LymeNet Flash: Who has anxiety and how do you deal with it? (Exam update!!!)

This is topic Who has anxiety and how do you deal with it? (Exam update!!!) in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by ralphi (Member # 33834) on :

I have a big exam tomorrow, and have felt badly for about 7 weeks now (no treatment so far, but have an LLMD appointment on Friday).

One of my worst symptoms has been anxiety/panic. It seems to start with physical symptoms (rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea) and then my mind reads the symptoms as panic. I've had several panic attacks since this all started.

If I'm able to stop and think, I can normally disconnect my mind from what my body is doing when the symptoms start (for example, I tell myself that my body is giving me the wrong signals and to ignore them).

This way, my brain is still calm, even though my body is going haywire. Sometimes if the symptoms are too bad, though, it doesn't work. It seems like even little stressors make me go over the edge.

My committee knows I have been ill, and has said I can take breaks or whatever, but I'm still worried about this exam.

It is an in-person discussion so I also need to be able to think and answer questions. I also have cognitive difficulty, so a little concerned about that. It's rare to fail this exam, so that is one good thing!

What are your tools for dealing with situations like this? I'm usually a type-A person, so I feel really underprepared and it bothers me that I'm not on my A-game.

[ 09-19-2011, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: ralphi ]

Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :

That's a tough one, but I know what you're talking about. It's best to avoid those situations since they are stressors but I see that's not an option.

Just try to avoid any stimulants before you go in...

Posted by ralphi (Member # 33834) on :

For sure! Caffeine made me jittery before! The good news is that anxiety helps to lift the brain fog [bonk]

Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :

Sadly, most of us will know what you are talking about. I do know with treatment, mine has definitely gotten better, but since you won't be seeing your doctor in time.....

The best I can think of is something they sell in health food type stores. It's called Rescue Remedy. Some people have great success with it, others, not as much, but if I were in your shoes, it's probably what I would try.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Cathy in New Hampshire

Posted by Fordace (Member # 14874) on :

Keep ativan handy....has worked for me for years, but I only take it as needed....good luck...

oh yeah NO COFFEE....I have to keep telling MYSELF that...Rich

Posted by ralphi (Member # 33834) on :

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

I'm sorry to hear I'm not the only one who has developed anxiety. I've always been a *little* anxious, but since I began having symptoms of Lyme, it has been ridiculous!

The exam is only about an hour long, so I keep telling myself I can live through pretty much anything for that long!

I have some Ativan, and also Phenergan, which seems to work better for me since I have nausea also.

I've also found 5HTP to be helpful in the past; I take it in the evenings to help me sleep.

Posted by tdtid (Member # 10276) on :

Ahhhhh.....Ativan will work very well in this situation. My comment was based on fearing you had no prescriptions and what might you be able to do.

Good luck on the exam!

Cathy in NH

Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :

I still have mine every Monday AM. I don't know why... perhaps that's b/c husband goes back to work and the kids are back in school and I'm home alone to face my illness?

Knowing this I always call my girlfriend Monday morning to catch up on the week before. So after an hour on the phone I am ready to face the day.

Posted by Harmony (Member # 32424) on :

This may sound unhelpful but it actually works for me, better if not stressed already, of course, so I feel for you...

I do deep breathing exercises, in 5 sec, hold 2 sec, out 7 sec, hold 2 sec, something like that, and you can tell yourself stuff like "all is well in my world", "I am grateful for my healing mind", or anyting positive that you can actually believe in and that may work to calm you

when I have an active anxiety attack, it does not work to stop it but it does help an it is available any time, any place

good luck on the exam!

Posted by ralphi (Member # 33834) on :

Thanks for all your responses and ideas! I wasn't tooo nervous and passed the exam! Only blanked a time or two.

Now I feel really crappy, though; just exhausted/sensory overload. Hot bath and mindless movies are in order [Smile]

Thanks again,
ralphi

Posted by Fuel1212 (Member # 29312) on :

Well done Ralphi!!