Physical symptoms

[Deleted member 541]

@James McGregor I would still recommend that you see a Dr to have an endoscopy done. Silent reflux can affect the sinuses.....

 

[whiteraven]

I think I'm still having trouble accepting that I have PTSD. But lately, I have been getting this very intense all over pain - almost like a constant low vibration in my muscles - that I associate with the depression and anxiety. I've been feeling tense all the time and I'm amazed at how it translates to physical pain.

 

[James McGregor]

@James McGregor I would still recommend that you see a Dr to have an endoscopy done....

i had a scope up the nose and down the throat 3 times, in the ENT drs office, all was fine they said - some inflammation which suggested reflux, but all the usual oemprazole type meds did absolutly nothing to help unfortunatly

 

[Deleted member 541]

@James McGregor I've had exactly what you had done. It DOES NOT ago far enough. An endoscopy goes INTO your esophagus and into your stomach to look for erosion caused by ulcers, reflux, cancer. That's what a endoscopy does.

Again, if your ENT found inflammation then there is an issue. There are other treatments/meds than oemprazole.

 

[Lotis]

but I remember how lost and incredibly frustrated I felt in trying to find answers and relief in all the typical places, and my greatest help ended up arriving in all the not-so-typical ways.

Hi @Tornadic Thoughts - I am feeling pretty lost and frustrated right now. I have these physical symptoms that everyone is telling me is a result of my anxiety especially since I was gradually lowering my medication dosages and then decided to go med free. I will admit it was a bad decision. I am trying to find a new psych to get on meds again.
Over the past few months I have been feeling like I don't get enough air. I can't get a good deep breath unless I really concentrate and try. My shoulders and neck are tense and the tiniest bit of stress sends my body into a panic. I have so much trouble sleeping because I feel like I can't breathe because I am constantly thinking about my breathing. I had gone through a few weeks of being afraid to sleep because I thought I was going to die. I have been to my Primary doc and he did an EKG which was fine, blood work all normal. I had a sleep study done and am waiting for those results....and I have an appointment with a pulmonary doc soon. I feel like I can't relax and I am always nervous. I honestly think a big contributing factor is my weight. I gained over 45 pounds in the past 2 years :( I am having a very hard time trying to lose the weight which in turn makes me feel so badly about myself on top of my physical symptoms. I need to make a drastic change to my diet and exercising habits.
You took a tremendous step in helping yourself and should be so proud.
~L

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Thank you so much, @Lotis . My wellness continues to be the hardest thing I've ever attempted. Wishing you patience with your own breath. I remain amazed at how incredibly helpful just that one thing alone has been in helping reduce anxiety. This is the first breathing technique I learned that really opened my eyes to the power of the breath: Rhythmic Stress Relief: Stopwatch Tap Technique with Jim Donovan

 

[Lotis]

@Tornadic Thoughts thank you so much for the link. I just watched and then tried the technique and it feels comfortable. I am definitely saving this and will practice often. This was great.
~L

 

[Lotis]

@Tornadic Thoughts
How often do you do this breathing exercise?

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

So glad you feel it was beneficial. It was a game changer for me, there's no doubt about it. I practice it often throughout the day when I'm on the computer, when I'm bathing, using the restroom, brushing my teeth, preparing food, while gardening, exercising, while driving, while waiting in line, while eating, on the phone, drumming, etc., etc. Practicing as much as possible when I'm not feeling stressed or anxious helps it work better once the shit hits the fan, as it always will, from my experiences.

I volunteered to facilitate a meditative breathing hour at a local fair trade business for a couple of months right after I learned of the benefits. The business owner offered up space for free and did the advertising, I just had to show up and breathe and talk folks through it. It helped keep me accountable, too, and provided much needed momentum in helping me stick with it. But we moved and it would have cost me quite a bit in gas to go back and forth weekly.

I also practice diaphragmatic breathing several different ways, and alternate nostril breathing quite often. I usually reserve practice of those two methods for when I'm in full chill out mode so I can engage and stay with it a while, such as morning time in the sun, soaking in a hot salt bath, sitting by a fire, as I'm drifting off to sleep, or as I wake in the morning while stretching before getting out of bed. It's become a habit now instead of a chore, although some days, still, even breathing seems too much to ask of self.

Here's one of many good (to me) explanations as to why breath work matters:
Why Breathwork Matters
Alternate nostril example:
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Sodhana)

 

[Lotis]

@Tornadic Thoughts thank you thank you so much for sharing all of this information with me. It is very helpful. I'm watching Dr. Andrew Weil now and going to practice the breathing techniques. Ive been doing the stop watch one, I even taught my 5 year old :) She thought it was a fun "game".
One of the takeaways from these exercises is that I'm feeling more in control of my breath whereas before I felt helpless to the anxiety symptoms. Asst least now I know I have an option.
~L

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

That makes me so happy, @Lotis !!! I remember reading somewhere that a lady was having a really hard time with her child (don't remember the age, though) getting to sleep at night so they started practicing the breath work where you count 4-7-8 and used a favorite stuffed animal on their belly to watch the rise and fall as they inhaled and exhaled. It ended up being the most effective way she could get them to relax enough to go to sleep. Good stuff!!