to hatgal....

you have been so kind to me..seems like you really understand my anxiety and nervousness..it seems like I amm doing this to myself it as been going on for so long so many months and part of me wishes it was over with.  I wish I could just get past the intense fear ...i only went to one therapy session will b going again this week...what am I to do my surgery is scheduled for mar 26th and I am so worked up already...any suggestions...would be so helpful I wish I had a better frame of mind I am such a controlling person and Being that this is going to out of my control I am flipping out...all these bnegative thoughts are going through my mind everyone tells me that it is just as easy to think positive..how do I do that??? thanks for listeneing. By the way my name is Gia and I live in new jersey.

[hatgal]

Hi Gia - You hit the nail on the head about the control issue.  The anxiety strikes when we feel helpless and unable to control things. I'm not really a controlling person, but when things were out of my control that is when my anxiety was at its worst.  But it is also a hormonal imbalance that makes us feel this way.  That is why anti-anxiety meds are needed.

You havent' said if you asked the doc for meds to control it.  I guarantee (well, I can't really guarantee, but I'm quite sure) that if you take Klonopin from now until your surgery, your mind will be in a very calm mode; the lack of control you feel for your surgery and the fact that you have to have it will ease and you will be in a much better mental state to follow through with it.

When my anxiety began I took Klonopin for almost a year while seeing a therapist every week to weed out my "control" issues to a point where I understood some things in life we cannot control. Then I began on Zoloft and it saved me, basically.  However, Zoloft is a build up med and takes up to six weeks to kick in.  That is something you may consider down the road.  For now, the Klonopin (a valium-type med) will take effect immediately. Then your mind will be more clear to pursue what you need to do through therapy and surgery and on down the road. And althought right now it's the surgery that is freaking you out, who knows what else the future holds for any of us and we need to be able to deal with it in a calm and rational manner.

I hope this makes some sense; sorry it's so long.  I just want to let you know that I really understand your anxiety and after what I've been through with mine, I am more than happy to help anyone experiencing this dibilitating disease; I've learned alot over the years.  Best of luck to you and feel free to post whenever - I'll try to help you in any way I can!