Managing Panic and Anxiety while having end stage COPD Severe Bronchiectasis.
Good afternoon everyone, I do hope you are all having a pleasant day.
While I was in hospital recently with a flare up I noticed my Anxiety levels were going through the roof every time I had difficulty breathing which at times lead into a vicious cycle, leaving my breathing worse. I was given small amounts of Oramorph for my breathlessness which seemed to help as well as my nebulisers and my non invasive ventilation machine. since being released from hospital I have have noticed there are times in the day when I am at home when I start to slowly panic and have to try and calm myself down by either standing near an open door, putting on my fan or as in hospital using my c-pap machine more. Does anyone else have any calming techniques to subside an Anxiety/Panic attack.
Kind regards as always
Joseph x
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Joseph260268
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Sorry to hear how you are feeling and can share those feelings with you. I've suffered with Anxiety all my life long before feelings of lung disease came into play. Over the years along with a lot of reading I taught myself how to recognise the signs and can recommend pursed lip breathing to help calm down and then to focus on something whether it be to carry on a game, read, look at TV, anything to take your mind off this awful feeling of panic. Sometimes when it gets particularly intense, whilst concentrating on breathing, I have a mantra which I just repeat to myself. I remind myself that this panic attack will not kill me! It works. Do you have oramorph at home? I find it can be useful on occasion but not particularly helpful as far as breathlessness is concerned. Hope this helps and I'm sure there will be others along with other suggestions. Like you, fans and fresh air can be a life saver.
Hi Joseph. I'm sorry that you are struggling with anxiety. It seems to go hand in hand with severe lung disease which isn't surprising when struggling to breathe. Like Annie 31, I have had episodes of anxiety for over 30 years and it is a problem at times as my emphysema worsens. Sometimes it can be impossible to relax but distraction can help a lot if you can focus on a TV programme or something on the radio in addition to the things you are already doing. You asked about oramorph in a post two weeks ago. Did you ask your GP if he/she would prescribe it for you as you were given it in hospital? It does help to take the edge off anxiety and can sometimes ease breathlessness a little too.
Glad that you got it. I'd suggest that you take it when you feel anxiety and panic beginning which is what I do rather than wait for it to escalate. If you can find some distraction or any ability to relax at the same time you may find that you are able to keep everything under control especially if you find a coping technique that works for you in addition to a dose of oramorph. Best wishes Carole.
You may find that some sort of regular / daily relaxation routine helpful to you, just relaxing on the bed doing abdomal breathing, watching the rise and fall of the breath with calming music (or bird song) playing in the background, listening to the wind or rain can be calming sometimes too.
You may find more techniques posted in the Anxiety/depression board, just scroll through for something that may take your fancy:
I hope you are able to find something helpful --- if things are beginning to get out of hand do chat with your doctor (ref treatment on BLFs page link above)
.y gps just upped the dosage on my medication said it would take a few weeks to work so at the moment little more sleepy than usual. But did give me orimorph to help my stress levels. For me it's a case of trying to get medication right
Panic attacks are awful I know .Try not to escalate the panic ……really really hard to do in practice ….by trying a bit of gentle pursed lip breathing , a few rounds, then gentle gentle nose breathing if you can .
I have a small hand held battery fan which you can direct onto the face .
Keep your medication close by, so you don’t have to try and move too far to fetch it.
Try five finger breathing exercise …..videos on you tube ….you run a finger up and down the fingers of the opposite hand in time to your breath .
Other times listen to slow soothing music ….some pieces have a gentle rhythm that calms the breath rate . I have looked at you tube 60 beats a minute music ….I might try them later.
Another one I use is Ohm 108 times power meditation …..but I learned meditation with a qualified tutor at first , sometimes meditation can be difficult.
Once you realise a panic attack wont kill you , you are half way there. I used to suffer these daily but since changing my way of thinking I have not only controlled them but stopped them completely . It's all in the mind and overthinking a situation. Once you get a little out of breath dont think you are going to have a panic attack ,just concentrate on your breathing. Breathing too fast causes panic attacks. Remember in thro the nose slowly ,out thro the mouth again slowly. You can control these and hopefully avoid them altogether, I am proof of this. Positive thoughts and not dwelling on the situation. There are quite a few members on this site who will give you advice , some good but some by members who have never experienced a panic attack but add links etc to click on. unless they have experienced your situation they shouldn't give advice. Dont dwell on your condition and think of what you can do not what you cant. Once you realise you can control these you will gradually stop thinking about them.
Wishing you good luck in controlling these attacks, you CAN do it, believe in it and it will happen. Remember be Positive xxSheila👍🙌💕.
Hi Joseph, I’m also end stage COPD. Totally agree with garshe.....I suffered with horrendous panic attacks every day. A few years ago, I was given advice from a fellow sufferer, which I followed....When you feel it begin at you toes, before it has chance to whoosh up your legs & engulf you....tell it NO. I would say out loud, “Nope, you’re not going to beat me. I’m controlling this and you’re not doing this today!” ....or words to that effect!
I think voicing it out loud, reiterated to me that I was in control of the situation, because it is a fight or flight response, and I chose to fight.
I really hope you try this as it worked a treat for me & I no longer suffer with them.
So pleased you mastered it also Lynne. It's all in the mind and can be controlled. I do believe you can change the course of the way you think and act. I was put on oxygen last December for 16hrs. I read the book The Secret ,also watched the films associated to it on Netflix . The Secret, Dare to Dream and Miracles are made in Heaven. It teaches you Gratitude and changes your way of thinking. I have a vision board to which I write notes of what I want to achieve, and stick on the board . If you can see it ,it will happen I am now off oxygen and my oxygen levels have risen considerably
I no longer have Panic attacks and my quality of life has improved immensely. My daughter introduced me to The Secret and it works. I am back out and about on my shopping trips which is my excercise I dont need to sit in front of the TV doing excercise as this is not me. I like to be out and about meeting people and living my life instead of feeling sorry for myself and my condition. I dont run around I walk at my own pace and stop if I need to before coming too breathless which stops the panic attacks. You are one Positive Lady like myself, I wish you well. Take care XxSheila. 👍🙌💕💐
Sheila, thank you so much! Your journey sounds incredible! How wonderful that you’ve overcome such difficulties and are able to continue with living life. Inspirational! I admire your spirit and will definitely read the book or watch the films or both.
Thank you so much for this reply. It’s really touched me
When I was diagnosed with Severe COPD 11 yrs ago. Really scared me statistics were 1 to 3 years left to Live. My 2 yr old Granddaughter looked at me and I decided that moment to give up smoking. never had a cigarette since. I have good will power so didnt need patches etc. If you set your mind to it , its easy. My Granddaughter is 13 yrs old on Wednesday and is my World. Off to Cardiff with her to The Ivy for a meal. Cant wait. Hope The Secret works for you. Even Darcy ,.my Granddaughter has her own vision board and is a beautiful caring and compassionate young lady. She has set her goals and I have no doubt she will achieve all of them.xxSheila 🙌😘💕👍
Hi Sheila, I watched the film The Secret last night. Thank you for suggesting it! What an amazing concept and so simple. The power of positive thought is incredible and I will have my vision board ready for its first positive images today.
My daughter and Granddaughter have turned their lives around Its unbelievable. My daughter who had worked for BMW for 17yrs was made redundant last year.she was devasted
After working at different jobs she watched The Secret with her daughter and put up her vision board. She was head hunted and now has a top job at Jaguar Range Rover which she absolutely loves. Coincidence maybe, but she is so Positive about life these days. hopefully ,this will see your Hope's and dreams fulfilled. I wish you good luck for the future. Sending Welsh cwtches (hugs). So happy I shared it with you. xxSheila 🙏🙌👍💕😘
The Secret is not a Movie it's a Documentary..You can also buy the book on Amazon which is identical to the film. There are a number of sequences also . The movie The Secret Dare to Dream is a true story that stars Katie Holmes. The concept is if you can vision your dreams ,they will happen it's about Gratitude, setting goals, faith and Positivity. Visualising your goals. Miracles are made in heaven is a film, dont know who the stars are sorry. I was devasted when I was put on oxygen last December for 16hrs a day.. also the panic attacks were so scary. I changed my way of thinking and was determined to get my mobility back after lack of excercise during the Pandemic.Once you give in it's over but being Positive and making the most of what you can do not what you cant . You can control, even stop the Panic attacks by not overthinking and not letting it take over your life. I used to get to the bottom of the stairs,look up and think I am going to get so short iof breath I'll get a panic attack. Now I go up ,not too quick breathing in on first step out on third etc .once you do this a few times you'll do it automatically and not even think about it. No need to rush always at your own pace. If you're out and about and feel breathless, stop breathe slowly get your oxygen level back up then continue. I am now off oxygen all together ,I go out every day and love it, as sitting at home you only think about things. Going out Meeting people or even sitting on a bench watching the World go by makes you feel so much better.
This is a true story. I used to have terrible panic attacks whilst in the bath . When I was on oxygen I would use it when bathing and the attacks stopped as knowing in my mind my oxygen levels were up..
The unit is in my bedroom and I have a long lead that enabled me to go around the house
This day I put the oxygen tube on and got in the bath. No problems, got out put moisturizer on etc. Because the extractor fan in bathroom was on I couldnt hear the oxygen unit which was in my bedroom. Went to switch it off and noticed I had NOT switched the oxygen on lol. I realised then it was all in the mind ,I thought I was getting oxygen but I wasnt. Didnt have a panic attack . Just remember to breathe slowly, as breathing too fast uses up oxygen. xxSheila 🙌👍💕😘
I've been having attacks for the past few months but I found a way of relaxing enough to stop the attack before it takes hold , I sit in a quiet place and listen to the sound of the sea , it may sound stupid to some people but I found this works by accident , as I live in Rhodes and not far from the beach I was sat staring into the sea and just listening to the waves and my attack eased off and disappeared.so I actually recorded it on my phone and now when I feel stressed or panicky I listen to it and it seems to work . Try it what have you got to lose
Hi Joseph260268 I suffer with similar problems. Mindfulness really helps me there is a website of free guided mindfulness which I use all the time. The website is -free mindfulness.org if you go to free resources on their website there are a lot to choose from. Hope this helps. Barbs x
Something that might seem obvious but i tend to forget it to make sure your shoulders are relaxed. It's easy to tense everything up & makes breathing so much more difficult. My friend used to say why are your shoulders heading for your ears Hattie which made me smile too
That's a very big problem of mine! Problem is you are not aware of it until someone points it out! Sometimes I literally ache from being tense all the time and then realise what I'm doing to myself.
Some advice on here ,how to control your anxiety/ Depression. A panic attack does not mean you are depressed. I certainly am not depressed and Never suffered depression. A paramedic explained it's a Heath anxiety. Not connected to depression. Sort your anxiety your panic attacks stop xxSheila 👍🙌💕😘
Ive found it incredibly difficult to control anxiety. When I go to bed that’s when my brain wants to get busy with thoughts. Over the years I’ve made a lot of success training myself to literally empty my brain of the whirling thoughts. It’s been hard but by practice daily I can literally talk myself so to speak to let the thoughts go. It’s been an on going effort. Kinda like stopping any vice. Hope this makes some sense.
Hi Joseph ,I wrote a post a few weeks ago on my panic attacks ,once panic got hold of me I found it hard to shake of ,I rang my gp in a state ,first he prescribed me oramorph, I have severe copd ,I was actually afraid to take the oramorph, rang gp agian ,he left me prescription for prozac (fluoxetine) ,I told him I wasnt depressed ,he said he has given me them for anxiety, I've have only been on them three half weeks feeling much better all ready ,although I didnt like the side effects for first two weeks ,I am very sensitive to tablet ,I believe they take six weeks for best effect ,thank goodness I have them ,you have had some very good advice on here ,I hope you feel better soon Alice
I take alprazolam as needed. And 20 mg tab of citalopram once daily. I’m prescribed .5 mg pill of alprazolam up to 3x a day. But I rarely need to take all 3. But I won’t go round feeling so anxious constantly.
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