Having trouble calming myself
Hey there. I'm kind of in a rough place right now. I've been having stomach problems for past two weeks. Not sure if it is a virus, anxiety, or something else. I'll feel like my anxiety is ok and then I'll eat something and the stomach upset starts so then I get anxious. I don't know if there is something physically wrong with me and the stress of not feeling well is keeping me anxious or if it is my anxiety causing everything. I've been using the relaxation tape and listening to the tapes almost every day (I am on week 3, but this is my second time doing the program...didn't give it my all the first time through...) I went for a 2+ hour walk today and was listening to the tapes and feeling hopeful and calm and then I ate some toast with peanut butter and immediately started having stomach pains. So, then I did what any good little anxiety sufferer would and went on the internet to try to diagnose myself. I know, not a smart move! So, I am trying so hard to keep up the positive talk and I am going to make an appointment with my doctor on Monday to rule out anything serious, but I am having a rough time with it. I keep thinking that I won't be able to beat this anxiety and I know that is the wrong thing to think, but I can't seem to help it. I guess I am just looking for some reassurance and support...and it does help to just unload all of this. Anyone out there in a similar situation?
hy ive had the stomach thing and other symtoms i have found that what ever i tripp on gets worse and looking up stuuff on the internet was a bad move for me i have seen the doc and it always points towoard anxiety working the program and praying and venting on here has made my life liveble you are definately not alone 
See a doctor to clear your worry. Something similar happened to my sister. Whenever she would eat, she would feel sick. It turned out that her Gall bladder was not functioning properly. It could be that when you eat, you just get nervous about getting sick so you feel sick. It could or could not be just anxiety. Maybe it is a mixture of anxiety and medical. However, medical or not, anxiety doesn't do good. Remember: Worrying never added a day to anyone's life
~Don't be scared of death, but rather a life unlived. We expect the worst all the time. Learn to appreciate everything no matter what, and happiness is sure to come.~
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DougRowell
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2008 7:57 am
Hello everyone. I am just starting week 4. However I have stretched the first 3 weeks out about two weeks apeice.I am having trouble calming myself too. At first I was doing phenomaly better. But now I have regressed. For starters, I am having a tough time trying not to focus on my breathing. When I think about breathing, I can't breath. So how do you stop thinking about breathing? Sometimes I just have to go to sleep. But that is difficult as well. There's that point when falling asleep when you are not quite asleep and not quite awake, (I call it the "in-between" state), where your breathing slows down and it scares me. Immediately I "jump" back to consciousness. So I have to keep telling myself "Everyone's breathing slows down when they fall asleep. It's supposed to."
So I analyze and worry thinking, "Will I be this way forever?" What a nightmare! Afraid to be awake and afraid to go to sleep. It's like there is no relief. I feel like I have been suffocating for days now. I know I just need to focus on something else. When I am at work I can breath again because I have forgotten about it. What I dread is Holidays and going home after work. On top of all of this, I have developed a chest cold making it vitually impossible to stop thinking about my breathing. I think, what if it is not a cold? what it is lung cancer?, bronchitus?, emphysema?, etc.
Does anyone have any advice?
Doug
So I analyze and worry thinking, "Will I be this way forever?" What a nightmare! Afraid to be awake and afraid to go to sleep. It's like there is no relief. I feel like I have been suffocating for days now. I know I just need to focus on something else. When I am at work I can breath again because I have forgotten about it. What I dread is Holidays and going home after work. On top of all of this, I have developed a chest cold making it vitually impossible to stop thinking about my breathing. I think, what if it is not a cold? what it is lung cancer?, bronchitus?, emphysema?, etc.
Does anyone have any advice?
Doug
Hello Doug,
Are you listening to the relaxation CD prior to going to bed?
I have found that this helps me since I tend to lie awake at night and think of everything good and bad.
Your breathing does slow down when you relax naturally so when you sleep it does slow down. The reason that it slows down is because you are not needing as much oxygen since the body is resting.
When you start to feel your breathing slow down put your mind elsewhere and relax your mind. I do not think that it is your breathing but your mind in overdrive. You must learn to calm the mind. Make sure you are not doing anything that will keep you awake ie: caffeine, watching TV in bed. You may want to get a relaxing music CD and fall asleep with that on, to help take your mind off of your breathing.
I hope these few simple suggestions help.
Are you listening to the relaxation CD prior to going to bed?
I have found that this helps me since I tend to lie awake at night and think of everything good and bad.
Your breathing does slow down when you relax naturally so when you sleep it does slow down. The reason that it slows down is because you are not needing as much oxygen since the body is resting.
When you start to feel your breathing slow down put your mind elsewhere and relax your mind. I do not think that it is your breathing but your mind in overdrive. You must learn to calm the mind. Make sure you are not doing anything that will keep you awake ie: caffeine, watching TV in bed. You may want to get a relaxing music CD and fall asleep with that on, to help take your mind off of your breathing.
I hope these few simple suggestions help.
Learning how to fly.
Doug-something that I started doing last night and this morning was writing down all my worries. I found that I had a lot...pages and pages. Writing them down has been helping b/c it is almost like I am purging them, or at the very least, it helps me identify how many I have and how unhealthy that is. I even wrote down that I worry about the people on this site and the pain that they (we) are feeling!! Not sure if it will help, but I'm feeling much more in control than I was last night.
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caras-mommy
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:23 pm
Hi Sheils75,
Anxiety driven IBS is one of the most common issues that go along with this condition and that sounds like it might be the case for you. When you listen to the cds/tapes you will hear Lucinda mention it was a major problem for her as well. I've actually had this problem since I was a small child. My first serious bout of anxiety and panic-I know I've had it longer, was misdiagnosed as an ulcer when I was only 8 yrs old in 1971. But they didn't really have a clue back then.
First thing to remember is you're not alone in this. It may help you to keep a food journal, so if a specific food triggers this discomfort you can remove it from your diet.
Seeing your Dr. is important, but some people may disagree with me on this, you should inform your Dr. of your anxiety and tell them you have started this series. While some may feel your Dr. will write off your symptoms as all anxiety, a good Dr. will listen and work with you on figuring out if there is another, underlying cause. I'm fortunate that mine has been great, we've been together 13 yrs and he's the one that finally diagnosed me with anxiety over 12 yrs ago.
The relaxation cd/tape is wonderful, use it as much as possible, focus your relaxation on your stomach area. And If you can, don't look stuff up on line or in medical books, it will only make you more anxious.
I hope this helps. Remember this above all else, You're not alone, we're all here for you.
Anxiety driven IBS is one of the most common issues that go along with this condition and that sounds like it might be the case for you. When you listen to the cds/tapes you will hear Lucinda mention it was a major problem for her as well. I've actually had this problem since I was a small child. My first serious bout of anxiety and panic-I know I've had it longer, was misdiagnosed as an ulcer when I was only 8 yrs old in 1971. But they didn't really have a clue back then.
First thing to remember is you're not alone in this. It may help you to keep a food journal, so if a specific food triggers this discomfort you can remove it from your diet.
Seeing your Dr. is important, but some people may disagree with me on this, you should inform your Dr. of your anxiety and tell them you have started this series. While some may feel your Dr. will write off your symptoms as all anxiety, a good Dr. will listen and work with you on figuring out if there is another, underlying cause. I'm fortunate that mine has been great, we've been together 13 yrs and he's the one that finally diagnosed me with anxiety over 12 yrs ago.
The relaxation cd/tape is wonderful, use it as much as possible, focus your relaxation on your stomach area. And If you can, don't look stuff up on line or in medical books, it will only make you more anxious.
I hope this helps. Remember this above all else, You're not alone, we're all here for you.
Hi I experienced a similar situation this month and saw numerous doctors. I really wasn't thinking it was anxiety and no doctor really mentioned it either. So by this time I'm in freak mode wondering why I eat and feel bad afterward and then I ended up with little appetite and nausea. Well I started to feel pain on my right side and it would travel to my back. It was my gallbladder and I got it removed. Well I think it was a combination of both because now I show signs of anxiety. Our mind has so much to do with our stomach.After you see the doctor you'll feel better and everythings going to be fine in Jesus name.
-Liz29=)
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caras-mommy
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 4:23 pm
Hello Doug,
Your nerves are raw with anxiety and the adrenaline surge right now. This was what tiggered my first panic attack as an adult in early 96'. I know your fear, it will pass.
Do you drink a lot of caffiene or sugary beverages? If so, gradually remove them from your diet over the next few weeks. Nicotene can also cause these feelings.
Make your bedroom a haven of relaxation. If you can afford to, invest in some high quality pillows and cotton sheets and comfy sleepwear. Clear the room of unneeded clutter. It may sound strange, but this can make a huge difference. If there is a scent you like, find a scent diffuser to fill the room with a calming aroma. Bath and Body Works has some great scent blends for relaxation and sleep.
Always use the relaxation cd/tape when going to sleep. It's the best one out there.
You've already come this far, It will get better.
Your nerves are raw with anxiety and the adrenaline surge right now. This was what tiggered my first panic attack as an adult in early 96'. I know your fear, it will pass.
Do you drink a lot of caffiene or sugary beverages? If so, gradually remove them from your diet over the next few weeks. Nicotene can also cause these feelings.
Make your bedroom a haven of relaxation. If you can afford to, invest in some high quality pillows and cotton sheets and comfy sleepwear. Clear the room of unneeded clutter. It may sound strange, but this can make a huge difference. If there is a scent you like, find a scent diffuser to fill the room with a calming aroma. Bath and Body Works has some great scent blends for relaxation and sleep.
Always use the relaxation cd/tape when going to sleep. It's the best one out there.
You've already come this far, It will get better.