Keep me in your prayers

[Fuzzness 2]

I can relate, I have had panic attacks for a long time. The main thing to remember is that it can't hurt you and that it will go away shortly. I've learned to keep on trucking despite the overwhelming fear you have. I just have minor anxiety attacks now (this whole immigration process makes EVERYONE anxious!). What I've done is that whenever I'm in a situation that causes me a lot of anxiety (like this process) I don't give myself a choice, I make myself go through it. In the end I feel better for myself and gain a little bit of strength each time I go through it.

[mercuryroad 0]

Take care of your body Stina.......Keith needs it.

prayers are with ya

[Aymerlu 3]

Hope you are feeling better soon. I used to have panic attacks and I found just TRYNG to relax and deep breathing helped a lot. I also found nice soothing music helped me to relax.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I think I may need to see a doctor. Even as I sit here typing this i am shaking like i have tremors and have chills though my furnace is turned up. It's one thirty in the morning and I cant even sleep its so bad... nice to know i am not alone.

See your doc as soon as you can. I had something similar 15 years ago. My heart beat went flat and fast all of the sudden in the middle of the night. They took me to the hospital right away and diagnosed me with a hyperactive thyroid that caused the trouble. I was on meds for a few months and haven't had any problems since. See the doctor for sure. This ain't no laughing matter.

[Not Available 0]

As soon as keith got home, i was able to fall asleep. So that seems it has a part to play in my anxiety. Pretty much all the symptoms have gone for now, except for this itching and this annoying bloating in my lower belly...

Edited March 21, 2006 by Stina

[Kajikit 65]

Stina sweety, I'm sorry you're going through this. I remember my first anxiety attack well and it lasted all night long.

I just want to say that you have to try and relax and rest... anxiety feeds on itself and the more tired you get the more wound up and anxious you're likely to be. At least it works that way for me... if you can get some rest you should feel better sweety.

Go to the doctor and get a checkup to see that it's not some other problem than anxiety... if it IS just anxiety (which is most likely is) I can tell you exactly what's going on (I've had six years experience with it, and it's not fun but it hasn't killed me yet and it's a lot easier to deal with than it used to be...)

Stress and anxiety tighten your muscles and tense you up even if you can't feel it, and tense muscles start to hurt after awhile. It might be a dull pain or sharp twinges or just feeling like a spring wound up too tight...

When you're anxious you tend to overbreathe and that messes up the oxygen levels in your blood and causes the tingling and pins and needles.

The 'lump in your throat' is because your muscles are tight, and also because when you're stressed your saliva dries up (or alternatively you might have too much, which makes you feel like you need to swallow all the time) and it makes your throat uncomfortable.

And anxiety makes your body produce adrenalin... and the adrenalin speeds up your heart rate to get you ready to flee from the danger. The same adrenalin makes you hyper-aware of your surroundings (so that you can identify the Imminent Danger and know which way to run) but when there isn't anything to run away from it turns inward and makes you hyper aware of your own body instead.

You are not having a heart attack. You are not having a stroke. You are not going to suffocate in your sleep or choke to death or any of the other things that you're probably feeling afraid of right now. Nothing terrible is going to happen to you...

Ways to deal with it - a)medication. A lot of people find that anti-anxiety pills work very well. Or there are various 'natural remedies' you can try. I used to use Bach flower remedies and they helped me when I panicked. Valerian is a soothing relaxing herb that helps you calm down and get some rest. Avoid caffeine and stimulants - your body's wired enough right now on natural adrenalin, you don't need more. No energy drinks! Drink herbal tea instead - a warm mug of herbal tea is very relaxing... Take a warm shower and let the water wash some of the tension out of your shoulders and neck. Watch your favourite non-violent movie or listen to music to give you something to focus on while you're relaxing yourself to sleep... and above all, try not to panic about panicking. You had an anxiety attack - big deal. It happens to almost everyone once in awhile. It doesn't mean you're a nutter or you're going to have a nervous breakdown or that you're doomed to keep on having them forever. All it really means is that something has tipped your stress level over a certain point and your body has said 'I can't handle this any more!'

If you want to talk, my Yahoo ID is (obviously enough) Kajikit. I'm NOT a night-owl because I need lots of rest to help keep the anxiety at bay, but I'm on my computer till 10 or 10.30 every night...

Feel better sweety!

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

I think I may need to see a doctor. Even as I sit here typing this i am shaking like i have tremors and have chills though my furnace is turned up. It's one thirty in the morning and I cant even sleep its so bad... nice to know i am not alone.

See your doc as soon as you can. I had something similar 15 years ago. My heart beat went flat and fast all of the sudden in the middle of the night. They took me to the hospital right away and diagnosed me with a hyperactive thyroid that caused the trouble. I was on meds for a few months and haven't had any problems since. See the doctor for sure. This ain't no laughing matter.

This happened to my mother a few years ago. She's on beta-blockers and all sorts of medication for the rest of her life. I suggest you see a doctor as soon as possible. Take care of yourself!

[lizaanne 0]

My mom suffers from Anxiety Disorder - it is very real and very frightening. You feel like you are having a heart attack or loosing your mind. She takes Zoloft and it manages it just fine for her, unless she is under really extreme stress, then she will take Xanax. You may not even need all this pharmaceutical fire power - maybe just something to get you through this phase of your life, and help you sleep, as well as some breathing and relaxation exercises. Mom totally swears by her yoga breathing to help calm her heart rate.

Hope things work out for you. Get to the doctor, and I'm sure everything will be ok.

~Liza

[Not Available 0]

I'm interested in learning yoga. It seems like a great stress reliever. Are there like videotapes\dvds for it it or whatnot?

Edited March 21, 2006 by Stina

[lizaanne 0]

Absolutely!! You can find yoga on cable tv, dvd's in the stores, and check your local YWCA or even a church for classes.

~Liza

[Not Available 0]

Just thought I would let you all know I have doctor's appointment at 4 on thursday. Say a prayer for me...

[MrMrsKnight 1]

Glad to hear that!!

Hope everything goes right..... I'll be praying!!

Let us know how it all went

[Kajikit 65]

Good luck Stina!

[Peggy 1]

Good luck Stina.

I hope you feel better.

[Not Available 0]

Just thought I would let you guys know I had my Doc appointment today. Everything is fine, told my doctor everything, he said it seems like it was a combination of stress and a bit of a virus. Had my first Pap Smear too (ack!). He told me if my body aches dont get better and stuff to come back but he didnt seem too concerned. I have been feeling a lot better and have been able to sleep no problem the last couple of nights, well, with the exception of jumping out of it a couple of times. He also said he wouldnt charge us for this appointment! That was soooooooo nice of him! He is such a good doctor (and not just for that reason lol)!

Edited March 24, 2006 by Stina