anyone else feel like this

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2006
anyone else feel like this
9
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 8:28pm
I am 40 years old,and have always had anxiety. In the last four months it has been the worst. My symptoms everyday,all day are heart palpitations,dizziness,off balance,vision problems,shakiness,muscle tightness,and just an overwhelming feeling of dread,like I am dying from a horrible disease or I am losing my mind to anxiety.I don't enjoy anything anymore,because I feel horrible all the time.It is terrible that you can bring this on yourself and have so much anxiety and depression when your life isn't really stressfull.Anybody else feeling like this,I would like to hear it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2006
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 9:06pm

HI,

The feelings you are describing I feel it every morning at different degrees. I'm going through PPD and this is part of what comes with it. It's really not fun. As my day goes I feel better but sometimes I open my eyes in the morning and my heart is already racing and I have that feeling of dread. I have started medication, am going to therapy, going to acupuncture treatments and joining a support group for PPD. I may be increasing the dosage of my medication because feeling like this at any extent is pretty exhausting day in and day out. And the biggest question is always WHY?....apparently there are no real answers to that one....maybe a chemical imbalance. But as you know anxiety brings on depression because it deprives you of your energy and concentration. Hope you will be taking some measures to feel better because I don't think that it will go away on it's own. It seems that when you pass a certain point of anxiety it just gets worst so it's better to take care of yourself by providing yourself tools to feel better. Every day that you feel better will make you stronger and the anxiety will subside...maybe not go away totally but the symptoms will be more bearable.

ciao
Sonia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 9:29pm

Hi! You are very welcome here. I am sorry to hear about your anxiety. This is a feeling that I have when under extreme stress or illness. In the past, I suffered spells like what you are describing for months @ a time. I also panicked frequently & kept myself @ home & wouldn't drive. I used meds & therapy to turn myself around. Have you used these methods? Would you consider it?


You are NOT bringing this on yourself. True anxiety is a chemical imbalance, just like diabetes is a chemical imbalance. You have done nothing wrong or anything to deserve this. It sounds like maybe you are depressed or lacking self esteem. In spite of the fact that you have always been anxious, have you seen your dr. lately? There may be a medical reason for your feelings. Low blood sugar, thyroid problems, etc. can cause severe symptoms like this. IMHO, you should have

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 9:55pm

I felt the same way when my anxiety & panic got out of control.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2006
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 11:08pm
Yes, I have had this same feeling literally from nowhere since about April. It has been on and off but has mostly consumed my life and the symptoms you get from the anxiety do make you freak out even more and feel worse. I try to remember that even though I have felt like I was losing my mind nothing bad had happened from these symptoms yet so I will be ok. I agree it is awful and ruins life for a while. Xanax has helped me a lot. I only take half of the .25 mg and I calm down right away. Also, maybe getting on medicine that has little side effects will help. I fought it but then gave in and tried an antidepressant and it does really help but I still feel bad for having to take them. I sometimes wish that I had a reason for feeling so bad since my life is good but then of course it would be worse I guess. It is also very hard to expalian this to those who do not suffer. I hae generalized anxiety disorder and it has caused me to be depressed. It sucks! Panic To Power is a good book that helps me by Lucinda Bassett. She has a very calm and reassuring approach. Hope you feel better soon!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-30-2006
Sat, 09-30-2006 - 10:31am
I have also been experiencing similar symptoms,(headaches, depression, irrational thinking, rapid heartbeat,etc) for the past month and have been to the hospital 4 times. Today I picked up the results I had from a CT that I had done yesterday...I'm normal. I am currently living abroad so it is adding to the stress of the situation, but my family has been supportive. If I could recommend one thing to you, it would be to read any book by Lucinda Bassett. She founded the Midwest Center for Anxiety. She has a website that has valuable information and her books offer great advice. Hang in there! Each time you start feeling down, take a few deep breaths and ask yourself where is this coming from or is something bothering me. Take steps to slowly eliminate. Also, pamper yourself. Anxiety can wear you out, so go and get a massage or do something that you really enjoy.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 09-30-2006 - 10:37am
Hi! It's great to see you;) Thanks so much for posting your thoughts & great insight on how to deal with anxiety. I wish you all the best. Please don't be a stranger. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan




 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Sat, 09-30-2006 - 11:12am

hi there,


yeah...i know that feeling all too well:( i'm actually coming out of a bout like that....that happened to me 5 months ago, and ever since then i've been working on changing my thinking and relaxation techniques....the "good" news is that i've made some progress and am feeling a little bit better most days. unfortunatly that type of stress and anxiety can seem to come on out of no where, but can take a lot of work and a long time to get out of.


do you see a psychatratist/therapist, take meds or do any relaxation stuff?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 2:03pm
Hi I am a 47 year old female who also suffers from panic attacks and YES I have felt the same things you are experiencing. The worst is when I am at work, in a very high stress job and I can feel one coming on. I usually try to go to the restroom and do some deep breathing exercises and splash some cool water on my face sometimes it helps but sometimes it doesn't. My biggest fear is that I am going to freak-out in my office, or pass out because of the dizziness. I know a lot of people who have said that Xanax helps but my doctor will not prescibe it to me because he thinks it is so addictive. Has anyone had any results with Natural cures such as vitamins or minerals?? If so any suggestions would be truly helpful.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 3:02pm

Hello! Nice to see you here;) Having panic attacks myself, I can relate to your fears. They are scary. You won't be harmed in any way. Noone has ever died or gone crazy from an attack. If you fear passing out, be seated & put your head between your legs. Practice belly breathing or relaxation exercises which you will find many in our *coping tips & tricks* folder below. You CAN do this. Keep your thoughts positive.


As for meds, have you considered a course of antidepressants? Research indicates that meds & therapy are the most successful way to treat panic. As for natural remedies, take a look @ these recent threads. There are some folks who have had success. http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=20953.1&ctx=0


http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv-bhpanic&msg=21004.1&ctx=128