How do you keep the anxiety away? I wait every second to have a heart attack, I’m scared I’ll give my self one by worrying about it?

[Eaglesfly]

Please help me, I’m not ready to die.

[Sophiebun11]

Hi Eaglesfly,

Anxiety can cause chest pains very similar to a heart attack. I recall when I worked as a paramedic that over half the calls for cardiac events turned out to be anxiety. Anxiety is a very real disease which manifests in very real physical symptoms and can create or worsen existing health conditions like hypertension. Have you been diagnosed with angina, or had a heart attack in the past?

Having any chronic illness is stressful, add to that a pre-existing anxiety condition and it can be totally overwhelming. I feel it would really benefit you to see a therapist. They can teach you techniques for dealing with your anxiety. You may even need medication if you aren't on any anti-anxiety meds.

Worrying will not stave off dying, reaching out to a professional will help you greatly. Don't be afraid to ask your Dr. for a referral or call any psychologist on line or any your area. If you can't afford one, your County Social Services Dept. will provide you with a referral for free therapy. There are also free phone numbers to call when you are scared.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

Best wishes.

[Eaglesfly in reply to Sophiebun11]

Thank you 🙏🏻 I’ve been having panic attacks since I was 17 years old, they labeled me a manic depressant and bipolar at age 18, I’ve tried every kind of pill since than. Ativan works but my shrink says I have to stop them, I’ve been taking them to long, so I’m down to one a day, panic attack every day since.I had to take my blood pressure today cause I’m freaking out so bad my chest hurts, how sad is that? It was normal.🙂I feel better now. Will text soon thank you 🙏🏻

[Tuolumne in reply to Eaglesfly]

I just saw your comment. If you are a praying person, do a search on YouTube for sermons/talks/lessons about overcoming anxiety. I have a favorite preacher who has sermons about anxiety/fear/worry and when I am having a bout of anxiety, these talks really help. I have bookmarked some of them in my browser and will rewatch them over and over again as needed.

[drmind in reply to Eaglesfly]

I've worked along side psychiatrists for 30 years in two teaching hospitals. The most successful way they treat panic attacks is to use a SSRI antidepressant daily and to save anti-anxiety meds to use occasionally when these do not work. Hopefully you can find a psychiatrist who can manage your condition in this manner. I have two family members who have suffered from severe panic attacks and who have controlled them in this manner. I'm aware of how debilitating these can be. Best of luck in getting some help. Keep us posted because we care.

[Eaglesfly in reply to drmind]

Thank you for replying to me, I am on CYMBALTA 90 MG every day, and ATIVAN. My shrink is weaning me off, I’ve been on them to long he says, I’m down to 1 a day and my panic attack is off the charts. I pray 🙏🏻 and love my lord, I am committed to Jesus Christ my savior, he calms me down when breathing exercises don’t work. EaglesFly🦅

[drmind in reply to Eaglesfly]

Thanks for your reply. It sounds as if your doctor is doing what hss to be done with your medication. Its likely that you have become habituated to the anti-anxiety medication and it no longer works as well. I know its difficult to be patient, but you have to try. It's good that you have such a strong faith that you can rely on to help. Keep that up. .I also find it best to try not to think about the anxiery too much because worrying about it can only make it worst. Its difficult I know. There are some things thst you can do to try to get some.control. Hopefully, your doctor goes over these with you. So, keep trying those thing to get some control. You can do it. Lots of positive thoughts and good wishes going your way.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Hi Eaglesfly,There can be many reasons for feeling anxious including certain medications that add to it. So please talk to your doctor about your symptoms and see if there is something they can do to lessen it.

National Kidney Foundation has an excellent peer mentor program where you will be connected with another patient who has CKD and has been where you are. It is a great way to talk through the fear and learn about things you can do to help yourself on this journey.

Remember, CKD in it self is usually not terminal. The comorbidities that can come with it can be. But for the most part, there are treatment options like transplants and if you are at an early stage, diet and healthy living can prolong your current stage.

Peer mentor program 855.NKF.PEERS (855.653.7337) kidney.org/patients/peers

[Eaglesfly in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thank you 🙏🏻 I will text them now, I think my worries come from the other conditions, not the CKD. I’m reversing my diabetes so I’m not worried about that, just my blood pressure scares me 😳 I will pray 🙏🏻

[Confuseddiabetic in reply to Eaglesfly]

I too was very anxious when I found out the seriousness of kidney disease. I later found out that I also have cirrhosis of the liver due to hepatitis which I was treated over 20 years ago. Needless to say, my emotions were in the toilet. I have been seeing a social worker weekly but felt that wasn’t enough. I entered a partial hospitalization program which is a day program for people who are not at risk for hurting themselves or others. Otherwise it would be inpatient. It helps people with depression, anxiety and other disorders. I completed the first week and have one more week to go . I decided to read Viktor Frankel’s book man’s search for meaning and that has been helpful also.

[Tuolumne]

If you have a faith of any kind, now is the time to utilize it. I too suffer from anxiety (in fact I suspect that a bad bout of anxiety in 2020 led to my diagnosis later in 2020—probably due to high blood pressure). Prayers and faith have made ALLLLL the difference. Of course if you are not religious or spiritual, this is not useful advice, but I'm just putting it out there.

I asked my doctor about using CBD and they said there was "no evidence against it" so I'm taking CBD pills every day. It also helps with my anxiety. I figure that having CBD is better than the anxiety/blood pressure problems.

I hope you get relief soon!

[Eaglesfly in reply to Tuolumne]

CBD? What does that stand for? I am a born again Christian, I pray 🙏🏻 every night for 15 years now, I have a relationship with my God in heaven he brings me peace and joy 🥲 amen. God bless you.

[Tuolumne in reply to Eaglesfly]

CBD is the part of marijuana that is not intoxicating, it's just the "good stuff" that has many medicinal benefits. It's legal in many states but not all, I don't think. I have never smoked pot, I'm very boring and don't even drink, but since CBD has nothing in it that can make you high, and since it helps calm me and get me to sleep, I consider it a blessing from God.

I hope you don't mind me recommending the sermons of Baptist minister Charles Stanley (you can find him on Youtube with his channel "InTouch"). He has several sermons about fear and anxiety that I find VERRRRY helpful. (Just do a YouTube search for "Charles Stanley" and the keywords fear, anxiety, worry, and you'll come up with several good sermons.) I also highly recommend his book "When the Enemy Strikes" (available on Amazon and elsewhere) which covers a lot about fear, anxiety, and worry. Edit: Also, a friend of mine who is battling cancer (and has a lot of faith and optimism) has derived great comfort from the books by Dutch Sheets about prayer.

I also try to have a regular study/devotional time at least once a day. I'm very prone to a vivid imagination and a lot of "what if" obsessive worrying and these study/prayer times also really help quiet those thoughts down. For me, they're necessary, but everyone will have their own schedule. I only know what works for me. In fact, today I had a bad bout of anxiety and I realized that I had been slacking off on my regular study times. Every time I do that, the anxiety gets worse!

I'm not trying to tell you what to do or how to do it, or even who to read or listen to, because there are many wonderful Christian sources out there who will appeal to different people. But I do know that our faith is there to strengthen us and comfort us! I'll be praying for you to have peace and comfort. God bless you!

[nfld]

Hi there. I believe in a power bigger than myself, that is way I do not worry about my kidney disease. I am in stage 4. I rarely worry about any thing any more. I try and live one day at a time and make the best of it all. We are all here for a short time ...please do not be afraid of what may be next.