Popping in with an update

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-06-2003
Popping in with an update
1
Sat, 03-18-2006 - 2:33pm

Hi all!

FINALLY on spring break!!! Spending the coming week in NYC with my wonderful husband. I have four websites to work on, but I enjoy doing that and they aren't high pressure deadlines so I'm feeling pretty relaxed right now! :o)

I've seen the psychologist twice now. We tried using the waves sound on my alarm clock to distract me from my pulse in my ears, but then the waves just kept me awake until the cycle ended...so that's not going to work for me. She also suggested I knit for an hour before going to bed. I don't know how to knit, but learned to crochet in 3rd grade, so I'm now working on an afghan! It's the kind that uses squares with different stitches, so I'm hoping the variety will be enough to keep me interested long enough to finish it.

We've both agreed that meds are not appropriate for me, as this has not been keeping me from doing the things I need to do or making me avoid going places. She's asked a lot of questions about my health, family members' issues, and about when my mother was pregnant with me. She seems to think that my sensitivity to sound is significant (not sure where she's going with that at this point), and also my blood sugar issues.

I'm changing my diet to reduce my intake of artificial/synthetic/modified foods and am no longer eating meat or poultry. I am proceeding carefully to make sure I learn to balance my carbs and protein properly, but so far I've felt fine. Also, the Dr. told me not to rely on soda for hydration as the gunk in it reduces how much water the body actually gets from it. So I'm cutting back to one soda a day and water the rest of the time.

My anxiety is getting milder, and PA's less frequent. I had one a little over a week ago, right before my first counselling appointment. I had walked up the stairs hauling my bag with me and talking to a prospective student instead of breathing. Then, didn't want to start gasping for breath in front of the guy, so of course I started to get light headed and my heart skipped, and the rest is history. I managed to talk to the guy for another 15 minutes or so before running off to the ladies room to hide out for a few minutes and wait for it to pass. Haven't had one since, though, only a couple surges and some low-grade anxiety.

Last night was a small victory...being the first night of spring break, I decided to go ahead and have a couple drinks at dinner, and if I was up all night for it, so be it. Well, I had three drinks and a totally normal reaction...yes, I got a little tipsy and my heartrate elevated, but it didn't bother me or keep me awake. I slept just fine until about 6 am when I had my typical acohol-interruption when I need to get up and drink some water and eat a small snack to stave off a hangover. It was very nice to over-indulge a bit and not pay a disproportionate price!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 03-18-2006 - 6:38pm
WB;) Updates are always appreciated. Your's is inspiring, Amy. Have a great time on springbreak. (((hugs))) jan