EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Members List
Member View
Posts created by JGD84

Advanced Search Form

Members List
Moderation Team
Member View
Posts created by JGD84

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

chest pains due to anxiety / panic disorder

Thanks Ariel! I've had 2 overnight stays in hospitals and several cardiology appointments and tests... all were fine. It's amazing to me that how much trouble I have believing in all the recommendations and tests... however, slowly it's getting better. I need to remember how many tricks the mind can play on you when you're in a sensitized state.

Thanks for the comment! It does make me feel better!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

burning mouth syndrome

Colleen,

My mouth doesn't burn... however, my chest, back and left arm do. Same w/ you, I've read this is all anxiety related. My burning 'comes and goes'... some days it last for a little bit... some days it last most of the day.

I also get sensations like 'pin pricks' in my chest... which comes and goes as well. Anyone else get these?

I've had my heart thoroughly checked out and very recent physical. The best explanation I was given was this... that anxiety can cause 'faulty wiring' in your nervous system which 'misfires' when you're under pressure or stress. I wouldn't have believed it a year ago, however after all my doctor visits, tests and exams, it makes the most sense. I've been living w/ this for a couple years now.

Knowing it's anxiety related has helped a little bit... I hope it does for you as well.

Take care!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

Panic Disorders and fear of dying

You can get sick because your immune system is run down... and Bronchitis is something that you can be more susceptible to when tired and run down.

I've had Bronchitis years ago, but it was unrelated to anxiety.

My anxiety causes several kinds of sensations... chest pain, burning sensations, pins and needles, heaviness and a general sense of impending problems.

Hope that helps!

Take care!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

How did it start?

Princesspat,

I was a hypervigilant kid growing up in the city... constantly hearing about people getting hurt and worse.

Didn't have panic attacks until I was 38... and have had a couple a year since.

Even though it's a challenge, I think I've begun to get control over the panic.

I have a question for you... the fear of 'dying' you mention... is that what happens if you get into a crowd? Someone told me that is exactly what happens when I'm confronted w/ too much stress... I fear of dying and / or having a heart attack. Even though I've been checked out and am ok, it's still very real for me... how about you or anyone else?

Thanks!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

burning mouth syndrome

Princessspat,

I get 'pin prick' sensations... not the 'pins and needles' you get when your foot 'falls asleep.' These feel like someone is sticking me w/ a needle... doesn't last long... just a couple seconds and long enough to get my attention. I get them in my chest and stomach... again, doesn't last long, just enough to get my attention.

At this point, I ignore them. I've had my heart checked as well as had a physical and everything (Thank God!) is ok. I've read in several anxiety books this is your nervous system and electric shocks, pins and needles, pin pricks are part 'normal' part related to an overstimulated nervous system.

Deep breathing and distraction work... also having had them now for months, I can ignore.

Anyone else get these?

Thank you!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

Question about physical symptoms and meds

Hi Everyone!

Question: Did anyone have physical symptoms of anxiety/GAD and/or negative thoughts that were helped or totally eliminated by meds? If yes, are you still on them or were you only on them for so many months?

I ask because I'm on Buspar which I find only marginally effective. I have a doctors appointment in 2 weeks and will ask directly. I'm interested in responses... not really sure how much meds are supposed to help. Are meds supposed to 'signficantly' reduce the symptoms and negative thoughts? Also what meds worked w/ anxiety and/or panic?

(I have Xanax for panic, which works, however I really don't like how I feel afterwards! In fact, I've only taken .5 twice in the last 2-3 months)

I'm managing through my panic symptoms, although w/ great effort. I stay optimistic, however struggle daily w/ thoughts of heart or serious disease issues. Thankfully, so far, I appear to be ok except for anxiety.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

Think I'm dying.....all the time

Shanasuzanne,

Just read through this thread... this is what I'm going through... especially bad in the last 4 months. Work definitely set this off... had to lay someone off. It's improved a little and the MD put me on Buspar (daily) and Xanax (as needed for panic). I cannot stand the Xanax... and the Buspar is only marginally effective. I tried to reduce the Buspar once and got worse, so that's how I know it works, at least marginally.

A social worker friend of mine told me that meds are to 'get you over the hump' and should only last 6-12 months until you and your body adjust. Honestly, I'm NOT a fan of meds... I just need a break without feeling 'drugged'.

    Hope everything works out!

    The program has been helpful! Eliminating caffeine, drinking certain types of tea, getting enough sleep, excercising and using relaxation exercises help!

     Let me know if anything else works for you!

     This fearful thought stuff has got to come to an end... it's exhausting!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

Question about physical symptoms and meds

Davit,

Buspar has worked at controlling the panic attacks... they come much less frequently and even the severity is lessened. Not to say that it's easy, but I've settled myself down without going to the doctors.

In the last 3 months I've taken very little Xanax... for 2 reasons... it makes me feel like crap afterward and if I continue to take it, it requires more and more med to have the same effect when I do have a panic attack... something I don't want to happen.

You've pretty much 'nailed' what I've heard and read about anxiety and panic. That it's a learned response that no med will permanantly remove... only manage temporarily. The only 'cure' is to learn about your body and live with it... accept it.

I was wondering about the physical symptoms when you get anxious... for me I get chest pain, pin pricks in my chest and abdominal discomfort/spasms. Has the above symptoms lessened after you've learned to deal w/ your stress better? Or do you still get them w/ the same frequency and severity as when your stress/panic started? I'm working through the program and am interested, if you don't mind answering.

Thanks and take care!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

Question about physical symptoms and meds

Davit,

Thank you. That was a wonderful explanation and exactly what I was asking. I will keep working through this... so far, I'm pretty pleased w/ my decrease in Xanax and my ability to 'breathe through' panic.

I'm also a big believer in a non-med fix... it's the only way!

Thanks again and take care!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 29

Myth or Fact

Davit/Luciana,

My understanding is that panic is a escalating process... or think of a stairway... that needs each step to continue. Literally, 'removing a step' disempowers the process and ceases the process from moving forward. Obviously, easier said than done. Breathing, relaxation techniques, questioning unrealistic thoughts, identifying (and avoiding) triggers all remove the proverbial 'step'.

I'm an RN... used to work in cardiac surgical units... and this is all pretty logical. Having said that, I'm sure some people are predisposed to anxiety, just as someone may be predisposed to diabetes or weight issues.

The 'key' w/ this program and other methods I've read (Linden/Barry) are to know yourself and your panic process so you can remove a 'step'.

All of this you know... I can tell by reading your post. However, it is nice to hear another person restate it.

Lastly, it's been September since I've been to an ER... not long for some, for me, pretty good. I've had about 3 'bad' panic attacks since, but have been able to 'breathe' through them... very hard AND scary, but I did it. (Once, literally breathing into a brown paper bag... BTW, it works!) For me, breathing correctly, above all else, has been key. Whenever I get stressed I focus on 'boxed breathing'... and it helps a lot.

My panic usually occurs from thoughts... usually initiated from a sensations. The breathing and reading info on this website have been very helpful in keeping myself calm. Again, not easy, by any stretch of the imagination.

Take care!

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved