Need to talk

[Brendan2013]

Hi in new here :-) my name is Brendan 29 years old and I'm going through a horrible time . I woke up this morning dizzy as can be, the room spinning out of control. I got into a bath to calm down fearing the worst, I got out and still unsteady on my feet , I've suffered from anxiety for a while now , was a smoker until last year and gave up my somewhat generalised aniexty hit an all time hi , dizzyness , feeling dread , tingeling, trouble breathing , trouble existing .... Finally this year I picked up the smokes again and a lot of the symptoms went away , now there back still smoking but I want to quit again .... I don't know what panic attacks are but boy today I feel out of this world I just can't calm down ... Never been in meds for it ... Debating weather I should ?? Thoughts would be great I feel so alone right now :-(

[mammo]

Have you seen a doctor to rule out other causes for your symptoms?  If not, you need to do this right away and never assume that anything is anxiety related without first ruling out other causes. A spinning room usually means Vertigo which is not related to anxiety, but an inner ear problem. Dizziness can be a part of anxiety...they are two different things.. I have never smoked but have a very ill husband due to his smoking which he quit 34 years ago...your cardiovascular damage caused by smoking is forever.  But I have seen how bad anxiety can be for someone who has stopped...you may want to try something to help you gradually quit like the patches, etc.  You're not alone, so many have and are enduring what you are but there is help via therapy and/or medication.  I hope this helps, I know how scary this is.

[Brendan2013]

Thankyou Amy :-) I currently have been seeing a Pyc for about 4 sessions now every fortnight , while it does help I know in my mind I need a bit more help, meds are not a long term plan by any means I see it more as a stepping stone or a helping hand to get me to the next barrier :-) I just want to be able to function normally so I can be at my best to battle this, Im kinda getting scared at going to sleep now I don't wana wake up with another bout if dizzyness , pain and the feeling of dread its awful. Tonight as an experiment I've had a camomile tea , relaxed in a bath and have some spa rainforest music to fall asleep to :-) sound good aye ??? I get pain on top of my ribs and tummy when I feel bouts or waves of anxiety come over me is this normal ? Thankyou to you all for speaking to me I really really appreciate it I don't feel so alone :-)

[Amy4891]

Medication can help, sometimes it doesn't help, sometimes the meds can have bad side effects. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find what the right medication is and the right dosage, because different medications effect different people differently. It depends on severity of your symptoms also. I would say if your symptoms seem pretty severe to you, and are causing you lots of dysfunction in life, the I would definitely consider it a possible treatment option. Some people with mild anxiety can work through it in therapy. Which even if you choose to take medication I highly recommend therapy. It really is something you have to decide for yourself if you want to take medication or not. I would say if you are really having a hard time deciding maybe you should seek therapy first, it may help enough you may not need medication, or maybe your therapist can help you decide if medication is right for you or not.
I hope my response helps you in some way.

[Brendan2013]

Thanks Mike I plan too give them up for good this will be my 4th attempt but it will be the last time I see them . The dizzyness comes in waves at times it's really bad and now I'm lying down I'm still unsteady but not as much. I just feel so out of control and I just don't know why this is happening and I frightens me beyond belief :-(

[Celtics9]

Not a smoker so I can not relate. However I can relate to the dizziness, is it like a constant haze over you? Just not how you used to feel? Also the tingling I get in my finger tips often and figure it's part of the anxiety. I highly suggest stopping smoking man, it's not benefitting you it seems? And it will most definitely be better for the body and lungs.
-mike