Extreme debilitating symptoms

[jtswenson]

Hi folks,

This is my first post and I've been doing the program for 4-5 weeks now. I've struggled with a huge range of health problems for the last 6 years and it all started at an extremely stressful time of my life. I won't get into much detail, but I am now suffering from ridiculous symptoms and I think it would help me tremendously to get help from you in accepting that it's possible my problems are just stress/anxiety/depression related.

I had to quit my last job about 5 months ago as my heart palps were so bad I could hardly stand and would often feel like passing out. Since quitting, I've gotten my palps under control. I still get them, but nowhere near as often or as bad. I struggle with a multitude of symptoms currently, but the worst of which causes me to feel like I can't breathe and I get extremely weak. I've had a ton of medical testing done and nearly everything is normal. My testosterone is low, which kinda sucks as a 28 year old male, but not a big concern when I generally feel so crappy. I think I have some kind of IBS too as I generally belch a lot when I am getting some of these symptoms. Anyway, it seems to happen most often while driving. I have a hard time breathing and feel gut discomfort. Then, at times I start to feel weak and faint. There's been so many times that I thought I was going to pass out or die. There is no doubt I am a worrier now, and I am very often taking inventory on every little thing that might be bothering me. I hate being alone and am while my wife is working. I think I get so depressed that I live like this too. It's got to be a combination of things.

My biggest concern is understanding how I can feel such strong symptoms and feel SO crappy, but have nothing wrong but anxiety/stress/depression? It seems crazy to me. To me, it feels like something a lot more serious is going on I just can't shake it. Doing the relaxation CD, the breathing part, is hard for me as I feel my gut jump so much with each heartbeat and every time I take a deep breath, it sends a bit beat through my gut that is very uncomfortable.

Thanks in advance to all you kind soles who offer positive feedback and who spend your time helping others. May God bless you for your encouraging words to all who need them.

[Nanner823]

Im 34 and I felt that. If you can get tested for hypoglycemia. I was and of course it came back I was fine. However I felt it once while at the doctors. It turned out I have reactive hypoglycemia, I only know you can only catch it at the time its low. Other than that I wont look into it lol I would have every symptom if I did. My panic symptoms sound like what you are feeling though, I take a major hit to the stomach feels like I am being constricted. I have been told its because in flight or fight your non needed things shut down to save energy. My stomach is apparently the first in my body.

[jtswenson]

Yes, that's very much what it feels like. I could just be sitting in a chair and all of a sudden it feels like the wind was knocked out of me. I have had my sugars tested. I think I was in the 80's about 1.5 hours after eating cereal and juice. Apparently that's within normal range....but I'm no expert. Thanks for the tip. I'd love to hear from anyone else who may have similar struggles.

[Flyer99]

I think you've described about every symptom I have or have had. Everything you mentioned can be triggered by anxiety and stress. I had the heart palps and all the other things you mention. And I also get weak and faint-feeling if I drive out of my comfort zone. You are not alone. I am working on it and hope to beat this monster - patience is the word here. I might mention that maybe you should have your doctor check you for GERD (acid reflux). A simple pill (like I take) can take away a lot of the stomach, esophageal, burping feelings. Good luck!

[jtswenson]

Thanks! I do have GERD. I have been taking dexilant for some time now and it certainly helps with the acidity, but I still have the reflux. I just now switched back to 2 omeperazole per day, but there has been more acidity with it. I also had some ulcers that were apparently fixed by taking the dexilant. It's nice to hear that I'm not alone in my symptoms. It would be extra nice to hear if there are people who've overcome it and gone on to lead a more "normal" life. It's so frustrating that I'm letting this beat me. Apparently my biggest hurdle is my mind, and I'm having a tough time with it. I think the patience idea is probably best. I can't expect to just be healed within a few days or weeks of starting the program. I also probably haven't given the program as much effort as I should. Thanks for all the insight folks! I think I'm going to spend some time today coming up with a solid gameplan for coaching myself during these periods.

[BuckeyeBob]

Get your thyroid gland tested...

[Cancun007]

I have a jumping sensation in my diaphram that drives me up the wall with anxiety. I exercise everday and live a very active lifestyle so I am assured it is not my heart. I also belch alot. I can tell you this. When you are anxious blood rushes out of your stomach and into the areas which can defend and protect you..ie heart, arms, legs. When you do not have a regular amount of blood flow you are going to of course experience digestive problems...It's just common sense even though it does not to appear to be common sense when it is happening. If you have a poor diet with foods that are not easy to digest the problem will even become worse. I try very hard to eat properly to ease this problem....I think that if you can will yourself into a healthy diet then you might experience some success. Also when you are having these episodes try your very best to not concern yourself with symptoms...ie rapid heart beat, jumping sensation in your stomach, etc, etc...Rather try and focus on figuring out what event or events in your life have caused you to feel this way. Your body is only reacting to fear....Nothing more or nothing less. It is doing exactly what it was designed to do. If you are fearful your heart is going to beat faster, your going to feel tense, your going to feel like you can't breathe. All of these symptoms are your bodies natural defense against fear. If you can somehow not project the worst case scenerio when you have an anxiety attack these episodes will deminish drastically. Try and stay in the present and just be an observer to your anxiety...Getting involved with it only gives it more power. I hope this helped...Stay Blessed.

[jtswenson]

I like your point about being an observer to the anxiety. It's so hard for me though when the symptoms are so strong because it feels like I am getting punched in the gut. Plus, my biggest symptom lately is not being able to breathe well and it is extremely difficult for me to take a deep breath and do the exercises. Thanks again for being uplifting.

[Cancun007]

Please realize this....Anxiety Panic Attacks have not killed one single person to date...NO ONE! I understand the concept of feeling so bad that you feel as if you are taking your last breathe. I am not preaching that I have all the answers. Anxiety Attacks get the best of me from time to time too. I think it is our irrational thoughts that get us in trouble. I remember one night I was with my 12 year old daughter at the time in my truck outside the ER. I was shaking so bad that I thought I would shatter bones. The irrational thoughts set in and I was so embarrassed that I had my daughter sitting in the truck with me up at the ER....I mean talk about feeling neglectful. My daughter turns to me with tears in her eyes...12 years old mind you and says....Daddy, you are okay...Could every doctor that you have seen been wrong? Wow, hit me like a ton of bricks. I had seen over 20 doctors at least in the last year. So here is this 12 year old with all her rationallity making a logical assesment of her father. At my worst I dropped down to 147lbs at 6'3 inches tall. I did not eat, did not sleep, and would not be more than 15 ft of my truck at any given time. I slept with my clothes on and shoes on...All this because I wanted a way to the hospital quickly and I didn't want to have to hassel with putting clothes and shoes on while having an anxiety attack. I was obsessed with fear. Then one day I got on the ground and started doing push ups. I guess I was just telling myself that all this pain and fear was not worth it anymore. I stopped caring about death and started caring about living instead. That day I took alot of power away from my anxiety attacks. I guess in a way I was saying either kill me or leave me alone....The misery was so great that I just didn't care anymore. I was going to do something about this in the here and now. At this time of my life I am now 205 lbs and work out every day. I still have anxiety attacks, they are still scary, but I limit their power by recognizing them for what they are....IRRATIONAL THOUGHTS! I think dealing with anxiety panic dissorder is all about having the tools to deal with it...Also staying in the present when you have one not allowing yourself to dwell on past experiences or future expectations of what it might do to you. For the most part I am now an observer to my anxiety and not an active paricipant. I still have alot of work to do regarding the matter....BUT LIFE IS BETTER.

[Rachael9700]

wow, I've had all the feelings you've had and on top of it was so nervous, I could hardly eat.
I went to my Dr., everything checked out, just stress and anxiety. I was in the E.R last year
with the contracting stomach, which then I was sent to a gastrologist, who suggested Align which
is a probiotic. It has helped me a lot. I'm in the program and reading Byron Katie " I need your love."
, I was homebound and jobless because of this. I am now able to get out and I work part time. It's so much hard work, I've never worked this hard in my life. Keep at it, I am recovering, and I know I will beat it.