Panic Attacks with new diagnosis and fear of the unknown: What helps?

Same here kwi. I continue my 7% airway clearance most days. I'm not a productive cougher-never have been. I was diagnosed in 2010, have had 5 strains of NTM (only one now), tried the Big 3 twice early on and failed due to side effects, and have managed since without them. There have been bumps in the rode with a couple of horrific hemoptypsis episodes, but I've remained as active as possible, see a therapist to deal with the never-ending panic attacks (yes, after all of these years I still get them), and try to remind myself of what kwi just reiterated...I may die with NTM but mostly likely not from it. I don't know anything about the salt issue. I rinse my mouth after my saline solution per instructions from my NJH doctor...that seems to help. This disease affects many of us in many different ways. I surely don't have anyone else's answers...only my experience and caring for another person walking through this.

@healthybon First, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having severe panic attacks. I know from my own personal experience with anxiety and panic that it's a painful existence. I don't know what will help you. Everyone is so different. What has helped me over the years is exercise, meditation, journal writing, reading, talk therapy and, in recent years, medication prescribed by a good psychiatrist (not a doctor of other specialties!) to reduce anxiety. There are many things about our diagnoses that are decidedly unpleasant and/or scary, but they won't kill us. Once that reality becomes clear, your anxiety may subside and you may become more tolerant of temporary discomfort. Coming to this forum and hearing how other people deal with fears will help. You are not alone. I hope you find relief soon so you can enjoy the life you have.

Hi Bon,

I am very sorry to hear about your panic attack. I feel for you, because I was in the same boat last year. I went to the ER 3 times, my blood pressure went to 200, and stayed at 200 for a few days. I had never had a high blood pressure problem in my life. My heart rate went to 120, but a heart checkup showed that my heart was fine. You see fear is a terrible emotion to have. Like you said, part of the reason to have fear is because of the unknown. But when we give some thought about the unknown, most of the things in life are unknown; we think we know, but in fact we don't. Seriously.
What we truly know is only the moment we have right here, right now. Acceptance also helped me to get over my fear. It is not a passive acceptance, but it is realistically informative, accepting the truth, accepting the change of my body. I am 71 years old. I was always active; going to the gym was part of my life routine for 30 years. The sudden change in my body was very hard for me even to understand, let alone to accept. There is a very elegant Chinese phrase I like very much: 顺其自然. It is my daily reminder. When translated into English, it sounds plain: "Let nature take its course."
I understand that in order to reach the point of being at ease, I have to know as much as I can about my condition. This support group has helped me so much. There are many kind and loving people here; they offered their experiences, and from their experiences I gained the knowledge, the comfort, the courage to manage my condition. I have bronchiectasis, and have had a year-long struggle with it. I have not tested for the MAC yet. I am thinking if I do have MAC, I probably won't take antibiotics based on what I learned from other people's experiences. There are so many inspiring people here in this group; from their spirit, I have learned to try not to let the condition control my life. Live the life I want, life is short, no more wasting time. I hope you will get over your fear soon.

Take care!
Ling

Thanks for your input. This is all new to me. I had a normal life until recently….and it seems everything is different, including looming uncertainty. Maybe after I meet with the infectious disease Dr next month to see what exact germ it is etc..it will help. Right now I feel depressed and scared.

@healthybon Hang in there. The fears may not go away instantaneously, but the more you seek understanding of what is going on in your body, and the more you practice some of the things you mentioned (deep breathing, exercise, meditation), along with some resources you haven't yet tried, the more your fear response will relax. I have to confess that it took me a few years to not panic about what happens in my body that I can't control. (And I can still get rattled!) It's great that you're asking what other people in your situation do to combat panic and fear. Look into their suggestions. You will undoubtedly find some things that will eventually allow you to make peace with this new reality.

Your words are a comfort. It’s so needed right now. Thk u

My friends are recommending transcendental meditation.
They say it truly works to relax your mind. Like you I went from depressed to hopeful back to depressed but knowledge is power and this site is so very helpful. i find much joy being in nature.

@healthybon...
I'm sorry to hear you have to wait till April 12th to see ID doc. Waiting makes it so much more difficult to cope. I would add two things to what others have said-When you feel the panic coming on, expel air forcefully 3 times. It is not breathing in deeply that helps so much as breathing out. Then remember that "you can not stop the waves, but merely learn to swim" Your panic will be triggered often while you wait to find out what the doctors recommend, but when you understand that you can take charge of your reactions, that you are not helpless, you can learn to handle them.

My sister was diagnosed with MAC last year and like you, she feared she’d be unable to take antibiotics due to side effects. But she found she adjusted to the meds although she can only handle one of them three times a week. She had a recent check-up at NJH and has made significant progress despite the lower dose of antibiotic.
She panicked initially but more information helped calm her. She also felt significantly better after being on the antibiotics for a few weeks and that helped too.

what kind of natural estrogen are you taking. I think I need it also..I'm 72....atrophic vaginitis amd burning mouth syndrome, which can all be attributed to estrogen deficiency. going to a UroGynecologist surgeon next week to address the vaginitis, mouth and stress leakage urine wise. when I huff cough, the pee rolls down my leg. I feel very overwelmed. Seems like everything is falling apart at once. I really want to get to the NJH soon..I need their help...badly.

I started the xanax just to calm me down ..I'm trying to take as little as possible but my anxiety has been off the charts...