This is so frusturating and I'm feeling very discouraged lately
. The last couple of days while at work I've had big time anxiety with throat and chest discomfort I'm not sure if my discomfort causes the anxiety or the anxiety causes the discomfort...or if it's something else completely....but both are super high right now.
The problem is, with my job and our staffing, I can't take time off (or even take a 10 or 15 minute break) to try and calm down. I'm stuck taking care of other people when I need to take care of myself.
When I feel fine, my anxiety levels are pretty low, but on days like today...I feel like I'm choking, can't breath, and have a weight sitting in the middle of my chest.
I hope everyone else is having a better day than I am.
I've had the last 3 days off. Things have been a bit better. Not looking forward to the next 2 weeks though. My main co-worker is on vacation, and thus I'll be working with the part-time/casual employees we have. While they are competent at the job, they don't know all the normal routines of our department. Also, all the administrative duties my co-worker usually takes care of will now fall to me. It will make for a very stressful and busy couple of weeks. Add to that the fact that I'll only have single days off for the next 3 weeks, many of which are going to be busy, and it's actually going to be a crazy 3 weeks. I'm already counting the days til August 15th and 16th when I have 2 days off in a row.
I also listen to relaxation videos from youtube before bed. I really like the work of Jason Stephenson and The Honest Guys. Even simple things like rain/thunder or babbling brooks are helpful for sleep.
Have you had the Epley maneuver done to help realign the crystals in your ear (if that's what's causing the vertigo)? You can watch this YouTube video to see how it's done.
Everyone's panic symptoms are different. I get dizzy/lightheaded, have tunnel vision, dry mouth, chocking sensation, chest and arm pain, pounding and rapid heart beat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. My symptoms can last for hours with some waxing and waning.
I love camping....and I'm going camping sometime next week when I'm on holidays. However, my "camping" is in a park model trailer that has flush toilet, full fridge and stove, microwave, A/C, queen sized bed, and satellite TV.
Do you sleep on your back and/or snore a lot? Could you possibly have sleep apnea? Some of those similar symptoms (heart racing, gasping for breath) can be signs of sleep apnea.
If these are anxiety symptoms, I hope they settle down for you. If it's sleep apnea, you may need to visit your family doctor and have a sleep test and set up with a CPAP machine.
I'm in the same boat as you right now. Was on Cipralex and Wellbutrin for about 9 yrs, then weaned off and was pretty good for about 18 months...then BOOM!! After a month of trying to manage (or being stubborn) I went to the doctors and asked to be put back on Cipralex. However, for the last few months, I've been having symptoms of a lump in my throat, chest pain, left arm pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and just feeling crappy. Cardiac cause has been ruled out...and I do suffer from GERD but take meds for that. So....we're not sure if this is anxiety or something else. The problem is that these symptoms are not typical of my anxiety symptoms....but....they are kicking my anxiety up into high gear. So...it's a two fold problem. My doctor and I decided to try switching my meds, as I was on the max of Cipralex. So...I've weaned off Cipralex (went down to 10 mg for one week) then switched over to Effexor XR 37.5 mg about 10 days ago. Not sure how it's going yet. I didn't have too many withdrawl symptoms when I switched over but the last couple of days have been kind of rough.
I've also noticed an increase in my sadness and/or depression associated with these setbacks. I'm irritable, angry, weepy, tired and really sick and tired of feeling like crap all the time...and for such a long time (since Dec 2013). I just want to get back to feeling normal/well again.
Anyway...I hope things get straightened out for you.
When I had problems with anxiety back in university...my symptoms were the same every time. Now...my most concerning symptom is chest pain/pressure/lump feeling in my throat and feeling like I'm suffocating. My symptoms can come on at any time (sitting, walking, at work, at home, etc.) and can last for hours. A heart problem has been ruled out. I take meds for reflux/GERD (and this doesn't feel like my normal heartburn either), so the working theory is that this is anxiety (which it's certainly causing...).
Has anyone else had experience with anxiety symptoms changing? This is so scary and distressing and my coping strategies are not working so well right now.
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