Question:
::Hi Jackie, I am still taking Inderal. Before I was on that I had ::a racing heart and palpitations every day! At least I only get it ::on bad days now 
When I have bad anxiety it is hard to keep ::thinking straight and I get scared again. I know what you mean. When you`re having a bad day it`s hard to remember that you ever felt this way before….. and survived. Each bad day seems worse than the one before. I don`t recall what dose you are on regarding the Inderal. Talk to your doctor about possibly tweaking your dose a bit for those extra bad days. Anxiety fuels the physical symptoms, the physical symptoms aggravate the anxiety… thus creating a vicious cycle. If you can minimize your heart symptoms on those bad days, you may find your anxiety lessens sooner. ::Do you think these are working well for you? I think so. It also makes me feel like I am doing something good for my heart. Like I`m protecting it There`s also been studies that indicate Omega fish oils may be good for your mental health. Hope you are feeling better today! Jackie ~*~Be kind, remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle~*~ ~~ T.H. Thompson — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – TJ, Indeed, some days are worse than others. But, yes, I think I have chronic anxiety too. I have a little bit of chronic pain too, and when it hits me hard, I seem to be even more anxious. I try and get outside. I have a porch and I go out there and sit with the radio on. I see birds, butterflies, etc. For me, that’s a sign of God and then I get a little relief. If my dogs are out w/me, they usually do something that distracts me too. I think that’s what it’s really about… distraction. Getting your mind to focus on something other than what you’re thinking about that is causing the stress/anxiety. Heck, sometimes I get into the shower and just focus on the water hitting my skin. So mainly, it’s getting out of the situation you’re in. It doesn’t always work, but if you try different things… perhaps you’ll find some relief. I wish you well.
Laurie, I think you hit it; distraction. I’m finally learning that when I wake up in the middle of the night, I can’t lay there! If I lay there, trying to sleep, that’s when my mind starts churning, which preceeds the rest of the anxiety symptoms. If I get up, read my e-mail, read newsgroups, *much* better. Distraction. That’s the key. You said it perfectly. kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel so bad for you right now, TJ. I know because I have constant anxiety every single day. I’ve been on Doxepin for it for a little over 3 weeks so it hasn’t really kicked in yet. I don’t know how to advise you. Just try to hang in there and maybe it’ll pass soon. {{{{{TJ}}}}} Di Hi Di, if you have constant anxiety then I feel bad for you too! {{{{{Di}}}}} I hope the Doxepin helps you – I thought it was a very good drug, but like most drugs, the side-effects were as bad as the illness for me. Do you think you could cope if you thought you had to be this anxious for the rest of your life? How would you deal with it? — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE
No way could I cope with this if I had it the rest of my life. Couldn’t deal with it, nope. {{{{{TJ}}}}} Di — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, LM, I wish I had a way to overcome this fear. Practice makes all of the sense in the world to me and yet I’m too afraid of hurting myself or worse yet another… "Does driving really make the women? " – No. But I don’t like bothering other people to facilitate my needs. I’ve overcome so much of my anxiety issues and made many strides but yet this is one that is so important to me, but I guess not important enough…ugh! smiles, Elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -***I have thought about this often lately. My kids are grown and more or less gone from the home. Now is when I wish I had more control over some issues in my life, driving being one. practice I feel robbed of my life when I let myself dwell on it too long. YOU feel? Or you "think" I have been robbed they are different concepts It would be very easy for me to let myself go to an "ugly" place over the limitations so I stop and remind myself that I have this condition for a reason that I don’t understand… But, all in all, yes, I do feel cheated and wish I were stronger to face some issues. again you believe you have been cheated or robbed or that you haven’t lived to some rateable concept of self-some self defined perspective you think you must be–but who said you must be anything? And are you able to really rate your life-against what do you rate it? Because you have a hard time driving? Does driving really make the women? I do know how you are feeling but some way you need to let go of those feelings and accept your disorder. I find by accepting my condition that, while it’s still there, it doesn’t weigh me down as much. Hope this makes some sense… Unconditional self acceptance–no rating, no mustabating or shoulding on yourself-you can drive more by driving more one can change their perception of being helpless by proving they are not and that the idea of helplessness is not the same as empowerment or control or management smiles, Elise — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am. 
Does this illness never let up? How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this? Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way. I think I will go mad before the end! Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? How do you cope – can you even cope with this? I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad? I just want some peace! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it. Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please? — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am. Does this illness never let up? How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this? Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way. I think I will go mad before the end! Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? How do you cope – can you even cope with this? I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad? I just want some peace! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it. Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please? — _TJ_
I know how you feel, TJ. I wonder if I’m going to have a heart attack or stroke when my heart palpitates like that too. Do you get the stomach flutters, diarrhea and sweating, too? In any case, I’d be interested in hearing the answers to TJ’s questions as well. kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
_ — Hi TJ and Kili-
I am not a professionally trained expert on this subject but I have had panic disorder for the past 12 years. Here is what I KNOW!! First and foremost, yes, we are having increased anxiety and the heart palpitations are a part of that. But if you will remind yourself, if you have read any information regarding this illness, that IT WILL NOT HURT YOU OR CAUSE YOU TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK!!!!! That was hard for me to accept because that’s what it feels like. I’ve learned ALOT about this over the past 12 years and I still suffer from panic attacks because the physical symptoms are REAL !!!!! But it will not harm you. TJ- have you tried anything to help release some of your anxiety? If you go out and exercise or read a book or play with a pet, anything to give your mind a rest will help. You are getting more and more anxious because you are "THINKING" about how anxious you are and then this leads to your thoughts about it harming your heart. I guess I can’t stress enough to you that the PHYSICAL symptoms of anxiety are NOT HARMFUL!!! I hope this helps!!! Kellie — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I know how you feel, TJ. I wonder if I’m going to have a heart attack or stroke when my heart palpitates like that too. Do you get the stomach flutters, diarrhea and sweating, too? In any case, I’d be interested in hearing the answers to TJ’s questions as well. kili —
Hi Kili. It is horrible isn’t it? I get all those other symptoms too. I think I get all known anxiety symptoms except dizziness & derealization. It is the fact that it seems to happen for no reason that makes it so bad I htink – it just goes on and on and no reason is apparant! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
<gently snipped ::Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? How ::do you cope – can you even cope with this? I have such ::bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety ::gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? During my pre-paxil days, I did have unrelenting physical symptoms as well as the mental ones, like racing thoughts. I don`t know of anyone that has been harmed by palpitations. They are extremely scary and uncomfortable but not dangerous. If you are concerned don`t hesitate to talk to your doctor so he can reassure you. I thought you were using a beta blocker? Beta blockers can really help calm your heart down. Talk to your doctor about them. Being you are concerned about your heart, look into taking heart healthy supplements like omega fish oils and CO q10. I take both of these to help the annoying skipped beats I get. I also found physical activity helpful in two expel a lot of that nervous energy that makes me feel so wound up.It also helps to eliminate caffeine during these really stressful times. ::Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be ::very bad and others not so bad? I just want some peace! ::Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot ::understand it. Like with any disorder, physical or emotional, it can be cyclic in nature. You get those really bad days mixed in with the good ones. You`re now med free which is probably why you are experiencing such intense symptoms. I also know that your symptoms are very physical. Perhaps it is time for different doctor`s. One that I recommended a while back is a endocrinologist. You really need to find out if something physical is going on in your body. I really hope you can find some answers and effective help soon. (((((TJ))))) Jackie ~*~Be kind, remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle~*~ ~~ T.H. Thompson — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am.
I’m fine thanks first read Jackie’s response read it again and again Does this illness never let up?
it is chronic and recurrent, so it can let up, go away, come back or just be a background of buzzing bees or wild pissed off hornets How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this?
it is designed by mother nature to do so if energized and perceives things as being direct or indirect threats to its survival Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way.
why not? I think I will go mad before the end!
no, you will get mad I am sure, but that anger will be inner directed and you will just make yourself feel like shit or shittier Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety?
I have How do you cope – can you even cope with this?
I find rebt to be the best program of intervention-for me. I think it is helpful for everyone–meds are helpful as well I read you are now unmedicated-my question would be why if meds worked-If they didn’t you may need to try some others I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think?
no, unless they are not caused by anxiety-somatic focus is normal when you feel scared and threatened, then you freak out over more symptoms and the spiral of secondary fears feeds the primary fear which in turn, just makes you feel like you are going mad-all of this is based on catastrophic ideations and beliefs. I know these conditions can be managed-you can find ways to do so if you want Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad?
you feel differently from one minute to the next-what you also tend to do is generalize what you feel-if you feel badly you may actually believe you have felt badly all day. I just want some peace! Me too! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it.
It is just a hypersensitive mechanism that has a hair sprng trigger- Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please?
sure got lots of em, but you may not want to really hear them-to start with just realize everyone has good days and bad days and everyone feels anxious sometimes- hope you feel better — _TJ_
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, TJ, I despise living with anxiety. Some days are bad but for the most part I’ve learned to deal with it through meds, deep breathing and self-positive talk. Doesn’t mean I would like to wake up one day and have it totally gone though… smiles, Elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am. Does this illness never let up? How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this? Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way. I think I will go mad before the end! Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? How do you cope – can you even cope with this? I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad? I just want some peace! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it. Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please? — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I feel so bad for you right now, TJ. I know because I have constant anxiety every single day. I’ve been on Doxepin for it for a little over 3 weeks so it hasn’t really kicked in yet. I don’t know how to advise you. Just try to hang in there and maybe it’ll pass soon. {{{{{TJ}}}}} Di
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am. Does this illness never let up? How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this? Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way. I think I will go mad before the end! Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? How do you cope – can you even cope with this? I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad? I just want some peace! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it. Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please? — _TJ_
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am. I’m fine thanks first read Jackie’s response read it again and again Does this illness never let up? it is chronic and recurrent, so it can let up, go away, come back or just be a background of buzzing bees or wild pissed off hornets How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this? it is designed by mother nature to do so if energized and perceives things as being direct or indirect threats to its survival Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way. why not? I think I will go mad before the end! no, you will get mad I am sure, but that anger will be inner directed and you will just make yourself feel like shit or shittier Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? I have How do you cope – can you even cope with this? I find rebt to be the best program of intervention-for me. I think it is helpful for everyone–meds are helpful as well I read you are now unmedicated-my question would be why if meds worked-If they didn’t you may need to try some others I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? no, unless they are not caused by anxiety-somatic focus is normal when you feel scared and threatened, then you freak out over more symptoms and the spiral of secondary fears feeds the primary fear which in turn, just makes you feel like you are going mad-all of this is based on catastrophic ideations and beliefs. I know these conditions can be managed-you can find ways to do so if you want Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad? you feel differently from one minute to the next-what you also tend to do is generalize what you feel-if you feel badly you may actually believe you have felt badly all day. I just want some peace! Me too! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it. It is just a hypersensitive mechanism that has a hair sprng trigger- Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please? sure got lots of em, but you may not want to really hear them-to start with just realize everyone has good days and bad days and everyone feels anxious sometimes- hope you feel better — _TJ_
Hey, I just want to add a "me too"..my anxiety has never reached levels like this. I just find it odd a few of this are having the same thing. Maybe we are contagious ..if I find out who it was that started this, you had better run. I’ve been on .5 Xanax TID since dirt showed up.. last month, I did well on it BID, and I thought I was going that direction. HA! I didn’t get to titrate down. I had to call my pdoc today. I have never, ever had to ask for an increase in Xanax – but I did today. I kind of hate this. a lot. I’m searching, I can find no irrational thoughts, this feels chemical, not psychological. Lots of chest tightness, anxiety escalating to panic, several times per day, breakthrough anxiety on the Xanax (I have never had this before, only read about it here, so I recognize what it is) and I constantly feel like a clock that has been wound too tightly. Maybe a primal scream would help, but I’ve got "concerned" neighbors who would knock on my door if I did that, and I would have to kill them then.. so I guess I won’t scream. I want to though. Badly. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – _ — Hi TJ and Kili- I am not a professionally trained expert on this subject but I have had panic disorder for the past 12 years. Here is what I KNOW!! First and foremost, yes, we are having increased anxiety and the heart palpitations are a part of that. But if you will remind yourself, if you have read any information regarding this illness, that IT WILL NOT HURT YOU OR CAUSE YOU TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK!!!!! That was hard for me to accept because that’s what it feels like. I’ve learned ALOT about this over the past 12 years and I still suffer from panic attacks because the physical symptoms are REAL !!!!! But it will not harm you. TJ- have you tried anything to help release some of your anxiety? If you go out and exercise or read a book or play with a pet, anything to give your mind a rest will help. You are getting more and more anxious because you are "THINKING" about how anxious you are and then this leads to your thoughts about it harming your heart. I guess I can’t stress enough to you that the PHYSICAL symptoms of anxiety are NOT HARMFUL!!! I hope this helps!!! Kellie
Hi Kellie. I do realise that the symptoms cannot damage me but it is good to be reassured all the same! My heart goes so loopy when I am anxious it is hard to believe that it is harmless. My head says one thing but my heart says another! 
— _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, TJ, I despise living with anxiety. Some days are bad but for the most part I’ve learned to deal with it through meds, deep breathing and self-positive talk. Doesn’t mean I would like to wake up one day and have it totally gone though… smiles, Elise
Hi Elise. Do you ever feel that you will never enjoy your life as much as you deserve to because of the endless anxiety? I feel like I have been cut off in my prime I cannot find a way to cope with having a chronic illness! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
TJ; Go to the west side of Ireland, and you feel better when you see the oceaan. Believe me, i know. Go to Tralee, Clifden or Dingle. Let the wind blow in your hair, go to a pub in Dingle. I hope that i can go later this year, and i need it. Love Diana – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am. Does this illness never let up? How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this? Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way. I think I will go mad before the end! Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? How do you cope – can you even cope with this? I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad? I just want some peace! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it. Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please? — _TJ_ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
I feel so bad for you right now, TJ. I know because I have constant anxiety every single day. I’ve been on Doxepin for it for a little over 3 weeks so it hasn’t really kicked in yet. I don’t know how to advise you. Just try to hang in there and maybe it’ll pass soon. {{{{{TJ}}}}} Di
Hi Di, if you have constant anxiety then I feel bad for you too! {{{{{Di}}}}} I hope the Doxepin helps you – I thought it was a very good drug, but like most drugs, the side-effects were as bad as the illness for me. Do you think you could cope if you thought you had to be this anxious for the rest of your life? How would you deal with it? — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi folks. I am feeling really bad right now! I hope everyone is doing better than I am. Does this illness never let up? How can a person’s body stay constantly anxious like this? Surely I can’t go through the next 40 years of my life feeling this way. I think I will go mad before the end! Is anyone else experiencing constant physical anxiety? How do you cope – can you even cope with this? I have such bad palpitations and irregular heartbeats when the anxiety gets bad – could this harm my heart do you think? Also, does anyone have any theories on why some days can be very bad and others not so bad? I just want some peace! Why would my body torture itself this way? I cannot understand it. Can anyone take a philosophical view and advise me please?
TJ, Indeed, some days are worse than others. But, yes, I think I have chronic anxiety too. I have a little bit of chronic pain too, and when it hits me hard, I seem to be even more anxious. I try and get outside. I have a porch and I go out there and sit with the radio on. I see birds, butterflies, etc. For me, that’s a sign of God and then I get a little relief. If my dogs are out w/me, they usually do something that distracts me too. I think that’s what it’s really about… distraction. Getting your mind to focus on something other than what you’re thinking about that is causing the stress/anxiety. Heck, sometimes I get into the shower and just focus on the water hitting my skin. So mainly, it’s getting out of the situation you’re in. It doesn’t always work, but if you try different things… perhaps you’ll find some relief. I wish you well. —
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