Anxiety!

[GeorginaS]

I think I cough and/or more as my anxiety about everything grows! The more my brain thinks negative thoughts and the more anxious I get I cough, making everything so much worse! Does anyone feel the same?

[Hidden]

Probably better to ask whether anyone 'does not' feel like that at some time, Georgina. It's so easy to get into a downward cycle and unable to break out of it when you have health problems over which you have little or no control. When you get really old with so little to look forward to it gets worse.

[GeorginaS in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I totally agree with you. I just wish my mind would shut down and stop bothering me. I need to focus on not thinking or as I was told one day 'You have analysis paralysis'. Sort-of sums it up. Made me laugh too as it's so true 😀

[Hidden in reply to GeorginaS]

I like that 'analysis paralysis', it is true. I've always been guilty of over-thinking. Now I do a good impression of a person suffering from dementia, simply because I don't focus on what I'm doing. By doing one thing whilst thinking about another I leave my car keys in the most unlikely of places which makes it difficult to find them later. I have to go back and relive that part of my life again to find them. It's like every day is Groundhog Day.

[GeorginaS in reply to Hidden]

Groundhog Day! Yep that's it! I'm having another groundhog day! Thinking about it that way makes me smile. Thank you. 🤣

[Hidden]

Yes I am the same. Any anxiety or stress and I cough for England.

[GeorginaS in reply to Hidden]

I think my anxiety gives me acid reflux and upsets my throat and stomach, so I'm coughing to clear my burning/tingling throat. I was diagnosed a month ago and basically left to get on with it and no medical professional locally to talk to. I feel abandoned basically!

[dogcyrus]

I recently underwent cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) through the NHS - six sessions. It teaches how to retrain the brain to overcome anxiety and how to think positive thoughts.

I used to take tablets to relax before going to sleep. After first session and practising how to try and sleep. Wow!! Haven't taken any tablets since. However, negative thoughts still creep in during the day and subsequently need to practice retrain the brain exercises and meditation. It really helps. I would recommend seeking out CBT. Good searching. Hope this helps. Lots of info on internet.

[GeorginaS in reply to dogcyrus]

Thank you. That's a really good idea. So pleased it worked for you and hopeful it will help me too. I feel as though I'll die early from anxiety and not the actual diagnosis. I'll look CBT up now. Thanks again x

[burke1966 in reply to dogcyrus]

HI DOGCYRUS,I live in the states I am not sure we have that,but I can try to change the way I think,thank you

[welllaners in reply to dogcyrus]

This really does work, I was saw a specialist at least 20 years ago, and she got me to into relaxation techniques. Ok I still have bad days, but everyone does.

My anxiety levels are a lot lower and still are after 20 years, it never fully goes away, but now I don't retreat from situations, I manage them.

I wish you well.

Steve

[Badbessie]

Lots of research about the affects of anxiety on breathing. I know that when I was first diagnosed all the windows were painted black. It's very individual how you deal with this. Some prefer to have little information and just get on with it. Others research it to death and get overwhelmed by information. I took the view that there are limited resources and asked the question what can I do myself?. The first thing I did was leave most of the COPD groups as with the best intentions I found them very negative.

I looked at Diet, Medications, Triggers and of course exercise and started to push things as I have improved my anxiety as been reduced. Yes I have bad days but I look back at how I was and can see improvement. I may not have the healthy body as such but having a more positive mindset as improved my outlook.

[GeorginaS in reply to Badbessie]

Morning! 'Research it to death' sums me up! I've got non-specific interstitial pneumonitis. Seems like very little written and what there is doesn't offer anything but despair to me.

I've decided I'm clearly an idiot for allowing myself to dwell on everything negative. I felt better before I got the 'label'! I'm becoming the label!

You're right! I need to push myself firmly and quickly in a different direction or my mindset will stop my situation from improving.

I'm sick of my attention being on my breathing, my thoughts, my every last little thing about my 'condition'.

I'm going to have very strong words with myself and drag myself back on track. Thank you x

[Badbessie in reply to GeorginaS]

No you are definitely not an Idiot, just human like the rest of us. Sadly there is so much negative re-enforcement out there. The media, The health professionals, Google etc etc etc. It's no wonder we worry.

[GeorginaS in reply to Badbessie]

Thank you again. I've had and I'm continuing to have, a discussion with me, about me and the changes only I can make to my attitude.

It's so good to be able to get help from such lovely people. Big hug x

[fcag2001]

Yes I do think stress of any kind is not a relaxing situation but hard to relax when you cannot breath easy. We must just keep trying - not easy I know but hey ho we are still breathing and moving . Good luck

[DecD]

I don't want to sound like a fitness fanatic BUT, try 1. using your occ'l inhaler (Ventolin??), 2. turning up your oxygen a bit, then 3. doing some sort of one light exercise. Maybe lifting milk cartons filled with water - that's one kilo or half a kilo. Whilst doing it, you must count the number of times you are doing it. A bit like counting sheep for sleeping, it takes your mind off other things. At the end of it, you'll have forgotten your anxieties for a while and, as an added bonus, probably look like WonderWoman !

Good luck,

Dec

[GeorginaS in reply to DecD]

Ending up looking like WonderWoman sounds like a good plan to me. It sounds like a good distraction technique with other benefits too. Thank you x

[Dmactds]

It doesn't manifest as 'coughing' for me, but tension/anxiety produces great breathlessness often; almost as bad as if I'd just run 3 blocks.

[Billiejean_2 in reply to Dmactds]

That's how it manifests for me too.

[GeorginaS in reply to Billiejean_2]

Let's hope we some how manage to stop doing this to ourselves x

[Salmo]

Be as positive as you can. Take some minor consolation in the diagnosis. NSIP has a much better life expectancy than many other forms of ILD - average life expectancy can be more than 9 years with many people showing no further decline after diagnosis. Also take control of your drug treatments. You mention or suspect reflux but do not mention if you are being treated. Make sure you address this and also make sure that you get treated effectively if you have reflux. Be aware that omeprazole once a day for reflux can have little effect in some people with lung disease and you may need it twice a day and even require night time ranitidine as well. Also, if you are on omperazole make sure you take it on an empty stomach 1 hr before eating any food or drinking a cup of tea/coffee. If you take it with or after food it has much less or even no effect.

[GeorginaS in reply to Salmo]

Goodness. Thank you so much. Very positive. As it's pneumonitis not pneumonia and there's so little written that's reassuring. I'm taking steroids and lanoprazole. I also taken ranitidine at night now. Loads of gaviscon and actimel. I've got to the stage I'm better if I just don't eat! Thank you again. Really appreciated x

[Magpuss in reply to GeorginaS]

Have you tried taking Acidophilis instead of actimel? The yogurt type probiotics are said not to be as effective as a good probiotic capsule.

[GeorginaS in reply to Magpuss]

Thank you. I'll check that out x

[shadow4me]

Yes from the time I wake till the time I go to bed x

[girliegirl2012]

OH Dear Lord Georgina!!

I read this question and a few replies and it sounds like so many members are severely depressed who are living with anxiety disorders. I am so concerned about you and others. I live in America and we have many people here and it is the same in other countries as well. My granddaughter is 18 now. She too suffers from a severe anxiety disorder. She just graduated from High School 6/1/17. Her anxiety was so bad during final exams, we weren't sure if she would graduate or not. Her family doctor has referred her to a Psychiatrist to help assess her, evaluate her, and treat her. Do you have access to a Psychiatrist? These doctors are very well trained and can treat you. Without treatment, you become a prisoner in your own mind. Please try to seek professional help. I am not a doctor; but I know when I hear someone crying out for help along with all the others. Please keep us posted on your situation. Thank Goodness Miss M. let's us share our stories, resources and hope to all the ones that need it.

[GeorginaS in reply to girliegirl2012]

Anxiety is terrible especially for someone as young as your granddaughter. Thankfully she graduated. I think my anxiety and perhaps that of others, is due to information given that isn't explained very well. My journey so far has been very muddled and disjointed with specialists disagreeing and letters written contradicting each other. I'm seeing my GP on Friday so I'm raising my concerns with him. I have told the consultants that I'll be seeing mental health support if they continue to get things wrong/confused in their feedback. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps to change how your mind works. The first bit I read was about 'filtering'. That's me... extract the good news, forget it and get anxious and worry about the bad stuff. Thank you so much for your reply. Talking therapy as is done on here helps so much too. Thanks for listening x

[Billiejean_2]

Breathing difficulties and anxiety feed off each other Georgina and I would say that most of us here have gone through what you're describing. When I'm 'well' I can be very philosophical about everything and totally convinced about mind over matter. But when I'm going through a 'less well' phase, that can all go out the window very quickly. It sounds to me as if you're floundering and practically in the dark regarding your condition. It's no wonder you're anxious. I hope your visit to the GP will have some positive results and please be insistent and assertive about your need to know where you stand.

[GeorginaS in reply to Billiejean_2]

Thank you so much. You've summed it up well. Their confusion has lead to my ongoing anxiety. Hopefully something's will be resolved soon x

[Billiejean_2 in reply to GeorginaS]

I really hope so Georgina. It's bad enough being landed with a diagnosis and a whole new set of circumstances without being messed about as you seem to have been.It's really unprofessional and just not good enough.

[GeorginaS in reply to Billiejean_2]

Again that sums everything up. Thank you x

[girliegirl2012]

Have you considered the thought of maybe you inherited these mental conditions? Studies have shown that a high % of people who suffer from anxiety disorders, OCD, explosive disorders, etc. have been inherited. Between studies, medications and clinicians there have been great strides made in this field of expertise. I would see my doctor and see what he could recommend for you. Best wishes.

[GeorginaS in reply to girliegirl2012]

Hi I was an anxious child due to difficult home circumstances so my default position is to be 'concerned/anxious'. I'm also very clinical and logical in my thoughts due to my professional life therefore I can be accused of 'over-thinking' things. Some people just want the overview of something but I need the detail. As the details I have been given and at times wrong and badly communicated, my cause for concern grows. I don't think it helps by being labelled with something that seems to be incredibly rare. It the start of a long journey but I'll make sure as much as I can that from now on there are less bumps in the road on the way. Take care xx

[Caspiana]

Hello Georgina. I don't cough much but I have anxiety. I get panicky but that has always been part of my make up. Even before I got ill. My mum is the same. It seems to be on her side of the family. Hope you are doing better today.

[girliegirl2012 in reply to Caspiana]

Hi Caspiana,

What a pretty name! I was reading your post about being panicky sometimes. I had mentioned to Georginia that mental illness has been studied and the evidence has been concluded that it is inherited. I hate to use the term "mental illness" but that would be the proper term, as that is what it is. Anyway, I'm not here to give medical advice as I'm no doctor. I just wanted to add to your comment that you, your mom and her side of the family all share the same genetic makeup. I had told Georgina about my granddaughter. She just graduated high school and she too suffers from a severe anxiety disorder. We didn't know if she was going to get through her finals from being so worked up. My son of my granddaughter also suffers from many mental issues. He is 43 and he has a psychiatrist of at least 7 years and is 100% mentally disabled. My mother was diagnosed with OCD and of being a Manic Depressive person. So, with studies showing evidence of this illness being inherited.....it gives one incentive to research the many different areas of this affliction. I just wanted to say that there is hope out there. I would talk to my doctor and perhaps he will refer you to the proper Clinician to be evaluated and treated. By the way, I wasn't skipped from a generation of mental distress either. I have been on an antidepressant for over 25 years. It does seem to keep me in check and has certainly helped me since I was diagnosed with lung cancer. If anyone here suffers from that living misery of your own mind, talk to your doctor. There is help out there and I know from a first hand experience that you don't have to live this. In my acknowledgement of this discussion I want to make clear, that I'm not talking about just having the blues, or slight depression on a rainy day; I'm talking about an illness that interferes with your daily living, your daily happiness and quietly consumes you. Thank you for sharing Caspiana and I thank this support site for allowing me to share. Hopefully, we have encouraged someone to seek help.

[Caspiana in reply to girliegirl2012]

Hello girliegirl2012 .

Thank you for sharing. 😊 I was evaluated about three years ago. By that time, I was so anxious one day I crashed my car. I wasn't hurt but I could have been. I went to a psychiatrist and was diagnosed with clinical depression and put on anti depressants. My mum bring of her generation see mental illness as something to hide. And so she never sought help despite me really begging her to do so. I have been on low dosages of medication and it has helped me a lot. Also, changing my lifestyle helped.

I hope your grandchild is doing okay and enjoying her summer. Thank you once again for your input.

Cas xx 🌷

[jonesyswife]

Me too I've had an attack today probably down to anxiety being a bridesmaid on the weekend it's not fun this asthma lark is it!!

[GeorginaS in reply to jonesyswife]

It’s hard controlling anxiety. Apparently using ear buds to listen to music helps. I’m

sure you’ve tried that if not, perhaps have ago. Hope the weekend goes ok x

[jonesyswife in reply to GeorginaS]

It does work I have tried that actually I listen to meditation music chills me right out back on steroids today 😝makes me feel rubbish on them. Thank you I'm sure it will all be fine x