New here....

[Guest_554]

Hi all.

I have had anxiety for about 10 months. The worst feelings can happen, pressure feeling in the head, ringing ears, lightheadedness, skipped heart beats, tingling toes and fingers, sore shoulder blades... the list goes on.

I am getting better, self help. Massage, accupuncture, deep breathing exercises. I mostly notice I am worse of an afternoon whilst I kitchen.... anyone else have similar sensations?

🙂 B.

[TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsN]

Hi B! Welcome to the community - it's a great place with great people, plenty of honest and supportive souls.

You are most certainly not alone in what you feel - they're all hallmark anxiety signs. Pairing all these with the feeling like your heart will jump out of your chest.... it's exhausting!!

Very glad to hear you are getting better, and you are figuring out what works for you, that's a huge step. I have found that I am at my worst in the late arvo/evening. I get a little claustrophobic (mind the spelling!) in our small house, and I thrive on peace. The kitchen is an interesting one... A while ago, before I really aired my grievances that I was the one in the kitchen cooking/cleaning every night, this same thing happened to me. I absolutely hated it. I went from really enjoying cooking, to despising it. Is there something like that happening in your life?

The only way my issue of the kitchen was resolved (mostly), was to raise it with my partner as a serious concern for me, and to make it very clear. Things have improved a little now, I can enjoy cooking again as I am not the sole "chef" in our house!!

I hope all is well and your improvement continues!

[Croix]

Dear Busybee~

I'd like to welcome you here to the Forum and say coming here can be a pretty good move, even if it takes a fair bit of courage to talk about yourself to a bunch of strangers. Many of us here, me included, suffer from anxiety and can relate to what you are going though - it's a horrible thing. We are here to help.

All the sensations you mention, pressure, lightheadedness, heart racing and so on are something I've felt when having panic attacks, plus of course there are other longer- lasting symptoms too such as headaches. There is one thing however. They can also be pointers to other things.

You said you have had anxiety for around 10 months and that you are self-helping. You did not say if you have already been examined by a doctor to ensure it is anxiety and nothing else. If for no other reason than peace of mind I'd suggest it is a good thing to do. Seeing your GP and setting it all down would be good.

I've no idea why things may be worse in the afternoon, I guess everyone is different. I have things that trigger my symptoms, the night before going to work is one. Perhaps there is something about that time of day, or cooking? Anything coming up later in the day that you have difficulty coping with?

In my own case I could not have soldiered on alone and things became worse until I had the correct medical help. I also needed the support of my family, particularly my wife.

Do you have anyone to support you? It really makes a huge difference to the burden one has to bear to have an understanding caring person to share the load.

There's a great deal of information about anxiety, it's causes, symptoms and treatments, including panic attacks, in The Facts menu above. In addition if you look though the Anxiety section of this Form you will find how many have coped in your situation.

I do hope you come back and post again saying more about yourself and how you are getting on

Croix

[Guest_554]

Thanks for your reply Croix. Much appreciated. Yes,

I have seen many Gp's, have had blood tests done all normal ( except vit d low and zinc low, heart holter monitor done for 24hrs, few abnormal eptopic beats, otherwise good,ct angiogram (no blockages in arteries) , blood pressure always good, stress test, all normal. Ft on brain, abdomen, trays on chest, you name it!!

Dr assessed me and said I show mild depression and anxiety symptoms. Dr suggested that I take antidepressants, I declined them, as would like to try and get thru this myself, not mask it.

I have support from friends, home... at times.

Home is a bit stressful of late, as other half works different shifts to me, hard trying to be quiet.

I do not look forward to nights, as awhile back we were almost broken into, I was home alone, am most nights.

So the end of the day I guess during the week isn't a nice time for me. Weekends, I tend to be more relaxed. I am always scared something will happen to me, and no one here to know about it. That is a bad anxiety thing I go thru, but is getting better.

My palpitations have eased a lot. I am on chinese medicine.

Dr has also got me on supplements for vit d deficiency and zinc, magnesium, curcumin,vit b stress formula. I will start to rattle soon with all these pills!!!

I have resourced a free course to do online for anxiety, it starts next week.

Thanks again for your support and welcoming me. I am also here to help anyone if I can.

Cheers, Busybee. 🙂

[Guest_554]

Hi nath,

Thanks for your welcome also! 🙂

My kitchen thingy, well it seems to be when I am at the sink, if I look down when doing dishes I feel really off balance. I often wonder if my neck Is out???? It does get sore, and the sides of my neck/throat area feel pressure, as do my shoulders... so sick of it. Towards end of day in General feel off balance, as though had few glasses of wine, yet haven't touched a drop...

Would go to a chiropractor or physio, but all costs money, and we know it sure doesn't grow on trees.

I am my own worst enemy I guess, as I have the job that allows me to go walking before walk, and I choose to sleep instead, as the energy just isnt there.

I have mentioned to my other half about the sensations I get,the reply I get is that it is all in my head.... not much support here. 😞

Anyway, there is always people worse off.

There is a great book that I am reading, for self help. Not sure if I am allowed to say authors name... so will answer if advised by mods that it is ok to say so. 🙂

cheers

Busybee. 🙂

[Croix]

Dear Busybee~

I'm very pleased you have kept on posting, that's great. Before anything else I'll talk about publications. There is a thread at:

Forums/ Staying well/ Helpful books and resources

Where we can list book we have found to be helpful. There are a few minor restrictions - have a look and see what you think. For my own part I find others' tips about lots of things here pretty good, everything from books to music.

From what you say it may be you do have a physical problem from to your neck, and I'm very glad you had everything else checked out. Did you ever hurt your neck? I have been the same and had umpteen tests for physical symptoms up to and including MRIs - all came back negative.

You are most probably the best judge on the meds, and I suppose in part that depends on severity and success in coping without them. I do know that therapy as much as anything else is important. I did mention there was information here, one thread I've found most useful is

Forums/ Anxiety/ SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIETY

It's long but has a lot of good techniques others have explained. I use the free app Smiling Mind is good as well, both for background stress and also pressing anxiety (with panic attacks needing more in the way of controlled breathing -at least for me). There are similar threads in the Depression area.

Being nervous at night -particularly after a near break-in is pretty natural, your partner being on shift work is just what you don't need under the circumstances. Once you have done all the normal sensible precautions then all that's left is neighbors and pets -if possible I guess.

I'm sorry your partner is not that sympathetic. It's sometimes because of a feeling of helplessness, not knowing what to do - do you think that might be the case here? You did mention friends, if you have a good one who will try to help, that's gold.

Missing out on a walk is a pity. I try to go, it helps at the time of increased anxiety, and also for general background stress. Hard I know with no energy. Still you have put a lot into trying to improve your health with the supplements and Chinese medicine. As for the on-line course, some are very good, well worth the time.

Helping others, that's a nice offer. I'd suggest having a look around other threads and see if there is something you can say that might help, that's how this place works after all.

We look forward to talking more with you

Croix

[Guest_554]

Thanks for your reply Croix.

Yes, maybe I have hurt my neck, just can't remember doing so though. I do know my shoulder got sore out of no reason.... on right side, all my right side hurts as well as lower back. I am a mystery case lol

Nevermind...

I appreciate the advice on the threads here etc. I will have a look.

Take Care and hope all is well in your world.

[Navy]

Hi busy bee,

Everything you are saying i can relate to 100%. Firstly i feel i developed this fear when break ins were happening in my area and particularly in my street so i get where you are coming from. I have developed a fear of being alone, when i am with people i am semi ok and i have come a long way in these past to months compared to how i was. Less panic attacks and i am slowly starting to be on my own again.

I have been getting acupuncture done which i to have been given Chinese medicine because i refuse the meds. And also a coupke of others natural supplements. Are you seeing a psychologist at all?

[Guest_554]

Hi navy,

Thank you for your reply,

Glad you are getting better with being alone. That's great!

The chinese medicine I am on is for circulation, heart problems such as palpitations, it has helped my palpitations, I still get them, but no way near as often. They do lower blood pressure though, but I am monitoring that... just not helping my already unbalanced sensations.. are you on something similar? Whatever they are for, I hope they are helping you. 🙂

I aren't seeing a phschologist, but am starting a course online for anxiety next week. I will have a therapist during that time to check on how things are going for me.

[Navy]

Ye i had a bit of a set back last night. And didnt get any sleep at all because im so anxious. Was really close to taking meds but i forced myself not to. I just dont want to stat up again when i have been good for just over a month.

It is hard when you are going well and it just sneaks up on you.

My chinese medicine is for stress but also to prevent me getting those hot flushes which they are alittle better but not completely gone.

Its great that you are doing something abit it.

Keep up the good work..we all have to stick together and not give up. It will get better