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Uptight about road trip

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Posted 7/2/2018 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
As most of you know, I've had some stomach/gut issues going on the last couple of weeks. I'm a week into being placed on 40 mg Prilosec as my doctor is sure it's stress. Thankfully, I'm back to eating pretty much normally and bowels getting back to normal.
I have had a lot of heart palps again off and on and the skipped beats. Yesterday while we were out shopping, I had a panic attack which I pushed through with breathing exercises and concentrating on what we were looking at instead of freaking out. Sleeping good again too.

This weekend, we have to make a road trip of 1 1/2 hours to go see my boyfriends brother and bring back a couple of things he has storage there. I'm SO UPTIGHT that I'm going to have this anxiety crap either while driving or while we're there. I'm excited about the grip yet dreading it. His brother is very nice and it will be a fun trip. IF ONLY I KNEW MY MIND AND BODY WOULD COOPERATE rolleyes
Posted 7/3/2018 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
MSP,

Use your positive mantras and visualization to anticipate only good things. Projecting a great, anxiety free trip will go a long way in ensuring it happens!

Also, trust that just as you got through the panic yesterday...that you can do so again if need be...

...but only envision good things, because it is likely to go perfectly. smile

We are here for you anytime!

S.C.
Posted 7/3/2018 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
panda,

I believe you and your partner can do things to entertain yourselves for an hour and a half that will take your focus off your worries. For example, you can sing along to music you both know and make it fun. Make sure to have any medication that helps with you should you need it.

Best,
John
Posted 7/3/2018 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
S.C. and John,

Thank you both. I am trying really hard to stay focused and positive about this as I know how distraction and focusing on positive really can lessen or alleviate the symptoms every time. We made this same trip in February over the President's Day weekend and had a blast. I just received a message yesterday that my doctor refilled my Lorazapam and I was almost out so that makes me feel better.

John...every time we're in the car, we talk and joke around and sing to the radio a lot. We're the same age and grew up with the 70s, 80s and 90s music and love it.

I've also noticed that the stomach cramping and problems have subsided so I guess the Prilosec is helping. Gut has pretty much returned to normal too. Lots to be positive about!
Posted 7/3/2018 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
panda,

That's great! I encourage you to print out that last reply or make some kind of note of it to remind you good times happen because it really is hard to remember sometimes.

Best,
John
Posted 7/4/2018 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
So after a few good days in a row and no stomach/gut issues, yesterday afternoon briefly and then this morning during breakfast, it started again. I DON’T GET IT. Yesterday I had a breadbowl with clam chowder when it started. This morning I had a few bites of steak w/Italian seasoning rub Then the uneasy feeling started along with crampy feeling. I finished but less than a half hour later had a loose bowel movement. I’m so confused. I told my doctor and she told me to keep a journal of everything I’m eating and drinking and the reactions if any. I am so frustrated. I ate a sandwich for lunch ok but stomach and gut been feeling icky off and on since breakfast.🙁
Posted 7/5/2018 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you're doing better and have a great time on your trip. I've had gut issues since I was a child, as well as anxiety. I had trouble anytime something unusual was, or while something was going to happen. It didn't matter if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

I found that breathing deeply and letting it out slowly during a cramp helps. Also, do you best to let your stomach muscles relax, hard I know. It does help, though. So does practicing it when there isn't a problem. There is medication you can get for the cramping but it's a prescription. It does help a lot but it's not a miracle, just close. I always have one in my purse.

Also, there is a board on this site about stomach issues. It wouldn't hurt to check that out for thoughts and ideas. Moderators, I hope it's ok to say this. Feel free to remove it if it's not.
Posted 7/5/2018 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
This is probably a bit of a flare due to anticipatory anxiety. Work those coping skills...especially Positive mantras and visualization. It works!🙂

S.C.
Posted 7/5/2018 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
S.C., You're probably right. Every since this past weekend when my boyfriend told me he was thinking about making the trip, I started thinking to myself "oh no". Then Tuesday, he told me that it's for sure we're making the trip Saturday. It's a 1 1/2 hour drive up, then pick up his big truck from his brother's house, hook up a trailer and drive another 45 minutes to his daughter's to pick up his stuff from her garage. Then we're turning around and driving back home. He and his daughter are in a squabble now too and they haven't talked since the week before Father's Day. That just compounds it. We both hate drama and confrontation. So that on top of my anxiety over the drive up and back...you can imagine.

And I found out a few minutes ago that I have to make a 2 day trip to Portland, OR for a work meeting with our entire team. Just keep breathing, just keep breathing, just keep breathing.......
Posted 7/6/2018 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
So tomorrow is the day. We hit the road by 9:00am and make the 1 1/2 hour trip to my boyfriend's brother's house, leave my car, and pick up my boyfriend's truck and a trailer, then drive another 45 minutes to his daughter's to get his stuff out of her garage. They still don't talk and she has a celebration of life to go so we may not even see her. His son-in-law will be there to help. Working on keeping my anxiety in check and think positive.

I received the referral from my doctor yesterday to make my colonoscopy appointment. Starting to get nervous about that with the stomach issues I've been having. I am now keeping a journal of what I eat and drink, when, and how I feel. Again, I keep food down just fine but can't understand why I can be eating (nothing out of the ordinary) and all the sudden get that uneasy feeling. It goes away pretty quickly but why is it happening? Part of the gastritis? This morning, I drank some water, then started burping. Indigestion from water? I just get this stomach thing off of my mind. It's hard to believe that it's "just stress". And again the fear because my grandfather died from stomach cancer. Am I over thinking? This is at the forefront of my thoughts right now. My boyfriend is so sweet and understanding about it too. Every night he asks what I'd like for dinner, concerned how my stomach is feeling at the time. He's an absolute sweetheart and will make anything from plain noodles to steak and potatoes, whatever I want. He just wants me to be ok.

Thanks for "listening" to me vent. I'm just uptight about this stomach thing.
Posted 7/6/2018 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Lucky lady to have someone special helping.

Yep, I can get indigestion with just water. Sometimes anything can trigger it or sometimes nothing can trigger it. Hang in there and rather than worry remember that you have taken the first step towards knowledge which will lead to figuring out what the problem is and then a way to handle it.

Have fun on your trip, use your coping skills. Check out the scenery as you go by, play the alphabet game with your BF, seeing who can find the alphabet letters in order on the signs first, read something to take your mind off of it.
Posted 7/6/2018 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lendi. I am trying so hard to stay focused on something besides what my stomach is doing. As I mentioned before, my grandfather (biological father's dad) died from stomach cancer. My grandmother (mom's mom) died from pancreatitis resulting from a gall bladder problem but that's not a concern since I had my gall bladder out a long time ago. I know I'm probably overthinking it but I've always been a hypochondriac by nature thinking the worst is wrong if something doesn't feel right. I am staying off Google too. Worst thing to do with anxiety and hypochondria.
Posted 7/7/2018 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thinking of you. I hope you're having a great time!

You're right, google isn't always a friend.
Posted 7/9/2018 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lendi. I just now saw your message from Saturday. THANK YOU SO MUCH! That was so sweet. You made my morning.
There was a bit of a twist that may have been a blessing in disguise. My son and 3 year old grandson made a surprise visit Friday night and spent the night with us. We had a great visit and I was totally occupied playing with my grandson. Saturday morning was casual and spent more time together. My boyfriend and I left mid-morning for our trip. I was fine all day and so busy that anxiety didn't have a chance. We were actually on the way back and in separate vehicles (we went up to pick up his truck and a few other items so had 2 vehicles coming back). The anticipation of the drive back kind of set it. I took a very small dose of my Lorazapam and was fine. We had a busy day yesterday unloading the truck and doing yard work. Was having some palpitations off and on but still a good day.
Having some anxiety this morning because I have to schedule my colonoscopy.
Posted 7/9/2018 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
MSP,

I am so happy to hear how well things went! Well done you!

You now can look back at this victory and know you can handle more than you thought was possible!

Thanks for updating and keep up the great work!

S.C.
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