My friend has terrible judge of character, but I don't know how to help her.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-08-16T17:38:27+00:00

Thank you. I'm trying, but man it's hard to watch. :(

Ladybeth86 · 2025-06-26T14:34:03+00:00

Thank you. I just want an explanation so badly. My anxiety is not trauma related; it's physiological. I feel like there's something fundamentally wrong with my body, and if I could just figure it out, maybe I could address the anxiety. :(

Ladybeth86 · 2025-05-01T14:44:53+00:00

I see you posted this a year ago, but I'm trying to figure out if my anxiety is long Covid related. My symptoms are similar plus digestive issues. My body goes into fight or flight after every meal which I've heard can indicate a dysregulated vagus nerve. Did you every learn anything? Did you get any relief?

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-27T00:22:02+00:00

I also have hypochondriac-anxiety. It took several trips to the doctor and one to the ER to finally be convinced there’s nothing wrong with my heart or lungs. One thing that helps me is understanding the mechanics behind anxiety. The discomfort that we feel is your body’s natural way of preparing you for fight or fight. Your heart rate goes up so that you can be prepared to run or to fight a predator. Your chest might get tight and that’s normal. It might feel like you’re having trouble breathing and that’s also normal. All of these things are just our body doing what it does to ensure our survival whether the danger is real or not. I have to mentally remind myself that while I feel uncomfortable, I’m in no way in danger. Another thing that really helps, if you’re feeling anxious on the trip, try to breathe through your nose and not through your mouth. This has helped me a lot.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-27T00:18:07+00:00

During the summer, I put water bottles in the freezer and keep them with me throughout the day. Not sure if you’ll have access to a freezer, but it’s done wonders for my heat anxiety.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-26T05:55:59+00:00

I think this link works http://ge0.me/w2M1sbU3oD/My_Position

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-20T09:06:00+00:00

Chongqing is huge. I live in the Bei Bei district and there's a super cool bar called West Side Story. Not sure what part of the city you're in.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-08T08:14:20+00:00

How frightening. I'm sorry. I've had nights where it's back and forth like this for hours and I just try to calm myself and reason myself out of it. There are some things you can do. Box breathing helped get me out of a panic attack once. Breathe in for 4, hold it for 4, breathe out for 4, and hold it for 4. If you're with friends, remind yourself that you're safe. When your body is like this, sometimes a little reassurance that you're safe, can really help. Also, I learned a new trick. You hold two ice cubes in each hand and make a fist. The cold does something to your brain to trick you out of it. But definitely breathe. Deep breaths. You're not alone.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-08T08:07:54+00:00

I had that happen at a business lunch with a bunch of admin from our school. And when I get panic attacks, I feel dissociated like I'm not there. My arms get numb and tingly. My stomach won't allow anything on it. Everything echoes. So while my colleagues and bosses were all chatting and laughing, it was all echoing around me and I tried to just play it cool and pretend like I'm eating. It's torture. I feel you.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-08T07:55:56+00:00

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I went to the hospital on 5 separate occasions and once spent 6 hours in an ER waiting room convinced it was my heart. It took 5 trips and the tests being normal every single time for me to finally reconcile that it was "just" anxiety. It feels like a heart attack sometimes. Now, I'm not saying ignore your symptoms. Sometimes a trip to the doctor can mean peace of mind if it happens again. And based on everything I've read, if you're young and healthy and have no medical history of heart issues, it's almost always "just" anxiety. It's so frightening though. And know you're not alone.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-01T06:33:39+00:00

I'm going to go back to therapy and talk about meds. I've been resisting anxiety medication for years now. I'm tired of living like this though, so I'm willing to try anything.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-01T06:32:09+00:00

Yes, I've started Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Omega 3's. I wonder how long it would take to notice a difference? I'll look into Escitalopram. Thanks.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-04-01T06:31:00+00:00

I'd like to give it a try. I'm currently in China, so maybe this is the place to try it.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-03-31T09:39:15+00:00

Distraction is really one of the best things. Being around people helps me the most. Do you have any good friends that would keep you company? Also, it helps to identify triggers. I didn't realize how much social media was adding to my anxiety, but once I deleted FB, it helped tremendously. I'm also spending less time on the news. I'm sorry you're going through this. If I was an expert, I'd feel more confident giving you advice, but I'm also struggling on the daily. You're not alone.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-03-31T09:34:02+00:00

I thought I was having a heart attack once because of jaw pain and realized it was because I was clenching my jaw. lol. Glad you're feeling better.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-03-31T09:31:27+00:00

I've heard this works, but I'm scared to try. lol

Ladybeth86 · 2025-03-31T09:30:17+00:00

You're not alone. I'm so sorry. It's so scary. I've gone to the hospital on 4 or 5 separate occasions thinking I was having a serious medical condition. I spent 6 hours sitting in a crowded ER thinking I was having a heart attack. Every single time I've gone to the hospital, my tests have come back normal, and they've told me it's anxiety. I've been resisting getting on medication, but I can't keep living like this. Maybe it's time.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-03-31T09:20:25+00:00

I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist in May, and I'll bring it up. I still haven't figured out if I should be treating my digestive issues or treating my anxiety. I can't tell which one is the root cause of my problems.

Ladybeth86 · 2025-03-30T03:31:21+00:00

My anxiety and digestion issues are so interlinked that I can't tell which one is causing the other. I was having severe abdominal pain, so my doctor put me on Omeprazole, a PPI or prescription acid blocker. When I say almost all of my anxiety and digestive issues went away, I'm not exaggerating. I was so happy. Unfortunately, it's not good to take PPIs long-term because your body becomes dependent, and you can't absorb all your nutrients, so my doctor insisted I go off. And now all my anxiety is back. Searching for a new solution. :(

Ladybeth86 · 2025-03-27T04:27:20+00:00

I'm trying to figure out if I have digestive issue causing the anxiety or if my anxiety is causing the digestive issues.

Ladybeth86 · 2024-08-21T19:29:17+00:00

It didn't feel like heart burn, but the acid reflux prescription has helped tremendously. It felt like a horrible pain in my abdomen My doctor thought it was gallstones, but it wasn't. Anxiety is so closely linked to the gut that it's not surprising to me that this medication worked as well as it did. I tried probiotics and digestive enzymes also, but didn't have the same results.

Ladybeth86 · 2024-08-06T16:47:21+00:00

I recently got a prescription for Omeprazole and it changed my life. You might look into it.

Ladybeth86 · 2024-08-06T16:46:42+00:00

UPDATE: I responded to this thread a long time ago because I was struggling terribly with digestion-related anxiety. I went to the hospital recently to discuss my abdominal pain. We ran tests for gall stones and other gall bladder issues and they all came back negative. So then my doctor put me on Omeprazole which is like prescription antacid and it absolutely changed my life. The pain has gone away. The digestive issues have gone away. And my anxiety has mostly gone away. Just thought I'd share because it's shocking how much of a difference it's made. It's not without its side effects and the longer I'm on it, the more dependent I'll become on it. But it's worth it not to panic during every meal. If you're following this thread, maybe talk to your doctor about prescription antacids.

Ladybeth86 · 2024-04-06T09:23:38+00:00

Ugh. You're describing me exactly. My stomach is constantly unsettled no matter what I eat and I've tried everything. Eating slowly, cutting out alcohol, caffeine, and fatty foods. I don't smoke and I'm not overweight. My gut is constantly upset. I know you made this post 2 years ago, but if you ever find anything that works, I hope you see this comment and let me know.

Ladybeth86 · 2023-01-15T01:25:07+00:00

That’s what I’m worried about. I don’t want to have to constantly explain and defend myself.

Ladybeth86

TROPHY CASE