I think I am dying

chris_in_dallas · Post by **chris_in_dallas** » Sun Apr 18, 2010 11:43 pm

Hello,

I am new here. Just starting the program. I am very tired as I have not been sleeping much at all. I have been suffering with some medical problems. I think it is GERD related, but now I am having so many wierd medical problems I am thinking that the docs must be missing something. I am getting so very scared at this point. It has been six months now of constant waking up in the middle of the night with chest pain and ringing in my ears. Sometimes i would turn in bed and hear the sound of my heart whooshing in my neck. It is really freaking me out.

I have a long history of anxiety, but it doesn't seem to bother me much until I have health problems then it can sometimes quickly become almost unbearable. I sure hope this program can help me. I feel like I will be writing out my will soon. It makes me so sad to think I might not be around to see my daughter grow up. It just absolutely kills me. I know lots of folks with anxiety have chest pains ans such but I know mine is due to acid reflux and gas ( because the pain greatly dimishes when I burp, but it seems to be getting harder and harder to burp). I have been on Nexium for years but it doesn't seem to work any more. I am getting scared more and more because I can't seem to find any relief and my strange symptoms are becoming more alarming. Things like bladder pain, constant ringing in my ears, pain in my throat all the way down the center of my sternum. Can this program benefit those with real medical issues? I know my anxiety is bothering me more than my pain at this point. I feel totally hopeless. It is 5:43 AM and I haven't slept at all. I need to go to work in a couple of hours. This is going to be a rough day.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:22 am

Hello Chris; I have had a life time of worrying about my health and I'm still here. Regards acid reflux, I have it...Now it is barely noticible. What has helped me is making my system more alkaline, I juice greens and carrots. You need to know what makes acid and what is alkaline....Go on a search engine and look it up.

Ringing in the ears ? I have it too, I just ignore it, medications are one of the causes.

Poor Sleep ? Take calcium, Look up reasons for poor sleep. I hope this helps some. I find that when I take care of myself with diet etc. I have less to worry about...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:46 am

Hi, I know this may seem silly but for your problem with "pain in your throat" at night...I have had that off and on for several years. then I found out that if I took a few slices of Apple, it went away within 5 minutes. Now everytime I eat anything that I even think might cause it, I eat an apple for a snack before bed and I don't get that in the middle of the night. Worth a try, its cheap and NO side effects. lol
I also got the ringing in my ears half way thru menopause that has stuck with me for about 8 years now. SOme days it is real loud and I have to turn the tv up to drown it out...on good days I have to actually listen for it if there is music or a tv on, because it is so quiet...but it is always there 24/7 .

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 2:59 am

Hi Chris! .....I don't think you are dying - I have SO been where you are! I have had everything you described plus some. Unfortunately, there is no one good answer that I know of. I have had some luck using apple cider vinegar for acid reflux and melatonin for sleeping. The suggestion above me about eating apples is good, too. The deep breathing and positive thinking from this program have helped me the most. Also, using humor as much as possible and exercising(even when you don't feel like it!) really does help. Let us know how you are, I will be praying for you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:06 am

Hello, Chris. I have been exactly where you are. The Nexium generally worked well for me, but I have since switched to Prilosec OTC and that solved the issue. As I have come to terms with the challenge of anxiety, I only need to take Prilosec about every 6 weeks or so. The panic attacks have gone away and little by little I'm able to push the stress aside with positive reinforcement, prayer, etc. This is a small blip in your life that will be history before too long. Then you'll be able to help someone else who has the challenge. For me it was a reminder to spend time with my children and treasure it. I thought I was dying, too... that will also pass.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:22 am

Greetings, fellow Texan. I am up the road about 40 miles from you. Welcome to the forum! This is the first step on your journey to recovery and wellness. The program works, just remember it isn't an overnight thing. Hang in there!

As to all the medical stuff, remember that your anxiety is taking your symptoms and making them a nightmare for you. It's called hypochondriasis and I have it too. For several months I was convinced I had heart trouble and every little twinge and shortness of breath and and and and... proved it. I am not saying blow it all off, I am saying get it checked out then believe your docs when they tell you you are okay. Its a bad thinking habit that takes diligence to break but you can do it. I did, and the program will show you how. This forum is full of people that have been there and done that and if they haven't they will support you nonetheless.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:29 am

Hi Chris, I have been exactly where you're at when my panic attacks first started I was at the emergency room twice and in the hospital once because I thought I was having either a heart attack or a stroke the last time I was so scared it caused my blood pressure to skyrocket so they put me in the hospital to get my blood pressure under control, the great thing for you is that you have found this program and there is light at the end of the tunnel, believe me I thought there was no help for me, it is true when you start worrying about your health issues you start having more symptoms fear on fear, but if you just stick with this program it will make a world of difference and the web site is great because you realize there are so many people who suffer from the very same thing and it can and will go away if you just stick with it exercising helps tremendously, just hang in there and when your feeling anxious get online and read and chat I know it has brought me a very long way.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 1:48 pm

Chris - I always have said to myself, "this too shall pass". Keep this phrase in your mind and say it when needed. I am beginning my program today. Recent changes, although good changes - too many of them at once and my anxiety came back to get me. I have suffered off and on with this for about 18 years - comes and goes. I love your post and all of the threads with it. We all have the same stories - health worries, death, acid reflux - amazing. We all are here still after many years and you will be too. Let's all roll through this healing journey together and enjoy each others successes. You will do great, Chris and you will be fine. Remember....this too shall pass.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:10 pm

Chris
Thanks for sharing your concerns and worries. We sure do relate don't we? All of us for some reason or another have felt so many similar things . It's just most often due in part to the negative self talk we give ourselves.
That is the reason I bumped up the thread titled"look at what panic and anxiety do to our mind and body" You will see a pretty extensive list of things that we often go thru. Just know that you are not alone. If you have had a complete physical and blood work to rule out thyroid issues and so on then take comfort that you will get thru this as you begin to get better . I am feeling less and less of the many symptoms I used to have.
Take care and have a good week
Jill~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Apr 21, 2010 5:38 pm

Hello all,

Thanks for the kind words. They really do help. I am actually feeling much better now emotionally and physically. When my anxiety got so high last weekend I spent all night looking up natural cures for acid reflux (This is what OCD people like to do when they are hurting). I found out that many people get relief with apple cider vinegar. So it is funny that Cantdance mentioned it as well.

I started taking it on Sunday and I feel amazingly better already. I mix a couple teaspoons full into a 8oz glass of water and add in a half tablespoon of honey and it almost completely kills the pain. I haven't taken a Nexium in five days (unthinkable to me for the last 7 years). I think God has smiled on me this week, even though I probably don't deserve it.

I feel a bit embarrassed about my despair last weekend at this point. But it made me painfully aware that I need to address this anxiety problem and make it a priority.

Thanks again for all the kind words. I think this is going to be a great journey.

Chris