Anxiety ridden

[Loraine41]

I went through a belt of anxiety approx 4 years ago. Very debilitating. Then I was able to resolve those issues without the use of medicine. Fast forward to this past Sunday. Started catching a cold, extreme stuffiness and bad cough. Went to ed to make sure nothing else going on. All of a sudden I'm right back in the grasps of severe anxiety. I'm to the point that I don't believe what the ed said. I want to run to another doctor for a 2nd and 3rd opinion. I can only sleep in 4 hour increments. I'm still coughing like craziness. Which only makes symptoms of anxiety worse. I'm back to thinking the worse. Help just don't want to feel alone.

[Scott1951]

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear that you are struggling with anxiety again. It's very hopeful, however, that you were successful in overcoming anxiety in the past. The same skills you employed then should be helpful to you now. However, it sounds like you are also recovering from a bad cold. Maybe once your cold gets better you will feel less overwhelmed about things and will be able to form a plan for addressing your anxiety. Keep posting here. There is a lot of good information and support here if you want it. Best of luck.

[Preciouslamb1]

Hey I can totally relate as my anxiety came back after a few years. Im no expert, but I kind of agree maybe concentrate on getting better from the cold first?

[Loraine41 in reply to Preciouslamb1]

Thank-you so much it's comforting to know not alone

[pgsweetman]

Hi - I’m in a similar boat. Over the past 6ish years I would get severe but infrequent bouts of anxiety with an occasional panic attack. I thought I had it completely figured out and I recently went an entire year without any anxiety or panic. Then, all of a sudden, about 3 weeks ago I slipped into what has become my toughest battle yet. Consistent anxiety with a handful of panic attacks. I’m not sure exactly what triggered it. My wife thinks it was potentially a change in diet. Anyways, I saw a therapist for the first time yesterday and just began searching for other support. Writing this and sharing seems to help a little bit.

[Loraine41 in reply to pgsweetman]

It is really nice to meet you. I agree I swear everything was good. And then bam.

[pgsweetman]

Ha yeah I hear you and can absolutely relate to your frustration. Rather than just riding it out like I have done in the past, I’m trying some new things this time around. So far journaling (more like just brain-dumping into a notebook), seeing a therapist, and mindful meditation seem to be helping a bit. Also, not sure if this is a real strategy or not, but I have been blasting myself with painfully frigid water in the shower for like 15-20 seconds right before I get out. I swear it brings my anxiety level down to like zero afterwards.

[Loraine41 in reply to pgsweetman]

Do you have like hot flashes

[pgsweetman in reply to Loraine41]

Kind of. Sometimes I will wake up in the middle of the night after only like 3 or 4 hours of sleep and will be like overheating. Falling back asleep is almost impossible.

[Loraine41 in reply to pgsweetman]

Oh my god that is so me I sleep in like 4 hour increments

[Loraine41 in reply to Loraine41]

I have the exact same sleep pattern

[Loraine41 in reply to pgsweetman]

It is so very good to know I'm not alone

[Loraine41 in reply to pgsweetman]

Well if you are up late I'm probably going g to be also maybe chatting is the key to calming down. I'm finding sharing with someone that is going through exact same thing is quite comforting.

[gogogirl]

Hope you feel better with a cough. I had one that lasted for a few weeks- ended up on antibiotics then it calmed down.

[Loraine41 in reply to gogogirl]

I think I would have been OK with just a cough but then I have sinusitis on top of it. Makes you feel spacey and so much mucous. Uuuuugh I hate this season.

[gogogirl]

I know what you mean- sinus infections are painful. Hope you feel better soon.