I want to go back to the way I used to be.

[Lewis777]

Hello, my name is Lewis i'm 28 for the past two months I have been dealing with anxiety and it is ruining my life my work life,my social life and it's wearing on my gf of 6 years. Back when I was "normal" I used to hear people say "I suffer from anxiety" but I would chuckle and think to myself they are just dramatic people looking for attention,but now I regret ever thinking that. Because it is a very debilitating mental disorder and all the physical symptoms that comes with it. It all started one night at my job (well my old job) we were working everyday not even a day off, but I didn't mind I had done it for almost a year at a previous job and the money was good so I didn't think anything of it in fact I used to thrive on being stressed and overworked and lack of sleep I felt that it didn't affect me ,but one night everything changed as i drunk my red bull before going in to work and then an hour later a Mt dew on my break it hit me a sensation I have never experience before my heart was racing, my hands were shaking I felt like I was going to faint i was pale white I called my supervisor and told her I wasn't feeling well to call an ambulance because I thought I was having a heart attack,but I quickly told her not to, instead I called my gf but she didn't answer it was about 3am she was asleep I called my mom and she did answer came picked me up and took me to the ER where they did several test ECG,Blood work and X-ray of my chest everything was normal. They didn't say It was an anxiety attack they just told me I had too much caffeine and palpitations. The second time it happened I ended up in the ER again I was at home and I felt the right side of my face going numb and my arm also feeling numb and of course feeling faint heart racing etc so I called my gf to take me to the ER because I thought I was having a stroke, doctors did some work and of course everything came back normal I had another anxiety attack they didn't mention anxiety attack the first one to mention to me that I might be suffering from anxiety was my gp after I had my ER visits I made an appt with him that's when he told me about having anxiety he also did some blood work and ECG and it was normal. But now I have these thoughts in my head that I am going to have a heart attack or that my heart is failing what makes anxiety worse is the physical symptoms I have crazy chest pain,tightness pressure in my sternum arms go numb feeling like I'm going to faint. Sometimes I think I have a tumor causing all of these symptoms or that my anxiety and stress will cause Me to have an aneurysm ot heart attack this sucks its crippling my life I have lost 20lbs because I'm not eating like I used to because I'm scared everything I eat will give my high cholesterol and cause a heart attack at the stores I have to compulsively check my blood pressure if I go to the store alone I feel faint I'm scared I might pass out in public or have a heart attack in public. Scared to excersice scared to work I just at home all day which is frustrating my gf understandably so. I don't know what to do anymore just want to go back to how I was. What can I do? Apologize for the grammatical errors. And the long post.

[Healthanxietyhater]

Hey Lewis, This sounded just like me when I discovered I was having panic attacks I couldn't believe when the doctor told me I was having just anxiety even though they've done a ecg and other important checks to reassure me and its understandle because all the symptoms we are having feel like something is terribly wrong with us, if you look at the symptoms of anxiety just by doing a quick google search you would find all the symptoms we are experiencing are the same. It took me a while to accept it is anxiety I still have my doubts even now but I have come a long way. I started reading books about anxiety and watching YouTube videos there's also therapies you can do called CBT even medication you can take prescribed to your doctor to control it.. it's what works best for you. Can I also say I feel like your girlfriend should be more supportive? It's just that when I was going through this my boyfriend was so supportive and understanding which helped me more, the fact your partner is fustrated can cause you to be more stressed which isn't what you want, but anyway best of luck on your journey, this feeling will pass and you will be back to your old self again. Feel free to message me if you want a chat or advice

[Lewis777 in reply to Healthanxietyhater]

Hey, thank you for the reply it is assuring to know that I'm not alone in this fight even though I hate for anyone to go through this, but it seems that you have it under control which gives me hope. Yes, my gf is not being supportive at all she even thinks I'm faking all of this. Like really?also financially I use to be the one paying for almost everything and now she is taking on that responsibility just for the moment I told her, until I get a hold of this, but no she doesn't seem to care or like I said believe me. Thanks for your reply and support.

[Mudu123 in reply to Lewis777]

Is even worse when people think it's nothing. It's something very big. People that haven't been thruough it won't get it at all

[Mudu123 in reply to Healthanxietyhater]

You will be fine is gona take time

[Stay_strong85]

Same here. 😧😩Hi, my name is April, 31. I struggle with all of that. All tests are normal too. Diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and panic disorder. Now developed agoraphobia. I am getting out a little bit now though thank God. This is not who I am at all! I want the old, brave me back. Keep hope in your heart, it will come back to us all. Moat of us here know your pain.

[Lewis777 in reply to Stay_strong85]

Hi April Thank you for the reply. It's good to know that I'm not alone in this and it gives me a lot of hope. i know what you mean i use to have so much energy ambition and goals ,but now everything has came crashing down I'm not giving up though thanks for the support it helps a ton I wish you the best in your recovery also.

[Aazz]

Purchase these 2 books they will help you understand what you are going through and how to get over it -

Dare by Barry mcdonagh

Hope and help for your nerves by Claire weekes.

As you are only 2 months in to your anxiety I think these books will help you and you can hopefully recover quickly.

DO NOT google your symptoms you have had plenty of clear tests you are fine. You are having panic attacks most likely caused from being over worked and it has caught up with you. Definitely avoid caffeine, energy drinks and soft drinks.

Start taking magnesium as stress depletes you of magnesium and magnesium is very good for calming the nervous system.

Do guided meditation every night.

And exercise helps get out all that extra adrenaline.

But I tell you those 2 books will help.

Wishing you all the best

[Lewis777 in reply to Aazz]

Thanks for the reply I will definitely be purchasing the books. Yes, I Google obsessively I will stop. Today I thought I was suffering from angina because of the crushing, tightness in my chest. I have cut out caffeine completely even green tea I couldn't handle anymore I will try magnesium also I feel like these two months I have aged a year my face looks so lifeless. I will try all of your suggestions thanks for the support it really does help. Wish you the best as well.

[Aazz in reply to Lewis777]

Oh yes the anxiety definitely makes you feel old! It wears you out so much. Try drinking chamomile 2-3 times a day as it has calming properties

[Cat33 in reply to Lewis777]

Hello Lewis I can really vouch for all the advice Aazz has given you All the things suggested really do help greatly Wishing you all the very best on getting back to your old self

[Cat33 in reply to Aazz]

Hello Aazz I have those books and they are truly amazing Im always telling people to buy them I'm so glad you posted about them too

I also agree with everything you advise I have found magnesium is brilliant too

[Aazz in reply to Cat33]

Thanks I really need to re read the books again they helped me greatly but recently I've fallen back a little so I think a refresher would help. I find I sleep much better when I take magnesium before bed :))

[Cat33 in reply to Aazz]

Yes I do too I'm having a bit of a wobble at the moment Barry McDonagh keeps referring to Claire Weekes doesnt he I'm old enough to remember her being on tv regularly she was the loveliest lady I find her so comforting especially when she says at the beginning of one of her books "I'm writing this as if I'm sitting next to you"

I think all of her advice is just brilliant

Yes magnesium helps me sleep too its great

Thanks for replying its lovely to chat to someone with the same thoughts

[Aazz in reply to Cat33]

It wonderful to speak to people who relate

[Cat33 in reply to Aazz]

It's so lovely isn't it to speak to someone on the same wavelength

I read the posts and my heart goes out to those who are really suffering and hope they will get the books They should be on prescription 😄

[Leelaa]

OK Lewis, hello I have educated myself threw the anxiety work book ,it's a very good book and you can find it in book stores like Barns and Noble . But I'm going to tell you a few things how anxiety works . First of 1 thing that will greatly help you is to know that You Can Not Die from anxiety . When your heart speeds up your body is trying to protect it because your mind is telling it , it is in danger .your heart is not going to speed up if your dieing ,it's going to slow down. . OK so your chest hurting and tighten is classic in anxiety because we tense up so much during an anxiety attack , the last thing we feel like doing is relaxing in one right .. it's like we see a car accident going to happen so we tense up instead of relax same thing ... The numbness we get is from breathing . People that have anxiety breath shallower there for when we have anxiety we tend to get less oxigine and some times hyperventilate. . Anxiety happens when there is to much adrenalin in your brain at once . Sometimes it can be from things that happen in past that we put away and don't deal with and it comes out as panic or anxiety . Sometimes it's stress ,sometimes trama , sometimes to much chemicals like caffeine that can trigger it . But once it is triggered the feeling is over whelming and so we begin to be afraid of ever having that again to were we fear it so much we work ourselves up to having one again . So the best thing you can do is not to fight them when they happen breath threw them slow deep breaths and focus on something else as they come go for a walk . Do some self talking to stay calm tell yourself you are Ok and it will pass . The more you do that the less likely you will have major ones they will be gone just as fast as they come on if you let them pass and don't fight them . Remember you can not die from anxiety . And you are Ok.

[Jadeycakes]

Hi Lewis all of what you say is how I am I've had this a year and it's ruined me so much as a person I do meditation and a lot of breathing techniques I feel for you it's draines every inch of u I hope u get better soon x

[Mudu123]

Hi Lewis, have faith in your self you will come back to your own self it's a phase and it will and it does pass. Iam feeling a lot better. I've had a new unusual symptoms which I can't really understand is when I stand up for too long or walk I feel like I'm gona collapse. I've had my blood test done just waiting for results. It's horrible and that's only when I feel anxious other then they I'm trying to keep myself occupied! I left work because I kept going off sick. You have to put ur health first. Your working your self up and making your self think it's something really serious but trust me it's all ANXIETY based! Even till now I think I'm dieinh but I change my thoughts the minute I think something bad... jus occupy your self I'm getting married in New Year's Day and I know I need to get better so I'm trying to do normal things I have not been anywhere alone not even town I need to go gym I can't even do that but it's telling your self that you can and you will so tomorrow Iam going to attempt the gym!! 😩 The numbness feeling I swear I get that too it comes and goes I'll be absolutely fine and it of know where my body seems to go funny I feel: zoned out like I'm here but I'm not my legs go funny like wobbly my head feels like it's gojng to shut down and all I'm gona do is collapse is awful!