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Posted 12/16/2013 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hello! My name is Megan and i am 36 years old. I have been reading here for a while but just decided to introduce myself. I am not totally sure exactly what im suffering from, Doctor says i am depressed and have some extreme anxiety. I guess i can agree with that diagnosis considering i feel both those ways but i also have a feeling i have something else going on.
Heres my story in a nutshell..
about 4 or 5 months ago i woke up and was so sick to my stomach i thought i was going to die! It was horrible..after it didnt ease up in a few days i went to the ER and they said i had gastritis and some acid reflux. Went home with some meds for the nausea and a PPI to take. Well, things didnt get better and i began to lose weight as i just could not eat, so back to the ER i went again. Blood work fine,same diagnosis and a referral to a Gastroenterologist. Made an appointment and he set up appt for an endoscopy which showed i had a hernia and some erosions in my stomach. I stayed on the PPI along with some antibiotics. Went back for myu follow up and still wasnt feeling well. He sent me for an ultrasound of my gall bladder which came back clear.
I was so sick i ended up moving home to my Dads because i was thoroughly convinced i was dying. When i got to my Dads, my family set me up an appt with an internal medicine doctor who listened to me and did some more blood work and again everything is fine. I broke down talking to him and he asked me if i was depressed? Of course by this time i am deeply depressed and full of anxiety because i was so sick. He prescribed me prozac and lorazepam. Well the prozac made me so sick i couldnt handle it but the lorazepam calmed me down and eventually i started to eat again. I have my good days and then i have my bad days, but in the last month i have had more good than bad. I guess im just looking to understand whats happening to me and if i will ever feel myself again?
Posted 12/16/2013 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Megan, Everyone suffers from anxiety, but for some, anxiety can become a lifelong disorder that impairs one's ability to function socially. Chronic anxiety can result in social phobia or the inability to talk with and interact with others. It is important you understand what anxiety is, and learn helpful tools for reducing anxiety so you can lead a comfortable and happy life. Everyone experiences anxiety in different ways. It is important you recognize the ways your body responds to stress so you know how to best treat anxiety. With proper care and treatment, you can overcome anxiety and lead a happy, healthy life. Make sure you take positive steps to change your health today. We have a great resource thread at the top of this page so please do check it our and hopefully one of the ideas will appeal to you. I am going to post links from our resources so you can take a look.  Any questions re the resources just ask. The Breathing exercises are very popular. Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions Panic attack relief exercises: http://www.healthyplace.com/ http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/ http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I Free on-line CBT programs: http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome Online support groups like HW are dedicated to people with anxiety and related mental health disorders. I hope you stick with us as you will find the members are very kind and supportive.   Kindly, Kitt      
Posted 12/16/2013 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
hey Megan I am Kyle 24, I dont have the upset sthomach thing but I have been in the hospital numerous times from anxiety.. so they tell me I ALWAYS thinkg I am dying when I go my BP Rises, heart races, chest hurts, hard to breath non stop shakes, mind racing I was in the hospital for 3 days last time. Blood work always comes back fine, CT scans, x rays, heart echos, EKG's everything always normal. I still think I am dying sometimes so irrationally. I know I can not necessarily relate to you 100% but know alot of people are in similar situations and it gets better. I had the worst week ever when I was in the hospital non stop panic attacks. now Mostly good although I just had a panic attack earlier today :/ I hope it brings some kind of solice knowing your not alone. Let me know if you need anything!!

Kyle
Posted 12/16/2013 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
StKitt,
Thank you for the warm welcome and for the response! I guess im just confused on how i felt totally fine one day and the next my world was turned upside down. I dont do alot these days, just kinda hang around my Dads house and read. I am not afraid to go out and some days i do go out and spend time with my family, but then theres the other part of me that doesnt feel 'normal' anymore. I find myself crying alot wishing my old life back and wondering what happend and where it all went wrong. I havent had the easiest life, but through every tragedy i have always pulled through. Now i feel like this is one battle i cant win! Im just sad!!
Posted 12/16/2013 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kyle,
I can relate to the irrational thinking! I was convinced i was dying and they were missing something..
Its nice to know others are dealing with the same affliction,even if in a different manner. I remember telling my Grandma that if i wasnt dying from something horrible i was surely going crazy and needed to be locked up somewhere. I dont know, im completely confused by all of it. My doctor suggested i see a psychiatrist and it probably isnt a bad idea but i have no insurance and as much as i have been to the ER and doctors in the last couple months, i just dont see how its affordable.
Anyhow, thank you for talking to me, it does make me feel better.
Posted 12/16/2013 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi megan,

I am so sorry to read of your struggles lately.

It is so hard to understand how quickly things can go from fine to really rough!

I have a similar story...and I think that what happens is this. Anxiety is not as suddenly switched on as it would seem. I do believe that it builds and builds...as we often ignore or are just good at pushing aside the warnings.

One day, it can no longer be ignored, as our body signals us with a very obvious red flag...in your case, your stomach.

From there, it becomes a vicious cycle of symptoms=more anxiety=more symptoms.

Do all that you can to treat the A/D. You have an Rx, but have you considered therapy? I can highly recommend doing so if you have not thus far.

Kitt also gave you excellent self-help links from our Resources. I can personally recommend them as well! They work! :)

Keep talking with us as well. Support is a key part of recovery.

We understand, care and are here to listen anytime.

Talk to you soon,

S.C.
Posted 12/16/2013 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I just saw the note about your insurance and seeking therapy/psychiatrist...

There are therapist who work on scale...and even those who take patients during their internships for low cost/no cost sessions.

It would take some searching in your area to find, but it may be worth it.

Also, group therapy is ususally less expensive than one-on-one...and of course the free on-line options (links above) are pretty good as well!

S.C.
Posted 12/16/2013 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
S.C.
Thank you for replying! You know,in all honesty, i have an amazing family who loves me very much and would do anything to see me get better and have my 'smile' for life back. If i asked they would help me see a psychiatrist. I guess im scared..of what? I dont know..this all just seems so overwhelming to me. I will check out the resources you and Kitt have mentioned and if i cannot find my way through those,i will ask my family for help.
How does a person go from being happy and content in their life to fearing everything? I feel like a little lost girl.
Posted 12/16/2013 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
I know...it is hard to accept, but a big part of healing is realizing that we are struggling and need to reach out.

You have started in doing just that...now keep up the good work on your journey.

There is hope and you will get there with your determination and the help that you are seeking!

I hope that you will continue to allow us to be a part of your support system.:)

S.C.
Posted 12/16/2013 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Megan. Welcome to HW! I can totally relate to everything you are going through. My anxiety built up so much that one day 2 months ago, I got lightheaded and have been that way pretty much ever since. My blood pressure went sky high and I got very anxious. It all started with a sinus infection that took a while to get rid of. I wasn't getting better, so the anxiety kicked in and the physical symptoms got worse and worse. I have had many days where I'll be going along fine, then all of a sudden, I feel like I'm going to die. Like you, I just want my old life back. My doctor has run tests that have all come back normal. I have been diagnosed with hypertension, health anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder, so I am currently taking medications for those. Now I have more good days than bad.

You are definitely not alone. We're here for you! I wish you all the best. :-)
Posted 12/17/2013 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Megan, use the free self help resources here also check for local group therapy that leans toward CBT.

Larry ***
Posted 12/17/2013 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you larry! I am reading now. I go back to the doctor the day after Christmas and i will ask for a referral to see someone. I refuse to stay this way forever. I realize now this is something that i cant ignore and hope it will just go away.
I feel bad for my family when they ask everyday how im feeling and i cant tell them what they want to hear. I can hear the pain in my Grandmas voice and i know she feels helpless. Heck, i too feel helpless at times but i know im the only one who can turn this around. And i will.
Posted 12/17/2013 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
StKitt
I see you are in Minnesota. I have lots of family in Duluth,Hutchison and my grandparents had a farm in Montevideo for years and years. I spent many summers there.
Posted 12/18/2013 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Megan I know this sounds like I'm a snake oil peddler but with this condition one must think and act positive
if you develop this system it will slowly change the way you actually feel, Peace

Larry ***
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