I recently posted this on the peer support group and never recieved any replies so I thought I would try here.
Are there any veterans out there that could help some of us newbe's with the body symptoms? Do they ever go away? Mine is faintness and dizziness. It doesn't happen every so often, it is from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I feel generally off balance and then thru out the day I'll take a big woozy spell. It's made life interesting. Just when I think I can get a hold of this and move on, I'll have a spell and that rush of fear instantly comes. A never ending circle. Dizzy, fear, more dizzy, more fear and so on. Also, when stressed I seemed to have it show first with my eyes. Spots, occular migraines, the other day I had a nap, woke up and had little vision from my left eye. It lasted about 2 hours. Scared the beep out of me. They said it was another occular migraine. How do I control my thoughts for that? It's scary when you cannot see, when is it going to happen again is the first thing thru your mind, where will I be? Will I be able to get help? Same with the dizziness. I guess I just wanted to hear reassuring words that when we face the fear, use our skills we've learned, that the body sypmtoms do go away. Only good thoughts, please, stories of triumph.
Are there any veterans out there?
Hi,
I'm sorry you are having a hard time:(. I can't speak for certain on why no one has responded to your post, but I will say that the complication of the migraine could be a factor since it is a separate health problem apart from anxiety.
I'm not a medical doctor, but I do know that migraines can definitely be caused by stress. This program teaches how to cope with stress, so it makes sense that if you learn the techniques in this program and learn how to handle your stress that that could possibly lead to less migraines:). I would hate to lose vision and have known people that have. I have a story about a past friend, but I hesitate to share it because I don't want to cause anxiety. Don't worry she didn't die. I just couldn't believe it. She was able to laugh about it, and maybe you will be able to. She used to work at Disney World, and had a migraine where she lost her vision. She was working in some type of "Hot dog" cart that came lose and started rolling while she was lying down because she couldn't see. I can't remember all of the details, but it was hilarious the way she told it. She survived, and lived to tell, and could laugh about it:). So, if it's possible, maybe if it happens again, you can tell yourself, "Atleast I'm not fully blind lying in the back of a runaway Weanie Cart rolling down a hill at Disney World!!!! Maybe, that would provide some comic relief:).
I think that learning the techniques in the program may help you to deal with your real physical problem. Maybe a medical doctor would be in a better position to give you guidance regarding activities. For example, a medical doctor wouldn't allow you to drive if he or she suspected you could suddenly lose vision. Have you had any medical restrictions placed on you? Perhaps that could be a source of comfort if that isn't the case.
As for other body symptoms, if they are caused by anxiety they can definitely go away:). I'm a living testatment, and there are countless others. Anxiety is caused by a response to stress. When under stress the body produces adrenaline to help cope with the stress. If we make too much adrenaline because we are under constant stress and don't cope with it well, then we have more adrenaline than we need, and it sits in the body and causes symptoms. I know I'm not the first one to say that the body can be compared to a race car engine. A body on anxiety is like a race car that has driven full speed for way too long, and when we are learning to heal from anxiety, we can't just suddenly shut off the engine and expect it to be cooled off. The engine is still hot for a while, and so our bodies are still hot with bodily anxiety symptoms. Also, if we were to start the race car engine back up shortly after shutting it off, it would become firey hot almost instantly. It wouldn't take much to set it off. The same with our bodies when healing from anxiety. We have to learn to know why our body symptoms can still happen even though we are starting to change our thinking, exercise, etc. We have to learn not to over react to bodily symptoms that are caused by our past behavior. Yes, the body symptoms will heal, but we've got to give our bodies time to cool down. But, yes, definitely, the body symptoms can and do go away with help:).
Take care,
luvpiggy
I'm sorry you are having a hard time:(. I can't speak for certain on why no one has responded to your post, but I will say that the complication of the migraine could be a factor since it is a separate health problem apart from anxiety.
I'm not a medical doctor, but I do know that migraines can definitely be caused by stress. This program teaches how to cope with stress, so it makes sense that if you learn the techniques in this program and learn how to handle your stress that that could possibly lead to less migraines:). I would hate to lose vision and have known people that have. I have a story about a past friend, but I hesitate to share it because I don't want to cause anxiety. Don't worry she didn't die. I just couldn't believe it. She was able to laugh about it, and maybe you will be able to. She used to work at Disney World, and had a migraine where she lost her vision. She was working in some type of "Hot dog" cart that came lose and started rolling while she was lying down because she couldn't see. I can't remember all of the details, but it was hilarious the way she told it. She survived, and lived to tell, and could laugh about it:). So, if it's possible, maybe if it happens again, you can tell yourself, "Atleast I'm not fully blind lying in the back of a runaway Weanie Cart rolling down a hill at Disney World!!!! Maybe, that would provide some comic relief:).
I think that learning the techniques in the program may help you to deal with your real physical problem. Maybe a medical doctor would be in a better position to give you guidance regarding activities. For example, a medical doctor wouldn't allow you to drive if he or she suspected you could suddenly lose vision. Have you had any medical restrictions placed on you? Perhaps that could be a source of comfort if that isn't the case.
As for other body symptoms, if they are caused by anxiety they can definitely go away:). I'm a living testatment, and there are countless others. Anxiety is caused by a response to stress. When under stress the body produces adrenaline to help cope with the stress. If we make too much adrenaline because we are under constant stress and don't cope with it well, then we have more adrenaline than we need, and it sits in the body and causes symptoms. I know I'm not the first one to say that the body can be compared to a race car engine. A body on anxiety is like a race car that has driven full speed for way too long, and when we are learning to heal from anxiety, we can't just suddenly shut off the engine and expect it to be cooled off. The engine is still hot for a while, and so our bodies are still hot with bodily anxiety symptoms. Also, if we were to start the race car engine back up shortly after shutting it off, it would become firey hot almost instantly. It wouldn't take much to set it off. The same with our bodies when healing from anxiety. We have to learn to know why our body symptoms can still happen even though we are starting to change our thinking, exercise, etc. We have to learn not to over react to bodily symptoms that are caused by our past behavior. Yes, the body symptoms will heal, but we've got to give our bodies time to cool down. But, yes, definitely, the body symptoms can and do go away with help:).
Take care,
luvpiggy
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Guest
Oh my goodness, your analogy about a fiery hot race car is right on target.
Yes, yes, it takes time for your body to adjust after you've pushed the limit on the adrenaline production. But, it can eventually calm down as I am living proof too!!
Just don't give up and take advantage of all the resources you can afford in terms of support and therapy.
There is hope!!
Yes, yes, it takes time for your body to adjust after you've pushed the limit on the adrenaline production. But, it can eventually calm down as I am living proof too!!
Just don't give up and take advantage of all the resources you can afford in terms of support and therapy.
There is hope!!
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Guest
HI, the only suggestion I have, is to take a cold wet rag and put it over your eyes while lying down when you first start getting the spots before your eyes. Several of my family members, me included have this problem, and if I will do that immediately, I don't totally lose my vision, and the headache after is not nearly as bad. Just lie there until the spots are gone if possible. Hope this helps
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Guest
goodtobehome,
I am a veteran of this program and have found full recovery.
This program teaches about one major factor in the anxiety world.... "acceptance".
Accepting is really hard when you don't like what you are feeling. In fact, when something uncomfortable is happening to use, we become resistant and try to push it away as best we can. Problem is, the more we try to remove the things we cannot control, the stronger these things are.
As the StressCenter.com teaches, acceptance is a major key to recovery.
So when you say "Spots, occular migraines, the other day I had a nap, woke up and had little vision from my left eye. It lasted about 2 hours. Scared the beep out of me. They said it was another occular migraine. How do I control my thoughts for that?"
It is more about accepting what the doctor said it was and not to add second fears.
If you know what your symptoms are from, then you really don't have anything to fear. You learn to tell yourself what you are feeling and then remind myself why. Accept, float and let it pass.
I am a veteran of this program and have found full recovery.
This program teaches about one major factor in the anxiety world.... "acceptance".
Accepting is really hard when you don't like what you are feeling. In fact, when something uncomfortable is happening to use, we become resistant and try to push it away as best we can. Problem is, the more we try to remove the things we cannot control, the stronger these things are.
As the StressCenter.com teaches, acceptance is a major key to recovery.
So when you say "Spots, occular migraines, the other day I had a nap, woke up and had little vision from my left eye. It lasted about 2 hours. Scared the beep out of me. They said it was another occular migraine. How do I control my thoughts for that?"
It is more about accepting what the doctor said it was and not to add second fears.
If you know what your symptoms are from, then you really don't have anything to fear. You learn to tell yourself what you are feeling and then remind myself why. Accept, float and let it pass.
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Guest
Hello Good to be home I hope you are feeling a little better. Ocular Migraines are very scary especially when you are doing something and can't see. I also get them. I usually get them when I haven;t been drinking enough water with exercise and when my stress level is high.
You do have to try and accept them when you see the spots begin to appear. I usually reach for tyleonl or motrin just at the start of the spots because if I take it early enough I don't get the pounding headache and nausea.
The doctor has told you what it is, you need to relax and breathe. Use your self talk to calm yourself. Take care and God Bless.
You do have to try and accept them when you see the spots begin to appear. I usually reach for tyleonl or motrin just at the start of the spots because if I take it early enough I don't get the pounding headache and nausea.
The doctor has told you what it is, you need to relax and breathe. Use your self talk to calm yourself. Take care and God Bless.
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Guest
Hey I am not a veteran with the program today is actually my first day using it but I can tell you I am a veteran when it comes to dizziness and feeling like your going to faint. That is the major problem I have been suffering from with my anxiety disorder. For 5 years now I couldn't go out anywhere without getting dizzy and having to run out of where ever I was, this made going to school very difficult but now I am starting to learn that I have to face it for things to improve, its not an easy thing to do but its for the best. How long have you been getting this? because I have realized that over the 5 years mine has gotten a lot worse because I stopped going out because of the fear of getting the dizzy symptoms so I suggest if you haven't had it long to try going out as much as you can, it will be a lot easier then waiting like me and having to deal with the worst of it.
I hope my input helped you a little, I wish you the best
Ricky
I hope my input helped you a little, I wish you the best
Ricky
Hey Goodtobehome,
Please next time include if you can any test you have had to medically rule out any things that are happening.This type of thing can happen for varied different reason,History of migraines,inner ear problems ,fluid electrolyte imbalances mostly with females,high blood pressure.Rule all that out and incorporate the program as well.Don't worry either, some things are simply corrected !!!!
Best to you !
Best to you
Please next time include if you can any test you have had to medically rule out any things that are happening.This type of thing can happen for varied different reason,History of migraines,inner ear problems ,fluid electrolyte imbalances mostly with females,high blood pressure.Rule all that out and incorporate the program as well.Don't worry either, some things are simply corrected !!!!
Best to you !
Best to you
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Guest
Thanks everybody. And to Ricky, I've been dizzy for about 2 months now. But 11 years ago when I had my first bout of full blown anxiety, I had dizziness then too. I know that it's my symptom and also the migraines. But you know what? And I should listen to myself here. I went thru the program all those years ago and was anxiety free for 8 years. I mean aside from normal stressors. So I know it will end, it does go away if we are positive and we are not afraid. 2 years ago I did get it back again, the dizzy the migraines, I grabbed the program again and got myself back up. That episode only lasted 6 months. But here I am again, the spells, the symptoms, all back because of numerous stressors that I won't get into, eveb my psychologist shakes her head at what has happened and plainly says, no wonder you have anxiety. It's funny to have her agree that I should be feeling this way but then of course she says we now have to work to get it under control, into perspective. Life isn't easy, I always try to remember that it's not what happens to us, it's how we react to what it happening to us. We have the power to react in anyway we choose. I am trying so hard to come from the side of strength and positive thoughts, the relaxation CD helps big time. I am now going thru a slew of tests that are anxiety producing and tonight is hard because I had an inner ear test today that was 2 hours long and induced dizziness as part of the test. It was very scary. I realized one thing, my dizziness was nothing compared to what they induced in me. I was told everything seemed fine, normal. Wish I could say that about the rest of me. I'm waiting on the MRI results and I have to go to an opthamoligist. All very stressful. Even though I got thru today, I made it, pat myself on the back. I was able to stay for the whole test and I was alone, my husband dropped me off and went to work I still come home and start to obsess about what could have happened, isn't that awful? I start thinking how horrid it would have been if I didn't make it thru the test and other strange thoughts and then even though this was NOT an evasive test, I start to worry that it's made me ill, or worse. I think in my case it's more frustrating because I know what I have to do, I've done it before, I know the information but I just can't seem to make it click, to stop being afraid. To accept the body feelings and go on. I hope that someday soon we can all enjoy a much more peaceful day, one with out axiety disorder. I'll keep plugging away at the program in hopes that it gives me that miracle. Thanks again for all the lovely thoughts.