anxiety : Not really expecting an answer but... - MPN Voice

MPN Voice

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anxiety

Jasbak22 profile image
20 Replies

Not really expecting an answer but feeling so anxious at the mo, I do have some life challenges going on at the moment, but this seems to be like riding a horrible wave one minute I’m ok next I’m thinking about all that could go wrong. I’ve applied to get a buddy so hopefully that will help but I’ve only just done this so not had anyone assigned yet. I practice mindfulness, I meditate I exercise I read everything I can about personal development, but this period of the last few week had been super challenging. I guess if anyone had any other coping strategies that would be amazing.

Thanks for you time.

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Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22
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20 Replies
Cat1001954 profile image
Cat1001954

hi good morning. Anxiety is awful I have suffered for years. I look for 5 things around me. Starting with the same letter and concentrate on that it wipes out the anxiety for a bit and helps me cope. Also when you feel really bad find a drawer to sort out or a cupboard steer away from those anxious thoughts good luck

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to Cat1001954

thank you.

Mostew profile image
Mostew

Life can be hard. Sometimes accepting we are going through a bad patch and it won't last , is the first step .

You are already doing helpful things.

When you arnt formally meditating,

Try catching the unhelpful thought aas quick as you can , maybe saying

Let me see how long this lasts .

Might well dissappear

All we can do is be aware and try to lesson the amount of time .

Look out of the window and see the birds. .

Breath deep .

Are the challenges things that can improve?

I'm sure others will have more thoughts

Best wishes to you

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to Mostew

thank you so much for your kind words.

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to Mostew

yes the challenges are mostly temporary but I think it’s a combination of my condition that’s causing this, plus lack of sleep and trouble eating so a bit of a combination. Thanks again for responding so quickly.

JP1952 profile image
JP1952

It might be worth trying to get an appointment with your GP to talk through everything you're experiencing . I have always found going outdoors helps me, it used to be running but now limited to walking preferably where I can enjoy nature and wildlife, also can lose myself and my worries in an hours gardening .Look after yourself and please keep us updated.

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to JP1952

Hi Jp I do walk every morning, I mainly suffer with this anxiety at night which affects my sleep, but do have a doctors appointment now. Thanks for your reply.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582

We all get overwhelmed at times. managing the stressors associated with life when you have a chronic condition can be a challenge at times. We all have our own coping strategies. Here is my list.

1. Support from my family, friends, and faith community.

2. This forum (my friends and MPN Family)

3. Maintain your sense of humor and find ways to have fun no matter what.

4. Surround yourself with things that are positive and lift you up.

5. Mindfulness practices - I practice Qigong.

6. Say the Serenity Prayer every day and take it to heart!

7. Educate yourself about your condition(s). Knowledge is power.

8. Create a high-quality treatment team who you trust.

9. Advocate for yourself. Assertive patients receive higher quality care. Passive patients do not. Remember that you are in charge of your care. It is your goals, priorities and preferences that must drive your treatment. Empower yourself to deal with the MPN.

I have been blessed to have a relatively indolent form of a MPN. I have lead a long rich life and plan to continue to do so despite what happens with the MPN. Sure - there have been some challenges with the MPN and the other related and unrelated medical issues I face. Sometimes you do, as the military folks say, have to "Embrace the Suck" or just "Suck It Up Buttercup." However - it is not all "Suck." There is plenty of good in life to enjoy and embrace. As the prayer says, I seek the serenity to accept what I cannot change, courage to change what I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

More than anything else at this point, know that you can manage this. There are ever-more treatment options and very real hope for MPN treatment improving in the foreseeable Have confidence that you will be one of many who do manage the MPN and the other challenges successfully.

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to hunter5582

thank you Hunter for your lovely kind words.

FINFAN1970 profile image
FINFAN1970

I also suffer from anxiety among other things, I find watching something to make you laugh will help

Gaithersburg profile image
Gaithersburg

Sorry to hear you are struggling with anxiety at the moment. All the replies, especially Hunter's, are very helpful and asking for a buddy is a great start. When I have lows, I like to go for a walk and enjoy the world outside, at a local park or equivalent, and immerse myself in nature and just seeing young children playing and dogs too really helps as for a short time you can forget your worries and realise there are some good things happening too. Classes like yoga or pilates are also very helpful but so is a cup of tea/coffee and catch up with a friend. Remember to eat, drink and sleep enough as this vital too. Thinking of you and sending a virtual hug. Remember you are not alone in this.

johnnyjumpups profile image
johnnyjumpups in reply to Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg, what is "asking for a buddy"? It's probably something you do in Europe, but it sounds like a nice thing. I am in the US. Thank you.

hunter5582 profile image
hunter5582 in reply to johnnyjumpups

MPN Voice has a buddy program. People in the USA can also get a MPN Buddy if they wish.

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to johnnyjumpups

it’s a thing that the mpn site run by Guys hospital do. It’s put you in touch with a fellow sufferer so you can talk about it on the understanding that it’s not medical advice just a chance to talk with someone in a similar position b

Anouchka profile image
Anouchka

Anxiety I’ve concluded comes with the territory (PV). Hunter has great points that i’ve used and have found helped; and I also find immersing myself in a good tv series or a book to concentrate on takes my mind off me and the anxiety.

Hope you find a good balance with all you already do and anything you might add to it. Be well.

socrates_8 profile image
socrates_8

Hey Jas... 8-)

Just wanted to throw my hat in there buddy... You know where to find me & you are always welcome to pay a visit anytime to our usual Six weekly (6) (MPN-MATE RF), virtual Catchups we have down here etc...

Next due date is always Posted in advance... All MPNers are always welcome of course...

The globe is a much smaller place today, technology brings us all closer together.

Here are the details for our next meeting:

MEETING LOCATION ONLINE ONLY ATM

PLATFORM: MICROSOFT TEAMS – (Usually best to download the APP to your preferred device)

WHEN: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8 2024

TIME: FROM 6 – 8PM (Attendees may come & go as they please)

MEETING LINK:

teams.live.com/meet/9514554... ... iRgAzIYsFz

Before I'd offer to much else, I'd like to know more of you & your individual MPN journey thus far... Happy to share my own too of course...

While we may all be individuals, we are also all human, with many of the same foibles & other nuances particular to our modern day's existence...

Anyways buddy, you know where you can find me anytime... 8-)

Best wishes

Steve

(Sydney)

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to socrates_8

cheers Steve much appreciated. I’m feeling a lot more chipper after a nice relaxing weekend and a doctors visit. Cheers.

socrates_8 profile image
socrates_8

Raw Beetroot buddy... 8-)

Jasbak22 profile image
Jasbak22 in reply to socrates_8

I have been consuming the cooked stuff, not sure if there’s any effect yet. Does it have the same effect as raw?

socrates_8 profile image
socrates_8

Hey Jas...

Not sure if you've received my previous message on this or not?

Raw Beetroot Juice:

* Clean, remove heads & tails & skin

* Cut into quarters

* Place in a large pot & just cover with water

* Very low flame/heat for 45-60min's continually checking that Beets are softening. (DO NOT BOIL)!

* About an hour in, turn OFF heat & Cover Pot

* Let them keep softening in the cooling water

* I ONLY use pure water as I live w/ suppressed immune system

* Remove Beets dice up into smaller pieces & place in Blender

* Use the water to gain required consistency to appease palate / taste

* Take 500-700ml approx' 1.5 - 2hrs B4 exercise

However, for this to really work, one needs to drink this everyday... Occasionally taking a Two (2) break when required, in my view...

This is what works best for me Jas...

Best wishes

Steve

(Sydney)

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