The monster around the corner : my anxiety

[foxglove_pnw]

Hi Everyone !!

I have had really good days lately ! For the past 3 weeks I haven’t had a panic attack 🙏🏻

I have been so into my CPAP during bed time rotine that yesterday I realized I skipped my Lexapro for the past 2 days 😩 !

I took my meds last night but I had a hard time falling asleep due to anxiety and today I woke up thinking I am going to have a heart attack ! So many body symptoms .

How not to panic when your body is betraying you again ? How not to feel desperate when your anxiety is telling you : you are going to die !!

[Nom-D-Ploom]

The only thing that ever helped me was getting away from the thing I was afraid of.

[JAYnLA]

Hey Foxglove. Sorry that 'it' is upon you at the moment. What I'm practicing is realizing that the mind is what's running amok and the body is reacting to it. The body is perfectly capable of processing all of the adrenaline that the mind is causing to be released. Here's what not death certificate has ever said: CAUSE OF DEATH: FEELINGS. So, taming the overreacting mind is the trick. Things I used to get through it are taking walks, showers or baths or getting a massage. This will pass soon Love!

[foxglove_pnw in reply to JAYnLA]

Thank you JAY !! What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger , right ?!

Letting my body float with the symptoms is not easy but I am determined to learn how to do it !

[JAYnLA in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Having to do a bit of this myself today.... and every day recently... it's tough, but with practice I trust it will become less so.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to JAYnLA]

I went for a nice walk and it was helpful with my anxiety !!

You are doing great JAY ! Keep it up

[Timmypliskin in reply to foxglove_pnw]

I know just what your saying... have been feeling like crap the last few days, and all the symptoms jump in with both feet... just feels like a huge giant step backwards sometimes...

And all the scary bad thoughts are just there waiting...

Have you had much luck with the lexipro?

Hope You feel better guys

[JAYnLA in reply to Timmypliskin]

This day got rough for a few hours. I'm trying to keep my ativan use to a minimum and didn't give in, but the day felt kind of like living inside of a pinball machine. I kept knowing that it would pass, and after a massage, it is better. Thank you Timmy.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to JAYnLA]

I don’t like to use my Ativan either so I understand !

I am glad you are feeling better ... a massage sounds more relaxing than a walk 😉

[JAYnLA in reply to foxglove_pnw]

I did both! Sometimes a massage seems to reset my nervous system.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Timmypliskin]

I am so sorry you are also having bad days !

I have been on Lexapro on and off for the past 8 years and now using the cpap machine all night , my anxiety symptoms were almost non existent . My contamination OCD is still present but not the panic feeling , the anxiety body symptoms ( chest pain , stomach pain , racing heart rate etc ) , fear of dying at any moment ...

I agree with you , It feels like a GIANT step backwards!! I was feeling like I was in control and then Surprise , My anxiety is back !!!

Wishing you better days ! ❤️

[Pearl67 in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Curious...did it escalate after remembering to take your ssri?

[dbeck128]

You'll get back on track with your meds! It might take a few days. Your chemical balance is off!

You are okay. I always tell myself with panic attacks "if you were gonna die, you would have already!"

It helps me so much. Panic attacks are rough. Another thing I love is ASMR. Hope this helps! Hang in there

[foxglove_pnw in reply to dbeck128]

Thanks !!

What is ASMR ? I need to google that .

[Timmypliskin]

I also try to keep my ativan to a minimum, but keep in mind. That's what's it for. ... and when all else fails, anything that can break the cycle...

I had my prescription for months but was afraid to take it, all I did was suffer for no reason. And safe when taken as prescribed...

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Timmypliskin]

I agree Timmy ! I suffer but I don’t take it . I actually have a hard time taking any kind of medication...even if I have a headache 😩.

[Timmypliskin in reply to foxglove_pnw]

I'm the exact same way, I drive myself, and everyone else, crazy when it comes to any medication...

My cardiologist flat out told me, I HAD to take it , because of the anxiety pushing up my BP... anxiety induced hypertension.. it's real..

I've gotten better with taking what need too.. but still fight it, and suffer more than I need too..

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Timmypliskin]

I can totally relate ! Even at the ER they have to tell me in details everything they are giving me 😉

[majolie]

As an RN, I've seen many patients experience panic attacks and they truly do feel like it's a heart attack. The pain is real. There are many things you can do to alleviate the symptoms and try to keep your anxiety at bay (meds, basically), but the problem is that this approach doesn't get to the ROOT of your anxiety. Interestingly, anxiety is skyrocketing in people nowadays which has been linked to social media! That's just one possibility. It can be from a past trauma, a broken/unrestored relationship, a deep-seated fear, hormonal imbalance, etc. I don't know if you've been tested for physical causes or if you've undergone counseling for emotional/spiritual causes, but I'd highly recommend that you pursue getting to the root. A support group at your church or local hospital can also be of great help. God bless you.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to majolie]

I love your ideas ! ❤️ thank your for your reply .

I am currently at yoga twice a week , I also attend a support group for mental illnesses once a week and I have a Christian Mentor who sits with me once a week to chat .

I am in the process of planning a support group for anxiety at my church !

I have gone through 3 therapists in my life and It has been very helpful but it didn’t “cure” my anxiety .

I have seen a cardiologist for my chest pain and Primary doctor diagnosed me with costochondritis and I am thinking about seeing a Rheumatologist for it .

I have stopped using social media ! It totally gives me anxiety . People think it is healthy but it is not .

I am learning to love myself and set boundaries with others !

[majolie]

Wow! I'm so impressed with all that you are doing to help your anxiety! You sound like a strong, pro-active person. Kudos to you for stopping social media...that's a huge step. And how great to start a support group at your church! This is SO needed. You are well on your way to health and healing. God bless.

[foxglove_pnw in reply to majolie]

Thank you ❤️

[Nothingnoted in reply to foxglove_pnw]

Hi Foxy. Hope you are doing ok. taking several mental health drugs. Just started taking seroquil again knocked me out complety

[Carmencp]

Omg i can totally relate. You start feeling better and then realize i forgot to take my pill. Stressers are always signs that the monster is around the corner. Just know that you have survived it and you will again. Stay strong

[foxglove_pnw in reply to Carmencp]

Thanks Carmen !!

[Nothingnoted]

Hi Fox i