Good morning ladies,
I've some major anxiety since this whole peri thing began and have been taking xanax wen needed. It was a good month or so without and my mom was hospitalized, so I needed it to help me over the hump. Now it's been about 6 weeks without, and I am fighting through a rough time today. Two of my teen kids had big stresses hit them yesterday and I am trying so hard to stay calm, cool and collected. I am not working today, but keeping busy with calls for the kids. I tried l-theanine and now and going for the chamomile tea. I hope it helps. I am starting to feel weird, tingly around the mouth, you know the drill, the panic is starting but I am really trying to do it without he xanax. Any thoughts of if I should continue to fight it or just cave and prevent it from getting worse. I would really appreciate any thoughts. I am really getting ready to just sit and cry, I could use some support.

Thanks for listening.

enough: OOhh, I know what you're going through. I get nervous every time the phone rings, because it usually means my DD is having some crisis or another. Maybe sitting down and having a good cry would help. I wish I had some fanstastic advice for you, but I don't. Motherhood is the hardest thing I've ever done...it just rips out your insides sometimes. Have you tried keeping a journal?

Enough, I hate that weird, tingly feeling. I had that after my mother passed and I had gone through a period of extreme stress. If you can cry, go ahead, like Robin said. It does relieve stress. I never realized how tense my body was until I started reading about relaxation. It takes work to relax for me. I'm not someone who can just lie down in bed and relax, but when I get the tingly, weird feeling it's a sign that I'm overdoing it and need to take some time out to relax. Maybe you can just let go a little bit with the kids? I don't know how serious the situations are, but maybe you can ask them to start handling situations if at all possible. We try to fix everything for our kids and it does wear us down and drains us. Also, if you can take a walk outside that may help. It may seem difficult if you're feeling very anxious, but I find just looking at some nice scenery is peaceful for me. I was able to handle stress much better I found when I took time out for a regular exercise routine--walking, weights, and floor exercises. If you're having ongoing stress (with your mother and kids it's a triple whammy) it's important to care for yourself. The stress will pass--it's just very difficult when you're bombarded with so much of it. Try about 10 minutes of deep breathing, if possible. With so much going on it's important that you take time to focus on your own well being.

Thank you both. I will get out of the house and get some damp fresh air. Those April showers don't the mood much. I know this too shall pass, it really will, it always does. Luckily noone is hurt or sick, so it will settle down. Parenthood is tough. I am lucky they are good kids, so nothing is really all that bad, I need to put it all in perspective. I hope you both have a pleasant day. Thanks again.