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Welcome to HealingWell. You will find much support and encouragment here. I am deeply sorry that you have been having a rough time. I too worry all the time that something is wrong with me due to other issues. So 24/7 I'm anxious about my health and what could be wrong. My number 1 suggestion to you is....do not google or look anything up online, it will and i repeat will make your anxiety worse, I have learned this the hard way. It is good you have been reading the CBT book, I'm doing a CBT program online, that is helping, slowly but helping. I am also going to see a therapist for the first time on WED, that might not be a bad idea for you...just a thought. I hope that all gets better for you. We are here for you, and again welcome.
Much love and support

Hello and welcome!


Well, hun I'll tell ya first off, You are not alone! I'm 34 and have been suffering from anxiety/panic for many many years.

You are headed in the right step. Meds, therapy and CBT. Which is great. And a huge step forward.

Now all the symptoms are just that anxiety. I get all the ones you have mentioned. And wow can they send me for a loop and cause several days of total nightmares. But once the symptoms get old the panic and anxiety settles and my mind plays with me again and causes more. So its a never ending roller coaster for me.

Now a little info I think might help you.
My dad had to have this thyroids removed before I was born (34yrs ago) And it also caused his anxiety to get 10x100 worse. It wasn't until the later 70's that the doc's finally got his synthroid leveled out to where it should be. Or at least close enough that it helped it settle. And then finding a doc that actually knew the "other" symptoms where anxiety and put him on Paxil.
So I personally think and totally believe that thyroid problems can and will cause anxiety problems. He did ok for some time. Anxiety got worse and he had to quit his job added Xanex to his med mix. And refused to have this synthroid dose messed with. Upped Paxil and Xanex he finally returned to work 3 years later. In the mid 90's new doc put him on Celixa and he is cruzin along like nothings wrong.
He doesn't have panic attacks anymore. Still has the anxiety but lives a very normal life!
Though because he wouldn't allow the doc's to mess with his synthroid dose he is a very heavy man. But very active. And I'm talking (even though he is 60) He works his 10 hour shift and comes home works outside until 8pm every night. And has done this for years.
But he is now borderline diabetic and has to watch his levels. And needs to lose the weight but no matter what he does he can't seem to shed a pound. Which is all do to the sythroid not being set at the perfect level.

So keep an eye on that and speak with your doctor if you have concerns. Though your situation is a different. And I'm not sure if weight will be a problem. But just some info to help you just in case =).

Zoloft will take 4-6 weeks to kick in fully. So be patient. Yes Xanex can turn into a crutch. Which only you can control. Sometimes its just us thinking its doing just what its supposed to. If your worried start taking smaller doses. Speak with your doctor about your concerns.

Now advice =)

Kitt had advised me and a lot of people here about staying in the moment. Don't worry about what could,should or might happen. Stay in the now. It has helped me a ton. I try not to add what if's to anything anymore. And my panic attacks have gone from 2-4 hour episodes to less then 30 minutes.
When you feel panicy and anxiety is high. Normally which is caused by an unwanted unexpected sudden pain or unusual feeling in the body/mind. Tell yourself as soon as it "hits". That you are ok. That the anxiety is starting up and you are strong and better then it is. Keep reminding yourself. Force your mind to focus on something else.
I use a breathing technique that works for me.

I picture a gorgeous meadow with tree's and flowers on a hill side. I focus breathing while enjoying the sun and birds etc. But while breathing I can feel my chest rise with "good" air and feel the negative air leave my body. When I breath in its green and clean air. When I breath out its dark and dirty. I picture myself filling up with the clean air. By the time I'm done usually 5-10 minutes I'm either so relaxed I take a nap. or rejuvenated and ready to go.


Hope I have helped ease some worries for you. Have a wonder day and keep in touch!

Welcome to the family.

Cary-Ann

Dear tothedogs

Welcome to HealingWell.  You have joined a great forum.  Support groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information. People with health conditions, as well as their friends and families find support groups to be a valuable resource and get confirmation that their feelings are "normal", educate others, or just let off steam. IMHO joining a support group is joining a family and you are one of our newest family members so hugs to you. 

I am so sorry about your miscarriage and the problems you have been having.  Seems to me like you have a right to anxiety but let us help you rearrange things a bit so you have anxiety and it does not have you. 

When your fears have the best of you, it is easy to feel that things will not get any better. This is not true. There is much help available in today’s society and the best way to deal with your fears is to find effective ways to overcome them. Instead of focusing on doom, stay in the moment. Give yourself breathing space. Consider what matters to you. Establish a few manageable goals, then take small steps toward achieving them. CBT and therapy, awesome.  Now add the meds and give it some time to work and see how you are doing.

One of the best remedies for anxiety is to talk about it. Here's where good friends and family can come in. The old adage "A problem shared is a problem halved"  So keep on coming here to HW and your newest support family and share with us.  We do care about you and will do our best to help you through the anxiety.

Again a warm welcome to you,

Kitt

 

 

Hey, Tothedogs! Welcome! I hope you're feeling better today. As you begin doing all of the suggested things on here, you will feel calmer and more in control. It probably scared you when your husband lost his job. So, that problem is solved. You've had to go through the miscarriage. That's not pleasant.

It helps to know that your tests came back okay. You are a healthy person. Stay in the moment and do not allow any negative thoughts to come into your head. When they do, tell yourself something positive. Hang in there!