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11 years and counting

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2024-10-31 6:49 AM

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Feels like hell week all over!!

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Roller Coaster Withdrawal

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Smile....and don't shoot the messenger

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12 years ago 0 373 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Debora,
I just read your other post and basically, I just wanted to say that sometimes we just don't have enough energy to practice CBT.  You have been through a huge amount this week and you must be physically and emotionally exhausted. 
I think if you can find some soft music to listen to, your best bet is to try all the methods you've learned to simply relax and breathe.  Don't worry about positive and negative thoughts so much - that's for when you have your strength, I would say.  Just focus on being in the moment and breathing.  Maybe you can use your rosary if you aren't too tired.  I think what's most important now is for you to breath and relax. 
I have to shut down the computer but I should be able to check in later from my son's itouch.  I know you'll be okay - I hope that you'll soon know that you'll be okay too.
 
12 years ago 0 542 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Carmie,

Thank you. I just had a big panic attack that is why I could not write right back. I called my friend and she kind of got me through it, I am still shaking through, I took my pill hoping that helps, this pain in my stomach is scaring me. I want to go too urgent care and my husband got mad, he said "Deb they are not going to do anything for you, they will tell you too take tylenol and ginger ale and follow up Monday with you're primary they cannot help you with youre panic issues" and you know he is probably right Carmie, I will go and not get help and leave feeling worse than I did, this feeling of fear is consuming me today and I am so upset because I was doing better and I do not understand what I did wrong to have this monster come back?

I just want to curl up in bed the attack took everything ounce of energy I have, I really thought that now that my period is almost over I would be better, I do not know whats causing the pain in my ovaries, I woke up with a horrible headache and then the stomach issues, I am so afraid and I dont know where or who too run too? I was so happy this decreased I almost forgot how bad it could get, now I am brutally reminded today, the body symptoms are awful, and I am trying so hard to do what Davit said, ignore not dwell and go on but its so hard, I feel so bad and scared, I cannot go back to square one, my body would not survive it at my age, I am sorry carmie I must sound like a lunatic, I am crying and shaking and I dont know where too turn, I hope the pill will at least take the edge off, I have too stop crying I dont want to upset my son, or make my husband mad, I am praying this will pass.
12 years ago 0 373 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Debora,
When I was reading about anxiety and perimenopause, I learned that limiting caffeine and getting enough sleep were two big helps in lessening anxiety.  But going back to what Davit said in the other post, doing what you can to disrupt the panic cycle is going to be your best ally.  It's something that I've been practicing over and over again.  I used to write down the answers to the 10 questions (also posted here recently) and now I just go over them in my head if I need to or I just choose to say "Okay, I am experiencing this symptom and I am going to continue doing what I am doing".  That is hard but it is rewarding to me now as I am getting better at it every day.  I just keep pushing myself - like Rocky did in Rocky I (And Rocky II, III, and IV).
Keep us posted.  It's Saturday night - I hope you can find something nice to do for yourself!
 
12 years ago 0 542 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you Ladies,

Yes I am on the tail end of my monthly and I thought I would feel better. Last night I was talking to my brother late, not a upsetting call or anything and I had to hang up the phone, I got very naucous and dizzy like I was going to regurgitate, I slept for about 2 hours, got up read awhile took a pill and slept for the night, or early morning I should say, today I woke up and I am having these strange pains in my lower tummy, like my ovaries hurt, a gassy like sharp cramping and this should NOT happen this late in the cycle?! I get so scared and confused, for about 2 months I was doing better, not great but better now I feel like I am backsliding, even my Aunt and husband noticed it, first the bad headaches now this stomach pain, if I could just learn to ignore it but its so hard, all I want too do is sleep, and I know why when I am sleeping I feel no pain, no anxiety, no fear, no dread, which is fine but you cannot sleep you're life away, I was so happy the bodily symptoms let up now they are coming back and I do not understand what I did wrong, all I can think of is my period came and set me back, but thats a fact of life that is not going to change, the symptoms lead to panic and depression, I am seeing a definate pattern here lately.

Thank you for you're kind words, I hope our feeling of lowness stops for you and I Matilda, very soon, I am sorry you got anxious during you're run, that is great you worked through it and finished! I have to practice CBT more I think thats it.

I am going to make an appt soon with a GYN Vincenzia, the two problems is they want you to schedule it when you are NOT menustrating and in perimenopause that is hard, it can come anytime, they prefer not to do the exam during you're time, more accurate and my agorophobia is probably the biggest reason, I keep putting it off because of fear, I just hope this setback is temporary and I can bounce back, I fought so hard to crawl out of the pit, it took so much just to decrease it.
12 years ago 0 1853 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Carmie,
 
Great to hear about your progress!  Yes, many members on this site attest to how much CBT helped them work through their panic and/or anxiety by learning how to challenge negative thoughts and understanding core beliefs. 
To help any newbies that have joined the site, can you share how you motivate yourself to work through the CBT program?  What helps you stay focused?
 
Debora, setting an appt with your GYN is a great step in working towards your goal in conquering agoraphobia and finding some answers that will also ease some anxiety! 
LEt us know how it goes.
 

 
 

Vincenza, Health Educator
12 years ago 0 373 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have read that anxiety can be one of the symptoms of perimenopause.  I think you have a wonderful idea, Debora, about seeing a gynecologist as soon as you've made progress where you can get to one.  It sounds like a great motivator. 
I was pretty anxious during my run yesterday which hadn't happened in awhile.  It wasn't nearly as bad as it used to be and I didn't need to stop.  I finished doing the number of miles I wanted to - thanks to CBT. 
All of the things that people say here about CBT are true.  It really does take a lot of work and practice and we don't always notice the results of our efforts.  I have so many "Aha" moments when something that I read here suddenly makes more sense than ever.  Things like the panic cycle - I definitely know sooner when I've entered it and I know how important it is to stop it - it's not always easy to do but it's getting easier. 
 
12 years ago 0 30 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Deb
 
What a coincidence, I was going to post a very simliar question today as I am also on the 5th day of my period and although I do not have any cramps I do still feel quite anxious and a little bit low today,  I did read somewhere recently that it is quite common to feel down near the end of a period they really are annoying aren't they?  Sending a virtual hug from the UK.
 
All the Best
 
Matilda x
12 years ago 0 542 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Yes Sonia a lot of its probably hormonal. I am in peri-menopause so things are not the way the use to be, I would rather not take hormones because of the side effects, I think its more fear of the "unknown" either way I have to learn too accept and live with it, I have brought up my concerns to my Doctor and he was not much help, when I conquer the agorophobia I am going to make an appt with a female GYN, I guess if anyone could help me it would her a GYN, but I know somethings I have to accept without being so scared. Hot showers and naps help and hot drinks they take the edge off. Thank you Sonia very much.
12 years ago 0 270 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Debora,

The variations in your moods throughout your menstrual cycle may be hormonal. I would recommend speaking to your doctor about this.

In the meantime, are there some relaxing and stress-reducing activities you can partake in when you are at the end of your cycle? Perhaps some warm herbal tea or a hot bath would be of help?

Sonia
12 years ago 0 542 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have been journaling and noticed a definate pattern of these anxious episodes and panicky days. I go down and I mean way down during my period, most women have it bad before they start, its not great then but managable, its when it starts is when I fall apart completely, I am actually afraid and scared of it, and I was not like that even when I started it when I was 11 or 12 years old?! I am on my fifth day and still going on and I just want it too end, as I know it will, I guess seven or eight days is normal for a period right? Most women when they start too flow feel better, other than a day of cramps, why do I get worse? Where is this fear coming from? My friend actually laughs at me about this and I do not think its funny, she said a Doctor would laugh his butt off and me out of his office saying I fear my monthly, which is probably true, I would hate too humilate myself.

My therapist is a man so its hard to ask him, but my nurse says "discuss it in therapy" he changes the subject, which I guess is normal, no man I have ever know, whether it be a boyfriend, friend, husband, father, or brother I guess would want to discuss this, am I the ONLY one who feels like this? Why am I so scared and now it perimenopause its a little heavier and goes on longer, which I have read is normal, I can live with the cramps its the rest of it that makes me fall apart. Should I not be feeling better on my fourth or fifth day? Can anyone help or relate, I feel so alone and helpless about this, and I know its emotional and not physical so much, I do not want anyone laughing at me. If anyone can help I would be so grateful, this worry really makes me go backward, I just wish it would stop, I long for complete menopause, at least it would be over!

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