For almost 6 weeks I felt as if I were on top of the world. No panic attacks and almost no anxiety. I was breathing properly and exercising regularly. Then almost 2 weeks ago I got sick and everything came back. I'm panicing on an almost daily basis again and stressed out about my health. My chest hurts a lot and I'm starting to think about cancer. Heart problems and cancer don't run in my family so I don't understand why I keep thinking this way. I'm constantly looking for lumps and bumps. I'm so tired of feeling like this. I read some of the things that you guys go through and can sympathize with most of it. I guess over the 6 weeks that I was feeling good I convinced myself that I was cured and thats why it seems so much worse now. I'm truly at my wits end. I HATE feeling this way. When I think too much about it I start to cry and that just makes me feel even worse. It makes me feel like I'm too weak to defeat this "disease" and that I'll have to deal with it for the rest of my life. I want those 6 weeks back. Thanks for reading this post.
Stacy

Stacy,

I recently had a bout of sickness too. It can wear you out physically and allow your anxiety to catch you at a weak time. It is OK to feel that way sometimes. The main thing you need to do is relax and go back to whatever it was you were doing before that was working. Understand that there really is not miracle cure out there and that this may be a life long battle, but it doesn't have to be a hard one. I assume your cold or flu is over now, so go ahead and get back on the wagon. Good luck.

Breathing and exercise help a lot, but may not be all you need. Consider medication as well. Sometimes it can be a long hard road to find one that makes you feel better, but in most cases people do.

Take care and good luck.:wave:

Hi stacy;

ocdengineer has told you correctly, really hit the nail on the head.

Once you've become so sensitized that you experience panic attacks your nerves are really worn down. Just like it takes time for a broken leg to heal, it takes time for your nerves to heal also.

It is very very common to experience what you have. Don't let it throw you for too much of a loop and take his advise on how to relax.

Hard as it may sound try not to worry and don't be afraid of another attack.

This is what Dr. Claire Weekes calls residual symptoms it's sorta like left over debris is the way I think of it trying to work it's way out of you while your nerves and body heals.

Good luck

By the way stacy - I just noticed that you used the wording "too weak to defeat this disease".

Hun, that is one of your problems - you are approaching it as something to DEFEAT (you know FIGHT or FLIGHT) both are a detriment.

Try accepting and what I do called floating if attack hits. Don't fight it, it makes matters worse to fight or try to flee it. Sets your adrenalin off big time. Of course you won't die but it makes you feel like you will.

Hang in there you can do it.:wave:

hi im having an awful time too at the moment so i sympathise with you. i have been going along nicely for months even at one time over a year then something comes along and within weeks im back to being anxious and panicky again.its so frustrating and always feels like the worse youve ever been even though its probably not.

I think it was my undoing last spring when I had a horrible bout with sore throat and flu symtoms. After it was over my panic attacks started back up after being under control with medication for 4yrs. and 3yrs. off my meds, total 7yrs. I notice when I am on my medication that I do much better getting through the ordeal of colds and viral infections. I truly believe I'm vunerable to every sort of stress which could at any time cause a relapse when off meds and quite frankly I'm serious about staying on them for good this time and hoping to keep my relapses at bay or at least less severe.

I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you to everyone that responded to my post. I'm feeling better today but I had to resort to taking my Clonazapam. I'm ok with that though because I know that it helps me get through the really rough times. I have four kids that I need to be together for. We went and cut down a christmas tree today and had great fun doing it. After reading your responses I felt so much better. It's good to know that I'm not alone. You guys really came through when I needed you. Thank you so much.
My best to all of you.
Stacy