Ok all I leave in 2 hours for my first social "outing" since my sickness started 7 months ago. We are going out with a large group of friends out to dinner! I am terrified but really need to go so any soothing advice would be helpful cause I am already starting to panic. It adds to the panic knowing I have to get up early tomorrow and drive my daughter to school so overwhlemed and scared....

It'll be fine!

Relax, breathe. Think about something else, don't focus on this. Call a friend or family and chat for a while. Read a book, play a game, something that requires your attention and doesn't allow you to dwell on this.

I would really check with your Dr at some point if s/he can prescribe xanax or ativan or some other sedative to take as needed. Just knowing it's there is often a great help - sometimes enough to not even have to take it!


Have fun! :)

yeah i have valium and i only take it when i need it i might take one bfore i leave for dinner

Once you are around your friends you will forget about your symptoms. You have your friends there for your safety zone.

It will be okay!

Cathy

D&S you are going to do GREAT! Don't dwell on the fact that you have this crap. The more you fixate...the worse you freak yourself out. You will get through. You might not feel totally normal, but you will feel normal the more you push yourself!

Way to be strong!

i agree with the lovely ladies above me that posted! try to keep yourself-and mind-busy. i realize the more i keep my mind occupied and really busy-the less i concentrate on this. valium didn't really do much for me, i had to use the xanax to calm everything down for me for about a month (during my second month of this junk). i think without it, i wouldn't be where i am now. i knew though that being on it---thanks to this board--could slow my compensation, so i got weaned myself off them when i felt it was time.

you will do great miss!! no worries...remember,you will be there with people who support you and are your friends--so nothing to be ashamed or nervous about:) just think....if you start feeling bad, you always can leave--it's not like you will be trapped there. just knowing that sometimes helps me out :D

most of all...try to have some fun with it. i know it's hard when we aren't feeling like ourselves...but at least getting your mind off it for a bit will help some!:angel: best wishes!

this is good! you need to go out. The more you go out and realize that you can do it, the more confident you will be. I used to worry about going out because I was scared my world would start spinning. But I realized as time went on that even with my anxiety, nothing happened. I always made it. yes, at times it wasn't comfortable, and I would have rather been at home, but in the end going out and doing things lifted my spirits. staying at home and living in that "sick" role, does you no good. You can't sit in your own misery and expect to feel better. It's important to go out and do things. don't over do it, but try to get out at least every day. do something. Regardless of what it is. Just keep pushing along, and things will get easier.

Thanks all for your great comments. I did just fine. I was stressed out so I took a valium (1mg) and I did ok sometimes I wished I was home resting but it was fun to get out there and good to know I didnt die lol!! So thanks again you all are great now off to drive daughter to school AHHH

See, you made it. Just keep going out. i can't stress enough how important it is to keep doing things. You can't just stop living your life. yes, you will modify it. You have to. But isolating yourself isn't going to make you feel better faster. Keep moving and doing things. It's the only way to feel better.