Hello,

Since Monday I've been feeling very Anxious in the morning, I use to have this before when I woke up I would just feel so anxious.. and once I got up it seems to pass and I felt fine.

However as of Monday the morning anxiety has returned.. and i just wake up after a few hours sleep, then i start to very slowly start feeling anxious and it gets worse and worse till I get out of bed (..even if I still want to continue sleeping)

It's worried me more the last few days though as it seems to be following me more and more, I'm now anxious in the afternoon and evening, but not as bad as the morning.

I'm not sure what is really causing it, lately I've had much more stress (girlfriend lost her job so I have to pay all the bills now) so its all on me, also alot argueing.. but since I've started feeling Anxious i've just kinda given up.. and just hoping it will pass.

Can anyone let me know what I can do to maybe settle myself ?
I seem to be focusing on "The Anxiety" all day.. even when it passes and I feel good.. I think "i hope the anxiety dosen't return" and indeed it does ...

Hi Nick,

So sorry you haven't had any responses before now.

MANY of us know what you're saying when you mention morning anxiety. In fact, you'll find other threads about this very issue.

It just seems to be part of the anxiety experience, that it's worse in the mornings. It's not uncommon to be going to bed at night relieved to be feeling so much better, only to wake feeling like you've hit the wall once again.

My only advice is to understand that this is simply part of the anxiety, to try as best you can (I know it's easier said that done) to not become overly worried and frightened about it.

Have you read the books of Claire Weekes? (Her best-known is "Hope and Help for Your Nerves.") These are hugely helpful to many of us who have bouts of severe anxiety.

Wishing you well.

Nick,

I have morning anxiety nearly every morning. It started last year and I thought it was because I had started teaching which made me very nervous, but it's continued through the summer. For no reason--I wake up early in the a.m. and my heart can pound, like I'm having some adrenalin rush (like someone just broke into the house or something). My blood pressure rises, etc. and since last year I gave up caffeine in the a.m. hoping to allieviate this--but no go.

I take kava, a supplement for anxiety, as soon as I feel it come on and it seems to help a lot. I can even sometimes go back to sleep (if the dog and cat will let me).

Good luck. Anxiety s*cks but apparently for us menopausal/perimenopausal women, it's normal, which can relieve a lot of the anxiousness just by knowing that.

Riv

The best advice I read on anxiety is you have to remember it's your menopause and your body playing tricks on you. Maybe take a supplement - my nurse recommended GNC Ultra Women. It helps me - also a pinch of Xanax when it gets beyond my control and couples with elevated BP. Once you have been totally checked out by your doctors and there is nothing they can pin-point that is wrong with you... well, then you have to deal with it. Your mind is a strong ally. Knowledge is most of the battle. Now that I know it's peri - a lot of my anxiety is gone. It creeps back and sometimes I lose control and forget everything I'm saying right now, but then I read this website and remember and keep on going. You also need to relieve stress. Fix whatever you can fix and let God handle the rest. I have found that excessive stress sets off my hormones.
Good luck.
KGB

Nick:
Know that you are not alone. While I have not had significant bouts of anxiety (my hell is more like palps for no reason leading to anxiety)---know that you have found a wonderful place to get and give advice. As KGB just said---knowledge is a very powerful tool and I hope it helps you to know that we have all been there somehow. I have found that immediately getting involved in an activity is a tremendous help---for me---it takes my mind off of me and gets my thoughts going in another direction. I have even seen women recommend getting a coloring book and crayons. Not only is it relaxing and brings you back to a "comforting" time---it also takes concentration and you forget about yourself. I also have a script for Xanax and that helps tremendously.....Take care---breathe deeply and know that we have also shared in this experience--you do not walk alone!!
Chris

hello Nick,
Sorry for the slow response ... I've been working my way through the many many messages here, it's been taking me awhile

I'm 39, back in June I woke up trembling from head to toe. I immediately went to the dr and was given xanxax.
For approx 10 days or so no matter what time I went to sleep I woke up at approx 5 am suddenly, as if I had a bad dream but didn't remember dreaming at all. When I got out of bed the shaking was mild but withing an hr it bacame almost violent where I couldn't sit still because my muscles would ache while trying to fight it. My husband took me to the er thinking it may have been a mild seizure.
After many docs one gave me Klonopine to take at bedtime ... it works! I finally slept my normal time and I needed no other med during the day.
But still cannot get a docs confirmation it is part of the many peri-menopause symptoms (4 months later) ... I have them all!

I am 61, and been having the same early morning anxiety attack me every morning for a year and a half. It lasts until afternoon, starts to subside and is gone by evening. It is the same no matter what has happened during the day. I personally believe it's a combo of menopause and thyroid problems but even after adding low dose HRT and changing thyroid dosage, the anxiety remains. Other symptoms have gone by the wayside, but the anxiety is horiible. It's now as mental as physical, dreading it every morning when I wake up. If anyone has had luck getting rid of long term problem, let us know before one of us does go nuts!
Barbara

jzzlvr613,

I am only 19 years old but I have struggled with anxiety since I was about 8 or 9 years old. Major life events usually will bring on a week or 2 or 3 or even longer series of anxiety attacks and fears. I know how dreadful they are but when you look at the reality of it, you really just have to face them. Thats the best way to go about it. Don't be afraid of having the anxiety attack in the morning just face it. Don't let yourself have it, I know its easier said then done, but you have to find your weak point and make it stronger. Some people are aware of this and others aren't but if you drink alot of caffeine, this can bring on anxiety. When I start to have an anxiety attack, before you let it take over your whole body and mind, I literally shake my head and kinda laugh and say NO! Not right now! Just say to yourself theres nothing to panic about, just relax and then read something or watch tv.....do something to keep your mind busy. Thats the best advice I can give you!

Hello, I am new o the Message Board, Power Surge. I was so glad to read I am not alone in this anxiety, (menopause) thing in my life, yet sorrowful that somany women are going through this stuff.
I also began about ayear ago waking in the early mornign and having anxiety and anxiety attacks in the mornings, and it seems to be ruining my life. I am not myself at all and sometimes wonder if this will last forever.

I am looking into having a Pharmacist make a compound (formula) of Estrodiol/Progesterone Cream for me, as I could not take Premarin the Dr. put me on the ist of ths year 2005.

Anyway, I am interested in reading more on this subject. I am wondering why there is not more help for this, what a horrible thing to go through, thinking your crazy at times and wondering if you should enter a mental facility, not really knowing in the beginning what is happening to you.......closing here, God bless you all, and may we all gracefully get through this. Hugs, LivingStrong

Hi Everyone,
The strangest thing has happened regarding the morning anxiety for me (part of my life for the last couple of years)... over the last few weeks - and I don't want to jinx it but I need to tell you and to give you hope...the wakeup /a.m. anxiety has stopped... There would be an occasional stop of the morning anxiety for a day or two ...and then it would start up again... And the last 3 weeks has been, Ahhh, breath of fresh air - I enjoy hearing the little birds sing and seeing the sunshine instead of doom/gloom feelings starting out the day...

So I'm hoping that now that the wake up anxiety has disappeared perhaps the afternoon, evening anxiety will go away too...

Blessings,
Stacy

The first time I had anxiety in the morning I freaked out. My heart was pounding and I couldn't stop shaking and trembling.
I got a break for about 6 months but it came back. I have no idea why the morning brings the anxiety. I wish I knew.

Jalyn

Hi,
I am post menopausal, have a very unstable thyroid gland, and have had three operation in the past three years with another coming up in two weeks. My problem is somewhere in that mix, I just don't know where. When I'm on the major pain meds I will be on after the operation, I'm hoping I will get an anxiety break and maybe it will break the pattern. This has been going on every morning for a year and a half and it is driving me crazy! Zanax is helping but it is still there every morning, I just can get a handle on it easier with the zanax. I hope you gind the answer to yours. I am convinced it is physical more than emotional....hormones erupting! Good luck.
Barbara

I did find an answer for my problem with anxiety and all the physical symptoms that go along with Post Menopause. Afte two months of using the formula of topical Estrodial/Progesterone Cream the Pharmacist made for me two months ago, I am feeling almost 100% better already. A few slight symptoms but thats is all. So I am counting my blessings for sure. I hope others of you who can find help in this way will also find this help. As I was totally miserable, with the physical and the emotional symptoms that came with being Post Menopausal. All of my tests were fine except they all said I was post menopausal. The first of this year I did nt know what was wrong with me, just thought I was losing it. Anxiety, depressed, panic attacks , sweats, all this for no reason that I could put my finger on, so this past year has been pretty messed up, but I believe the coming year will be much better. Hugs, Gail

Hello all,

I am just so thankful to have found this discussion. I have had several bouts with this morning anxiety and it has been really difficult, but having read this discussion, I feel so relieved to know I am not alone or crazy. But I am really sorry that each of you have experienced this- it is maddening!

I am 49, and started having these attacks about two years ago. Mine seem to come and go: I'll be OK for a few months, then have a spell of several weeks where I wake up early in the morning with intense anxiety and feel that way most of the day. It goes away around suppertime. I am so grateful for these evening times when I feel normal and can enjoy my family.

I'd echo the advise to try to stay calm and do activities to get your mind off the anxiety and onto something else. I really like the idea about the coloring book- I think I'll go out and get one! I like working crossword puzzles, too!

Blessings to all of you and thanks for sharing your experience and ideas.

Hello ladies,

I had these also, I would wake up and be somewhat anxious, then by the time I feed the dog and cat, boy was I wired.

I felt as if I could run a marathon in record time.

The thing that wigged me out the most is I was shopping one day and had this same feeling (had woken up with it) and they had a bp machine. I figured my bp would be high and my pulse insane, but my bp was 124/74 and pulse was 84.

Isn't that the craziest thing you ever heard, I told my stupid gyno and he just looked at me and said "Oh, that is a great bp to have". Yes, thanks doc, I know that is a great bp, but what about the feeling as if my heart is going to pump out of my head

Anyway, glad to not be alone, but annoyed to be in it.

I read somewhere about this particular anxiety. When your hormone levels drop, your body has to find another source for them. It can make them from the adrenal glands which then produce extra adrenaline.
This is why we sometimes wake in the night with our heart pounding, and feeling anxious, It is especially horrible, I think, because we have no control over it. I found that the important thing for me was to accept that I wasn't actually anxious about anything, and not to GO LOOKING for things to attach it to. Its simply out of conscious control and does go away, but it is important not to be fearful of the next attack coming.
I am much better these days but even now some mornings I awake with a feeling of real dread of- I don't know what!

I was reading through some of the posts here about the morning anxiety but was wondering if any of you get night anxiety while trying to fall asleep. Sometimes (usually around the time my period is supposed to start) I go through a week of nights where I can't fall asleep because of waves of anxiety. I'll get a pounding heart and a shakey anxious feeling just as I am dropping off to sleep. Which jars me awake. This can go on for about 1 to 2 hours. Its a terrible feeling. I finally do fall asleep but then wake up so tired in the morning.

Have any of you ever had this? I'm sure its hormones but I don't know what to do about it.

Maeflower

Maeflower,
I have had that happen when trying to sleep...it basically causes insomnia for me sometimes. In fact, sleep and anxiety can't happen at the same time for me, so what usually happens is that I end up taking something for the anxiety in order to be able to get any sleep at all.

I use to wake up with morning anxiety. I would wake in the morning with my heart racing, sweaty palms, and sometimes sweaty feet. My doctor said that the sweaty palms and soles were a form of night sweats. But I would literally wake up every morning shaky and anxious. After about 3 to 4 months of this I would wake up and almost laugh at how anxious I was...it was the craziest thing ever...no this lightheaded off balance is the craziest thing ever...no its how my symptoms can change from hour to hour..now that is REALLY CRAZY. This dang roller coaster of never knowing how or what I am going to feel from hour to hour. Anyway after several months of the morning anxiety, it went away. Just as quick as it appeared it left me. Now for the last 4 to 5 months I have more anxiety in the evening esp. after a long day at work. I never know from hour to hour how I am gonna feel. I use to be able to say I never know how I am going to feel day to day but now its hour to hour.

Jill~

I have had it any and all times of the days and nights...arrrrggghhhhh! <_<

Hi everyone, I thought I would just put my two cents worth in about anxiety. I started with panic and anxiety attacks 5 years ago and it's been a long road to get where Iam today. I still have the occasional anxiety attack or like the other night I felt the panic rise while I was driving( it's worse with son in the car and hubby had drinks) so it was up to me to get us home! I focused on the music that was on the radio at the time and that takes my mind off the panic. Just remember that they are all just feelings(the panic and sensations that go with it) and feelings cannot hurt you. The best thing I did was to see a Clinical Phsycologist who helped me with breathing, relaxation, coganitive therapy. Then I went on to learn Mindfulness which I found to be the best. It's living in the moment. I have a minfulness CD which I try and listen to at least 3 times each week. It should be easy to find one in USA as it was founded there. Also when anxiety arises concentrate on anything that you are doing at the time, whether it's cleaning, gardening even eating. Take real notice of what you are doing and the anxiety subsides.

If you are getting anxiety for example in the morning and you expect it you will get it. You will talk yourself into it without realising. The night before you need to say to yourself "Well if I get anxious big deal, I will deal with it". I always had the phrase" I acknowlegde that thought and move on" I always thought I would have a heart attack and used this to defuse the panic. It takes awhile to work but it do's. I still use it now. The same as anytime of the day,breath in 3 sec and out 3secs, and think of or do other things.

I hope some of this helps. I know panic and anxiety like the back of my hand and would'nt let it beat me. It even tried to make me housebound, scared of the shops, driving, then afraid to be home, anything small would trigger it. I feel for anyone going through it as it would have to be the worst peri symptom. Also I don't take any meds as I didn't like the side effects. Take some until it unscrambles things and then slowly come off. I took them for 2 years and would not go back to them again. Goodluck Cheryl

I used to get real anxious (that almost always turned into a panic attack) in the late evening or at night. It was like my body was terrified to go to bed or something??. Lately I have now been waking up with my heart going 100 miles an hour, and I find I am more anxious in the morning and while I am at work now. Sometimes it happens in the morning and at night, which is really the pits.

I did start therepy this last week. They taught me some ways of breathing that is supposed to relax you. So far, they aren't much help. I have found at night (I don't know if this is healthy or not----its just what works for me----, I take some sleeping aids and fall right to sleep when normally I would be tossing and turning, trying to ignore my racing mind and heart.

Cleaning, or just staying busy helps me somewhat in the morning. If I am distracted, I can't think about the anxiety---which normally makes it worse

Snap... I was afraid to lay down as I couln't breathe! An old work colleague said she started the same way.

I then started to wake in the morning full of anxiety (not quite as often now) and coped by scrubbing everything in sight...sadly that part wore off and I clean when I have to nowadays!

Perhaps you should get help from the doctor while you learn your techniques. It must be hard to take it all in while you feel like you need to run.

Oh, and I put music on, or an audio story so that I can't think while I get to sleep!

This is the very first time I am posting so I am not sure where to start.... I'm 51 and Post Menopausal. I experienced a number of changes in my life in the last 6 months: My mom passed away, my roommate moved out and my last daughter married and moved out. I am single.

What I thought would be the start of my best chapter in life has turned into one of the most depressing times of all. The worst is the anxiety. I worry about everything, I mean everything. I was such an easy going, level headed kind of woman and now I am a mess. Headaches, palpitations, lack of interest in anything. I just go through the motions. But the anxiety is paralyzing. I feel as though the worst thing is about to happen. I barely sleep and when I do it's just for a few minutes and I wake again with the sense of panic. Then I get to "label" the panic.....I think about every little thing going on in my life and decide that I feel bad because of one or more of those things. And then I just become consumed even more.

I have a doctor's appt in the morning and want something to help me with this. What should I do/take to make it stop?

The best medication is time. You will note as you read from the various ladies on this forum, that a lot of symptoms come up as past tense. Eventually everything will be in the past tense but since you are starting this bumpy ride, be prepared for the ups and downs accompanying the ride. What can you take? Only you can answer that. There are so many variables and the most important one is how well you can handle all that will be "thrown" your way as your body attempts to acclimate itself to adjusting the hormones. Lots of physical and mental symptoms will be going on but as you tap into this forum, you just may be able to deal with them, knowing you are not alone.

Traci,

My heart goes out to you. I also thought this would be the most wonderful time of my life

As the French say, "Quel surprise!!"

For me, the answer was to start on a low dose of Lexapro (an SSRI anti-depressant), along with a short term of Ativan for anxiety. I REALLY resisted getting onto AD's, but was struggling so badly, it became necessary.

There are many approaches, and Power-Surge is the best place in the world to get the info you need. Be sure to check out the interviews with doctors and other professionals, and the articles, and also these terrific message boards, where you'll get lots of "lay" recommendations.

Wishing you the best, and welcome to Power-Surge!

Jacquie

Hi. I'm 50, and for the last few months was having terrible anxiety -- started in the early AM, and lasted for the better part of the day. I'm just at the 1 year mark with no periods, too, by the way.

From what I've read, I think what's going on with that is that the hormone levels are at the lowest in the early AM and the adrenal glands kick into overdrive trying to make up for them. But they sometimes go WAY into overdrive -- I know I walked around all day feeling -- and thinking -- as if I'd just narrowly missed being killed. Total adrenaline racing through my body. Couldn't think straight for all the disastrous thoughts in my head. Felt like electricity was racing through me. At night, after it would subside, I was exhausted.

What's worked best for me so far is a progesterone cream. At first I was completely better, now I'm depressed, and I wonder if I need to back off of it. Have had a saliva test done and am awaiting results.

I tried Zoloft -- it made me sleepy and agitated at the same time.

Have also been taking some super-strength Vitamin B's, L-Theanine & GABA, Black Cohosh, Soy, some natural estrogen tablets.

Getting additional exercise is also helpful, but frankly when I was in that crazy anxiety place, I couldn't get myself to exercise.

I think keeping a journal of what I'm taking /using and how I'm feeling will help to figure out the right amount of each thing that works. I'm working with a Nurse Practitioner now -- she'll get the saliva test results.

Has anyone had a similar experience with progesterone cream? Can you overdo it?

In any case, it was helpful to me to find this site to know that I was not alone and not completely nuts.

Hi there. It is a relief to come and read what other women are going thru. I have had morning anxiety off and on for the better part of one and a half years.
When I read your comments I do'nt feel all alone anymore. Six months ago I started working part time in a womens dress store. Since women will talk about most things I have mentioned to several of the ones that are in their 70s and 80s about my perimenopausal symptoms. Guess What? They had them also and every single last one of them has told me that things get better and eventually all the symptoms go away and life gets good once more. Something to remember when times get tough.

Hi there

I too am having the early morning anxiety. Sometimes it lasts all day with just a few minutes here and there of relief. It started 2 months ago (since my last known period). At times it is unbearable. i went to a homeopathic doctor who gave me some medicine. IT helped with the hot flashes, palpitations, internal shaking. But it doesn't TOUCH the anxiety nor the depression. I couldn't function, so I started taking a little ativan. Went to another doctor who put me on Tafil, which i am on now.
I am on an anti-depressant which seems to be doing nothing but help me sleep at night.
Oh well.
I am having blood tests to determine my hormone levels and tonight I see a gynocologist.

The hot flashes, irritability, night sweats are NOTHING compared to the anxiety. i will do anything not to have this. It makes me think about bad things. It makes me worry about everything. I tell myself it's not me, it's just my body.

I'm just going crazy replying to all posts tonight. Everything I've been reading- I've been experiencing. Those lovely a.m. anxiety bouts! I wake up with a start and I HAVE to get out of bed. I do my am hara massage and breathing exercises before I put my feet on the floor. Then they just go away.
fina

My first time here! I have major anxiety. I worry all the time about everything and it is making me crazy. I am crying and I am surprised my boyfriend is still around. I suddenly don't trust him. I am jealous. Most of the time I hold it in and don't attack him but sometimes he knows even when I say nothing. We have lived together for 2 and a half years and I feel like I am pushing him away. I am now trying to get a second job so I can be gone most of the time. I feel like I am useless....my youngest son is graduating in May and leaving for the Navy in August. Ok...crying again! I feel empty. I have no one. Then I keep feeling like my boyfriend does not love me and will leave too. There you go...all of my anxiety in a nutshell!

thanks for listening!

Hi Dadgum,

And welcome to Power-Surge! Your fears are familiar to many of us...

You are not "useless," just going through a very tough transition! Be sure to look around Power-Surge, the wonderful articles and these amazing message boards. You'll see your own concerns mirrored in some of the posts from others, who feel or have felt just as you do.

I've found the best way to handle these awful feelings is to not project too much into the future, but to take things a day (sometimes 10 minutes) at a time.

Wishing you well - better days will come!

JJ

Hello

I'm new on the boards, so hope I am doing this right! I'm 55 and really started having symptoms last summer. I started having anxiety attacks, which I've never had before in August and it scared me to dealth! Went to my family doctor and of course she put me on a low dose AD. After that my periods stopped, after having been regular up until then. I'm still having some anxiety, but it seems to change between depression (crying for no reason), the anxiety and some days almost normal. Have to keep telling myself, I'm not going crazy, but this is hard to deal with. Anyone else have similar experiences?

Hello Lucky7!

When you continue reading the Board, you will find that all of us, to one degree or the other have been having anxiety/panic/depression - some worse than others. Also - remember, this is just one symptom. There are 33+ more to go. Hang on -

Hi,

I just want to come in and comfort Lucky a bit - you may not get the other 33 symptoms on the menopause list!!! Anxiety and depression have been the only symptoms that have been really rough for me. Hot flashes don't phase me - just annoying more than anything else. I also had bouts of insomnia, but because I don't work outside my home, that wasn't terribly troubling. Different women experience perimenopause in different ways.

Yes, many of us have had the bizarre experience of anxiety, cry urge, "normal days," all mushed up against each other. Also the sensation of starting out laughing, to have it turn into crying, and then it turns into laughing again - talk about feeling like you're going crazy! (Thank God I have a patient husband.) It's very strange, but seems to be part of the transition for some of us.

Consider that our brains have been bathed in estrogen for 35 years or so - and then the plug gets pulled. Hormonal changes can affect any part of the body, and again, for me the hardest hit seems to be with these brain-related issues.

Wishing you good luck, and extending a welcome to Power-Surge. As you read more, you'll see how many of us know EXACTLY what you're saying!

JJ

Hi JJ

Thanks for your support. I try to keep telling myself that it's only my hormones, but that gets hard to do some days! It would definitely make it easier if you knew when it would all end, but there is no way to know. I too, find the anxiety, mood swings the worst. I do have hot flashes and night sweats, but I can handle that. Lately, I can cry at anything! Poor husbands!

Lucky

Yup,me too,lucky7!

I made supper on Sat. night and burned half of the sweet potato fries I was making. I just burst into tears. My husband just looked at me and said what is wrong now?? All I could tell him was hormones!

The next day I was fine! God, I hate this roller coaster ride!

One reason I don't post a lot on this board is because on nearly every topic I have nothing to add but "Yeah, me too". Although I've had the majority of the symptoms at one time or another, my worst have been the migraines and the anxiety.

Exercise does help enormously with the anxiety. You don't have to run a mile, even a moderate walk will help. However, some days the anxiety is so powerful that I find I need to take a small dose of Xanax just to calm down enough to exercise.

I don't believe that it is ever a sign of weakness to do what you need to do so that you can function. Drugs, excercise, diet, whatever works is what you need to do now. I hope that the day comes SOON when we are all symptom free!!!

Yes, I agree, exercise does help the anxiety. I try to at least walk everyday, but I think even sweating with more strenuous exercise is better. I take every vitamin there is, so I'm probably the the most healthly person around, who has mood swings all day long!

This weekend I cried watching Coretta Scott King's funeral. Then I cried this morning when my husband gave me Valentine flowers! I am just a moody mess!

Hi: All
I have been reading with interest about everyone's morning anxiety, I am joing your club. To make a long story short when peri it it was WAM wake up about 1:am out of control didn't know what it was then the depression (this was also situational at the time) end of on Effexor worked great but hated the side effects so took myself off bad move - end up in hospital. Back on effexor for last 4 years left husband last year above mention situational problem. Am now weaning off the AD and was not forwarded about the withdrawal side effects. You guessed it anxiety I have a very long road ahead to get off this AD and am looking for anything and everything to help manage the anxiety withdrawal. I did som surfing on the net to find out about this and I do not want to go back there it scared me to death.
I have been a long time lurger here and know how caring and helpful all you wonderful beautiful women can been. One thing I spotted on the net about this was some kind of diet that a lot of people with anxiety try to follow. If any of you ladies know anything about this I would be forever grateful if you could help with any advice you may have.

Thanks for listening
Peg

Hi Peg,

Just want to offer some moral support in your weaning-off process. Wishing you well with this.

I'm also interested in a diet that will help with anxiety. It probably means no caffeine, which isn't easy!

Meditation, relaxing, being in nature, all of these seem helpful.

Again, good luck, dear Peg. Let us know how you're doing, OK?

JJ

Thank you JJ for you reply it is so nice to share all of the daily ups and down we go through at this time. I am a little better today made myself get up and go to church with my sister, she seems to be my anchor right now and one of her daughters in her second year at university studying to be an ER nurse just completed 7 weeks in the mental health ward explained to me that some of the AD's are as hard as crack to get off of. I now have a better idea of what I am up against so you will probably see a whole lot of me around here looking for lots of encouragement. I am trying to keep a positive attitude and with all the women here and Gods' help and will make.
Hugs
Peg

I have found that deep, slow breathing helps quite a lot when I am feeling nervous.(In through the nose and out through the mouth) Sometimes however nothing works great. In the past I found going to a therapist that uses cognitive behavioral therapy was a life saver. I would love to go to one now however we moved and I haven't got a clue as to who to go to here. Also I'm really low on money and I know that it would be expensive. I may just have to break down and find one that will take payments cause living with this fear all the time is terrible.

The following is a guide for anxiety dietary modifications....

1. Eliminate as much as possible all types of simple sugar from your diet. This includes foods that obviously contain white sugar, such as candy, ice cream, desserts, Coke, or Pepsi. It also includes subtler forms of sugar, such as honey, corn syrup, corn sweeteners, molasses, and high fructose. Be sure and read labels on any and all processed foods to detect these various forms of sugar.

2. Substitute fruits (other than dried fruits, which are too concentrated in sugar) for sweets. Avoid fruit juices or dilute them 1:1 with water.

3. Reduce or eliminate simple starches such as pasta, refined cereals, potato chips, and white bread. Substitute instead complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain breads and cereals, vegetables, and brown rice or other whole grains.

4. Have a complex carbohydrate or protein snack (nuts, whole-grain toast and cheese, for example) halfway between meals-around ten-thirty to eleven in the morning and especially around four to five in the afternoon. If you awaken early in the morning at four or five, you may also find that a small snack will help you to get back to sleep for a couple of hours. As an alternative to snacks between meals, you can try having four or five small meals per day no more than two to three hours apart. The point of either of these alternatives is to maintain a steadier blood sugar level.


Think it would have been easier just to say what you can eat...


Diminishing Intensity & Frequency of Panic Attacks

1. Regular practice of deep relaxation. (Like JudyL mentioned)

2. A regular program of exercise.

3. Elimination of stimulants (especially caffine, sugar, and nicotine) from your diet.

4. Learning to acknowledge and express your feelings, especially anger and sadness.

5. Adopting positive self-talk and "core beliefs" which promote a calmer and more accepting attitude toward life.

The following information was gathered from, "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook Fourth Edition, by Edmund J. Bourne, PH.D."


I found this book to valuable for anxiety.


Yep

This is extremely valuable info. I love honey and did not associate it with sugar. I always thought it was a natural sugar substitiute. (I only use it to drink herb teas but will look around the healthfood aisles for something else). Also just needed to share... After several good days in which I was able to be very productive, on Sunday 2-26-06, I had what felt like a 24-hour panic and anxiey attack. Also, I had severe heartburn and mild diarreah (forgive my spelling Ladies- too tired to get the dictionary just now). My mother was visiting this weekend and it was very hard on her seeing me like this. Throughtout the day, I had maybe two or three short episodes of "relief" wherein my energy returned and the anxiety abated. For the entire day I ate only one half cup of fruit salad (and that was just to force myself to put food in my stomach to take vitamins), and one and a half chicken wings. My mother has never known me to be without an appetite and this really, really upset her. (Oh, I forgot to mention that she did not experience all of the 34 symptoms like myself -my grandmother on the other hand did and identifies with what I am experiencing-both my mother [age now 63] and grandmother [age now 88]stopped menstruating at age 50 -I'm 45-go figure!!!!) Anyway, it is now 1:00am Monday 2-27-06, and I am just beginning to feel "normal" again (and I use that term loosely). After today, I have decided that I either need the bio-identical stuff I've read about on this site and/or the revival soy product. Because Ladies -let me tell you-I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!! My GYN had called earlier in the week to give me results of a sonogram for a fibroid which has been successfully treated and is shrinking. I took the opportunity then to question her about a more aggressive approach beside the Estro-Factors she had prescribed (these are the vitamines that help rebalance the hormonal level). She advised me to come in and talk about working with the hormones more directly. I was a little afraid because of all the crap in the news - iwasn't fully educated on the subject. But this site and you wonderfully encouraging women (with such knowledge, awareness, and proactive-ness) have been a great source of education. Therefore, will get back to you all as soon as I can about what approaches the Doc and I agreed upon. In the meantime -everyone stay strong and determined.
ps: I did try the valerian root tea and it work wonders to calm the nerves.

Yep,

Thanks so much for taking the time to present all this helpful info!

Sunshine, Judy, and Pegasus, ((((HUGS)))) to you! The emotional struggles in peri are VERY challenging, and it helps to know we have each other to share with.

Peg, do let us know how you're doing with weaning off the meds. Wishing you well.

JJ

Ladies:

Thanks for the info on the diet,and deep breathing. I have a book by David Burns on CBT and am finding it helpful. I have cut off the sugar and caffine the nicotine is another story. I find that with the anxiety I have to force myself to eat so several small meals throughout the day will be no problem. I found today Mon. 27/06 to be a rough one. After a not to bad weekend. But then again it is a Monday and we all know what that is like.
I am wondering if is possible that when coming of an AD could it be the same as coming off HRT, in that the AD may delay the nomal balanceing of hormones in the brain. I hope I am making sense here.

Once again thank for the diet info I am going try it.

Peg

Hi the Peg

I was just wondering if you had found some CBT workshops in your area? Wishing You well.

Linderful

Hi Linderful
Thanks for checking in, Had a rough few days and have not checked it out but did see a new therapist today. Fell much better with him then previous one. Today was some what better. I know that I have a long road ahead but feel optimistic that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Between PS, new therapist and family I will get there but I am also being realilistic enough to know that some days there will be steps back but in the end I am going to be the winner and as they say the stronger for it. Just taking one day at a time.

You will probably see a lot of me around for some time but that's good because there is so much support here.


(((Hugs)))
Peg