in a long time. Woke up with the normal anxiety but it never eased up the whole day, in fact only got worse and by 3:30 PM that day I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I had pain in my chest, was sweating, had sweaty palms, etc... This was also the first time I started seeing like little black "stars", it sort of looked like bugs flying around. This has never happened to me and quite honestly scared the hell out of me.

I got home from work and fell asleep in the recliner at 5:30, I was suffering from what was obviously an adrenaline dump from being on edge for 12+ hours.

Hoping to get help but also [B]afraid to find out I may have something worse[/B] than could have been imagined. I'm not thinking that way but it sure seems that I am not suffering from normal worries or anxiety...[/quote]
YOU DON'T!
Get off your ass and go see someone. The simple act of doing this will make you feel remarkably improved.....

Re: Medical Advice / Suggestions Needed
 

I am not a doctor but the symptoms sound like classic anxiety disorder, which can manifest itself physiologically in the form of elevated blood pressure and racing heart beat. If your blood pressure is high that can explain the 'seeing stars', and a faster than normal heartbeat combined with blood pressure can cause chest pain.

Make sure you tell the doctor about all the symptoms. He'll first rule out any heart or neurological problems.

You could benefit from talking with a psych. Also, keep an open mind if the doctor suggests an anti-anxiety med. My wife deals with anxiety disorder; medicines really help her feel normal. Psych issues often tem from simple chemical issues in the brain, a lot of the time medicines can rebalance the chemistry and eradicate the symptoms.

Good luck and I hope you feel better. Seeing the doc is the right thing, they can do something about this and take the weight off your shoulders. Might as well move on to the first day of the rest of your life.