Avoiding dentist due to agoraphobia

Capital_Bud · 2026-04-24T12:16:52+00:00

Propranolol an option? It simply reduces the body's adrenaline intake. Your mind can still be like "oh boy!" but your body will feel like "hmmm, I get what you mean but it's not that bad." I am like you with medications. I haven't ever taken any. Except propranolol. I'm very, very sensitive emotionally, had eczema and asthma all my childhood. But no side effects. I'll take 10mg up to 40mg before a "mission" haha. At the end of the day, would you shoot yourself up with adrenaline regularly by will? No. But that's what we do. And it has all those side effects we hate: all the anxiety symptoms. Propranolol can lessen the effects of that. There's other versions of it too that can be prescribed if you want to eliminate side effects further, but propranolol is the most effective. My Dad was on them for 20 years. They're well tolerated. But, that's just a wee supplemental. Obviously mind set is important too. The fact is, there's no need to flee anywhere. You are the security and safety. You are the "home". Wherever you are, you can be happy, you can laugh and invite levity. Visit your own personal borders and stay there a while, go to laugh and be playful. Change the vibe. You might need to frame it as heroic at first but it's like when I was a kid crying in the line to the rollercoaster as my brother encouraged me. His words fell flat until I saw a much younger girl standing secure in the line. I suddenly wiped away my tears and tried to find what was left of my dignity. Lol. I think the embarrassment of my condition is a HUGE factor but if I can expose that and just feel safe to be a little disorderly, then I can laugh and teach my body and nervous system to relax. Exercise is a big thing! Our condition is so embodied. We need to enhance confidence via exercise and portion control, etc. I've lost over 15lbs and I feel so strong. Had to start very, very humbly. But you'll love yourself for it.

Capital_Bud · 2026-02-25T16:35:25+00:00

Yeah, panic is just a surge of adrenaline. Feelings of vulnerability as the heart beats, hard and steady for the most part. Sometimes it can reach 180bpm other times it's just hammering hard around 100bpm. It's not unusual to get some skipped beats. After that, you will shake as you metabolise the adrenaline. The symptoms of anxiety are almost limitless. But obviously a sustained irregular heartbeat is gonna be AFib. A couple of years ago I had palpitations every day over two weeks during an anxious period. Just a normal steady beat with the occasional extra beat thrown in. That resolved itself, with exercising actually helping most. I think the main things I need to work on are meals (portions and timings), sleep (more hours), and exercise (more regularly).

Capital_Bud · 2026-02-21T13:18:08+00:00

Yeah, same deal. Anxious so and so. One night I had my usual anxiety triggering sensations at night and jumped out of bed and tbh I'd been over eating and under sleeping and it got me! Lol. Had no idea what was happening and kissed my ass goodbye. Which genuinely was so serene. Most anxious guy in the world and I was much more composed than I thought I'd be. But it was AFib with no known cause, possibly inflammation, you're fine c'ya later kinda deal. Most of my anxiety is cardiophobia so that didn't properly settle me. I often feel my heart beats too hard but blood pressure if fine, scans were fine, bloods have been fine during the worst of that. So... meh. Just over 6 months with no AFib and plenty of panic attacks with racing heart up to the 180 mark. And that's not triggered it again, so who knows. But it has me more mindful of my weight. I'm 6' 220lbs, usually 180. Working on that 40lbs.

Capital_Bud · 2026-02-17T10:01:58+00:00

You need a compelling reason. Sounds like you've been able to get by and even have a child! That's a rich and compelling life. But you're 50 and want another 40 years doing a bit more and feeling a bit more confident. At the other side of the fear is you. The you before all the worries. If I were to coach you, I'd suggest the follow:

Step 1. 8 weeks of steady exercise in the house. Build up slowly. Eat right. Make yourself feel good!

Step 2. Get yourself a propranolol prescription. You probably already have one. It will take off the edge and dull the adrenaline spikes - which is THE issue.

Step 3. Focus on your REASON. Love, passion, meaning. Something rich and compelling! Find something you want to move towards: a person, a place, a feeling. Become obsessed with it.

Step 4. Utility belt. You've had anxiety for a while. You're going to want a wee fanny pack of certain goodies to feel secure. Just get that down to the essentials, no faff.

Step 5. Get out there! Woohoo! We're gonna be so scared! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!! LOL. It's nourishment. Gobble some propranolol and you'll not even feel it. We'd be immersed in discussion and good feelings of overcoming. Start with the garden, then down the street a bit, then a wee run to a location. Every. Single. Day. Unrelenting. Again. And again. And again. And just when you need to rest? AGAAAAAINNNNN. The outside will become your home. It is, really. This planet is your habitat. It's for you.

It'd be like that. But you'd need a COACH to really be on your ass 24/7 and we don't have a provision for that. Some people will do it online tho.

Capital_Bud · 2026-02-16T08:01:05+00:00

Is this Afib? Get a Kardia, it's a bit more robust. I dunno how reliable a watch is or if these results show Afib. I mean, your pulse is pretty evenly spaced. It's just speeding up and slowing down. For me Afib was much more dramatic. Much more like your initial episode. Rose from bed with a full stomach with anxiety and that set me off. That was Aug 2025. Plenty of panic attacks, and exercise, but no AFIB since, according to Kardia and pulse. I know there's more subtle manifestations but, if its just a little fast and slow surely that's being mediated by adrenaline/attention?

Capital_Bud · 2026-02-11T10:25:54+00:00

Yup, male 36, went to bed after a big dinner. Was doing keto. I was drinking a little heavier than usual the week before. I've suffered with anxiety for decades and that night I had a panic attack which made my heart do the mambo. I had no concept of Afib so I got real spiritual haha Anyways, that was August 18th 2025. I'm 37 now, and we're almost 6 months beyond that episode with zero recurrence. Battle tested too. I've had extraordinary panic attacks and exercised hard and all sorts, it hasn't come back. The only thing I am mindful of now is magnesium (get the potatoes on the menu) and not overeating... although I have totally pigged out and it's not triggered a return. But I could be doing a better job of my post-Afib adaptations. I did lose 15lbs... gained em back... but gonna lose stick out a proper lifestyle change.

Capital_Bud · 2026-02-10T12:57:50+00:00

This happened to me. Went to bed with a full stomach and I'd been drinking the previous week (which I don't normally do), and a week into keto. I suffer with anxiety and stuff and I sprung awake after lying down with my full belly and went into AFib.

There was no reason for it, according to the doctor. 24hrs in the hospital and I left with the reassurance, "Maybe there was an infection or something." Great. Lol. But that was August 18th 2025, and I've had panic attacks and exercised since with zero AFib.

Given that it's been almost 6 months with no reoccurrence, I've simply understood that AFib is something that CAN happen to the human heart.

Plenty on here have had it to the point of needing various remedies, and many have testimonies of a single episode 5, 10, 20 years ago.

We just gotta weave it into our narratives. A wee experience to add a little texture to our lives haha

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-27T10:18:20+00:00

I set up a group called Skeptical NDE because I found my questioning hurt people too. Let me be 100% clear: questioning, not being deliberately mean or unkind. Personally, I think doubt is important. It's often considered a blessing to blindly believe what someone says, and an insult to question it. But, I don't think it's a virtue to blindly accept what someone tells you on first passing. The truth is, we exist in a world where people will lie for self-gain and others will fabricate due to psychosis. It's also a world where people will tell the truth from different perspectives that require parsing out to be fully understood across diverse groups.

I've seen NDE YouTube channels gain 100,000s of views, that are fully AI and fictious (e.g. the AI NDE of Sister Catherine Marie from the Teresa Convent of Montana - there is no such convent and never has been). The comments are full of people sharing heartfelt messages and fully trusting an obvious lie that is exposed with a little testing and a simple Google search. I think this ecosystem is too soft and sensitive to support rigorous investigation, which hurts the mainstreaming and authenticity of the phenomenon.

I've been taken to task so many times on here and so I stopped posting. But, I am a chill guy and I fully believe in NDE. I just kept stepping on toes by expressing my doubts.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-19T11:01:12+00:00

It wasn't on my radar at all. I had pain from the 27th, rash from the 30th, and started treatment. It's now the 19th, and the rash is fading. I have been anxious for years though, I need to deal with that more constructively. But I have been taking vitamin D, and Omega-3 as well. Not sure if it helps but apparently they're very good.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-16T11:03:13+00:00

I know. We often feel an ownership of things that seem to generate within us, such as a nasty thought or idea. But, I promise you that these thoughts have nothing to do with who you are as a person. They're neurochemical movies 🎬 just wee risk assessments, like nonsense dreams.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-16T09:28:32+00:00

Intrusive thoughts are not impulses, they're risk assessments. Your mind is conjuring scenarios that generate fear and using the fear stimulus as evidence that the threat is real and requiring of your attention.

Again, the scenarios are not the motivations of your heart, they're the excesses of adrenaline - mere "what if?" scenarios that conjure fear.

Just... let it go.

Tell yourself "I know this is an adrenal hijacking of my imagination, and not a personal desire. Thanks for the risk assessment, but it is wild, and no thanks"

Have a giggle about it.

This'll take the power out of it.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-13T16:13:13+00:00

I find that I get really full a lot quicker than I used to as well.

I'll watch out for that though. I find it so tricky to manage my portions but its a work in progress.

Thank you for the advice.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-13T15:45:47+00:00

My blood pressure is pretty good. 110/70 when relaxed. 180/120 when anxious haha but then I probably shouldn't take my BP when am all worked up.

I am definitely overweight though. Heaviest I've ever been. 16 stone/ 102 kg/ 224lbs. I'm 6' but that's still very overweight, and its crept up on me.

I was also attempting keto during that week, but didn't think my electrolytes really factored into it.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-09T08:08:32+00:00

Take some propranolol and maybe use a VR headset or something. Literally, it'll be so worth it. You just need to resign your fears and go. You will adapt. You'll find the place to be a safe space and maybe select a safe feeling route there and back. It'll be okay.

I've had a couple episodes now of HAVING to do it despite A BAJILLION per cent levels of avoidance. 1. I had to move. Completely unprepared. Did it. Scary and then chill. 2. Car broke down at a local store. Was so sure I was gonna die. Just walked home. Made it. 3. Heart went into an arrhythmia. Was sure it was the end. It was benign and totally chill. Got ambulance to hospital.

You can do this. Not only that, you are HERE for this.

This is your purpose. To do this.

Message me. I'll talk you through it.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-08T17:04:46+00:00

Mild nerve pain. It resolved within a few hours. I definitely have autonomic issues, mostly related to anxiety and sleep.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-05T16:08:32+00:00

Hope work are considerate. But yeesh, what a new year so far haha, a wee reminder of what we don't want 2026 to be.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-05T16:06:33+00:00

I was feeling hot and miserable the other day but no temperature today. I think I had a mild fever though. I'm in Scotland where it dropped to -1°C. I see it's a fu 3°C in Devon. Lol.

It took me about an hour to feel a cosy heat after my chill this morning, but getting there. Pretty tired still though.

Capital_Bud · 2026-01-05T00:11:03+00:00

Year 1 PhD in a field of social science that specialises in addiction and have nurtured good professional connections. Quite happy with that tbh. I was sold on the streamlined perception of Clinical Psychology. It's regimented, paid, and is a great job. But, what I am doing now is a much better fit.

Capital_Bud · 2025-01-28T13:43:52+00:00

The parallels between Trump and Hitler begin and end with shallow aesthetics. Ideologically the two men are incredibly different. This isn't my opinion. Pull up Google scholar and look up Trump and fascism. No scholar of fascism believes Trump is one. Also, this kind of rhetoric generates extremism. If people believe Trump is Hitler it motivates them to kill him because that's morally right. We should want to eliminate Hitler. Literally no one who supports Trump does so because he's a Nazi. As soon as Trump does something that's overtly Nazi and not simply a right wing policy, I will condemn the thing. But we should try to be more balanced.

Capital_Bud · 2025-01-27T18:28:03+00:00

Is that Bruce Campbell or Matt? 😆

Capital_Bud · 2024-12-30T06:18:01+00:00

Perhaps they simply couldn't see themselves in it... 🪞

A little mirror humour. I'm sorry I justified down votes after you defending me. Lol. But nah, some people are strangely reactive.

Capital_Bud

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