Anxiety

Thank you...I didn't even know that I posted but I'm glad to know that there are many others like me.. I was diagnosed with acute Anxiety and I used to have panic attack but now,I'm somewhat better ...doctor prescribed me 10mg propanolol twice every day.. It just slow down my heartbeat but doesn't make me forget my anxiety thoughts.. I have chest pain and difficulty breathing sometimes ..I even have dull headache everyday...I'm just wondering if it's common or just me.. I alreadychecked a cardiologist and they took xray ,ECG and echo ..they all came back normal.. Now,I'm starting to think it's some lungs problem..this is really frustrating and started to affect my daily life..I'm just curious whether you've got rid of it or still suffering from it now.. Would love to hear your story too..

All the symptoms you have described most people suffering anxiety disorder have also experienced. I know it's hard to believe your symptoms are in fact caused by anxiety as opposed to some physical disease. Those who first have anxiety think just the same, that the doctors are wrong, that they are missing something.

So panic sets in and with panic comes more symptoms, especially breathing difficulties. That is very common.

Now then, this site will be invaluable to you Here you will learn about your illness ( yes anxiety disorder IS an illness and don't let anyone tell you different, especially not to Pull youself together!) As with any illness we get symptoms and we have to deal with them one by one.

This site and the wonderful people on it will advise and help you. This site will do much to help you overcome any fears you might have. Any new symptom and you can post it here and replies will flow in to help you understand.

The biggest hurdle is not being afraid, not adding the, Why is this happening to me? What's the matter with me? panic mode.

You'll be okay. We are all here for you

First, you might want to get your med changed. Most people have to try more than one to hit the jackpot. I was lucky to get the right med the first time.

Are the things you are experiencing common...yes.

My story...I now see that I have had low level anxiety and depression for many many years. So when a doctor told me it was okay to just stop metoprolol (a beta blocker for blood pressure) cold turkey, the result was as if a bomb was dropped  that blew me over. After ten days or so of all the horrible thoughts, feeling not myself, could'nt sleep, thought I was going ti have a stroke, etc. I got myself to urgent care where I was quickly given an anti depressant. Within a week and two increases in dose....I calmed enough to begin to help myself. One of the best things that has ever happened to me is finding this forum. Until I started reading, I didn't know I had anxiety disorder, neither did the doctor...just thought it was an isolated incident.

Here I learned ways to cope and to thrive. Combined with my years as a counselor and what i learned here....life is good. Finally figuring out that to a low degree, I have actually had the seeds of this since I was about 13 years old. I don't see this as something to be gotten over like a cold. It's a part of my life I am learning to live with, like someone having astigmatism or having to use a cane or whatever. I have integrated it into my life, changed diet, learned breathing exercises to release tension, and know when on an errand run,  when to stop for the day and go home and put my feet up.

For me, seeing this as something that is part of my life, instead of how quickly can I get rid of this pest, means that It will never rule me again, but it's "part of my personal reaity."

There are degrees of anxiety. Because of all the years I now see it was already hidden in a corner, is why I say it's with me and probably not just disappearing one day. I do not think this is true of everyone, but I do think it is true for many.  I am on the right med, am learning  how to live a wonderful life, and am a happy puppy.

I suggest that you think about this...this is what is right now....and forget about ...what will it be tomorrow, or how long will it be here. Today is the important day. Thinking on yesterday can bring regret and thinking about tomorrow can bring worry or fear. I believe there is a bible verse that says, "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." To that I say....let the choir say Amen

I realized many things from your story! The eloquence painted a picture that made me realize that my anxiety has also been " hiding in a corner " (wonderfully descriptive!) for as long as I can remember. I just didn't realize it was there. I just knew there was something.

Reading your comments also made me realize that those of us with GAD do focus upon the past, which is futile as we cannot change it, and the days to come thinking, Will I cope? What if? Will I feel better? And so on and so forth. Setting ourselves up for added anxiety and the resulting panic. We do this automatically. I know if I have an upcoming appointment,ie, hospital/dentist or whatever, my anxiety spirals out of control for the days leading up to it.

Seeing you putting it into words has given me some clarity and made me realize where I was going wrong in this instance and for that I thank you

I guess it's about acceptance isn't it? Fighting to feel "normal" is so exhausting. Sometimes I get it right. Other times I fail miserably. But...you said something that struck me forcibly. It was like a light going off!!!! For years I have been coping but inside of me I have been struggling to " get rid of the monster " that stalks me instead of seeing it as a part of me and my personality.

Because of your inspiring post I am going to try to see what I do have, the riches that are a loving family, a nice home, financial security insofar as we can pay our way in life and life itself ,and not that which I don't have, ie, an anxiety free existance.

Thank you, dear friend. Thank you.