Question:
I know I have a lot of anxity cause I had a crappy childhood. I had
been managing my life pretty well (at least I thought) until 3 months
ago, when my first baby was born. I sleep fine, but after waking up I
start getting tense chest muscles, a sensation of difficulty in
breathing (I think I breathe ok) esophageal spasms, some muscle throat
tightness and most funny of all, some tingling sensation down my legs.
All docs I've seen say it's stress, and of course, say, it shall pass.
Well it hasn't and even though I'm on CB therapy I feel very crappy,
especially from the physical symptoms. My doc wants to put me on Victan
but I'm really scared of becoming dependant.
Would taking some more natural approach (B vits, Niacin, etc) help?
Answer:
Effectively, your doc is right regarrding to let time pass. That is the
only definite solution. If you can bear your anxiety, it's okay, don't
add substances to your problem (well, obviously have analgesic if you
feel pain in your legs). If it is a real nuisance, go into theraphy,
but, as you rightly think, I would go for mild remedies to more potent
ones. BZ's are risky, unless used for short term, which is rarely to be
seen on clinical medicine. Try St. John's Wort, valerian root or
something of the sort.
But, no matter what you finally decide, or get prescribed, the
underlying problem on you comes from a nervous exhaustion. Our body
manifest stress just the way you describe, among others, and it takes
time for it to recover. Don't adopt a 'struggle or flee' attitude.
Either of them will increase your stress. Simply (but hardly), try to
confront it, accept it and, when you are having nasty sensations, relax
as possible and let them happen. Given time, the stress will reduce for
itself and you will grow stronger with yyour knowledge of how to handle
it.
This does not mean you have to suffer everything stoically: sedants are
a great help wheter natural or chemical, as well as, for some people (6
of 20, as I understand by the figures) anntidepressants, if you think
this has to do with your mood. Psicotherapy, can help too, but I know
it's usually far from the reach of people's economy.
Try not to insight so much, not to worry if you are not OK one or two
days and not to become obsessed with your nuisances. It's difficult, I
know it for sure, but useful.
I can relate to your feelings of not being able to breath,
esophageal spasms and throat tightness. I know that a good vitamin
b-complex is good to take for anxiety. I helped me alot a few years
ago. I am now on Celexa but might have to switch as it doesn't work as
well any more.
you are certainly welcome to post anything you like in this group,
anytime you want to. It is not moderated, and you can say whatever you
want. Unfortunately, that little blessing is also a curse, because we have
a few resident morons here - one of whom answered your post, and is probably
a shoe-salesman, and is certainly not a physician. Your commentary about
esophageal spasm was accurate, timely and saved me from having to look all
that up... lol.
Having had esophageal spasm many years ago, I recall how awful that was, and
feel badly for the person having them, but would still like to know how the
diagnosis was reached, and what other medical problems they have. I'm just
nosey that way.
Well sure there are disadvanteges of not being moderated right? To much
benzos... I was diagnosed by a Gastro Doc. He also said they are
stress/anxiety related, I've had some X ray taken, showing nothing
wrong, thank God I havent had that episode of food coming back. I think
is more a muscle thing, and as i mentioned, when taken Xanax, the
symptoms disappear, I just dont wan tot be on Xanax 30 years or
somehting.
Before this I considered Candida, metal poisoning, etc, but I guess it
is just plain and simple Anxiety.
