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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 8/9/2016 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I've been reading your entries, but it's been awhile since I've posted. It's really helpful knowing you're all out there.

I was doing pretty good with keeping my anxiety at bay and staying busy. I was working two jobs at about 70 - 80 hours a week and having my 18 month old grandson with me on Saturday evenings and Sunday. I got too exhausted and realized I needed to back off of my part time job so they allowed me to take a couple of weeks off to decompress and I went back to just one night per week then Saturday afternoons. I've been doing that for 3 or 4 months now and that's helped tremendously as I'm not tired at my regular job during the day anymore.

Then, a few weeks ago, my health anxiety kicked back up a few notches. I've had the jelly legs and arms thing really bad along with tingling and itching and am back to fearing MS again. I find myself thinking about how I feel all the time and no matter what I do, I can't get my mind off of it. That makes me feel really guilty and upset with myself. I just turned 53 and feel like I'm supposed to have my act together at this age.

I go to family get togethers and try to keep smiling and push through but inside I feel like I'm only there physically. I HATE the feeling. I feel like my doctor just shrugs me off to an anxiety case and refills my Ativan. Bottom line is I feel worried with nowhere to turn and just want to be physically AND mentally enjoying life again. Thanks for listening to me.
Posted 8/9/2016 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MSP and welcome back!

I am sorry to hear however that it is due to return anxiety/health worries. :/

With the schedule you've been keeping...I'm going to venture a guess that there's not a lot of room for keeping up with your coping skills?

Understandable of course. ..but making the time is essential to feel your best, so even though you are already really busy...carving out that 10 min, 2 to 3 x's a day to practice relaxation will help.

Keep posting with us as well. We understand and will be here to encourage you.

Talk soon,

S.C.
Posted 8/9/2016 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Mysweet, your quite a girl, what i would call a juggler, you handle many more things than you have arms
and legs for, de-compression is always good, then realign your priorities, you are doing better than you give
yourself credit for, try to keep in mind that people with all kinds of problems experience setbacks it's just
a part of life!
The main thing is you are "living and coping", I admire you. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/9/2016 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Panda,
Sorry to hear you're struggling so. I can definitely relate. I'm not nearly as busy as you, but I've been working a lot more lately & doing more social activities & more physical activities ... and it all has led to a major flare-up of my PTSD and a high number of panic attacks.

I really feel awful about asking for a reduction in my hours and taking more time to rest and recover, but I've learned often enough in my life that trying to just push through just leads to me crashing & burning. Speaking for me, at least, it's easier for me to justify more time for rest when physical symptoms appear vs. "just" mental symptoms. I don't know why that is, but I imagine that may be why my body/mind try to get my attention with physical ailments.

Could you maybe try taking some more time for rest & relaxation and see if that helps? If it does, great! You've got an easy solution to help you get back on track! If you're really working all the steps of your mental health protocol & they just aren't helping, then maybe get a second opinion and if it is psychological, see if they can't give you some medication or something to help when the anxiety overwhelms your coping abilities. Anxiety can be every bit as disruptive to life as MS and your doc should take you more seriously. If he can't do so, maybe it's time to find another doc???
Posted 8/9/2016 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Panda,

Feeling the same way. Hoping this is just a slight setback for you! Hope you're feeling better soon:)
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