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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 29, 2008, at 9:16:16
this morning I am already in panic mode. I took my klonopin and did 3 lines of quilting. I lit my aromatherapy oil burner with "energizing" oil and will proceed to try to refocus with some guided progressive muscle relaxation.
I already had a panic attack. wtf is that about?
this is a difficult day and I haven't even done much yet.
what is my body trying to tell me???
(((t))) hope you're feeling better
-Ll
Posted by JoniS on January 29, 2008, at 9:31:24
In reply to panic, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 29, 2008, at 9:16:16
Llurpsie
You've got to try to get your mind off of all your stuff. Do something that you will be forced to concentrate on, not allowing your mind to wander off. (I know it's not easy, I've been there) Do you have any meds that are different? Maybe the effect of Klon is mellowing and you should try soemthing else. Or, maybe you haven't give it enough time.
You can survive this, conquer it even. You are a tough cookie - you juggle a lot of hats and you are very capable, smart, talented, compassonate. The list goes on and on. I've seen this from getting to know things you've been through, and how you help kids in your job, etc.
I am cheering for you. I am thinking of you too.
(((((((((Llurpsie))))))))))
Joni
Posted by sunnydays on January 29, 2008, at 9:40:09
In reply to panic, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 29, 2008, at 9:16:16
The very nature of panic is that it is irrational, and that it can come on for no reason. I don't think it's important that you figure out why you're feeling panicky right now. I think that doing the guided meditation is a good idea, and I hope that works. Can you take a brisk walk? Do jumping jacks? Sometimes the panic and anxiety just needs a physical outlet, and I find that doing those things rather than sitting still curled up into a ball like I always want to do can push me through it. Physical exertion is sometimes the key for me.
Another idea is to just breathe. Focus on your breathing, in and out. Take a breath in, pause for a count of three, and then slowly exhale. Keep doing this for three minutes (longer if you can). It sometimes helps me. But stop if you start to feel dizzy, because you're probably hyperventilating.
I hope you can find some peace. Can you leave T a voicemail and tell him you were thinking about him and hope he is feeling better? And to call you when he knows for sure he will be back on Friday? That might ease some of the anxiety - it might be about being uncertain about whether he will be there or not.
Hang in there.
sunnydays
Posted by ClearSkies on January 29, 2008, at 11:30:55
In reply to panic, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 29, 2008, at 9:16:16
Just a thought - inhaling an energizing aromatherapy smell just might contribute to feelings of panic. I would suggest calming and soothing oils rather than ones to add more energy. You'd want to smooth out your mood rather than contribute more action to it, no?
Here are some oils suggested to help induce a relaxed state:
nutmeg
marjoram
lavender
sandalwood
clary-sage
pettigraine
geranium
lemon
chamomile (both kinds)
neroli
rose
vetiverThere are recipes for synergystic blends out there, or you can experiment with finding the one that works best for you.
ClearSkies
Posted by Bodhisattva on January 29, 2008, at 11:32:45
In reply to panic, posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 29, 2008, at 9:16:16
SLOW DOWN!
When was the last time you made yourself breakfast before work, and I mean really made breakfast. Or watched a sunrise? Or just sit somewhere and daydream?
You're too worried and concentrated on yourself for there to NOT be something wrong. You're looking until you find something.
Take some time today to do nothing and think of nothing at all. Take care LlurpsieNoodle
Posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:03:24
In reply to Re: panic, posted by JoniS on January 29, 2008, at 9:31:24
Hi Joni,
thanks for your post, and your confidence that I'll feel better. it makes me feel more hopeful.Sometimes we have a hard time seeing in ourselves what others see in us.
I'll post below one thing I did that made my mind slow down and take a deep breath
yours,
-Ll(((joni))) thanks for hugsies
Posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:08:02
In reply to Re: panic » LlurpsieNoodle, posted by sunnydays on January 29, 2008, at 9:40:09
> The very nature of panic is that it is irrational, and that it can come on for no reason. I don't think it's important that you figure out why you're feeling panicky right now. I think that doing the guided meditation is a good idea, and I hope that works. Can you take a brisk walk? Do jumping jacks? Sometimes the panic and anxiety just needs a physical outlet, and I find that doing those things rather than sitting still curled up into a ball like I always want to do can push me through it. Physical exertion is
sometimes the key for me.I think I will try to go to the gym later this afternoon. I have new workout tights that I want to debut. I'm sure I will feel better after that, but what about the part of me that wants to feel bad. I wish to indulge that too. ugh. what a tug.o.war.
>
> Another idea is to just breathe. Focus on your breathing, in and out. Take a breath in, pause for a count of three, and then slowly exhale. Keep doing this for three minutes (longer if you can). It sometimes helps me. But stop if you start to feel dizzy, because you're probably hyperventilating.
>well, I was hyperventilating earlier. now it's just mind panic, since I took the .25mg klonopin and then another .25 a little while ago. deep breathing helps. I ran out of patience to do the guided meditation in full. but it did help me briefly. my arms are very loose, for example ;)
> I hope you can find some peace. Can you leave T a voicemail and tell him you were thinking about him and hope he is feeling better? And to call you when he knows for sure he will be back on Friday? That might ease some of the anxiety - it might be about being uncertain about whether he will be there or not.
>I'm too shy and insecure to tell T that I miss him. :( I'm just trying NOT to think about T. think about me instead.
> Hang in there.
>
> sunnydaysaww you are so sweet sunnydays. I'm hanging
-ll
Posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:09:24
In reply to Re: panic » LlurpsieNoodle, posted by ClearSkies on January 29, 2008, at 11:30:55
I'll put a drop of lavender oil on my hand and smell it when I start to feel scattered panicky next
-Ll
Posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:12:55
In reply to Re: panic » LlurpsieNoodle, posted by Bodhisattva on January 29, 2008, at 11:32:45
> SLOW DOWN!
>
> When was the last time you made yourself breakfast before work, and I mean really made breakfast. Or watched a sunrise? Or just sit somewhere and daydream?
>I watched the sunset yesterday. it was very nice. I think I will make a sunset date with myself tonight. me a brusselsprouts and a sunset.
I guess I'm terrified to let my mind slow down because I'm afraid that it will go to a dark dark place. Like I have to compensate for the inevitable doom and despair of the truth that I'm alone and unloveable by frantically hopping from one thought to the next.
> You're too worried and concentrated on yourself for there to NOT be something wrong. You're looking until you find something.
>
yes> Take some time today to do nothing and think of nothing at all. Take care LlurpsieNoodle
thank you boddhi. I will try to do nothing for one minute and see if the world collapses around me. something tells me that you're onto something
Posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:17:29
In reply to Re: panic » Bodhisattva, posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:12:55
I sat down in front of computer and set up an excel spreadsheet like a CBT journal.
It has columns for
situation
feeling 0-100
automatic thoughts
patterns of automatic thoughts
counterthoughts
rerating feelingsI was able to come up with a few things that were making me feel great anxiety. I decided that my thoughts were distorted and practiced telling myself more reasonable things. I felt about 50% better. enough to get dressed and go out for coffee and to knit 4 inches on my sweater sleeve.
Now I'm going to go back to doing some quilting, and put on some relaxing oils, and some relaxing music.
thank you all for your patience with me. I know that it seems kind of dumb to have a self-induced meltdown on the www due to trivial things. Well, sometimes the most trivial things get magnified WAY outta proportion. probably what happened to me this time.
-Ll
Posted by Phillipa on January 29, 2008, at 12:26:29
In reply to what helped my panicky paralysis, posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:17:29
Lurpsie I do it constantly and it's true there is no rhyme or reason for it it just is. Sounds like what you did was your own CBT. And it sounds like you run like I do gotta get away from thoughts and be somewhere. I't so hard. But glad you're doing better now. Love Phillipa and excercise does help. Usually.
Posted by sunnydays on January 29, 2008, at 14:35:45
In reply to Re: panic » sunnydays, posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 12:08:02
I didn't say to tell him you missed him... I said to tell him you were thinking of him and hope he is doing better. Both truths, and they're what I use as socially acceptable (and sunnyday's mind acceptable) ways to mask the missing him. But do what you need to do. And asking him to confirm your appointment isn't at all saying you miss him, just asking for clarification. So you have my permission!
sunnydays
Posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 14:40:53
In reply to Re: panic » llurpsienoodle, posted by sunnydays on January 29, 2008, at 14:35:45
> I didn't say to tell him you missed him...
no you didn't but I do!!!
> I said to tell him you were thinking of him and hope he is doing better. Both truths, and they're what I use as socially acceptable (and sunnyday's mind acceptable) ways to mask the missing him. But do what you need to do. And asking him to confirm your appointment isn't at all saying you miss him, just asking for clarification. So you have my permission!
>
> sunnydays
my T is pretty cool because he always calls the day before to confirm appts. so, I will hear from him on thursday. cross your fingers that he will be well."dear T, I was thinking of you and hope that you are feeling better"
fondly,
ll
Posted by LlurpsieNoodle on January 31, 2008, at 16:21:27
In reply to Re: panic » sunnydays, posted by llurpsienoodle on January 29, 2008, at 14:40:53
pdoc always says "you have to take your medicine BEFORE you get anxious" "to get ahead of it" "stay on top of it" etc.
I finally did that. I took my max dose of Rx benzodiazepines 1mg klonopin and what do you know? I feel better. All day I got stuff done. until it just HITS me again, the scattered mind, the apathy/paralysis. I have gotten SO much done today.
F*ck. I forgot to take my dose this morning. It passed me back up
this amanxiety------
noodle----------------right now
anxiety-------------------------
noodle------------ (losing the race)oh I lost my race, and my marbles too
dammit!
ll
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