Hello Everyone

btrfly · Post by **btrfly** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:45 pm

So I started this program a few weeks ago. Honestly I can't even tell you exactly when. I am not sure where to start. People are around me yet I feel so alone, none of my friends or family understand. I don't even know if what I am feeling is normal or not. My main issue is when I start to fall asleep and even sometimes when I am awake I get the sensation that I quit breathing and I gasp for air.... then I freak out and can't fall back asleep.. or when I am awake I have felt like I am going to pass out or like I need to fight to keep breathing. Is this normal? I also have constant thoughts of loved ones or even myself passing away. I actually have to tell myself to stop thinking that way or even have caught myself saying NO quite loudly. Am I crazy? Please tell me it will go away. There is so much more too... I'm so sad

Rick 67 · Post by **Rick 67** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:57 pm

Am I crazy? Please tell me it will go away

I remember being as young as 9 or 10 years old having these constant fears every single night that my parents were going to die. This went on for years and it would keep my up at night until exhaustion would settle in and I would eventually fall asleep.
For as long as I can remember I could never sleep on my back because I felt a pressure on my chest was preventing me to breath.
These feelings are gone now and I'm working on other issues but all this to say that things will get better but you must let go. Take one day at a time and occupy your mind with positive thoughts.
All the Best.

NCC-1701 · Post by **NCC-1701** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:58 pm

I'm going to be 38 in a few days. It has taken me years to define my problems and where they came from. I got the program too, and thinking back, it started for me with my first day of kindergarten. That's a long time to have the problem. I'm glad after all these years that I'm doing something about it!

NCC-1701 · Post by **NCC-1701** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:00 pm

Sorry, should have added that the progam has done wonders for me within just the first 3-4 sessions.

cotton · Post by **cotton** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:48 am

You have come to the right place!!! Scary thoughts......we all have them and some times the are really scary! Death is a very common one. I kept fearing a heart attack!! After 2 trips to the ER and a sitdown with the doctor, I realized that it was STRESS!! Thousands of dollars when the course was the key to my new SAVINGS plan! Just work the course; be patient and KNOW you will get better!! I promise, it works.......even for a guy of 61 who had practiced WORRY for 50 + years! You will do fine, just believe in yourself and the course.
Good luck, meaning YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE..
Only YOU can really solve your problems...challenges really

Karmomma4 · Post by **Karmomma4** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:40 am

Part of the reason you feel"crazy" is lack of sleep. I struggled with insomnia this past fall. I was literally not sleeping more than a couple fitful hours a night. With this my anxiety increased and I was probably at one of the worst times in my life. I would cry uncontrollably. Once I was finally able to sleep, thanks to some meds, I started feeling so much more in control. Our bodies and minds need sleep so much. Without it our emotions can become very out of control. Talk to your doc I would imagine the breathing part is anxiety induced, but your doctor should rule any other possibilities out. I hope you can get some much needed rest tonight.

Dodger · Post by **Dodger** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:03 am

btrfly

Welcome to the program! First I am going to tell you that if you have been checked out by your doctor and there is no medical reason for your waking from gasping then its the anxiety rearing up its ugly head.

I know its hard to face on your own when you feel no one around you is supporting you through, but you dont need them to understand or support YOU have the power to change your thought patterns all on your own.

Sometimes its hard for the people in our lives to understand something that doesnt affect themselves. They cant seem to find the compassion because they dont understand the problem.....you could try to give them the tape/cd that lucinda has titled Ill be there for you. Its a good overview of what your feeling and going through and what it is they can do to help you successfully overcome it.
Sometimes people seem to be mean and unsupportive but really all they are is uninformed.

I agree that lack of sleep is huge and it contributes a whole lot to the scarey thoughts and feelings. And believe me I KNOW how real those feelings and thoughts can be.

I did the program years ago. Spent thousands of dollars and so much wasted time going to doctors and ERs and specialists and therapists all to find out Im Healthy. I heard the words I saw the results but untill I started the program and made the changes in my lifestyle, attitude, what I ate and so forth I didnt feel the health.

Of course I have set backs, moments when I worry or I scare myself of I feel very sad but I have the skills to help me distract and I get through it just fine. So will you.

As you start to change you will see the people around you start to soften because you will be less agitateted. Remeber YOU have the power to change all this and make your life so great! I know you can do it.

Hope to see you here often and come to online chat its wonderfull.
Dodger

btrfly · Post by **btrfly** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:07 pm

Wow!! Thank you ALL so much for your replies. I feel better already knowing that there are people out there that do understand. I could actually feel myself relax a little while reading all of the comments. Each and everyone helped. I am a busy person (probably part of the problem) but I am going to make more of an effort to follow through with this program. You all made me feel very welcome, and I thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

eager learner · Post by **eager learner** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:01 am

Have you been checked out by a doctor for the possibility of having sleep apnea? A lot of people suffer with this and it is easy to get for it.
Anxiety can and does cause one to feel like they can not breathe also, but talk with your doctor about the possibility of sleep apnea also.
Good luck to you, I hope all goes well.

christinepsc · Post by **christinepsc** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:01 am

I am on lesson 2 and feeling a lot better already!!! You made a good choice

Welcome.