Question about Anxiety and Depression

Earlier this year in January I had gallbladder removal. All went well. Two and a half weeks later I got up one morning and felt I couldn't breathe. Been through the gamut - tests through pulmonologist, echocardiogram, numerous bloodtests including arterial. All come back perfectly normal and in the clear.

I have had this suffocation feeling 24/7, no relief ever unless I get sleep. It has been going on for 15 1/2 weeks now. I'm doing everything I positively can - thinking positive, looking forward to a new day, telling myself all is fine, keep myself busy, other times relax with a book but the suffocation feeling just won't stop. Sometimes I have head in a fog throughout the day, sometimes chest tightening but not all the time.

I have to admit I get sad about some things. I live in another country 2200 miles from where my parents and two adult daughters, one granddaughter live. I think and dream about how it was growing up - the childhood days, the fun times and I miss those days. I will have dreams about being back in my old job before immigrating. I'm sad to learn of parents of old childhood friends who are dying. Don't get me wrong, I love where I'm living now and my 23 year old son lives here. He won't move back to his old country. I was just back in my old country last September for 5 weeks and was hoping to get back again this fall but not until this suffocation feeling is taken care of first.

I guess you could say not only am I homesick but I'm living in the past. I'm assuming this contributed to my anxiety attack that hit me earlier this year?

I'm seeing a therapist (second session this week) and a meds doctor to discuss possibly getting on a med. My doctor has given me Ativan to help me sleep at night.

I just need to know that this all can be turned around if not solely by therapy but a good possibility meds will be involved also to lift my mood?

Thank you for any input.

Thank you so much. I will ask the therapist about mindfulness. Thank you for the link.

My mother is 80 years old and immigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1955. I know since the time she immigrated she was always homesick and told me once that homesickness was a terrible thing. She never suffered any anxiety and while perhaps she may have been depressed she never showed it when my sister and I were growing up. She worked, went out and did things. My mother now also lives in the past as well talking to me about when my kids were little, looking at their pictures and wondering where the time has gone.

I always felt despite being sad about all of this that at the same time I had a good handle on it if you know what I mean. Perhaps this has manifested through the years with the gallbladder surgery then being the icing on the cake.

I'm so determined to get this beat. I want to be out and really enjoying life. Like I was saying before, I do get out but can't fully enjoy doing anything when I have this suffocation going on constantly and the head in the fog.

Thanks again.

To be honest, I don't think going back would be the cure for the anxiety. Despite me missing my family, there are issues there as well. I know it sounds odd. I'm best just to make visits back when I can.

What I am going to do is look at taking Yoga classes in town which offers meditation as well. I will also treat myself to a nice massage. I will be making the trip over tomorrow to get information on when the classes take place and the costs involved.

Once I get rid of this suffocation feeling I would like to try and find some part time job and look at volunteering again.

I'm sorry about your fibromyalgia, Karen.

Thank you for your advice and support.

Margaret

I'm glad to hear the meditation works for you along with the mindfulness. Great news!

I hope you have a good night as well. Thank you again.

Margaret