What helps for instant relief (while investigating long term strategies)

[Zorn]

Hi guys.

I had quite a scary incident the other night where I was woken from sleep with tight chest and difficulty breathing, sweats and weak legs.

Naturally we went to the hospital where they thought it best to investigate the potential of a heart attack as my blood pressure also hit 159/117, where I usually sit the 120/80 (no issues in the past).

After finally getting the chance to calm down and symptoms subside, the doctors came to the conclusion this was caused from major stress (I have a highly stressful job along with personal life stresses) and has seemed to trigger Anxiety in me as it was a case of waiting for that last straw to break the Camel's back.

It was a hug relief to know it wasn't a heart attack and a manageable condition. The past few days, I have been noticing more Anxious moments such as tingling extremities, shortness of breath, light headed, etc. I am just wondering if these are somewhat amplified and more noticeable (and also triggered by the Monday episode) now I am aware of what I have and if there is medication that can give near on instant relief from these symptoms, whilst I investigate a long term solution?

I would love to hear back from you all as I want to get a little normality back (even fleeting) while I look for a long term fix.

[therising]

Hi Zorn

I really feel for you; this episode must have been terrifying, to have come on so suddenly.

It can be incredibly scary when the body suddenly goes into a state of hyperactivity. Just about everything can become hyperactive - the lungs, the heart/circulatory system, the thinking brain, that which impacts our nerves/sense of feeling and so on. Finding ways to exhaust that level of energy can be challenging, especially in the moment.

Whilst the body can throw us a curve ball occasionally, it is also know to throw cues our way. What I mean by cues: When you consider how the body copes with certain levels of stress or hyperactivity, what it tends to do is naturally exhaust. I don't know too many people who are conscious of how often they sigh or let out a long slow breath through almost pursed lips. We tend to do it naturally, without thought. It's a natural release. So, taking the cue, what can help at times with such hyperactivity is to continue doing what the body naturally started doing. Continue to sigh repeatedly until entering into a more relaxed state (aka focusing on the out breath). Continue taking long slow breaths out through pursed lips until entering into a more relaxed state. People actually learn breathing exercises to help cope with stress. If we were to pay closer attention to the cues our body gives us at times, we'd be able to naturally learn exercises from our self. I know it sounds a little simplistic but it can't hurt to give it a try and see what happens.

Although the stress you're under is not good, it is good to be able to put your finger on what's causing it. A lot of folk have trouble trying to pinpoint underlying stress. Talking to someone about coping/management strategies is something definitely worth considering. We're typically not taught in life about emotional management strategies. Instead, we tend to be thrown in the deep end at some point in life and told to 'get on with things'. How we get on with things or manage them in highly productive ways tends to be the vital information that can be missing some of the time.

Every time we are required to rise to some challenge in life, unless we come to understand how to rise, the only thing that appears to be rising successfully is our blood pressure.

Take care Zorn 🙂

[Zorn]

Thank you so much for your reply @therising.

I have always thought myself to be the strong one and can handle everyone's problems. This just shows that even the hardest of heads has a weak spot lol.

I am glad to a point this happened as it has made me a lot more aware of my situation.Reading through the forums, I now realise I have been struggling with Anxiety a lot longer than I thought. The constant sighing...this is an everyday occurrence and thought I'm tired. The light head, thought that was just that was from my daily pressures. It has been a real eye opener and now I know I need to look after myself and fiance better.

I have always been a smoker and heavy caffeine drinker. This episode for those things has been a blessing in disguise as now having a cigarette triggers my anxiety, so Sunday is quit day. It will be tough but much better than the alternative. Caffeine is obviously a stimulant, so this will have to be reduced also.

Finding these forums has also been a big help, with the few bits of advice from yourself and also reading through others posts, it's good to know that there are people who understand. I was never one of these people until now and really didn't understand how people could have Anxiety. This upset me quite a lot as my partner also has it (with different types of episodes). Now I can begin to really understand and hopefully start to get on top of it, but also be more supporting of others and especially my partner.

It's funny how things work out and I hope in the end, this makes me a more understanding person, especially after I start to get on top of it.

[therising]

Hi Zorn

I'm glad you're focused on giving more consideration to yourself. Occasionally, we tend to be the last on a long list of people we need to give consideration to.

The cigarettes - I'm yet to give up. In my half hearted attempts to give up in the past, I did a bit of research which led me to understand that whilst a cigarette is the first thing we tend to reach for under stress (to calm down), it actually behaves as a stimulant, sending the body into hyperactivity. And, yes, I'm a coffee addict too. Love my coffee and tend to use it as a stimulant. I'm a bit slack lately when it comes incorporating far more healthier energy boosts into my life. Trying to drink more filtered water these days. I've been led to believe that whilst coffee can actually be good for us, caffeine is supposedly the plant's natural pesticide. Finding a coffee that has had the caffeine naturally removed from it is a consideration.

The human body can be an incredibly efficient thing, the way it gives us wake up calls. Being sensitive to such calls is key to living a long and healthy life.

I wish you all the best on your smoke free path and look to you as inspiration to get my act together.

🙂

[Zorn]

hi guys.

Bit of an update. Have had my first appointment with my GP and he has asked I take a certain medication and see him again next week to see if it is making any difference. He also gave me a referral to a psychologist, which I ave already made an appointment for next week.

I'm still short of breath pretty much all day everyday with various other physical symptoms such as nausea, tingling and limb pain. Just wondering if these are so constant and prevalent at the moment as a side affect from the shock from my first Anxiety attack?

Also, does anyone know of a anything that can help take the edge of straight away so I can relax? Sick of the physical symptoms and the constant thoughts running through my head of which are mostly me getting anxious about my anxiety.

If someone can please help, I would be indebted to you. I feel like I'm going crazy and it feels like it's suffocating me.

[calmseeker]

Hi,

Nice to meet you Zorn. Sorry to hear about your struggles with anxiety. Glad to hear you're seeing your GP who has taken some action to assist you with recovery from this.

I suffer with this condition also. I noticed you mentioned that you are sick of getting anxious about your anxiety. I could have written that myself! I fell into the trap of 'being anxious about being anxious'! Its a terrible place to be.

One thing I have found for my own panic episodes that has been really helpful to me for instant relief has been to realise and believe that panic and those uncomfortable anxiety sensations are just that, just sensations. I have come to realise that its the way I label the sensation that gives the panic power. My psych told me that the excited feeling I get from opening a gift is coming from the same part of the brain as the feeling I get when I am having a panic attack, its just if I choose to label it a 'good' or 'bad' sensation that is the difference. Really believing that has put me back in control a bit when I am having an over whelming panic episode, it takes a bit of the bite out of it all and it doesn't seem so scary.

Therefore, when an episode is coming on I try to slow my breathing and think;

'These sensations are just normal sensations but they are misplaced and at an unwanted time, but I am safe. It is not dangerous to have this anxiety attack. I will be fine. Nobody has ever died for an anxiety attack and nor will I. This will pass very soon and I will feel normal again.' So along with this , I try and focus on an object or a task (I know its hard to do that when you're feeling physically uncomfortable but its worth it). Recently I have been doing this thing where I memorise all the capitals of countries and when I feel the panic coming I go through the list trying to get them all right. I have found that the bad anxious thoughts don't hold any weight while my brain is trying to remember the capital of Cuba! Or maybe you can print out all the flags of the world and try and memorise them. I know it may sound a bit odd, but this practise takes the focus off the anxious feelings and put it somewhere else. It really helps take the punch out of the panic episode.

You are definitely not going crazy - you are a human who's anxious sensations are firing at the incorrect times, but you will get on top of it. I am on the same journey as you Zorn.

Sending you calm vibes for an awesome and panic free day.

CS

[Zorn]

Thank you so much calm seeker.

I can't wait to look into some of these methods as they do sound interesting. The biggest issue I have physically is I am always short of breath. Not rapid breathing but just don't feel like I'm getting enough, if I could stop that sensation, even for an hour a day, I think it would be a huge relief.

[therising]

Hi Zorn

Bit of an odd question but have you ever been tested for sleep apnea?

[Zorn]

No I haven't Therising.

It's ironic you say that as I am typing this, exhausted from a poor nights sleep. This is something I have considered, but disregarded as I thought maybe I was being silly.

I would absolutely love a good nights sleep. I can't remember the last time I awoke, feeling refreshed.