[Amanda]

Here I am not even 7 am on my day off wide awake because of this anxiety. I've also noticed that in the midst of my anxiety attack my heart skips a lot more then usual. Causing a chain reaction of even more anxiety. Wtf. Does it ever get better?

This is making me sick.
<--- needs to knock it off

[DaniRae]

With time it does get better, I am living proof. I was so bad, I couldn't sleep without taking Xanax, I couldn't function, couldn't eat, sleep, couldn't even take care of my kids. I had to stay with my mom. It was God awful. I was in such a bad place. But with therapy, meds etc. I am pretty much normal again. Which I happen to like very much. Talking was a huge help for me. The constant need for reassurance is overpowering, but so what. If you need it, get it. We are all here for ya girly!

[dr461]

Originally Posted by DaniRae

With time it does get better, I am living proof. I was so bad, I couldn't sleep without taking Xanax, I couldn't function, couldn't eat, sleep, couldn't even take care of my kids. I had to stay with my mom. It was God awful. I was in such a bad place. But with therapy, meds etc. I am pretty much normal again. Which I happen to like very much. Talking was a huge help for me. The constant need for reassurance is overpowering, but so what. If you need it, get it. We are all here for ya girly!

Agree completely. Anxiety and the symptoms related to it is so often misunderstood by people. Others think one is faking, or goofing off, and they oft times don't understand the pain and suffering--emotional pain can be worse than physical pain. Congrats on being just about back to normal, Dani, and it obviously took hard work and perseverance to get there--it isn't an easy job to change a pattern that develops when one is very young. I bet most of the people who have heart symptoms have had symptoms of all sorts of things, starting back in childhood. I know I did, and it has been a long battle.

[CMoore416]

I'm sorry Amanda. I too am struggling like you and hoping to get where Dani is. I'm depressed and angry at th same time. This has interrupted my life Completely! I want to function normally again. Even when I'm doing good, I'm just a skip awayfrom bottom again. I pray and pray and feel like I'm ring punished. I battled for 5 years against Graves Disease which caused horrible anxiety, phobias and panic attacks, as well as a ton of actual physical symptoms. I was so proud and relieved to have beat that. Now I'm battling this and it's worse IMO! I atleast could take thyroid meds that were for sure going to treat and cure! I am not sure what to do anymore. I long so badly to be happy. I just can't get there. My kids are 10 and 7 and I've missed so much and been such a grumpy mom. I hope it isn't too late.

[DaniRae]

It's never too late, I promise. It's not. Use your kids, help them to get you through this. I relied heavily on my kids. I snuggled with them, I let them hold ME when I cried. But I also used them to make me strong. I knew they needed me and decided I would get over this. I even had to bring them to work with me a few times. lol. They are my savors, with my parents. I will message you my whole story and maybe it will help xoxox

[Katie]

My daughter helped me so much too. she used to scare me though by saying please don't die mama, please don't go away without me. I used to think maybe she knew I was dying! . Anyways- finally she was so upset by me being sick I said to myself, is this how I want her to remember me if in fact I am dying? Nope! I started walking outside picking myself up and climbing the ladder to happiness. Now I'm feeling better because I'm busy and not concentrating on every little thump and flutter. It takes time but it'll get better. After every hardship there is an ease.

[Amanda]

Thanks everyone

[dr461]

Oh, you're welcome, Amanda. When I had my bad bout last month, everybody here was amazingly supportive. Now that it has eased a bit, things are good. Most of the people here are amazingly empathetic.

[CMoore416]

Dani - I'd love to hear your story sometime. I feel like I just can't beat this!!! It's maddening!!!