It never ends... constant breathing issues, muscle tension, dizzy

[Justbreathe81]

I'm so exhausted from these symptoms. I am a smart woman, my life is not bad at all but I have this demon called GAD that follows me everywhere. I have suffered with anxiety since I was 15. I'm 36 now. It's just gotten worse as my life gets better. Makes no dang sense! I'm battling serious breathing issues, my body just will not relax, horrible muscle tension in shoulders, neck, head pressure, which causes foggy brain and just makes me miserable. I have mitral valve regurgitation/ gastritis/ IBS. All this is due to anxiety I am certain. I did have a rough life prior to 2015. I have health anxiety because of all these symptoms. I know if I was breathing right I wouldn't be so tense. Apparently I grind and clench my jaws without realizing it. Why is my body made like this! I mean yes my mind never shuts off but not all of its negative. I am trying my hardest and I would rather die than take those dang anti anxiety pills that make you feel like a zombie. I get hypnosis tomorrow and I am praying this helps! Anyone else?

[Agora1]

Justbreathe81, good luck with the hypnosis tomorrow. It worked great for me.

[Lyns1411 in reply to Agora1]

Did the hypnosis help with your anxiety?

[Lyns1411]

Can u please tell me if the hypnosis works as I'm terrified of taking antidepressants as I'm always worried about the side effects and feeling worse rather than feeling better.

[Agora1 in reply to Lyns1411]

Hi Lyns1411, It did. If you are not afraid and are willing to open yourself up to their suggestions, your mind will go to a different level of awareness. You are always in control, always, but with hypnosis you mind is not distracted to outside influences.

I've had it done many times both with a psychologist and a professional hypnosis expert. With the right person doing it, you could even have some surgeries w/o anesthetic. It definitely can take the place of medication.

The thing is that insurance doesn't cover it and can become quite expensive. At least get the basics established so you know if and what it can do for you. Then you can go on YouTube where they have hypnosis videos for relaxation. That works as well.

I think it's just another tool out there for some to try.

[Justbreathe81 in reply to Agora1]

How did it work for you and what am I looking forward to?

[Agora1 in reply to Justbreathe81]

You are looking forward to the most intense form of relaxation and calm. You don't feel sleepy like meds can do to you but rather a calm but yet alive feeling when brought back out.

It's basically an "escape" from the clutter in our minds, life's problems. I really wish you well Justbreathe81 in tomorrow's hypnosis. x

[BB106 in reply to Agora1]

How many times do you have to go before you start seeing results?

[Agora1 in reply to BB106]

BB106, unfortunately it's like anything else in that each person responds differently if at all. There isn't one medication or method that works for everyone. You start with the basis of knowing and accepting that this is anxiety and then build from there. Just like you can't pop a pill and wait for it to fix you, so it's the same with using other alternatives. It's takes work, it's believing in whatever you use, that it will help you.

[Mandy950411]

Wow what a powerful note I feel like this all the time and with Meds that I'm on feel like I rattle I have anxiety depression ibd fibromilga asthma and costhdritis seem to be always at a and e due to my costchondiritis always in pain constant breathless all the time dizziness been reffered to a rapid access chest pain clinic got my app for 31st July not sure what it entailed but looking on line it scares me got to have a lung function test tomorrow had one 2015 and was just my asthma but hospital thinks I'm combined with copd my mind never ever switches off I've always got like butterfly's in chest also been told down to anxiety and sick of been looked at like I'm daft so know how u feel would love to know if this works for you as thought about this myself alot

[Kristin21]

I really relate, my teeth grinding is something I always have to keep out for. It's to the point I'm 16 and it's taken a part of my life and I'm not sure how to go about it

[ElJared91]

Don't swear off medications!! Although sometime it's possible to "feel like a zombie", that's usually a side effect that can be managed by either changing the dosage or changing the medication entirely. The best approach to managing anxiety is to use all the different forms of treatment that are available... like therapy, improved sleep quality, meditation, yoga, etc., which can also include medication. Stay open to all the possibilities that might help you give back your life!!

[Lyns1411 in reply to ElJared91]

I've tried bi aura therapy that has something to do with the balancing of the 7 chakras in your body and it felt like it worked at first but then I think it may have been a placebo effect cos I went black to having severe anxiety again in between sessions. I've tried the gym nd I still feel ill so I'm open to other treatments but terrified of tablets but I know that medication might have to be taken if nothing else works cos I can't go on with life feeling like this every day! I just want to be my happy normal self again

[ElJared91 in reply to Lyns1411]

Have you looked into trying CBT? It's a therapy approach that helps you retrain your thought process in how you deal with a lot of day-to-day situations that can cause stress or anxiety. There are many great reviews or case studies that have been performed that show very promising results, especially for those with G.A.D. I just started CBT a few weeks ago and I'm hoping to see some improvement very soon!!

There are many, many possible sources of why you're having these increased symptoms of your anxiety. Until you know for sure what the true reason is, it's going to be difficult to figure out how to beat it. My belief is to ATTACK the anxiety from every angle until you beat it into submission!! Work on ways to improve your sleep quality, find the time during the day to do some meditation (there are a bunch of free apps you can download for your phone), drink chamomile tea, investigate a few vitamins/supplements that you could take that help reduce anxiety. Although some of these changes might seem small, together they could be MIGHTY!!

Oh, and as a "tablet taker" for 17 years until I decided to quit cold turkey 6 months ago (a horrible decision, but oh well), I'd like to think I was anything but a zombie.

Best of luck and hope you start feeling better soon!

[Jitterychic in reply to ElJared91]

I can relate. That is exactly the way i attacked my anxiety. And it worked for me. A little of this and a little of that except popping pills, never will i take a med for anxiety. I am almost at thecfunish line and over with anxiety i have trained myself and my mind that i have to deal with everyday life situations and that all those pains and diseases are not really there. Even though i have ibs and gerds, they all have stopped bothering me. You'd be surprise how powerful our minds can be. If my mind can constantly be aware of all of my health issues than it can just as well feel and and act as i wish. And i will not tolerate any pain on this body, so "mind" just sschhhh and calm yourself. This body was made to be happy and not ill. And thats how i make my body do what i am determined to be. A happy and healthy person. Mindfulness.

[Taranicole31404]

I hate taking medication keep us informed of hypnosis works

[elainepstroud]

I am so pleased I am not alone in how I feel. I have had anxiety since both my parents died over 30 years ago but they seem to be getting worse and worse now and affect my ability to do things like driving anywhere new and just coping with day to day stuff. the usual remedies like Fluoxetine and CBT don't really help.

[pXanax]

hello do nit despair .millions of people round the world have worse than you .and all because of anxiety .it does not born out overnight ...it tracks along when u allow it to follow u till now age36 n if u dont take serious actions to manage it will track u all the way to old age .i am not scaring you .just want u to know it will not go away easily but all these can be well managed .First for your case go for full body xheck up .then after result .if not issue then look at youremotional well being ..see a phychiatrist ..it helps.taking certain drugs for advance cases will help mitigate your own self management ...like exrcsise.breathing etc meditations n do things that do not make you angry fast .be calm n eat proper diet .u so young i reccomend start jogging daily after a proper heart test .jogging 4-5km daily provides u the dompomine in yiur brain whivh will counter anxiety attacks

[pXanax]

trust me i have walked the talk mNy times n now free but anxiety is always w us like it or not so long as u r able to fix it it will not impede your lifestyle

[Jitterychic]

Been there done that. Even having great thoughts hax me anxious. Just take it 1 day at a time and do meditation, yoga or Reike. These have worked for me after all this time i can say i am almost normal. I stopped my running mind and do things i enjoy the most but i do them nice and slowly as i also tell my mind. Think 1 thought at a time. I am a smart woman and have lots of great ideas but even my mind needs to take it 1 idea at a time. Hope this advise can also work for you. Hadn't had the chance to get online because i am from PUERTO RICO where hirricane Maria hit hard and had no energy til now. So i hope you get better very soon. My email [e-mail] in case you'd like to stay communicated.

[lorianxiety]

hi,i have a similar make-up,and have felt extreme feelings of anxiety,have managed to cope with 2mg diazepam though its not good to rely on this tablet which a new gp is weaning me off having been on the for well over 20yrs.My main concern is my tightness over my head and a feeling of unsteady and lightheaded,with tinnitus.....I feel my breathing isn't helping me either I appear to focus on that and im highly allergic to dust and have inhalers.how does your breathing affect you,i expect it will be shallow too,and I have neck tension&back.horrible