newly diagnosed and still anxious

[Gigi100]

Hi,I was wondering if anyone does meditation to settle their mind etc.i just can't seem to calm down at all. All I think about is my future and an extremely scared. Have you downloaded an app or anything like that if so which one and can I have the details of it. I'm real struggling at the moment. Thank you , for reading

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello Gigi100.

I have seen articles on Yoga breathing for anxiety and stress. It is done while sitting upright, so there isnt the concerns with putting your head below your heart.

I don't know if there is an app, but you could always look on the app store on your mobile. Otherwise you can look them up on the internet. I hope its help.

[Gigi100 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thank you

[balacakkhu]

Hello Gigi100, I would like to explain about meditation what I understand. There are various types of meditations which all give some benefits in various ways. The real deep meditation is to purify the mind. It is not alternative therapy for physical illness. If the mind is purify we can face the vicissitudes of life without shaken. We can face calmly all the difficulties. We need to understand and accept the reality as it is... not what we like to be or seemed to be. With best wishes.

[Gigi100 in reply to balacakkhu]

Thank you

[Gooh]

Hi GigiIt’s the same for my wife, we struggle to understand this and the NHS has given very little support, just a second appointment and a prescription!! And how do we tell the family!

This is very hard

[Gigi100 in reply to Gooh]

I hope it goes well for your wife.

[Gooh in reply to Gigi100]

And with you, its a worrying time, I hope you have good family support!!

[Spanieldoglover]

Hi Gigi, abdominal breathing is really important to practice when you are anxious. As Trish mentioned you could try Yoga breathing, or there are many Apps that will help you practice, the important thing is to take deep breaths in and slowly breathe out. You could try the Headspace App which focuses on Mindful Meditation or the Calm App. You could also look into Mindfulness which these Apps also help with.

If that doesn’t help, why don’t you speak to

your doctor about a referral for counselling. It may help to talk through your fears and a counsellor will help you with further relaxation and stabilisation techniques.

I hope that helps.

[Gigi100 in reply to Spanieldoglover]

Thank you

[Sufitzy]

Hi , I had diazepam prior to laser surgery just to calm my nerves but you know what it was all ok even without it. Ultimately talking and sharing how I felt with folk here and by ringing the glaucoma society really helped and the anxiety has reduced a lot . Now and again I get down and I send out a message like you have done and folk come back with encouragement . Don't bottle it up . And you have a support place here . Sx

[Gigi100]

Thank you so much, it does feel better to let it out. How long did it take to settle down abit, the way I feel now it’s so up and down. Xx

[Efabear]

Hello. I find yoga helps re balance me. Anything that helps take the focus off worrying thoughts helps, so keeping busy and active is also good. I have used mindfulness apps too although I think most you need to pay for now. I am still fairly newly diagnosed and would also recommend watching some of the Glaucoma UK webinars. I found these really helpful in terms of challenging the negative thinking that often focuses on the worst case scenarios and leads us off into anxieties about going blind. I have taken away three key messages which are that: It is very rare now to lose sight due to glaucoma if its caught and treated early, there is always something that can be done in terms of treatment and it is possible to live well with glaucoma. A diagnosis of glaucoma is scary and it takes time to adjust and adapt to learning to understand and live with the condition Accessing support ( this site is amazing) and allowing yourself time and permission to deal with what will be a whole host of emotions as you do so, is important. I do have sight loss, as I was diagnosed late and have also got lots of support from the RNIB. Take care

[valfrance]

hi Gigi100 I know exactly how your feeling.. the news is devastating. i have been diagnosed for 1.5 years now with open angle glaucoma... i wanted to end it all really.. my mind was out of control.

i downloaded the Calm app and did meditation, i also tried reflexology although could not continue to expensive. it does relax you however once i got back into my busy job i just dont have the time. netflix have a relaxation one also that is good.. now i am just getting on with my life and taking my drops i had laser also... it does not last forever... acceptance is extremely difficult, and there are so many people dealing with other illnesses far worse than this. take care valerie

[Derfahrer]

Hi Gigi100,You are not alone in this. Many of us deal with anxiety over our diagnosis (and, it's not unique to this disease either).

I have used the Ten Percent Happier app (which also has a podcast) for a couple of years now, and have found it to be really helpful. I've also read the host's book by the same name.

In addition, I recommend the Unwinding Anxiety book by Jud Brewer. He is a neuroscientist who is also an MD and a meditator.

I'm currently reading "The Beauty of Dusk", by Frank Bruni. He's been a writer for the New York Times, who one morning woke up to find he'd had an eye stroke which took most of the vision from one eye. It's a great read on the psychological aspect of dealing with this.

[Crafted]

Hi thereI suffered hugely with anxiety and was unable to calm myself down. I found Generation Calm mindful meditations on You Tube extremely helpful. I also practice Qi Gong and tapping combo again from You Tube. I use ones by Kseny who is a tutor but try a few different ones to see which suit you best. Another useful thing, for me anyway is exercises for the vagus nerve and relaxation exercises that specifically target the stomach as this connects to the brain via the vagus nerve I think, and this encourages the brain to feel safe and reduces our anxiety. I n addition I practice breathing exercises for a minute or so when doing my medications as I feel quite stressed from that, worrying if I got enough in etc. One other point is I found out that I was chronically short of vitamin D and diamox depleted my potassium levels so addressing this helped me to feel more balanced as well as walking for 10 to 15 mins a day whenever you can. A dog is great for helping with this and offers calming cuddles too. Hope you find something suitable. Xx