I’m 29F in the UK and have had anxiety over the last 12 years. 

Around 10 years ago, I saw a CBT councillor and tried both sertraline and another SSRI. Both made me feel very strange, so I didn’t stay on them long. My anxiety became manageable on its own for a while. 

It ‘flared up’ again around 6 years ago and I saw another CBT councillor. 

Until 3 months ago, I was coping well. A stressful, big life event plus lots of hormonal medication I was taking temporarily triggered a huge anxiety episode. Like nothing I’ve ever had before. 

I developed intense sleep jerks most nights (sometimes once or twice and sometimes all night) and heart palpitations (had 2 EKGs). Despite no more hormonal medication and the stressful event now well in the past, I’m now much worse. I have nothing to worry about and I have everything i could possibly ever wish for, so I can’t explain why I feel like this!!!!

Over the last few weeks, I’ve developed muscle twitches, headaches, achy legs, lots of dizziness and I had my first panic attack 2 nights ago. The palpitations have stopped, but the sleep jerks happen most nights. 

I’ve spent most of the time since the panic attack with almost constant tingling legs and I get very frequent weird ‘rushes’ through my body (which I now believe are adrenaline rushes) that make me feel so mentally uncomfortable. The only thing that makes me feel normal again is alcohol, but I obviously don’t want to go down that road. 

The panic attack forced me to address my anxiety issue instead of just hoping it would get better by itself.

I spoke with my family doctor. She has prescribed a short term solution of 10mg of propranolol (which I can up to 30mg per day gradually) and one 25g promethazine per day to help me sleep. 

I start them tomorrow and I’m worried. The idea of these not helping terrifies me, as I’m so incredibly mentally drained. 

I’m also in touch with an NHS peer worker who is hoping to organise some type of therapy or self help stuff, but I’m bit sceptical about that.

Any advice or experiences would be great please.

Thanks guys.