Dealing with Stress and Anxiety

[idyllic420]

Hello All, I hope that everyone is doing well! I just wanted to know how people are dealing with anxiety and stress post diagnosis as well as pre-diagnosis. How do we not let it get in our way of healing our body again? Most of us who have landed up here today have either bad anxiety to begin with, a toxic relationship or it can be sth else. I'm just referring to people with Alcohol related injuries! My father passed away unexpectedly no so long ago. It definitely did create lot of void in our family. Some times I just want to scream and other times I'm questioning the purpose of existence and life in general. I try to stay positive but definitely suffer from anxiety and stress in general. My understanding is that extra stress may cause additional inflammation in body or slow down the progress of healing or even regenerating.

I'm not sure if I can ask my GP to prescribe me anything which will calm me down.

I'm 36 year old male ...diagnosed with ALD..ALT & AST both were above 500 in October. Retested them in December and they both were well in normal range. ALP was still high at 134. Have not had a single drink since Oct 23. Major Symptoms include fatigue and sometimes red rashes across cheeks which look like butterfly rash. I do play tennis on the weekends so not sure how bad my fatigue is..On my next visit doctor I will be asking him to do tests for Auto Immune ..as well as Fibroscan so that I can a better diagnosis!

[idyllic420]

I do want to add that I have body aches...like pain in the joints!

[Hidden]

Yoga, pilates, meditation. Obviously you can't go to classes at the mo but you can buy dvd's online. Create a quiet space in your home with dim lighting, a lavender scented Yankee candle and some soft cushions where you can take time out each day to completely relax your mind and body. Maybe arrange to see a bereavement councellor to help you deal with your loss.

Keep up with your healthy diet and no more alcohol as alcohol fuels stress and anxiety. Your fatty liver will heal so no need for the constant worry over that as it is gently healing... just give it time.

[Peter_Plymouth in reply to Hidden]

No need to buy meditation DVD’s - there’s lots of good meditation guides and instructors on YouTube for free.

Yes see your GP and arrange to see a councillor - the list is long but the sooner your register the sooner you will get an appointment. By the time you get your appointment we ought to be able to have face to face appointments. I was somewhat cynical about counselling as I had never had any in the past - I have to say it was one of the best things I did post transplant and changed my outlook and in general made me a happier and more accepting person.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things and if you keep it up consistently your health will improve. You should talk to your GP and see if they are able to help, at least in the short term, give you something to help with the stress but they may be reluctant to add any load to your liver at the moment.

It will take a while for it all to improve but you sound to be doing all the right things plus you have the advantage of being young - the body is amazing in it’s ability to heal if the stressors are removed.

Good luck and if you want to ask anything specific feel free to DM me.

All the very best for your future - Peter

[Hidden in reply to Peter_Plymouth]

Did you mean for this reply to be to ldyllic, Peter? 🤔😉

[Peter_Plymouth in reply to Hidden]

Ah yes - sorry about that but hopefully Idylic will read the message unless you think I should repost it under her question? 🤫

[Hidden in reply to Peter_Plymouth]

See if ldyllic responds?

[Peter_Plymouth in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that’s good. She has liked the post so must have read it.

I just looked at your profile - I am truly sorry for your loss. If you ever want a friendly ear just to listen feel free to DM me - Peter

[Hidden in reply to Peter_Plymouth]

Thanks Peter. Thats very kind x

[idyllic420 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Laura, Thanks for taking time to reply back and offer your guidance. I appreciate it. I read some of your previous posts and I'm sorry for your loss. Are you still visiting this site because you miss your hubby or just feel like supporting other members going through this?

[Hidden in reply to idyllic420]

I was actually directed to this site 4 years ago after my current husband was diagnosed with Polymyalgia rhumatica (PMR) & was prescribed methotrexate which has a side effect of liver damage . So having lost one husband to liver disease l was going to make damn sure l wasn't going to lose another. So checked out PMR forum re methotrexate re liver disease and ended up on this forum where l read a post from a wife going through exactly the same as l had living with an alcoholic husband with cirrhosis. Which compelled me to reply and help her through my own experience. To my horror l descovered many more going through the same thing. So l have stuck around to offer help where l can and learn more along the way. As far as current husbands condition stands, he injects methotrexate fortnightly, keeps most of the pain in his muscles at bay and continues to work and get as much exercise as his body will allow. He has monthly blood tests to ensure his liver isn't being damaged by the drug and apart from an early blip, touch wood, all is fine.

Sorry didn't mean to write an autobigraphy but that's why l am still here. Oh and having been a dance and fitness instructor in the past l have knowledge of diet and well being. 🏋️‍♀️🤸‍♀️🧘‍♀️

[idyllic420 in reply to Hidden]

oh k...Good Luck!

[Readlots]

Similar to Laura, yoga, meditation and tai chi got me through a bad patch just over a year ago. Something about the calm surroundings and supportive strangers. Yoga with Adrienne’s a good free online substitute. My friend sent me a link to her video for seniors with a note not to be offended and advice that it’s a really gentle intro 😉. I also accessed counselling which also helped but can be expensive. It’s worth checking to see if your employer has an employee support scheme that offers counselling. Gardening has got me through lockdown, followed by a good book and a coffee in the garden. I have had medication when I needed it and my GP checked with my liver consultant to make sure it wasn’t too bad for my liver. Sometimes you just need that extra support.

[Hidden in reply to Readlots]

Well done. Just goes to prove no one has to put up with living with anxiety, you are proof that it can be managed no matter what the triggers or situations are. It seems the lines are blurred between anticipation, adrenalin and anxiety and needs to be defined by experts if you can't figure it out for yourself 🤷🏻‍♀️Laura xx

[Tvlr112]

To be honest, everybody will get stress and anxiety. They always try to say “dOn’T wOrRy bEcAuSe WoRrY wOnT dO aNyThInG” but they went crazy while waiting on a result. Waiting on anything that is important to you and the slight chance it may not go in your favor WILL cause this. I honestly just live with it and accept the panic (I’m waiting on multiple tests right now and will be in this mode until Wednesday when I am told my results).

[jazzjam in reply to Tvlr112]

I must admit I have said this before, ‘no point worrying’, I didn’t go crazy waiting the results at all, I just carried on and when they came I dealt with it. After I had received the results then yes I worried about what it would mean to me and my family. It is difficult but we all deal with things differently. I found fresh air and walks helped me. I either took the walk to really think about what was going on or to go and empty my mind.

[Tvlr112 in reply to jazzjam]

Yeah, you’re right. We all handle things differently. I have a bit of extra anxiety and these last few months have been very difficult for me. I’m really happy you found something that works for you! I’m honesty terrified at what will happen in a couple of days.

[jazzjam in reply to Tvlr112]

Sorry the post below was for tvlr112 and idyllic 420

[jazzjam]

I am sorry to hear you are terrified. I had a period in my life with depression and then anxiety with dreadful panic attacks. When one starts have you tried counting in your head? Not necessarily a maths sum, just 59, 57, 55, 53 etc..missing a number out each time, concentrating on the number. Stop, sit down, look around, are the trees green? Can you spot something blue, not Navy blue, sky blue. How many people are walking around, count them, look what they are wearing, would you wear that? Things like this always helped calm my attack down, forcing myself to concentrate on something. Also carry a paperbag, when you feel it coming on breathe into the paper bag and count your breaths slowly, listen to the noise the bag is making. Be aware of your feet firmly on the ground, is the ground hard or is it grass. This is all medical information/advice I was told, maybe try and see your doctor again for help with the anxiety. For the rest of today could you maybe go for a walk with your family, take in your surroundings. Download a book onto a tablet or read a paperback, something you have never read, not medical, a hobby or a good crime or use audiobooks. Maybe do something physical like going for a walk, run, swim or gym, something that will really tire you out? As much as you can think for today and tomorrow. I put lavender oil on my pillow, I know its not generally a bloke thing but it does relax you, it is one good thing to google. All the best for Wednesday, please let us know.

[Tvlr112]

You know what, the things you mentioned really do help but the only time I think to do it is at night when I don’t want to disturb my girlfriend so I do the number thing or think “what around me is soft/hard/etc). And yeah, I’m completely terrified about Wednesday and thinking about not going at all. The worse part is the docs don’t speak English so if it’s bad news, my girlfriend will have to translate all the bad news to me. I’m such a pessimist and this is why I learn from my girlfriend- she’s so optimistic. She’s already planned trips after this and I’m just expecting the absolute worst. And yeah, I’ll keep you posted. Can I dm you?

[jazzjam in reply to Tvlr112]

Yes of course, message me. Please go to your appointment, if you don’t you will panic even more than you are now. You will be always wondering about feelings in your body, which we all know we can bring on if we worry too much. At least when you get your results you can sit down and look at it, try and put it into perspective, what it means to you and your future, the future isn’t always bleak. Absolutely take a list of questions, written on paper, even if your girlfriend has to ask, she can relay back to you and you might have another question, I write the answers down but if your girlfriend is with you she may remember but if she doesn’t understand what it means she may not. Are you in another country to your home country, the language barrier?