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Need someone who has both asthma and Gerd and panic Dis?

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Posted 12/6/2013 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Ok. Heres the situation. I'll break it down somewhat so it isn't long and drawn out hopefully. I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease in about 1997, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia in about 2003 and diagnosed with Gerd around 2007ish?

Since about 2003 I have been having bad trouble breathing, sometimes it feels like my lungs don't want to inflate or I can't breath in deeply enough or my mind just decided it won't send the "impulse" to do so. Saw a doctor a long time ago, he had me see a specialist..who put me on medications that made me feel like a zombie. Think it was Citropram and Zoloft..which had alot of other side effects. And prescribed me Benzos..which I think I was addicted to once...I wound up going cold turkey off of those...I stopped those like 3-4 years ago I think.

Breathing now has gotten so bad, and so all the time that my primary doctor prescribed me an inhaler. (Albuterol). Which sadly, I'm afraid to use because I read the side effects and I"m afraid of medicine big time to begin with. Primary thinks it's Gerd Induced Asthma. But I've had this for years.

BUT my concerns are, can asthma make you feel really cold, to the point where you can get under thick blankets and the trouble breathing and the shivers and the coldness don't go away...my fingers turn icy cold. And I get tingly in my cheeks and nose. It's gotten to the point where it's like ...I can't get to the bottom of it.

The Citro and the Zoloft made it hard for me to take care of my kids. Maybe if someone has taken and tried an inhaler, it'll help me try it...so I can get over this fear? It would at least help me get rid of one Probable outcome. Thank you.
Posted 12/6/2013 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Magikaltears,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  I am glad you found us and hope I can advice you. 

You have a bit of a complicated history- it reminds me of my own.  First of all Crohn's  Disease is a tough disease to have and that alone would cause most people to have anxiety in their lives.

Looking at your history I would suggest you look at the GERD as perhaps being the culprit of your possible asthma.  If your Dr. has ordered you an inhaler it would be wise to at least try it but if your anxiety won't allow it, I would suggest you see a pulmonologist.

We have a great GERD Forum and one of our Mods on the Forum has breathing problems with her GERD.  You will find many other members in the GERD Forum that will experience the same problem.

Here is the link

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45

Do check in with the members of GERD.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 12/6/2013 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Kitt. I have been a member for awhile but it's always good to be welcomed again.

I'm thinking it's all a vicious cycle. One feeds the other? Like my Crohn's Causes my Gerd....my Gerd causes my inability to breath and then the inability to breath causes my panic attack. I'm thinking of trying something I saw on a thread in the allergy/asthma threads, to take alot of Vitamin c? Mine seem to be weather/hay fever related I think. Trying to pinpoint and cure the cause for this has been stressing in itself, as I'm sure we all have been through. :)

I will dedicate the first time I use my inhaler to you...since you're helping me get through this fear I have. I keep telling myself how many people take it....chances are low, etc. When they diagnosed me with Panic Disorder, I think I beat myself up way too much...blamed myself..which sounds crazy probably. but I am looking into every thread for ideas, and advice and just overall general stories to help me get back to where I want and need to be. :)

Ty for your kind words and assistance, Kitt. And if I don't speak to you again, Have a happy Holiday.

My holiday is going to be weird, because they're also giving me a 30 day event heart monitor and I have to schedule an electrocardiogram , just to rule out that it's anything serious.
Posted 12/6/2013 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Magikaltears,

I am more than glad to be of help.  I truly believe that once we get on the merry-go-round of anxiety getting off of it takes tremendous energy.  I have anticipatory anxiety which sounds like what you are talking about.

I do the best I can to not worry about yesterday or tomorrow but when my anxiety takes over I feel  totally lost. 

While we can't always control what happens to us, we can always control what we say to ourselves. It's important to keep things in perspective. Talk to yourself in reasonable ways. Ask yourself "how likely is my fear?" Remind yourself that you have coped before during other challenging times. Don't just dwell on the negative but consciously look for things you can appreciate every day.

We have great suggestions in the anxiety resources at the top of the page.  You may want to check out the deep breathing exercises, meditating and positive self-talk which is one I use often.  When I feel the anxiety trying to take over, I will tell myself, " I am Ok", " I have done this before, I can do it again"

I find letting the anxiety in and right back out of my mind helps a lot. Also keeping busy is one of the best things that works for me.

I look forward to getting to know you better. I had to laugh when I saw you have been a member since 2003 - that is even before my time.  smhair   

Blessings,

Kitt 

Posted 12/6/2013 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Kitt,

That is so true, Kitt. I haven't seen my psychologist in so long, because even the copays for my insurance were something I couldn't afford. It was like 99 dollars per hour session to talk through my problems, and then I had to pay another doctor to prescribe the pills I needed. My kids will always come first.

I just read how long it took the founder of Healing Well to find out what he had. I admire his courage for sure, but he certainly probably went through alot of what we are. And seeing a positive attitude about it all, is something I struggle with.

I need to remember more than anything, that whatever health problems I have is not my fault, or my parents fault, and it does not mean I can't do what I set my mind to. I bookmarked Peter Waite's Blog, and I will read it soon :)

And telling myself I'll be ok usually does work..but when I'm tired or cold...or stressed..it winds up getting out of my control. I've also thought that maybe I'm still in denial about my panic disorder..and that there "Has to be" something else wrong. That's what 90% of us think, right?

And keeping busy helps mostly, I play tripeaks on the computer...or a word scramble game. Anything to try to switch my mind from my worries to what the answer might be.

I Normally don't say much, I'm one of those kinda people that "Bottle" everything up instead of asking for help...I usually like helping people instead. <3

I've always been a big fan of this forum for how much support it offers. And it's nice to know people are here when and if I do need it.


Blessings to you as well,

Please call me Magik or Kathy. xD I can never go by a sn. xD
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