Freaking out

[Mamadog]

Well I'm a new member, I typically feel crazy more often then not. I have been diagnosed with panic disorder and agoraphobia. That was 18 years ago. I also have fibromyalgia. I have the most extreme symptoms and i feel all alone in them as no one in my life could possibly understand. Im currently going into a flare I feel like I want out of my own skin. I'm dizzy, unfocused, and my vision is wacky. I just need to talk to someone who can understand because they suffer the same......confused about what to do

[Agora1]

Hi Mamadog, I do understand. I was Agoraphobic for 5 years, hence I earned my name And besides Anxiety, Fibromyalgia was it's partner. Two invisible syndromes that no one can see or understand. You have now found others who like yourself feel alone. You no longer have to be.

You have found a safe place to vent, to come to when you need comfort and understanding. We are here 24/7. Caring is our middle name. Glad you found us. xx

[Mamadog in reply to Agora1]

Wow thank u so much ur post literally brought tears! I have some crazy symptoms that make me think its death. Always I'm dying! I dont want it anymore because I dont know how to change back to who I used to be. I really more than anything just want to function. I'm sitting on my bed (my safe zone) and I'm worrying why I have a bad headache and didnt sleep well I'm only 6 days from my period and I think it is super intensified around then. I just feel so lost!

[Agora1 in reply to Mamadog]

First you must believe that you are not dying. Your bed may be your safe zone but it is not allowing for you to move your muscles which is all important with Fibro. You know that one of the reasons for fibro is the inability to get quality REM sleep and so our muscles don't get to regenerate, bringing about the chronic pain.

The bad headaches can be both from your cycle as well as muscular contraction (tension) headaches that are overlapping. Before your period, watch your salt intake so you don't retain water. Make sure you are hydrating well each day, it can help with the headaches immensely. You have more control over your body than you think you have. Knowing what you are dealing with can help in managing your symptoms.

Medication for short term as well as therapy can help get you started but it will be you finding different methods/techniques to use daily in getting some quality life back. Fibro responds to stress big time. Stress causes Anxiety and so you end up with 2 intertwining disorders that feed upon each other.

First to address is Anxiety. Getting rid of the fear that it is harmful. When quieting down both the mind and body it can help with many issues both physical and mental. We are born with an over sensitized nervous system which makes us worry and respond to the least little thing. Seeking some talk therapy can help put you in the right direction.

I've been through the same symptoms that you are experiencing. Physical therapy helped in releasing the triggers points from the Fibro causing referred pain such as headaches and chest muscle and back pain. But once you have several treatments done it is up to you to continue using different modalities on your own that keep you pain level in check.

The more you come on the forum, the more help you will get in knowing you are not alone. Accepting what we've been given in life and not fighting it is all important. Small steps in going forward. Never stay stuck. Endorse every small victory you achieve. Right now I'd suggest, a nice hot bath, get dressed, fix your hair and present yourself with a smile. Ready to take on another challenge for the day but being positive. Things will change in their own time. As we adapt to this new way of thinking positively, our body will start to relax and lower the anxiety and pain.

Looking forward to you using this forum for comfort but also as a learning experience. xx

[Mamadog in reply to Agora1]

I need to learn as much as I can! I appreciate your advice more rhan you kno but I dont gave insurance and my local clinic is ill equipped in therapy. Ive tried a slew of meds when i was diagnosed the only thing that helped was xanax but I haven't had a doctor in years thats why i turned to online help

[Agora1 in reply to Mamadog]

Do not Google....Turn to YouTube in helping you get the knowledge you need. There isn't anything that YouTube doesn't cover. It is my "go to" for Audio Meditation/DeepBreathing every afternoon or when I just want a little respite from life.

There are professional speakers as well as individuals telling of their own experiences. Pick what works for you and listen to it several times so that you take in every word that they are saying. This works as well in listening to the audio of Dr. Claire Weekes a world renown doctor who wrote many books on Accepting Anxiety. One that would help you is "Hope & Help for our Nerves" It's for sale on Amazon or you could listen to some of her talks on YouTube. She is since deceased but her knowledge on overcoming anxiety goes on.

Self hypnosis is something else you can find on YouTube which may help by listening to repetitive suggestions in quieting your mind. It goes on and on. I'm here for you by PM if you would like. Nothing should ever stop you from moving forward with any issues. The answers are on the internet as well as this forum. My best to you Mamadog. x

[Mamadog in reply to Agora1]

I have tried a lot of your suggestions and nothing is working I'm at a loss

[Agora1 in reply to Mamadog]

Sorry, I had just lost a long response to your concern that nothing is working. Let me try again Nothing can work that fast. It took 18 years to get to where you are today. I am not saying you will need another 18 years to overcome where you are at, but it will take time and patience. Your brain needs to absorb a new concept of thinking more positively. As with medication, anything we use in helping us is a trial and error approach until we individually find what works best. Once you do then it is about practicing it over and over again, multiple times a day until you start seeing results. And even when you do, it will become a new way of life for you.

As the alcoholic can't touch another drink w/o spiraling downward again, so does the anxious patient need to reinforce their new way of thinking and reacting. There is no magic wand, no magic pill actually no magic site on the internet that can make that change.. We hold the key to our getting better. It comes through understanding and willing to give of ourselves in reaching our goal. It has happened for many of us on the forum and will continue happening for others but only if we give it our all. xx

[Mamadog in reply to Agora1]

I've been better than this its been 18 years what do i do to get me back

[seaShelly in reply to Mamadog]

I can't speak to FM. But for anxiety, please get to a doctor. I have found that most of us with GAD can't just meditate or breath deeply. Most of us need medicine to get over the hump. Add yoga or meditation to medicine and you'll get some relief. Personally Ive found Xanax is best for true panic attacks rather than constant anxiety. But yes a benzo is probably ideal along with Lexapro or something similar.

I have shaking and heart racing constantly. Working out helps me get the adrenaline burned up a little bit. Also really like listening to asmr videos on YouTube at night. They help me fall asleep.

[Lostjoy in reply to Mamadog]

Are you still here Mamadog? I was reading through your posts. I’m right here feeling as you do today. No Drs as I don’t have health insurance.

Hoping you are feeling better.

[Mamadog in reply to Lostjoy]

I am and I'm not still going thru it! I've gone to utube and listened to the dr weekes videos I've been trying to accept like she says but still anxious as hell

[Lostjoy in reply to Mamadog]

I’ve done the same. I bought one of her books, and I’ve read it. I’m still having the anxiety.

[Mamadog in reply to Lostjoy]

It just took everything I had to make my family dinner.....its just wrong

[Lostjoy in reply to Mamadog]

I agree it is wrong. Life shouldn’t be this tough. There has to be an answer for some relief other than pills. The dr I saw when this first happened didn’t help at all. Not to mention the cost which makes me feel worse.

I feel like I’m letting my family down.

[Jeff1943 in reply to Lostjoy]

Lostjoy, if you're still experiencing anxiety sfter reading Claire Weekes' book on the Acceptance method of recovery then I suggest that you need to practice acceptance for much longer to achieve recovery - and read the book once more. Recovery takes practice and persistance, it's not an instant fix.

[Mamadog in reply to Jeff1943]

Dr weekes does say practice and she also says it will take time so I've listened to her talks several times and will continue. I've also tried her approach on trying to make the attack worse .......I'm trying...and as long as I keep trying then I'm not really failing right....?

[Jeff1943 in reply to Mamadog]

You're right, Mamadog. Somewhere along the line you have gone through a period of stress, worry and/or overwork and your nervous system has become over sensitised. As a result we begin to experience all the symptoms you mention. Trouble is when we feel the the panic and agoraphobia and visual disturbances we react with fear and these fear hormones keep our nerves sensitised. We have to stop bombarding our nervous system with fear to let it recover and when it does we recover - no matter how long we have suffered. The way to stop generating fear is to accept the bad feelings FOR THE TIME BEING and carry on as normal. Don't stress and obsess about the symptoms, accept them calmly and with the minimum of fear that you can.

That of course is what Claire Weekes' acceptance method is all about and her book describes it perfectly. But as the cop said to the guy who asked him how to get to Carnegie Hall: "You have to practice!"

[Mamadog in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you verry much! Your words help! Im going to buy the book instead of listening

[Lostjoy in reply to Jeff1943]

Thanks Jeff, I think I’m going to try and read it again. Your right I get discouraged when I don’t get results right away. Then I tend to stop doing the exercises. I have hope and help for your nerves by her.

I feel I need to change the situation I’m in, but this anxiety has me thinking I will end up homeless if I try and make some life changes.

[Jeff1943]

So that's three votes for Claire Weekes book 'Hope and help for your nerves' available from Amazon new or for a few dollars used.