PLEASE HELP............

[sunset555]

Hi, I am currently a bit wound up with a bit of panic and a lot of anxiety. As a result of this I find that over the last couple of days, my breathing is very high up in my chest, almost in my throat, I feel stressed out and have had a bath, drank chamomile tea, tried to sleep, taken some Bach rescue remedy (bottle dropper) herbal remedy for stress, and NOTHING is working. Also tried to deep breath through abdominal breathing techniques - still nothing.

Have been suffering on and off with panic attacks and anxiety over the last 9 years or so, it is pretty bad at the moment, as there is a lot going on in my life (but a lot of very good and positive things) which still makes me so anxious and almost so hyper that I just cannot sit down for more than a couple of minutes, have to keep busy.

Please help with any comments .......... I am going out of my mind.

Sunset

[RubyWitch]

You can do it.............we talked about how strong you are. Don't lose sight of that.
Peace
Greenlydia

[mimiwinn]

Hi sunset.  Sorry to get back to you so late, my computer committed hari-kari.  I'm very happy for you that you're having relief of your symptoms.  Ever since I started taking nexium, I no longer have those fluttering tight feelings I used to get in my chest.  Sometimes I felt like I had to work to pull my air in, or my lungs wouldn't expand fully.  I am not having any of that anymore.  I recently discovered, also, that the metropolol that my doctor put me on was causing me horrible anxiety.  I was having adrenaline surges as I fell asleep that felt like raw FEAR.  I was so obsessed with what my heart and breathing were doing, and so worried about every fluctuation from the norm that I was having anxiety attacks from worrying about having heart attacks that felt like heart attacks!  I stopped taking the metropolol, and I no longer have anxiety to the extreme.  Now if I get a little worried I can talk myself down.  But the anxiety I was having as a side effect of that pill was completely beyond my control and was crippling me with fear!  Between the nexium (relieving my chest symptoms) and the NO metropolol...I have no chest discomfort or heart attack 'symptoms' and no more constant worry.  I hope you're finding a satisfying resolution as well!!!!  Take care, Mimi

[sunset555]

Hi Mimiwinn,

Just a short note to say I took your advice on the acid reflux symptoms, and took an anti acid today and already after only seven hours my chest really does feel a little relieved.

Thanks,

Sunset

[sunset555]

Hi mimiwinn,

Funny you should mention the likes of acid reflux and nexium, because a few years ago I actually took that for acid reflux and many of my symptoms went away, and now and again, I take losepine which is basically the same type of tablet it's an anti acid and that also helps, so maybe you are right, I will certainly  mention it to the doctors in the hospital tomorrow morning and see what they think too.

Many thanks for all of your kind words and excellent advice. You have cheered me up:)

Sunset

[fuzzy882]

AMEN.............

[mimiwinn]

I mean family, not problem!  nice freudian slip, huh?

[mimiwinn]

Hi,
I just wanted to share some wisdom I recently received from my mom.  I too was having anxiety attacks to the point that I thought I was having heart attacks.  Then my anxiety obsessed with the fear of this, and made everything worse.  After my 2nd visit to the hospital I was talking to my mom and she said she had so many of my same symptoms (fluttering, tightness in the chest, trouble breathing, chest pains, etc) and that they were all a part of her acid reflux problem.  She reminded me that my entire problem had it, and so I probably did as well.  After explaining this to my doctor and asking him for nexium...I am very excited that the majority of my symptoms have gone away.  Within a couple hours of taking it, it felt like someone released my heart and lungs from a vice grip and I could breathe again.  In my case, it was the physical sensation of symptoms in my chest that developed into anxiety (about them) and then or course the anxiety worsened them...and became its own problem.    I've since learned that many heart and anxiety problems are misdiagnosed because of the peculiar symptoms involved with reflux.  I never thought I had that because I rarely ever get heart burn.  But acid reflux isn't heartburn!  I'm not completely free from anxiety problems, I'm still getting adrenaline surges, so I still do have anxiety issues I need to address.  But after all the tests for heart attack came back negative, and the relief of symptoms I felt from the nexium, my anxiety has decreased a great deal.  Knowing how it feels to feel so bad, I thought to mention the nexium to you in case it helps.  Like, if some of your chest discomfort came before you anxiety, or it started that way, then maybe it's a problem you don't even know you have.  I sure didn't!!!  Good luck and God Bless, Mimi

[sunset555]

Hi All,

I would just like to thank everyone for your comments and words of advice, they mean a great deal to me and gave me peace of mind - so thanks!!

Thankfully, after taking a little break from the forum, and calming myself down, I now feel a lot more relaxed and my breathing is almost back to normal, although the anxiety is still there, but at least I am trying to control it and not focus or dwell on it too much.

I have to go and get a 24hr holter monitor put on me this coming Wednesday and then back to the hospital Thursday for them to remove it. I dont see the cardiolist for 2 or 3 months for the result, and this is when he wants to see me. I dont look forward to the long wait, but cannot let my life revolve around it either! So I am just going to get on with it and enjoy my life instead of worrying so much!!

[Jade59]

Hi sunset......fuzzy gave you an excellent suggestion.  When you feel like crying, but don't, this can add a huge amount of stress on top of the anxiety.  I can't tell you how many times I have just let go and when it's all over, the tightness in my chest does ease up.  So go ahead and let it all out.  

If you live with others, and you don't want someone to know you're crying, try crying (or screaming) into a pillow.  Or sometimes, I'll go into the bathroom and cry into the towel.  I always feel better.

Take care.........

[fuzzy882]

I noticed in your other thread you said you "felt like crying"  DO IT, Im serious, It's good for the soul. Get it out....

[fuzzy882]

Hi Sunset,

What you have stated about your anxiety is textbook, what my father used to call "ant's in the pants". Is now what we call anxiety. That horrible feeling of trying to run from one's self, but no matter where we go, here we come. A feeling that we can't get control of no matter how hard we try.  

What I had to learn was to accept that it is anxiety, let it do it's thing, dont fight it. The more you fight the worse it get's. Your mind's going 1000 miles a minute and your trying to keep up with it. You can't..   You wont go crazy.  No, anxiety holds you captive to where you know what's going on at all times. It's cruel. I know.  I used to wish that I would completly lose it so I wouldnt have to deal with it, but that dont happen.  

Somehow, someway you have got to find your way back to yourself and get yourself calmed down. I know it isnt easy,  but you do have it in you to do it. I guarentee it.

I'm glad that you have joined the fourm.  There is alot of good advise on here, alot of good people situation as you..

Good Luck and stay in touch

[sunset555]

Just want to say thank you so much for your comment and just to know that I have God by my side, helps me, I know he will give me the strength - he always does.

Bless you,

Sunset

[GHR]

Hi Sunset,

Turning to God has been a great help in my personal experience with anxiety.  Here are a couple of scriptures for you to look up for a Scriptural Prescription. I encourage to you look these up. You can go to www.biblegateway.com if you don't have a Bible.  The Bible is God's word, and it is the truth.  I have found referencing these scriptures has been very helpful during difficult times such as that you are going through.

Isaiah 41:10
Matthew 7:25-34
Romans 10:9-10
Philippians 4:4-7, 4:13
1 Peter 1:6-7
1 Peter 5:7-8

Just know that what you are going through did not catch God by surprise.  He is there by your side.  He knows all your needs.  Just ask him to give you strength.

God Bless,