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Anyone have high anxiety? What do you do to help?
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: May 2 7:59pm | Replies (115)Comment receiving replies
The last time some ten years ago when I choked and jumped out of bed before dawn and those few seconds seemed like an eternity until my body threw out some phlegm and brought my breathing back, I, too. was scared to sleep. So I did visit emergency where the doctor told me what you're telling me is an anxiety attack. I said, "me, I'm retired, why I'd have anxiety?" I said but what if it happens again tonight? She said we can observe you for an overnight stay. Of course I slept well -- aware that staff would run to save me.
Later in the day I saw my family doctor and told her my story and the fear of waking up choking. She said we can book you for anxiety to see a therapist for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I said, I know what CBT is and can do myself. She said, it's not the same. I said let me try first. But what what if I've attack at night again? She prescribed a medicine that would bring back my breathing in few seconds. I kept the pills at arm length, never to use.
But I had to sit with Myself and tell myself: Sometimes in life years of good work you think you've found (a non-medical, lifestyle solution to obesity that had turned into a book-long text) which no book agent even bothered to look at was causing my background anxiety. It was a slow acceptance -- but a quick exit from anxiety -- for ever.
It still bothers me when I read the news is only worsening rates of obesity, even the latest one being among children's severe obesity rising. So I curse loud in my four walls, lamenting the human propensity for medical interventions first and not realizing that human body has had wisdom to heal itself for a far longer time.
BTW (Not a proof) I'm in my 80s, haven't seen my doc for over ten years now, no meds, avoided colonoscopy, sleep well, healthy and reasonably strong body with good sleep. Working hard to find robust social connections.
I'd love to know your progress.
Replies to "The last time some ten years ago when I choked and jumped out of bed before..."
@sisyphus Hello! Amazing, how you have managed! I am close to 80 years old! I wanted to follow up, and let you know the ironic turn of events in my life. I was so fortunate, after my Neurologist retired last year, to get a new, young neurologist, who, actually listened to what I was telling her! Upon meeting her, I gave her some wise advice. I said, “All I really ask for, is to have a Doctor who actually cares about me and my well-being!!” I told her that years ago, my first neurologist, who really did care, was very thorough in examining and getting a good history ( I was in my early 30’s, and presented with some abnormal signs, reflexes. and numbness. ) Anyway, she put me in hospital, for s week, and came up with possible demyelinating disease, as a diagnosis. So, now, with my new neurologist, I told her that for the last several years, i have had numbness, pins and needles, that, seemingly, have been spreading from my feet, up my legs, and, in my hands, the same thing, spreading up my arms! I told her my retired former neurologist, and my primary care giver, family doctor, did not follow up with checking out my symptoms etc. although each appt. I told them both about my progressing symptoms. Also, I have had about a dozen falls, some with injuries, during the last couple years. I told my new neurologist that I had symptoms and falls the last couple years, and told her my former Dr. minimized my complaining, so no follow up, and that, as far as I’m concerned I have peripheral neuropathy. So, she took out a pin, and checked out my arms, hands, feet and legs. She came up with polyneuropathy, and ordered blood tests. The blood tests were sent to the laboratory, at Mayo Clinic. Results from Mayo showed very low hypogammaglobulinemia! That, coupled with the polyneuropathy, the Docs came up with a diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, which was confirmed, after my new neurologist had an MRI ordered and done, for me, and results confirmed that diagnosis, plus the fact that I had recently had a Lacunar stroke, and had previously had another lacunar stroke. So, my new neurologist immediately called my cardiologist, and they lined me up to immediately go on blood thinners ( Eloquist ), and i had a talk with my cardiac electrophysiologist, who lined up a time, when the ‘Watchman’
(Boston Scientific), could be implanted in my heart, to prevent more blood clots! I had the ‘Watchman’ implant surgery last week. I’ve had a couple A-Fib episodes, recently! I was referred to an immunologist, who is setting up I-V infusion therapy, with donors blood plasma/gammaglobulin to help with the autoimmune disorder, that I’ve been diagnosed with! I am at. high risk for an infection, right now. So, finally, I got some help! Thank you for being. so supportive! I have not heard a peep from my primary family doctor caregiver, through all this! Reports had been sent to him by other Docs! I suspect, because he is part of a large clinic staff, that he has not read them, and probably won’t even look at
them, until I get my Medicare, once a. year, 10 minute‘wellness’ ‘exam’ by the Dr. For the last 4 years, the clinic secretaries make 10 to 15 minute Dr, Medicare ‘wellness’ visit appointments, once a year, and make next year’s appointment, at the end of the current year’s Dr. visit. There are hundreds of us white-haired baby boomers, that come to the clinic! I feel like I’m on an assembly line, when I go to the clinic. So, I’ve decided the time has come for me to look around for a geriatric physician, who might just care enough, to keep track of how to proceed, with the numerous medical diagnosis, that I have. Maybe I’ll be able to enjoy a few more good years, before , well, you know what I mean, happens! Wishing you the best! Thank you for caring!!
@sisyphus
Keep up the good work! You are amazing!
Dolly
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In my experience it feels like my heart is beating out of my
chest.sometimes passing out, for 6-7 mintues. I have not been sleeping well
recently. and unable to focus.
Sincerely,Ginny Snow
¨ success is not final;
failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to continue that counts ¨
- Winston S. Churchill