I'm so sick of this now 😢

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi everyone. It's been a good few months since I last posted, I've had some ok times and my CBT therapist advised I stayed off the Internet as googling illnesses was just making the cycle of anxiety so much worse. I hope this doesn't have the same effect but I just can't carry on like this. I've been short of breath for over a week now. It started last week when I got a random pain in my head and I convinced myself it was a brain tumour and had a full blown panic attack. I've had the breath shortness before but it eventually went away, but this time it just doesn't want to go. I can breath normal, but every few breaths I feel the urge to take a big breath and can't fill my lungs. When I really strain for a breath it only fills my chest and not my tummy and my neck is painful from tensing up struggling for breath. (Well I hope it that cos the neck pain is freaking me out now too!!!) My jaw aches on and off all day, especially after eating, the tubes from my ear to my throat hurt and I sometimes get an ache up the back of my neck to my head. I am starting to seriously terrify myself that this could be something relse and not just anxiety making me feel this way. I'm going round in circles trying not to think about it but making myself think about it so much more. Please help, do these sound like anxiety symptoms or do I need to get medical care urgently. I'm so fed up of this horrible illness ??

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Oh, I also feel like some food is stuck in my throat a lot of the time too!!!
    • Posted

      Very, very common with anxiety, Sammy. my doctor told me as long as I can drink a glass of water...I'm fine.

  • Posted

    When we are in an anxiety attack, we often breath shallowly...like when you are in fight or flight mode. When we gasp for air, or suddenly suck in a big breath, it is just the body taking care of itself...replenishing the oxygen anxiety has used up. It happens to almost all of us. To me...every day. I just thank my body for doing its job.

    Those of you who worry about this breath thing, relax....relax. The very worst thing that can happen is that you pass out. The very first thing that will happen once you are "out" is....you guessed it.....your body will take a deep breath. I have not heard of this happening with anxiety anxiety, but  I can assure you struggling for breath won't kill you.

    You are struggling because the more you worry about it, the tighter your chest gets, and on and on. Stop, sit down, deliberately let your muscles relax, then take an easy breath in..don't force, just take in how much you can. Then release the breath naturally through the mouth...dont push or blow the air out. Continue this until you have gradually become to breath deeply and naturally. Every time you exhale, allow your body to relax more.

    Most days I have to do this ten or more times. I'm so used to it, I start the process without thinking. In a way, the shortness of breath is your body telling you it is stressed. It's your job to help it out. It's kind of like..."thanks for telling me, body, I'll take care of you right now."

    Think of this as an opportunity to help your body do it's job, instead of thinking of it as your body trying to harm you. Help it out, Sammywink

  • Posted

    Oh my, sounds so familiar. For some reason with anxiety, we always feel like we can't breathe, and then we have 20 other symptoms. I do not know how to make this any clearer. Your therapist can not perscribe a antidepressant. Unless you are the one who thinks you need to talk this away.(not) won't happen. Your family GP, or doc is more than capeable of treating your anxiety. They will start you on a antidepressant, and soon you'll be right as rain

  • Posted

    Apply the cbt. Get a piece of paper and break this all down and apply the cbt. If it isnt working for you see a psychiatrist or therapist to help you deal and manage all this. You know very well you have an anxiety disorder at this point. I feel once you came on here looking for reassurance knowing you are in cbt  and knowing you have an anxiety you are negating the current therapy you have chosen.  I think you need a different kind of therapy to help you with all this..and thats okay.
  • Posted

    Are you doing the breathing technique I suggested? It works. I was a little surprised not to get a response on how it worked for you.
    • Posted

      HI, it definitely did work. I'm also feeling so much better today. Isn't that always the way though. When it comes it's all consuming end of the world but when it goes it's like rational thinking steps back in. Still have the ache at the back of my head and neck which is threatening to panick me every now and then though. I'm desperately trying to keep busy to use distraction but it is never far from my mind because I'm trying so hard to push it from there. It's so hard!!! Hoping for a better day today. I have 2 small children and the guilt I feel towards them because of this illness is awful. Need to get them out, it will do us all good ??

    • Posted

      Getting out to somewhere fun and non stressful sounds like a great idea, Sammy. Have fun. Find thing and people to laugh at.lol

    • Posted

      Thanks so much for the advice. And yes, I do sometimes think that it is stress that triggers the symptoms that then lead to the anxiety. Just little things like the kids arguing all day can set the shortness of breath off. Then trying to find a quiet space to actually try and relax is nigh on impossible sometimes. I truly adore my kids with all my heart but being a mummy with anxiety truly is hard work 🙂
    • Posted

      Being mummy without anxiety is hard work. i don't know how you do it. How old are the kids? Old enough to understand 'time out" and that mummy need a time out each day. if so, make it the same room they can't enter or knock on door, except emergency, and if possible the same time of day.

      Kids get routine pretty quickly.  Depends how old they are, how you configure this time out for mummy.                                                   

    • Posted

      Yeah that's a good idea actually. They are 3 and 6 (nearly 7) so old enough to understand if I did something like that. Thanks again for the great advice ??

    • Posted

      The families that did this for mummy were all blessed by the results. They did find that the kids tested at first...as kids do. The same room was usually the kitchen if it has a comfy seat, etc. one was her sewing room, another her garage?? The time was often mid morning. All went to another time out during the afternoon, and all started with 15 minutes that worked to 30...or more if kids old enough.

      They all differed in days. Most went for every week day, Talk it over with the kids and let them give their ideas and input...be honest with them. Mummy needs....not you kids are too loud type thing. They may really surprise you.wink

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