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Allergy? Anxiety? Neither? Nobody can tell me.

Sleeplessness

Hi all. I'm new here, and I'm not sure this is even the right place to be, since I don't have a disability (I have anxiety that can be pretty debilitating, and adhd, but that's it). But I've been searching for answers and advice on an issue I've had for a little while now and I'm hoping someone can help me out.

I've developed this reaction to taking painkillers recently. If I take one, it will do it's job and I'll be fine during the day, but when I'm trying to fall asleep at night, I'll have these mini-panic attacks and take a sharp intake of breath for absolutely no reason. It doesn't feel like heart palpitations, but rather like a respiratory issue. This has happened quite a few times when I've taken paracetamol and once (out of 3) times that I've taken ibuprofen. I have no idea why this happens.

This only started back in October of last year (not long after I developed some sort of yet to be diagnosed digestive system issue that I'm currently seeing a specialist about) and has been consistent since. However, prior to that, I took something that had a high dosage of paracetamol (a sinus medication) and had the same symptoms, but worse.

Now, being someone who suffers with anxiety, I've experienced this kind of thing before, when my anxiety was through the roof, but I don't understand why it only happens when I take painkillers. One doctor I spoke to didn't know what could be happening and another one said it's an allergy to paracetamol, but that one time ibuprofen did the same thing to me is what confuses me the most.

Has anyone had anything like this before? Is there a specific type of specialist I should see for this? It's becoming difficult, because I get a lot of migraines, and I'm scared to take painkillers now.

Oh, also (sorry for the disjointed post), I'm also wondering whether it's the fear and anxiety surrounding taking the painkillers that's making the symptoms worse.

Please excuse my rambling. I hope this was at least understandable. Thank you in advance to anyone who replies.

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SarahT41

First I just want to say that you're welcome here, and anxiety and adhd absolutely can be disabling. I've been through both mental illness and now physical disability, and although I didn't look disabled when I was mentally ill, I was arguably much more limited.

Like you say at this stage it's really hard to know how much your anxiety is a factor in your new symptoms. I certainly know you can become allergic to ibuprofen and its not advisable for people with asthma, breathing difficulties etc. I've never heard of something like that with paracetamol but I still think it's worth raising. If I were you I'd book in with your favourite GP that is understanding of mental health, stick to the facts of what triggers those symptoms, and stress that you need reassurance because of your anxiety. This shows them that you have awareness of the possibility that its anxiety related and they won't dismiss you as a hypochondriac. The fact that it's new and coincides with some other changes to your health means they should investigate it - to give you peace of mind, and to find you an alternative painkiller if necessary, or something to help with the migraines.

You're allowed to ask questions in your doctors appointment, and if one doctor hasn't given you an answer, or said they don't know what it could be, or suggested an allergy but not investigated it further try some of these:

Do you have any suggestions for how I can treat my migraines without paracetamol?

Is there a way of finding out for certain what's causing it?

Do you think it could be related to my gastro issues?

Can you refer me to anyone else who might be able to help?

I am really struggling to do my normal activities with these migraines. Is there anything I can do to prevent them?

And finally

Can you please record in my notes that you have decided not to refer me to a specialist?

Sleeplessness

Thank you so much, Sarah, I'll definitely try out all of your suggestions 😊

Both the GPs I usually go to don't really focus much on mental health, they're just very quick to prescribe medication (which I've never taken because my anxiety has convinced me that I'm going to get addicted to it if I do… Anxiety is fun, isn't it 😮‍💨) I did ask the last doctor if it could be anxiety related and all he said was "maybe". So, I'm probably going to have to find a third GP to help me out with this.

At the moment, I'm on a medication trial run for my gastro issues for a couple more weeks, so I'm kinda hoping that this sudden "allergy" is related to that and that it will clear itself up with it. That's probably wishful thinking, I know, but hey, I can hope.

Thank you again for all the advice and for making me feel welcome here 😊

SarahT41

@sleeplessness I hope that medication trial works out for you, and I would mention all this to the gastro, they will be much more knowledgeable than a GP on if it could be related so make the most of having them as a resource.

I get it, I resisted medication a long time. I'm a believer in medication being used alongside other therapies, but not on its own. You do what feels right for you. However if you need to hear an outside voice say it, there are lots of non addictive meds out there.