Anxiety and panic disorder

Anxiety
#1

I have suffered from anxiety and panic attcks since I was about 12 years old. I have seen all sorts of specialists, hypnotherapy, brain wave technology or neuro feedback( can’t spell:)), the Chaange program, cognitive, and behavioral therapy, and many other types of counseling. (and of course medications) I have not overcome my anxiety by any means, but have found things that have been helpful and have a lot of knowledge around the issue. Anxiety is something we should not hide or be ashamed of in any way! Typically people with anxiety are extremely bright and talented. We however are super sensative to our body and it’s reactions, and outside influences. Most people suffering from anxiety seem to think they are alone in the sensations and fears they have. I have learned that although we may vary in some of the symptoms you will find that most of us are very similar. Some of us know when our anxiety started and some of us do not know how or why we suffer. I have learned that you do not have to know why you have anxiety just how to live with it and understand why your body and mind react the way it does.
Most people with anxity have panic attcks where the anxiety feels out of control where they have to escape. Some of the body sensations that happen are: dizziness, shaking, chest pain, shortness of breath, hot cold flashes, fears of going crazy, a need to escape and many more. There are reasons are body feels this way. It is our defense sytem going to work. We are not crazy and not abnormal!

I suffer from panic, anxiety and agoraphobia, and also have Crohns disease. I have a hard time going shopping, or “having” to be someplace that I can’t just leave when I need to. And sometimes I just have a hard time sitting on the couch! I can’t always predict when my anxiety or panic will kick in and this is a fear all in itself. Once I have a panic attack I am more likely to have a few more and then they taper off over a couple of days. I am learning through reading and counseling how to “float” through the first one so that the next one does not come or is less intense. It is a struggle and something I would not wish on anyone! If anyone has any questions about my own experiances or any questions, or has advise for me or others please share! We are all in this together and can learn so much through sharing:)
So welcome to everyone, and thanks to Ben and his team for getting this started!
Kimansuki

#2

You my friend ~ :slight_smile:
As you know i’ve spent some time worrying about my crohns.The fear is hard to let go of.The problem is its a constant state of anxiety , what if’s , Ahh it drains me of so much energy.To help solve my anxiety / fear problem i’ve come up with a Mantra : No fear.
I never learned how to properly express anger when i was growing up. I guess it was just thought of as something " I " should deal with. I handled it !! Then later in life i started realizing i had many symptoms of anxiety , depression , anger , fear , loss of direction , self esteem , helplessness , i never had the mental tools to help alleviate the situation , a constant state of anxiety set in.
So when i got sick i didn’t know what to do with my feeling’s. I was actually quite lost and confused by the injustice of it all.
I’ve learned alot of emotions with my crohns.My basketful of emotions arel senstive to my many moods but over a period of time i have coped and learned to be comfortable on “most” day’s. It gets exhausting and exasperating , still. I’m working on myself :slight_smile: i’m commited in this life to continue to learn , grow , improve , share and listen.
Along my way i have tried to bargain with God.Over time , i learned to trust and have faith that my health and the quality of my life would have some uncertainties but i promised myself that i wouldn’t allow Crohns to destroy me as a whole. My spirituality is often my source of strength and sustenance for my life with crohns.
I’ve learned so much along the way , ultimately , my whole experience with this disease has truly deepened my soul and how i believe in hope.
Ps. i believe humor is powerful therapy.Just a great coping mechanism.Im a big advocate for pet therapy :slight_smile: too.

While i was hospitalized for a my crohns prison sentence i was "Anxiety " , there was NO sign of Jade, pure hard core anxious anxiety , when i view my medical records now it makes me stop and rethink , wow i was severely suffering !! Valium was my miracle for a quick fit , i was on many different medications for my symptoms. I don’t recall the names of all of them and i didn’t ask but if i wasn’t feeling the affect i was calling for the nurse - Whew. I believe without these medications i would have been to exhausted to continue the fight for my life.

…Am i coping and dealing better with all the side dishes of life , crohns , stress , work , raising kids? Umm… I’m walking with it , today.
I say the wind bring’s rain , then scatters clouds to reveal the warming sunshine. I still feel the ground shifting under my feet , thats helping clean my emotional house.Its then time to deal with my feelings , patterns and try and focus on what is causing this , occasionally self induced.
My anxiety is unpredictiable , spontaneous , and a unwanted house guest , today i’m medication free - somedays i need those magic beans. Yesterday i needed 30 mgs. of valium , just to keep the sanity of those who are in my life!
Kim and all you careplacer’s i’m hoping you’r personal struggles ease and you find a medication treatment that works well for the long haul.
Believe , hope , fund !! ~
Jade

#3

Thanks Jade~ your words are always insirational to me. I worry about my future with my anxiety and Crohns and hopefully I will find that peace that i have been searching for. If not maybe just learn how to accept and work with my anxiety and not against it.
XOX Kim

#4

Kim ,
I’m wondering how your doing since you went back on Zoloft ? Has it been long enough for you to feel the postive effect’s of it ?

#5

Hmm I just wrote a reply but something happend and it vanished!
So The Zoloft seems to def be helping with the Crohns pain. I went from almost everyday with a heating pad down to maybe 1-2x a week!
I am hoping it is not just me being hopeful and having a few good weeks, but time will tell:)
As far as the anxiety I haven’t noticed too much, My thoughts and fears are starting to be a bit more under control but I am still on a low dose and excpect I will need to go up a bit more.
So thanks again Jade for the link on zoloft!
YOU are my source of info and I channel your streangth when I am having a hard time:)

#6

you and your fragile hopes are safe with me !! hakuna matata ( no worries ) my sweetie. Jade

#7

Hi Jade,
It seems to be going good on the zoloft, I just increased it to 75mg and will probably go up to 100mg for maintenace. But so far I am happy with the progress, and hope once I am up to full strength things will be even better! I will let you know:)

#8

Cyndi- Thank you so much for your kind words. Brings a smile to my face:)

#9

Hi, I am a new member just started today, I am trying to get some feedback on panic attacks while you are pregnant, I am 20 weeks pregnant, and my doctor says there is nothing he can prescribe to me while pregnant and that I should talk to a psychiatrist, I know that just talking is not going to solve my attacks, when I have an attack, I have to go to the doctors office and receive treatment by means of xanax, that is the only thing they have given me, and I can’t take it every day for fear of the safety of the baby. I have to find something to help me, I can’t last any longer with the feelings of panic creeping up on me at any given time, usually at night. please help with some advice or other means of support. I really would appreciate it. I feel so alone in this. I don’t know anyone that suffers from this.

#10

im glad i could help kim. im not sure if i already wrote a reply so if i did, oops.

#11

Kim your a sweet heart. What i decided to do is 25mg now instead of 50mg. I dont want to cut it out my life bc it has worked so well, Im afraid to. All i can think about is going back to the way I was and I cant do that. Ive been taking 25mg for the past week and havent had any bad reaction so far, or any attacks. If i do im going right back to 50mg. Im trying to see if cutting down on zoloft and dieting will allow me to loose some weight. Im 188 lbs and every time I go to the doctors they tell me I have to do something about my weight. My cholestrol is high now and my sugar is high. (they really want the sugar down bc of my fathers history with diabetes) So thats the ONLY reason I am lowering the dose of zoloft. BC I noticed Ive gained 50lbs since I started taking it 3yrs ago. I know age is a factor as well but I think zoloft is as well also. I hear doctors saying zoloft dosent cause weight gain, but somehow I cant beleive that, Im hearing about it way to much from “every day people”. and myself as proof. But thanks so much for thinking of me…I will keep you updated on my weight watchers program. Hopefully…so far so good on the 25mg zoloft.

#12

Him, yes I was on 50mgs and 4 the past 2 weeks I went down to 25mgs. Im okay, I just noticed my patience is not as good as it used to be. And some mood swings But no attacks since. Maybe the 25 mg will lessen my hunger? we will see. thanks for the love. Hope your doing okay