fist time posting would like some feed back on anxiety

[scavera]

hey i am billie i am 24 years old and i suffer a boarder line personalty disorder i recently just qiut smoking witch has increased my anxiety levels i been getting chest pains n haven't been able to calm my self down like i used to w.with my bpd its even harder i my anxiety is heighten already as is i been put on medication, i ben taking this for over two and a half years n has worked but now it seems to take the edge off but not fully help i am suffering anxiety that bad i been to hospital three times since i quit smoking would like some advice would like to know i am no the only one that gets this type of anxiety also how would u deal with this i am not coping at all....

[Mr_Walker]

Hi Billie, it must be tough having BPD AND anxiety... I used to get chest pains with my panic attacks and went to hospital several times too. I find breathing and mindfulness exercises helped me with that...

How long ago did you quit smoking? I quit around 15 years ago and found it very stressful at first but it got easier after 6 -8 weeks...

And are you seeing a therapist of any sort? That's probably the most effective way to treat the anxiety. I found the medication worked great at first but had less effect after a year or two - I'm still taking my medication but it doesn't seem to have as strong effect as it did the first year or so.

Therapy, medication and meditation/relaxing exercises together have really helped me..

[Hope_for_the_best]

It is great that you take care of yourself, especially you follow up with your bpd and quit smoking. Anxiety can be a withdrawal symptom following smoking cessation. It takes time for your body to get used to it. Probably you could try some nicotine patches to reduce the withdrawal symptoms. I would also suggest that you go to your doctor to get a clean bill of health.

[BballJ]

Hi scavera,

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

Sorry to read what you are going through having BPD and anxiety is extremely tough. The medication you are on, is that for your anxiety? Your body may have possibly got used to the medication and it doesn't take the full effects of it anymore, I have been told this can happen with anti-biotic's so just applying the same logic here, I am by no means a doctor or anything so just thinking out loud. Have you discussed this with your GP about the increased anxiety?

When my anxiety was at a peak, I used to get very bad chest pains, I actually thought at times I was having a heart attack and I got really scared, I learnt later on it was my anxiety. As Hope.for.the.best said above, maybe its a withdrawal from quitting the smokes? Again, these are questions I'd ask your GP if you can.

My best for you,

Jay

[BB22]

Hi Billie. I have anxiety, depression and mild bpd. I also get severe chest pains with my anxiety but I have always accepted that they are caused by anxiety so I have never taken myself to hospital for it. Even accepting the cause, it is scary. The chest pains reduce my ability to breathe and if I don't catch it in time, it causes me to hyperventilate. I had a huge anxiety attack over the weekend on Saturday evening and I still have sore muscles in my chest (and stomach, back, hips and legs) from it. I can have weeks like last week where my chest pain ranges from a constant dull ache to severe stabbing pains that restrict my breathing. When it gets beyond an aching pain I try to take even breaths and gradually deepen them. I might start with inhale for a quick count of 2, exhale for a quick count of 3 or 4. I then try to stretch it out until I have inhale for a slow count of 4, hold for a count of 3 or 4 and exhale for a count of 6 to 8. I find the longer exhale makes my breathing regulate much quicker than anything else I have tried.