Anxiety

[kellymh]

Hi,

I found a new counselor who is trying to help me with anxiety issues, they seem to be out of control. My doctor has me taking zanax up to 3x a day, if needed, some days are worse than others. Anxiety is a terrible feeling, I feel like I have no control over my mind. It seems like most of us with IC suffer from anxiety, I think it is because of our bodies being under so much stress. I suffer now and than from anxiety and than get it somehow under control for sometimes years, its is very scary to me when I feel scared and stressed for no reason. My husband is great, he actually drives with me 60 miles one way and sits in the car and waits, he is a great listener. Sickness sends me over the edge, my father is very ill with cancer and has had to major heart surgeries in the last 8 months, I am his main caregiving and I work full time. My doctor tells me that it is my body reacting to long term stress, full blown anxiety. Just needed to vent, I don't think I know how to relax anymore. I am supposed to write down anything that gives me enjoyment in my life. Just a start. Thanks, I need to vent to someone and I love this site, I feel connected with someone when at times I feel alone.

Kelly

[leelee88]

Kelly,
I hate that feeling.. Stress can do so much harm to our bodies.
You know writing down positive things in my life does seems to help. I also write down the things I am grateful for.. We do threads on here every now and then about what we are grateful for. I really enjoy reading them, Feel free to start one at anytime.

But I can relate about the anxiety I get like that alot and just start feeling so overwhelmed with things, and I start to panic. I know coming here to this site and venting to people who understand me has really helped, but I also have learned when I get to that point of exploding I have to have ME time just to unwind and gather my thoughts. I think we all need that every now and then. Another thing that keeps me going is I keep saying to myself that others have it alot worse than I do. Or there are people out there struggling a lot harder than I am. Or someone is hurting worse than me. Hang in there and things will get better..

I will leave you with this:

I am grateful for... the ICN because it gives me a chance to talk and chat with wonderful people like you..:angel:

[mom_in_ma]

I dealt with anxiety a lot this summer. Quite honestly, I think it was a response to the visceral pain from IC. The pain creates stress...which increases pain...which creates fear...which creates stress...etc. It's a never ending cycle.

It's good that you're seeing someone about this! A counselor helped me a lot to work through my initial melt down. I had a full fledge three day long panic attack. Not fun! I've incorporated a lot of stress reduction techniques into my life and it's helping. Meditation, etc.

You are under a tremendous amount of stress. It's no wonder that you're body is on overload.

Take care of yourself.

[kiffy313]

Caregiving is so stressful, my Mom lives with us, and has been battling lung cancer (2/3 of right lung removed in April of 2004, infection and abcess in 1/3 of right lung remaining, numerous long-term hospital stays, 7+weeks, 9+weeks, I stay 24/7 with her...)cancer is in remission since Feb. 2003...YAY!!! However, now severe COPD/CHF for last 3+ years, she moved in with us in 2002, right after my beloved Dad died...I was finally formally diagnosed with IC in August 2003, had to have total hysterectomy in June of 2005 due to solid ovarian mass... But, I have to say, I would not have Mom be anywhere else...I try and see my Therapist, and take prescribed meds, although I am a "pill phobe"; so the taking my meds issue is hard, especially with my anxiety. I find that when I feel the anxiety is "spiking" I just get up and walk, turn on music, read my Bible or whatever while I am trying to "be busy". It is hard sometimes with the IC stuff, but I figure my heart is supposed to be going fast if I am moving...hmmm... :) So, here I am giving advice, and I really should be taking some...lol, anyways, just know you are not alone, this board and the ICN and ICA are wonderful, I don't get "online" much, but am so thankful for everyone even if I am not able to be "here" very much. It does help so much just to know we are not alone! Prayers to you and yours.
Take Care all,
kif
"In the garden of life, everyone has a row to hoe, some people just have more weeds."

[kellymh]

Thanks so much for your support, just knowing that someone else has the same problems sometimes helps. Also having your support helps!

Thanks again,

Kelly

[curlycue]

I went through the same thing in 2003, it scary. I prayed about it and finally gave in a took xanax it helped me I also started taking prozac. I quite taking the xanax and prozac for about 2 years and then my health got out of quak and started again. My life seems better. Good luck and you are not alone.

[lauraads]

OK, I have anxiety -- I went through 9 months of very bad SSRI discontinuation syndrome with hallucinations, body tremors, and pure ongoing panic. I used to lie at night trying to control what I couldn't control and afraid to take the Xanax because I was terrified of what it would do (that sounds crazy but it was the way I felt). I can't take anti-depressants since I got sick, so I have to battle it with sheer force of will.

Anyway, I have a few suggestions that help me (I still need Xanax as backup for the bad, unexpected panic moments; I really think it's a wonder drug):

1. Consider finding a life coach -- one who specializes in transformative change. I have worked with therapists for years and although I have worked with many great ones, I found a coach allowed me to make huge progress and change in one session vs. one year. Of course, find the right therapist who is covered by insurance and it's wonderful but for me it was a coach that let me leap into a healthier state of mind not just for this but for the other issues I see in this thread -- frustration, stress, overwork, family, pain, etc.

2. Force yourself to make time for an 'outlet' -- depending on how I feel, I have a few. For instance, great pain requires an absorbing computer game such as Mah Jong. (I know that isn't spelled right). Night pain and can't sleep means writing poetry. Making time for myself to limit my stress means cultivating orchids or resting with a beloved book. The time of freedom lets me unravel my anxiety, fear, and take my mind off pain.

3. My favorite -- consider a book that focuses on realizing your thoughts can't hurt you. This has been my biggest weapon without anti-depressants. While I alternate between two books, I have a favorite.

The fav is: Understanding: Eliminating Stress and Finding Serenity in Life and Relationships - 1st edition by Jane Nelsen - http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Eliminating-Finding-Serenity-Relationships/dp/0914629727/ref=ed_oe_p.

I gave you the Amazon link because this will take you right to the first edition, which is much better than the second edition. It is many years out of print but just relevant! It's the one with the pink cover -- not blue/green. She has written new versions with new titles since but I do not have them but can tell you this is the most simple resource I have found for realizing that we create our thoughts and that they don't rule us.

The second book, which I found more advanced but still good is: Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Katie Byron.

May your day be anxiety-free and full of peace! Below is a link to a site of IC sharing that you might enjoy too. It's been my savior in expressing how I feel throughout each stage with poems and art!

[Berkshire Road]

Many areas have "caregiver relief programs," that allow the caregiver a couple of hours off while a trained volunteer comes instead. That can help a lot. For me, the most relaxing thing I can do is listen to music, with the lights off. I have always been a big believer in "moving meditation," like walking or swimming, to help ease stress. Since those things have become harder, I've been working with a therapist to try to identify triggers, learn to control them, etc. And I'm doing great now -- I've been able to give up the Xanax altogether.

[JDOOKIE]

hi,
i just wanted to let you know your not the only one as you can see. i cant give any advice because i'm going to a counslor as well, and starting the journey to get rid of it.i let things get so out of control and anixity and depression bit me in the butt.sending you hugs. let god lead & he will see us through.we're all her for you.

[curlycue]

:pray:I have been there and got better and gone there again. :pray: