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14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

Juanita

You could be a chapter out of my life. No you could be the whole book or will be. The bubble will not burst unless you let it. It is a bit scary to feel this good isn't it. Just enjoy it and if you get a bump or two remember they become "used to be" quickly. Life really is exciting with out excess panic. Do you think you are helping others? Of course you are. You are helping me, and I'm not supposed to need it. I remember the doctors office. I remember the receptionist having to come get me outside because I could not be in the waiting room. I can remember trying three times to drive to town and turning back each time. I don't do that any more. It didn't happen over night and there were some set backs, but I never had this site or these people. There was no place to go and talk about it or any one. I'm single and have no family left. Still I did it. Any one can if they want it bad enough and believes enough. Shari believed she could kill her dragons and she did. You believed you could walk the wharf and you did. It took time but it really does work. No reason we can not all be free.

Here for everyone.

Davit.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 538

Hi All,

Davit....I know....sometimes its sureal for me to even comprehend how much I've changed. I went to my app't yesterday...had to wait a long time, but this time I wasn't nervous..more like bored! It was ho-hum!! I did a crossword..The U/S took about half hour, and I was quite relaxed.....who am I? Wow for me!

I had to go to a city about an hour away, so hubby and I had lunch after at this nice place on the water...it was a lovely day.

This morning I got a call about the next test I have to do...the B/P 24 hour monitor..we set it up for my next day off...this one is a BIG one for me.... its next Mon., so I'm not even going to think about it til Sun.

I don't know if I helped Sea or not..his issues may be different than mine, but I hope so.

I also have a trip coming up the end of this month to Vicoria... a course for my job....all paid for...whoo hoo! I would not have accepted this before...I would have made up whatever excuse I needed to because I couldn't bring myself to do all the exposures. (bridges/elevators, small rooms)....I would have worried like crazy..Oh, not a good word for me eh? haha..

Now I'm confident and actually looking forward to it.....Wow again! ha yes, I still have doubts about my new found peacefulness! Is my bubble going to burst? Who knows....for now I'm just living and loving my life as a calm anxiety-free woman. I wish you all could feel like this...I think you can, with this program and all the great people here!

Que Sera, Sera

Juanita

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

Juanita

I remember how you were, I just never knew it was that bad. Thank you for telling us.

You are right, If you can do it and I can do it so can everyone, it just takes time.

Here for you,

Adopted Uncle Davit.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 538

hi Sea,

Boy do I remember feeling exactly how you do, I can't count the number of times I've made a doctor's appt, only to either cancel it or just not show up... At times I would drive there, and park, but never get out of my car. ..I tried and tried to get myself there, but all my worrying and anticipatory anxiety wore me out. It was just a lot easier than facing a doctor. As soon as I canceled I felt such glorious relief! And exhaustion.

But, the inevitable happened... I had such severe pains that I thought I was dying....don't get me wrong...I didn't even go to a doctor then... I just went to bed with lots of Tylenol 3's (a stash I had from years ago) and a heating pad..that's how severe my fear of seeing a doctor was. I was more terified of going to a doctor than severe pain.

Anyhow, since that time I have found this program, and learnt how to use the coping skills, and learning about my negative core beliefs has helped me so much. I now have my own doctor, I see her regularily, and am getting the needed tests done. Tomorrow, I am having an abdominal utrasound. I am not in the least bit worried about having it done..sure, I wonder what the results are going to be..and I hope for the best, but 6 months ago I probably would not have been able to make it to the clinic. I used to be afraid of taking any medications, but not anymore. I think maybe if I had something to calm me down before seeing a doctor I would have gone a long time before I did.

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

Someone gave me this idea once, and I think its a good one. Everyone has email today...look at us here....can you send off an email to the doctor before your appointment, and let them have a go over it, explaining your anticipatory anxiety /panic? then there will be no surprises, and you won't be expected to do something you don't want to.

just a thought. Like I've said before, and hope to say again...ha...I'm living proof that this can be beat...so you can beat it too!!

Juanita

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Hi Sea,

I encourage you to try "Exposure Work", under the panic program. This can help with the fear you are experiencing regarding doctor visits.

Members, great suggestions!

Helena, Health Educator

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 118

Hi Sea

I believe my last post i left you could lead to misinterpretation. Take any of the suggestions other people gave you and make a decision that this is the way i am going to do it. For example make the decision to drive to your doctors and then sit in the car and do some boxed breathing. Then if you feel you can go into your doctors and box breathe there to if you become anxious. Or do what ever you can but decide, plan and act. When you make no decision it allows anticipation to fester and provoke sensation and leads to a sense of having no control. If you have a sense of control over the situation then your anticipation anxiously will be reduced. This is basically what the program tells you to do when doing exposure work. It says to make the exposure your decision and how much your going to do. But forget what i just said i think you are not ready for this session yet. However, you could go to the relaxation toolbox session and follow its directions and use these techniques to get you through vising your doctor. To rap up if you can decide to go two block in your car pull over and do some relax breathing. Then go further and stop and do some relaxed breathing. This is where the decision to go, the plan to handle the anxiety by relaxed breathing, and finally commit yourself to do it. Do what ever you think you can handle right now.

hope this helps

Dizzy

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 118

Hi Sea

Your very words give you the answer to you problem when you said anticipation. In most cases that anticipation is worse the the realization. When you anticipate with fear it only makes thing worse. I am presuming that you ahve been to your doctors before and were able to get out of your car and make it to his office. If this is so you can anticipate with out fear becuase you have done it before. This is not to say you will not get anxious or have symptoms but you know symptoms are only nervous and they can not hurt you. What i just said is not easy but it is another way about it.

Dizzy

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 286

Hi Sea,

Here are just a few other ideas....

Maybe try to drive there and just sit in the parking lot for a while, without having an appointment or having to go in?

Some health clinics don't require appointments, or have certain walk-in hours. You could try to go to one of these when you're feeling up to it, or just spur the moment so you don't have the anticipatory anxiety.

Do you have a doctor you're established with? Maybe you could consult with them on the phone and they could prescribe you some medication that way, at least enough for you to take to get in to the doctor's office for a visit. If you're using medication as a tool that way it's usually okay, and would work if you already have a doctor that knows some of your history.

Keep us posted!

Teebs

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

Sea

Turns out my choking feeling is inflammation in my nose and throat. I got medication for it and it is better.

Try aiming for three blocks past the Doctors office and stop when you get to it.

Don't get there early, leave yourself just enough time to get to the office so you can't think about it and sit in the car. It might help if you are in too much of a hurry to think about it.

Here for you.

Davit

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8

I'll get there and wont want to get out of the car to get in, the amount of time that it takes to visit the doctor is also a concern of mine due to the panic.

With new symptoms over the last week its been kind of hard, I've been getting constant anxiety mixed with a strange choking sensation that I haven't experienced before.

Also when driving i'll get maybe 2-3 streets away and decide the anticipation is too much and just turn around.

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