Over the last 6 months I have become terrified of things that never bothered me previously. I used to love flying however, as soon as I see an aeroplane on the TV, especially when it is airborne and the view is of the plane in flight I start to panic, my heart races and I feel extremely uncomfortable. The same applies to deep water and heights, both of which never frightened me before. The panic and feelings of terror and fear have started without any reason i.e. there have been no major changes in my life or change of meds. Has anybody else suffering from Fibro experienced this?
Thank you. S x
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Sandy247
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Thanks Libbylou. What concerns me is I've never been a 'worrier' nor have I suffered panic attacks or anything like this. What is even worse is I am suddenly terrified of dying. I mean, really, really terrified and I have no idea why. I think a visit to my GP is in order as I can't go on like this. I feel like I'm turning into a nervous wreck.
I had boughts of anxiety which have got better now, if I can't cope I take a valium and go o bed [as they make me too dizzy to stand anyway!] but once the side effects wearoff, I stay calm and relaxed, it just seems to 'knock it on the head'. [Other less legal substances in a muffin work too] I have found new symptoms are always worse the first time, then fade and are never as bad on return. I have only taken 3 valium in the last 2 years, they are a good stand-by for a very difficult day. Hope it gets better over time or you find something to help, always tell some-one, just 'matter of fact'ly, don't let them fuss, but it helps if they just know. Good luck x
Sorry to hear you are feeling like this. My understanding is that fibro can cause anxiety. It's awful isn't it. Also some meds can have strange side effects. I think maybe a visit to docs to explain how you're feeling would be good idea. Good luck.
Hi Sandy, from the symptoms you have described I think you are suffering from Anxiety issues. I too used to love to fly, swim in deep water and heights never bothered me until one day, out of the blue I had a panic attack. After that first attack I was unconsciously afraid of having another one when in certain situations. Like you just thinking about getting on a plane frighten me. If you are the type of person that has been in a stressful situation, or in some way have not taken care of your own emotion needs, your body will eventually react. I like to think of it as your body is like a bottle that is full and now overflowing with something that you have been holding inside. It is now coming out in the form of unusual fears. Having these fears is your body and mind crying for help. It can be terrifying, I know and many people think they have some type of disease. But rest assured you probably do not have an illness. However, I do believe you need see someone to find out what brought this anxiety on. It could be anything, but know that you can get over this.
In my situation I had a bad marriage and I held in my emotions (like most guys do) trying to deal with my wife’s problems. Even though I thought I was fine, out of the blue I had a panic attack. After that, I had many irrational fears.
Now some people don’t have panic attacks like I did. They have anxiety. Here is a definition. “Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, and uneasiness, usually generalized and unfocused as an overreaction to a situation that is only subjectively seen as menacing. It is often accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, problems in concentration, and muscular tension.”
So take comfort that you don’t have an illness. But you need to take a hard look at your life and look at what stresses you might be under. Since I am no doctor, I would go see your doctor or a therapist and get their opinion. Good luck to you.
I agree with Mark and Lynz. I think you should visit your GP to discuss this before your anxiety gets worse. There are CBT and similar courses available which can help.
MIND also offer these types of courses and some NHS areas have a Wellbeing service which works alongside it. You don't have to be referred to MIND or the Wellbeing by a GP, you can contact them yourself.
As I read through this I thought, you must get to the doctor, so I agree all those who suggested exactly that. Anxiety is something we don't have control over, but there are medications that can make things considerably easier, so please don't suffer to much longer and get yourself to your doctor and I am sure he/she will be most understanding and helpful.
Do let us know how you get on and we are here to support you too
I found this very interesting, as I too am in a similar situation. I have not been diagnosed with anything as yet, but certainly appear to have a lot of fibro symptoms. Over the last couple of months I have been experiencing some very vivid nightmares, which are always about my children drowning, and even more recently I have been absolutely convinced that either I am, or someone close to me, is about to die. I thought I was going a little mad to be honest, but feel so much better knowing this is not the case ! Please keep us updated X
I get panic attacks - started after a really bad episode of vertigo..2007. I am
taking a drug to control it..It works well for me..It's a good thing if you let your doctor
know about it..Quick change the channel and take some slow deep breathes..
=) Paxil changed my life but it took 8 full weeks to work for me.
I think this is actually quite common amongst us. I have also notes that some of the medications we take can increase anxiety too. Breathing in and out of a paper bag can help you come through these panic attacks but but it would probably be a good move to mention them to your GP as he/she might have other suggestions.
Thank you so much for all of your replies. I feel a lot better knowing that I am not going crazy. I will contact my GP and will let you know the outcome. Once again 'Thank you'. S x
You need tools you never needed before. If one doctor glosses over it, keep at till you get something that works. I had a lot of panic attacks where I would just fall in a heap crying and wish I were dead, and that noone loved me. I am on medication, and it helps so much. I still get uneasy as if I am going to start, but thankfully I manage to help myself out of it now, which I couldn't do before.
When it gets to a point where you cannot help yourself, you have to find someone or something that will. It is out there, and don't give up. You most likely have got to the stage, or feel close to is, where you feel you have nothing to loose, so try things. You may still have to change your life. See if you can still do things that you enjoy without the anxiety, even if it is just a nice walk or taking up a hobby. I find crafting takes my mind off things a bit now, but when I went through the anxious parts of my life, it is very difficult to thing anything will help..
Hi there,I too suffer with depression and anxiety and also have had panic attacks.Lately Iam finding that Iam uneasy and sometimes afraid of going out and when I do I feel paranoid as if people are looking at me.Maybe CBT counselling may help and Iam about to start a stress and mood management course to see if that helps.Hope you get the help you need,good luck xx
I know exactly what you mean I love flying we sometimes go away twice a year. However I had not been on a long haul flight in 10 years. Last August my family and I went to the Caribbean. I was fine on the flight out but coming back I felt really bad I felt the urge to get up and scream until they open the door and let me out. The fear of my children seeing me arrested and dragged off the plane in handcuffs made me just closed my eyes and take deep breaths and block everything out. I have never had such a reaction before in my life.
I have been diagnosed with FM for 4 years now am also going through menopause without HR, just some really good vitamins whats interesting is i have also had vertigo, twice in two years but never made the connection. anyway i will be flying out to my nephews wedding next year. I am learning to meditate but I am going to get some medication from my doc before I go I won't give in
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