Hi @sue417 - I know your level of fear and anxiety must be very high. Your surgery is coming up! It's that way for most, if not all of us!

I use a few strategies to manage those emotions. The first thing I do is take a few deep breaths and think about what I am feeling and why. Am I afraid or anxious? Is it because of the surgery? Then I give myself "permission" to feel fear ... or anxiety - I would have to be crazy not to be afraid ... it's normal to be afraid. It's OK to feel that. Sometimes that is enough to snap myself out of my state of fear or anxiety.

If I need more help, I have done different things at different times - For instance I may run. Physical exercise is very useful when I feel anxious. At other times I may listen to soothing, or very loud music; I may even sing along and dance to the sound of the music. But I may also read, or write about what I am feeling at the moment. The bottom line for me, is to replace that sense of uncertainty and fear, with one where I feel I am back in control of my life and emotions.

Hope this helps!

D.

Yes that's strange how anxiety works that way, isn't it? Sometimes I know it is coming on and sometimes I do not. Anyway, a few things have helped me, not in any special order or priority: acupuncture, support groups, some counseling, meditation, guided imaging, praying, medication (I take generic version of xanax - a very low dose and sometimes I only take half of that - but it is enough to take the edge off). One exercise in particular tht has helped me is breathing awareness and autogenic phrases from the book Freedom from Pain (sorry Maybe look into some resource books on relaxation? Also regular exercise helps as does no alcohol. I've read a lot on alcohol use and it actually increases your cortisol levels.