HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Share your story with anxiety and panic

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic locked
1 23
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/30/2008 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am a 32 year old female. I have had anxiety since I was 22. I just recently started dealing with real depression probably cause of so much anxiety over the years and thinking I've got every health issue under the sun and going to die from it. As I'm typing I'm trying to come down from my panic attack I started having 2 hrs ago and again I thought I was having heart issues. I get to the point were I can't breath good and try to take deep breaths and can't so I panic more. My chest feels heavy...I hate that feeling. I just started my period today and was just wondering if any one feels like this while menstruating.
Posted 8/31/2008 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi -

I am new to healingwell, having found it when searching for info relating to IBD. I am becoming convinced that my anxiety/panic materializes in the form of IBD...we moved from Tokyo to Beijing last year and our son moved away to start college, so 1/2 way to an empty nest - we also have a younger child. I was very, very happy in Tokyo (and in the UK and in the US...)and in Beijing, well, not so much. So, how fragile is my shell that I crack after only a year of being in a place that I don't love?! LOL

I have only just gotten to the point of considering professional help for anxiety after it affected my ability to enjoy the Olympics. The crowds, the chaos, the bathrooms (ick), etc. As I was standing in what seemed like a sea of a million people and having a mild panic attack, I looked around and saw everyone else relaxed, laughing - and it hit me that not everyone is freaking out here!

I am unmedicated for IBD or anxiety - I do use OTC for IBD symptoms.

Look forward to learning more from the forum. Thanks, Belle
Posted 8/31/2008 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi mushy,
Welcome to HW
Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. Do you take any medication for this? Please (if you like) start your own thread so we can get to know you.
Oh my! Look Kitt has updated our thread on menstruation...it plays with my emotions..be prepared. It's normal.
Meg
Posted 8/31/2008 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Beijing Girl,
Welcome to HW. I lived in Sydney in the 2000 Olympics and it was an absolute nightmare. I spent time on a train with my left leg and arm stuck outside because it was so crowded. I am not surprised that this experience has triggered your anxiety.
I would recommend seeing you seek out that counsellor. It is not a sign of weakness, it is a willingness to take care of yourself. I wish you some peace and quiet now this is all over. You sound like a great mum!
Meg
Posted 8/31/2008 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and thanks for the welcome! My Tortie cat, Autumn, does have kidney disease, but we are waiting on complex tests to be returned before finding out if she is going into kidney failure. I promised her an adventure and on the way there was a big, fat old german sheperd in the middle of the freeway, so I stopped, ran out into the freeway (cars screeching, swerving) and got the dog off the freeway. Another lady with a truck stopped (thank GOD) and we eventually got this huge guy into her truck and she took him to the local shelter. Anyways, yeah, I actually have been doing piece-meal jobs here and there while applying for full-time jobs (and not hearing anything back). I pet-sit for 3 people, a local attorney gives me some work sometimes, and I do intermittent transcription from home for another county's public defender's office. It's not like having a real job and feeling stable, but I am so grateful for these extra jobs that come up. One day, the first time in a loooong time, I started having really dark thoughts and I immediately, before even thinking about it, just put my head down in my hands and thanked God for my life and verbally listed everything I could think of that I am grateful for. Boy, did that save me that time! I hadn't had those thoughts in a few years and I was shocked, but I nipped it in the bud immediately - it so helped me to come back to the present!
Posted 8/31/2008 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Kitty, Kitty, Kitty,
You are an inspiration in sharing how you dealt with the dark thoughts. Kudos to you. Remember you can always come here and vent too and even if you sit in tears as you post it is a cleansing feeling to get it out. I have cried while posting many times but putting it down is great as you can read back your own words and feelings and it helps you shed some light on how to deal with the feelings.
Loved the story about the German Shepard. I hope your kitty is ok.
Thanks so much for sharing
Kitt
Posted 8/31/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Beijing Girl,
Wow, I would have had anxiety in the crowd at the olympics too. I am so glad you found us and moving from places you liked and now trying to adjust to a place that does not have the same appeal to you is hard. The empty nest syndrome triggered my first panic attack. I had no idea what was happening to me but eventually I faced the facts.

You will find the members of HW to be warm and caring and I welcome you with open arms so please feel comfortable in starting a thread about your problems.

We are here to help and support as well as care for you.

Kitt
Posted 9/1/2008 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Here, Kitty,

Welcome! I'm such a cat lover too. I hope Autumn is able to get some treatment that gives you two a lot more time together. You sound like you have found a way to move forward with your life after a lot of bad stuff - I'm proud to get to know you!

Gennie,

Welcome also! I'm glad you're taking the initiative to learn about something new, Even though it may not immediately make you feel less lazy, it's a good first step in a positive direction. I identify with feeling lazy - when you're not motivated, it just seems like you ought to be able to *make* yourself get up and do chores or whatever. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. I don't have answers, but I hope you'll find some support here!

Mushy,

Welcome to you too! It sound like you grapple with health anxiety like I do. I expect you've been to your doctor for a routine physicl to rule out any problems. Once that's done - since your symptoms sound consistent with anxiety to non-expert me - try to trust that you will be okay. There's nothing happening to you that can hurt you. Sometimes, I have to sit and say this kind of thing out loud to myself for 15-20 minutes before I can let go of my health fears, but it has worked.

Hi, Belle, and welcome to you also!

Crowds are not my thing either, although at worst they just make me short-tempered and agitated. It's also hard adjusting to a new city when you've had to leave dearly loved places behind. Try to look around for the positives in your new location and then let the negatives float on by, if you can.

Hugs to all! I hope you'll find the support and understanding you need here. I certainly have.

percycat
Posted 9/1/2008 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
  Five of my six siblings and several friends are suffering from symptoms that resemble akathisia and tardive dyskinesia. They have all been taking psychiatric drugs for many years. One of my sisters and one of my friends developed an inoperable “blister” in the membrane around the brain. They both developed relentlessly severe and incapacitating headaches. The pressure caused bleeding in my sister’s brain, sending her into a coma and almost killing her. They had to drill holes in her skull to relieve the pressure. The blister in my friend’s brain divided into four smaller blisters, dispersing the pressure and relieving some of the pain.   All of my siblings are almost completely incapacitated, as are some of my friends. My older brother is in a nursing home (55yrs old) and the sister with the brain-bleeding went in a coma and almost died. She has also grown a bit obese. The funny thing is that even while taking the drugs they were all still depressed, anxious and manic. I don’t know when they started taking drugs, but for at least three of them, it was long before the introduction of SSRIs in the 80s. My youngest brother started out on Ritalin as a child. I don’t think there has been a single day in at the past 30 years that they have not been taking drugs. I don’t think its genetic because my oldest sister and I are the only siblings who have never used medications, and neither of us have any symptoms. I read “The Heart of Being Helpful,” by Peter Breggin, and learned that the drugs can actually cause all these symptoms, including the long-term side effects and disorders. Since then, I have been looking into it and have found many studies showing that mood stabilizers can reduce motivation, put folks out of touch with intuitive senses and cause them to feel aloof.   “Aloof” is almost an understatement because for years my sister and I have been watching our friends and siblings drift away as if they were trapped on broken arctic ice. Because their senses were numbed, the emotional estrangement was tolerable – hence, they drifted deeper and deeper into their malaise. Suggesting their medications might be causing their symptoms was like throwing holy water on a demon.   Many of the studies I read revealed that taking neuroleptics is like giving oneself a chemical lobotomy. I just wonder if they took the drugs for so long to treat psychiatric symptoms, or to stoke the flames of addiction. I have also wondered over the years how they can be inspired to just try getting off the drugs and give non-chemical soulutions a chance. Are psychiatric drugs really a treatment, or do they just mask symptoms and cause other problems in the long run? My sister and I, and other friends, have faith in God and spiritual development, so we have not felt the need to engage is chemical compromises.       .
Posted 9/1/2008 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
SpiritualStuffing
Tardive dyskinesia and akathisia are often caused by antipsychotic drugs or related drugs. Certain antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants) can cause tardive dyskinesia.

In tardive dyskinesia, the muscles of the face are affected most often. Typically, people grimace, chew, stick their tongue out, and pucker or smack their lips. The muscles of the arms, legs, or trunk may also be affected. People with the disorder may rock back and forth or rotate their ankles. They may march in place. Their fingers may seem to be playing an invisible guitar or piano.
People with akathisia feel restless and anxious when they are not moving. They may repeatedly stroke parts of their body or pick at their clothes. They may cross and uncross arms and legs, pace, or march in place. They may moan, groan, or shout.
I have not heard of the newer drugs causing these symptoms but I am not a professional. The antipsychotics are more prone to having this side effect of the med.
I understand you are posting your personal believes and you are entitiled to do so. However members should NEVER rely on information or opinions exchanged via the forums or chat rooms to replace necessary, personal consultation(s) with qualified health or medical professionals to meet your individual health or medical needs. Remember that what's right or has worked for one person may not be what's right for you.
Again welcome to HealingWell
Kitt
Posted 9/2/2008 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!

I posted awhile back but haven't been on in awhile so I'm fairly new. I'm 50 and live in Portland Oregon. I work in Customer Service. My partner and I take great joy in our home and garden. I love the beach and the mountains and getting my hands in the dirt. I enjoy cooking and eating great food. Love to read and even dabble in writing. I also paint and draw. I enjoy antiquing and bargain hunting. My babies are a 5 lb Yorkie and a 18 pound Ragdoll cat.

I have been struggling with anxiety since my early 30's. I had a bout of it then but it involved driving only and lasted maybe 2 years. It finally disappeared for years but came back with a vengence a couple years ago and goes far beyond driving. I was diagnosed with Tachycardia and PVC's many years ago (20's) and I'm on meds for high blood pressure.

I am so happy to have found all of you!!!

Judy
Posted 9/2/2008 6:20 AM (GMT 0)
Members,

I am 31 years old, and work in a professional position. I work with tragic events nearly everyday and have been doing so for the last 10.5 years and also work as an instructor in my position. I started having anxiety about 1 and 1/2 years, and have been struggling with it daily ever since. I had no bouts of medical issues, anxiety/panic prior to my onset. I have been diagnosed with GERD, which I take meds (Omeprazole) for on a daily basis. I also take Citalopram (generic celexa) for genearlized anxiety each night.

I have good days and bad days but always have some sort of issue relating to axiety. I have chest pressure quite often and then I get worried and paniced, thinking I am having a heart issue. I find myself on several occassions even when I am feeling well, "checking in" with my chest to see how I am feeling. I have a lot of difficulty traveling (the onset of my anxiety panic ocurred while I was driving) because I don't know where the nearest hospital is and I need to know incase something happens. I have cancelled several business trips due to my fear of traveling. Ughhh.

CC
Posted 9/3/2008 9:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone, I'm Peter and I'm 44 years old from South Florida. Can't remember the last time I posted on a forum but what the heck. I suffer from general, social and panic disorders as well as some mild depression(mostly situational). I also suffer from chronic pain due to back injuries. I'm in a pretty good place lately due to some medicines and treatments that are really helping but it would nice to know I have somewhere I can go when things get tough again as I'm sure they will. I hope I could also be of some help to some of you as I've had some of these ailments for 25 years. I've had addictions to painkillers and benzo's in the past which I have under control for the last few years. Anyway, enough rambling for now. Just wanted to say hey... :-)

Posted 9/4/2008 11:19 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Stkitt for the warm welcome. I'm sure I'll be posting later as a major hurricane is coming my way and my anxieties are starting to kick in full force. Don't think I could handle another Andrew or Wilma. Still to early to tell but you know how anxiety works. Thanks again...


Pete
Posted 9/6/2008 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Upsndowns,

Welcome back! It is just awful how anxiety can leave you alone for a while and then surprise you out of nowhere again. I'm glad you've found us. (Ragdolls are beautiful kitties! I'm envious.)

Bigcc,

Welcome! My first recognizable panic attack happened just like yours: driving, trouble breathing. I feared many causes for 3 years. Now I've been diagnosed with reflux also, and so long as I treat that properly, I don't get those terrifying physical symptoms. I hope you'll have some similar success. It is just such a relief to be able to concentrate on beating down the anxiety when you *know* that your body truly is not in any danger. I'm also uncomfortable travelling at times because of the desire to know the hospitals, but that discomfort has dropped a good 90% from how bad it was in the early days.

SpiritualStuffing,

I'm sure it's hard to watch so many of your loved ones in such a bad place.  I hope you'll be able to find some comfort and peace.  Welcome!

Petersfine,

Welcome to you also!  Do take care and get ready for the hurricane when they give you the say-so.  I've been following them on the national hurricane forecast site, which is pretty up-to-date.  Most of the information is related to wind speed predictions, but you may find some helpful bits about other aspects also.  Good luck to you!



percycat

Post Edited (percycat) : 9/5/2008 10:07:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/9/2008 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm Kate, 28 and from Maryland. Let's see...about me - I've always had some sort of anxiety but just recently started having panic attacks. I really never knew how bad they could be. I mean I knew people who had them but I never knew the terror. After going to the ER for what I was sure was a heart attack (or that I was seriously going insane and would have to be committed), I learned it was just panic. I know, "just panic"?? Like it's no big deal! I had to go for a few months without my Effexor but have health insurance now so back on it! Finally started to feel a semblance of normal again. What a great feeling! BTW, reading these posts have really helped.
Posted 9/10/2008 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Beetlebug,
Welcome to HW, it's nice to meet you
I find reading through other people's posts helps me too, especially when I need calming down (often!).
It can be quite confronting to end up at an ER and be convinced you are dying just to be told "oh it's only panic"..sometimes I have wished it was something more "treatable"..but there are great treatments and meds out there.
As Kitt mentioned, please feel free to start your own post or just join in anywhere you feel comfortable. Again, welcome.
Meg
Posted 9/11/2008 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Beetlebug,

Welcome! The only redeeming thing about the phrase "just anxiety" is that when the doctors say that, you know they don't expect some serious physical condition to be going on with you. It's not easy to deal with, and I've had my share of multiple trips to the ER in one week. You'll find lots of folks here who understand what you're dealing with and can offer a friendly ear to listen, shoulder to cry on, or arm to help hold you up.

percycat
Posted 9/19/2008 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I dont think that ive ever introduced myself since Ive been on here. My name is Kate, im 24 and I have suffered from anxiety for about 3 years now. At first they thought it was PTSD from being involved in a bank robbery. I went on effexor and was fine so I decide to come off the meds and was good for about 9 months when all of a sudden the anxiety came back with the thought that i might have HIV. I had to go on effexor again and after about 3 months and 3 HIV tests, i was fine and decided to come off the meds again. Then about one month after that the anxiety came back yet again with the fear that i was going to go crazy and harm someone. so I went on Pristiq this time because for some reason when i took the effexor it was making my throat feel funny. I am doing good now. Esspecially with the help from HW. I think this time I am going to just stay on the meds because I am starting to see a trend in the fact that I think i just have a chemical imbalance and the meds are working for me and not against me. I still continue to see my doc and probably always will. I have had a rought childhood as well, and i think ive worked through most of it but i think it may have to do with my anxiety as well. Thank you to whoever took the time to read this!
Posted 9/20/2008 9:53 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Nikki and Kate! I'm so glad you've found this forum. It's been a very supportive place for me, and I hope you'll find the same,

percycat
Posted 9/20/2008 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi - I just joined and I found this so I thought I'd introduce myself.
I have been suffering from panic disorder since I was about 13 (Im 26 now). I didn't really know what it was at first, but finally figured it out in my early 20s. This problem has started to affect my whole life...i avoid going out with friends, traveling, movies, shopping - all things i would like to do. im just always scared im going to have a panic attack. this has started to affect my relationship with my boyfriend, whom i really care about. i just dont know what to do anymore...i kind of feel like im at the end of my rope.....
Posted 9/20/2008 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Jilene,
Welcome to HealingWell and I understand your feelings. Anxiety is not something anyone would wish for. Everyone here has suffered from anxiety or panic attacks so I know you will get lots of support.
I see you have started a thread, great. You will be hearing from the members.
Again a warm welcome and lots of hugs. Please email me if you would like or have a questions.
Kitt
Posted 9/25/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi my name is Velvet, I'm 37 and suffer from Anxiety and Panic attacks. I'm bi-polar and some other medical things. I live in Mississippi. I love chatting and meeting new people. I sometimes feel i'm going out of my mind. I would love to hear from others. so feel free to contact me.
Posted 10/7/2008 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, my name is Leanne, 27 years old and new to the anxiety forum. I remember my first panic attack happened when I was 15 years old, though for many years before that I exhibited OCD and still do to this day. When my anxiety began at 15, I just dealth with it and it just went away. Then I went to college and during my second year it came back full force and I had to drop out of school at the end of the fall semester. I went back the next fall and in October 2001, between the tragedy of Sept 11th and all the uncertainty surrounding us in NY and a bad breakup I thought about taking a bunch of pills, but thank God I was strong enough to call my mother and ask for her help. I started seeing a psychiatrist was on Paxil and things were great. about a year and a half later I didn't like the zombie feeling Paxil gave me and I quit cold turkey (I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE!! WORST FEW DAYS OF MY LIFE!!) Things were cool, I would have random anxiety attacks but nothing that I couldn't handle. Then comes 2008. On January 8th, I went to the ladies room at work, left the stall and slipped on some water. I fell forwards, landing on my knees, then putting my hands out in front of me to stop my fall, they slipped, and I preceded to smack my head on the tile floor. It did not feel good. The hospital said I didn't have a concussion, but the headaches and intense pain I was in for the week after suggested otherwise and turned out I was suffering from post-concussion syndrome. I kinda lost it after that. I kept fearing the worst and nothing was helping. I was a complete wreck for 3 months. I finally went back to work in March and was doing well whole taking Celexa and Klonopin. And then, in July I started having some other medical issue (which may turn out to be fibromyalgia) and the anixety and panic are back. I've been out of work on disability since the end of July due to anxiety and the pain I'm in. So that's me in a nutshell!! HAHA!!
Posted 10/7/2008 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
my name is shell im 31 I have 3 beautiful little babies I have a/p and hYpothyroid I have had them for 5 years now I worry all the time and some times I catch myself screaming at my babies I have told my doctors about this and all she told me was that im bipolar and put me on effexor xr. the last month has been hard for me I been panicing a lot and my anxity is really bad my husband don't care or want to help and my family thinks im going crazy or just trying to make every one feel sorry for me .
✚ New Topic locked
123