Too Much Anxiety. :(

Hey everyone. I am in need of a little support/advice. I had my world record of around 3 weeks mostly anxiety free. It was GLORIOUS. But around 3 days ago my anxiety returned, and seemingly with a new set of symptoms.

Since I have these new symptoms,. I am running circles in my head about whether or not to see the doctor. I told my husband about this last night, and he told me "time to take an Ativan." Grr. That frustrated me because I do not like Ativan, and I really just wanted him to listen and give me some sympathy.

Anyway, my question is, what do you do when you have a new set of symptoms show up? What should I do?

Have you told your husband that you just want him to listen and give you sympathy?

Men tend to be "fixers" and sometimes when we just want to talk and have them lend an ear, they view everything coming out of our mouth as if we're presenting them with a crisis that we're expecting them to fix.

If you have a new symptom, check with your doc *first* and then see what he/she recommends.

If they recommend occasionally taking an Ativan and you take it as prescribed, it's just another tool in our tool kit. Nothing bad,...it just is what it is. :)











M.

The new symptoms are all wacky, that's why I am pretty sure my doctor is going to think I've gone mad. Actually, he's pretty good about listening, so maybe he would help. Anyway, the new symptoms that just *poof* showed up are:

-a pain, almost like a bruise on the gentle skin behind my ear lobe. It's been there for 3 days now.
-a feeling as though someone is holding onto my ankle, and obviously, no one is holding onto my ankle. :)
-the knuckles in my hand getting all swollen and achy
-Neck muscle pain
-Extreme Fatigue
-Muscle weakness in my arms that seems to come and go
-A pain/discomfort in the base of my throat when I breathe in
-Ear pain

I took Tylenol yesterday and a majority of the pains went away for a bit, so that was nice. And I tried talking down my "catastrophizing mind" into the idea that it was a cold/flu coming on, and not my impending death, so that was helpful. But I had a total breakdown at the end of the night. I am so afraid of dying, and leaving my family behind.

I have to remember not to get caught up in the idea of thinking that I am going to live til I'm 86, because when things like this happen it seems like such a chopping away of my dream of a long life.

I hate to call the doctor over such little things, but I sure could use some reassurance right now. :(

TMA,

I can relate to what you described in your last post!! I mean I don't want to live with a high maintenance dram-queen type of man...but is a little sympathy and understanding too much to ask?

This is a word for word quote from my husband during one of our last, um...discussions.

 

...and I quote:

"Can we just take the emotion out of all of this?"

LOL!!!!!................um, NO!  (do you even know me?!?!/)

This was after he had said something hurtful to me, and I was reacting to it.

I just had to laugh though...it actually was an unintentional insult to injury that stopped the fight...because I couldn't help but think it was funny in its ridiculousness. ;p

That is why we have each other's back here, right?

S.C.

Here are some additional words of wisdom.

Hubby and I communicate now, we've come a lonnnng way, let me assure you.

But there is a caveat. IF you choose to ask him a question, and he gives you an answer you do not like, you absolutely, totally, and completely *cannot* punish him! You cannot sound off on him, yell, get angry,.... all because he didn't give you the answer you *wanted* to hear.

I have learned this and it's not a sugar-coated pill to swallow.

If he says something that may hurt my *feelings* I always ask myself, "Well, is it the truth?" And if he's saying the truth (even if it isn't tactful or gentle) I absolutely *must* let that go. Otherwise you're teaching him it's not safe to talk with you, or you're giving him confines where he'll learn not to talk unless it's to give you misinformation based on what you *expect* him to say.



I really, really, reeaaallly wish that I learned this earlier on in our relationship.



But it took us time, and patience, boatloads of trial and error, and yes, even stepped on toes. But we have both learned from it.











M.

Merrida, that is SO SMART. Thanks for that. I tend to be punishing when he says something that frustrates me, or if I am already frustrated in general. I should be a better listener to him. He knows me, and my anxiety, better than anyone other than myself and God.

Cornell, Thanks for the words of encouragement! Those 3 weeks were so nice. I still had anxiety, but it was manageable and I even got out of the house on a bunch of occasions. But now the strangely anxious feelings are invading again. BOO!

Unfortunately I have terrible judgment on when to see doctor's, when to take meds, etc.. It's not a gift that I was born with. I would likely ask to be hospitalized for a bee sting. I'm a bit dramatic and exaggerative, unfortunately. It's good in that when I am happy, I am happy times a million and that when I care, I really deeply care. But it's not so good when it comes to being scared or sick. I tend to think I am 10,000 times more sick than I really am. :(

TMA,

Great job on seeking ways to expand and improve on a healthy lifestyle!!

I do hope that the symptoms lessen, you improve, and are feeling all around better very soon.:)

S.C.

I totally understand you TMA, actually i was reading a study book about HA and it was saying the doctors also should be educated about how they explain things to the concerned patients.

The lack of time, their way of thinking, whatever you call it. They just know that those symptoms are not indicating anything dangerous because they have experience but they just dont know the importance of explaining further for reassurance.

Today the nice dentist told me that those red scar like dots inside my cheek dont look like something dangerous and asked me to wait and see if they get better in one week. But didnt explain further, why this symptom doesnt look dangerous. So its just trusting and waiting. Hard to do.
I am sure you will succeed in making your life anxiety free. Because you are working on it.