hi anxiety and panic attacks

hi mom! i know exactly what your going through and its great that you found this site. everyone here is so helpful and caring and its the best support system around!
i know exactly what you feel...the pain in the left side under the ribcage and the chest. the back pain. i know it all too well. a friend of mine is a massage therapist and she has been helping me with some relaxation techniques. i told her that i felt like i had some kind of tumor growing all over my left side since there is always some kind of pain and pressure there. she told me that people carry stress in their bodies in different ways, and that of course, having high anxiety and panic attacks, we have much more stress than normal. lately i have been doing some deep stretches every morning when i wake up, and each night before i go to bed, and ive also started meditating. they have both been helping alot. also, are you on any "immediate relief" medication? i am on lexapro, but i also have xanax on hand for those times when i feel a big attack coming on.
i hope ive helped at least a little. i wish you all the best, and just know that you have some amazing people here that are rooting for you!

blessings, leaves

Hi Leaves,

You cannot possibly imagine how wonderful it is to hear that someone has the left side thing... ok let me re-phrase absolutely NOT wonderful that you are suffering or uncomfortable but selfishly wonderful for me to hear you say that I'm not alone.  Did ya get all that...lol

I desperately want to meditate but sometimes I concentrate so hard on trying to achieve this heightened awareness or the mindfulness that I am supposed to be striving for that I actually get frustrated and "anxious" (imagine that :)

I have Ativan for massive attacks but I haven't needed it in a while - although I'm not sure if I didn't need it the last few days or if I've just been trying to punish myself... 

I love this site, you guys are awesome and I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am to find others who understand and are so supportive.

Great input all
IO too believe in the massages ......
Hope all are going to have a good massage tonight
I will be needing one .......