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Caffeine and My Anxiety

My Anxiety Caffeine and my anxiety blog post
My Anxiety pepsi max

During my initial assessment for CBT, which was a 45 minute telephone interview. I identified that I consumed a lot of caffeine. My therapist pointed out that caffeine was considered to exacerbate my anxiety problems. Whilst I knew I was drinking quite a lot of tea with the occasional coffee, I did not appreciate how many cups of caffeinated tea and coffee I was drinking and had not taken into account the amount of caffeine there was in the Pepsi Max I was drinking each evening.

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My Anxiety Update July 2019

MyAnxiety and IBD medication

It has been sometime since my last blog post. I still struggle with and have been working on my anxiety and depression.

About 12 months ago I went to my GP as I had a significant family event approaching in six months time; namely my daughter’s wedding. During my consultation with the GP it was agreed to a change in my medication and so I now take Sertraline in addition to the Pregabalin, medication. I started on a dose of 50 mg per day and after three weeks this was increased to 100 mg per day. I didn’t feel any particular side-effects from the medication and to be truthful it is difficult for me to know whether it’s making any significant difference. So I now take Pregabalin 300mg twice a day and Sertraline 100mg once a day in addition to my IBD medication of Pentasa Mesalazine 1g two tablets twice a day and Omeprazole 20mg once a day. I also have Pentasa Mesalazine 1g/100ml enema which I am meant to use once a week and regularly during a IBD flare up.

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New Anxiety Medication Sertraline

New Medication Sertraline Header

My Anxiety Sertraline MedicationAs usual time has passed – back in July I went and visited my GP for the first time in a long time. Since then I have been back to see him a couple of times. After my first appointment, we agreed that I would try out an additional medication, so I started on Sertraline at 50mg once a day for two weeks, then increased it to 100mg once a day. I have been on this dose now for 3 months. Here is a useful explanation of the medication Sertraline on Mind’s website. Continue reading “New Anxiety Medication Sertraline”

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Mental Health and Money Research

Mental Health and money institute

I have a lot of time for Martin Lewis of Money Savings Expert, for his advice on consumer finance and his annual debt advice booklet for people suffering with mental health illness.

He is also the face of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, based in London UK. I am proud to contribute to their research by being a member of the research community. This involves completing online questionnaires and surveys from time to time. There is no obligation to complete all surveys and there is also an opportunity to partake in online discussion groups. Continue reading “Mental Health and Money Research”

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Reflection about losing PIP Award

My Anxiety Blog Post

I had been receiving DLA and then PIP for the past 5 years or so, because of my mental health and Ulcerative Colitis. Following a mid award review which started in August 2017 and a medical assessment by Capita in November 2017, my PIP award ended on the 11th December 2017.

I have been reflecting on this a lot over the past 6 months. Financially the impact was significant, as it meant I also lost my Tax Credits award from the 11th December, and any day I expect a bill for £500 over payment following the year end tax credit review.

I have been lucky and been able to earn a little more money through the work I do and been helped by family.

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PIP Medical Assessment Outcome 2017

My Anxiety Blog Post

I have been receiving PIP for a few years and was asked in the Summer to confirm my current health situation by submitting a medical questionnaire form back to DWP. I think I may have blogged about my quandary and in the end I confirmed that my ability to dress and bathe had improved. I then had an anxious couple of months waiting to hear further from the DWP. Then I was asked to attend a medical assessment with Capita on the 10th of November.

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Reflection on my mental health

My Anxiety Blog Post

I attended a DWP Medical Assessment with Capita in Northampton following a review for being submitted in August.

During the Assessment the assessor said that she was not there to advise but she thought I should go back and see my GP.

Having talked about my illness with the assessor I have realised that my anxiety has got worse. I can separate my mental health illness into three areas Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) , Social Anxiety and Depression. Continue reading “Reflection on my mental health”