Anxiety?

[Neeranam]

Recently, I've been getting weird feeling when going to sleep. Feelings like I'm having a heart attack.

Also, when eating I get food stuck in my throat. It's difficult to eat, especially in places like KFC. This seems to trigger some sort of visious cycle and anxiety comes.

I had some anxiety problems when I was 18 but managed to cope with lots of alcohol and drugs for the next 20 years.

I gave up alcohol 7 years ago, then a very high diazepam addiction was ended. Smoking was quit about 4 months ago.

I have started a new part-time job which keeps me on the computer to strange hours.

Any advice?

Thanks

N N

[percy2]

Recently, I've been getting weird feeling when going to sleep. Feelings like I'm having a heart attack.

Also, when eating I get food stuck in my throat. It's difficult to eat, especially in places like KFC. This seems to trigger some sort of visious cycle and anxiety comes.

I had some anxiety problems when I was 18 but managed to cope with lots of alcohol and drugs for the next 20 years.

I gave up alcohol 7 years ago, then a very high diazepam addiction was ended. Smoking was quit about 4 months ago.

I have started a new part-time job which keeps me on the computer to strange hours.

Any advice?

Thanks

N N

Keep the caffeine intake down.

Cheers

[zaza]

Tell me about your childhood.....

[zzdocxx]

Yes good advice, I get that too.

Something helped me, in addition to cutting out the caffeine. I found (for cheap) on ebay a cd set I had seen advertised, somethng about "Attacking Anxiety and Depression". The author is a Lucinda Bassett.

I am not really into drugs to treat this type of thing if I can avoid it.

Your experience of self-medication is a common one.

Edited October 8, 2007 by zzdocxx

[solo siam]

Breathe properly and don't worry about worrying too much. Don't try and force yourself to go to sleep, get up and do something if you can't sleep.

Watch the diet as well, try to drink water and eat decently.

[FBN]

Recently, I've been getting weird feeling when going to sleep. Feelings like I'm having a heart attack.

Also, when eating I get food stuck in my throat. It's difficult to eat, especially in places like KFC. This seems to trigger some sort of visious cycle and anxiety comes.

I had some anxiety problems when I was 18 but managed to cope with lots of alcohol and drugs for the next 20 years.

I gave up alcohol 7 years ago, then a very high diazepam addiction was ended. Smoking was quit about 4 months ago.

I have started a new part-time job which keeps me on the computer to strange hours.

Any advice?

Thanks

N N

Keep the caffeine intake down.

Cheers

... and KFC!!

[FBN]

Recently, I've been getting weird feeling when going to sleep. Feelings like I'm having a heart attack.

Also, when eating I get food stuck in my throat. It's difficult to eat, especially in places like KFC. This seems to trigger some sort of visious cycle and anxiety comes.

I had some anxiety problems when I was 18 but managed to cope with lots of alcohol and drugs for the next 20 years.

I gave up alcohol 7 years ago, then a very high diazepam addiction was ended. Smoking was quit about 4 months ago.

I have started a new part-time job which keeps me on the computer to strange hours.

Any advice?

Thanks

N N

Keep the caffeine intake down.

Cheers

... and KFC!!

More seriously though: Avoid any food with MSG (monosodium glutamate)...

[TommyGun]

Also breath from the stomach and not from the chest. This is the natural way and can help with your problem and severe head ache.

[solo siam]

Recently, I've been getting weird feeling when going to sleep. Feelings like I'm having a heart attack.

Also, when eating I get food stuck in my throat. It's difficult to eat, especially in places like KFC. This seems to trigger some sort of visious cycle and anxiety comes.

I had some anxiety problems when I was 18 but managed to cope with lots of alcohol and drugs for the next 20 years.

I gave up alcohol 7 years ago, then a very high diazepam addiction was ended. Smoking was quit about 4 months ago.

I have started a new part-time job which keeps me on the computer to strange hours.

Any advice?

Thanks

N N

Keep the caffeine intake down.

Cheers

... and KFC!!

More seriously though: Avoid any food with MSG (monosodium glutamate)...

Why? its a natural substance, your body even produces 5 grams of it a day - There has never been any medical study that has managed to prove this myth that MSG is any more dangerous than say salt.

[Neeranam]

I just read that deep breathing is not good - always thought it was.

[Sporting Dog]

I get anxiety too....I don't go to bed until I'm tired, cut down on coffee, and exercise is probably the thing that helps the most. I think long hours in front of a computer doesn't help

I did take some medication a few years ago - aropax I think, and it helped (I stopped it after 3 months). However before that I used to FEAR going to bed.

Now when I do get anxious (with the chest pains, carotid artery thump on the pillow) I try and just tell myself that if I die, c'est la vie. (seriously - what else can you do but accept it.....and go to sleep.) I hope you can sort it out because its really horrible.

[DaffyDuck]

Are you overweight? It sounds as if you could be, as most of your symptoms can be associated with being 30 to 50 pounds overweight. Dropping the weight will most likely eliminate your health problems.

[bat69]

A natural remedy for anxiety is St Johns Wort 1800mg. You need to take 3 tablets a day and it genearrly takes about a month to start to work. I have been taking it for approx 3 weeks (forget to take it on the weekend though. It has helped a little.

[Neeranam]

Are you overweight? It sounds as if you could be, as most of your symptoms can be associated with being 30 to 50 pounds overweight. Dropping the weight will most likely eliminate your health problems.

No - I'm (6'4")195 cm and 85 kg

[TheChiefJustice]

My advice to anyone suffering from anxiety - assuming you have ruled out other causes of your symptoms - is that the physical sensations you are experiencing, although they may be frightening, cannot harm you. They are merely sensations created by your body. Ignore them. They mean nothing. No matter how bad they feel, they are only sensations. They will pass. You need to stop looking for cures on the internet. Leave google alone, it will only make you worse by focusing your energy on the anxiety and giving it more power over you. Stop talking to people about your anxiety. You need to focus on other, more productive things. By carrying on with your daily activities and ignoring your anxiety, your brain and your body will respond by resetting the anxiety levels that are currently set at a higher than normal level. If you drink coffee, stop for a while. Don't take medication for anxiety. Don't drink alcohol. Stop eating rubbish and start eating proper food. Drink lots of water and exercise.

The above is my personal view only. I am not a doctor.

[Neeranam]

The above is my personal view only. I am not a doctor.

I'd rather take advice from someone with experience of the problem and the cure than a doctor, especially Thai ones when it comes to things such as depression, anxiety, addiction etc.

[zaza]

Recently, I've been getting weird feeling when going to sleep. Feelings like I'm having a heart attack.

Also, when eating I get food stuck in my throat. It's difficult to eat, especially in places like KFC. This seems to trigger some sort of visious cycle and anxiety comes.

I had some anxiety problems when I was 18 but managed to cope with lots of alcohol and drugs for the next 20 years.

I gave up alcohol 7 years ago, then a very high diazepam addiction was ended. Smoking was quit about 4 months ago.

I have started a new part-time job which keeps me on the computer to strange hours.

Any advice?

Thanks

N N

Now seriously and I will put joking aside .OK!

It's all related to stress or problems you had been going through lately. You might pretend you are leading a very successful worries-free life; but deep down you are frustrated or stressed.

Anyway; but the time you feel like this;try to put your hand on your stomach and lay down and inhale by your nose; let your chest stay still but gently push your stomach up till you feel your hand is lifted slowly count to 5 then exhale from mouth and count to 5 too and now your stomach should be in lower level than your chest. repeat for 5 minutes.

Don't get angry about little things like: there is no prepared food to eat when you get home

[cathyy]

Sounds you have a similar but milder form of anxiety than my husband. The symptoms are those of his mild attacks. He has found that getting an oil massage at least once a week really helps reduce his anxiety. Try chamomile tea at bedtime to help you sleep. I like the Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime chamomile tea, but I have no idea if it's available in Thailand.

I thought St. John's Wort was for depression, not anxiety.

Note to people less familiar with panic attacks/anxiety: this type of anxiety is not like ordinary being anxious. It is not triggered by a stressor, so all the things to reduce stress don't really affect it. It's internal, probably a brain chemistry imbalance. People with this will fixate on something and worry about it even if the concern is wholly irrational.

Edited October 8, 2007 by cathyy

[bat69]

Sounds you have a similar but milder form of anxiety than my husband. The symptoms are those of his mild attacks. He has found that getting an oil massage at least once a week really helps reduce his anxiety. Try chamomile tea at bedtime to help you sleep. I like the Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime chamomile tea, but I have no idea if it's available in Thailand.

I thought St. John's Wort was for depression, not anxiety.

Note to people less familiar with panic attacks/anxiety: this type of anxiety is not like ordinary being anxious. It is not triggered by a stressor, so all the things to reduce stress don't really affect it. It's internal, probably a brain chemistry imbalance. People with this will fixate on something and worry about it even if the concern is wholly irrational.

When my doctor first told me to get St Johns Wort I googled it and it is for depression but also anxiety and stress.

[FBN]

Recently, I've been getting weird feeling when going to sleep. Feelings like I'm having a heart attack.

Also, when eating I get food stuck in my throat. It's difficult to eat, especially in places like KFC. This seems to trigger some sort of visious cycle and anxiety comes.

I had some anxiety problems when I was 18 but managed to cope with lots of alcohol and drugs for the next 20 years.

I gave up alcohol 7 years ago, then a very high diazepam addiction was ended. Smoking was quit about 4 months ago.

I have started a new part-time job which keeps me on the computer to strange hours.

Any advice?

Thanks

N N

Keep the caffeine intake down.

Cheers

... and KFC!!

More seriously though: Avoid any food with MSG (monosodium glutamate)...

Why? its a natural substance, your body even produces 5 grams of it a day - There has never been any medical study that has managed to prove this myth that MSG is any more dangerous than say salt.

There is a lot of info out there; true, mostly anecdotal but also from personal experience, assisting someone with this sensitivity. Keep in mind though, it may be primarily a sensitivity issue for specific individuals, rather than a general occurrence.

When dealing with something like anxiety, diet should never be excluded with regards to therapy. Avoid junk food, stay with the healthy stuff; definitely worth a test...

Copied from the FDA commissioned report:

A 1995 FDA-commissioned report acknowledged that "An unknown percentage of the population may react to MSG and develop MSG symptom complex, a condition characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:

• burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
  
• numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back
  
• tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms
  
• facial pressure or tightness
  
• chest pain
  
• headache
  
• nausea
  
• rapid heartbeat
  
• bronchospasm (difficulty breathing)
  
• drowsiness
  
• weakness."^[6]
  

[girlx]

my best friend and i both have serious anxiety problems. mine are not so bad any longer because i do a lot of yoga. things that have really helped me are: cutting down alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes; deep breathing and relaxation (look up alternate nostril breathing, it works the best for me); exercise; passion flower extract; and being around more happy, positive people.

[stevenjm]

Anxiety sucks. I get it too. Think it comes from heavy emotional and/or physical abuse when your a child. Found no answers but for sleep when stressed I find that concentrating on your breathing and concentrating on how the different parts of your body feel re focuses your mind off the crap and you get to sleep.

have tried alcohol and every drug under the sun also but stopped 10 years ago and now just put up with it, Just started a new drug called Lyrica for neuropathic pain which is not addictive and have noticed it really helps anxiety too, similar drug to neurontin but very expensive. None of that herbal shit does anything for me.

[Neeranam]

Anxiety sucks. I get it too. Think it comes from heavy emotional and/or physical abuse when your a child. Found no answers but for sleep when stressed I find that concentrating on your breathing and concentrating on how the different parts of your body feel re focuses your mind off the crap and you get to sleep.

have tried alcohol and every drug under the sun also but stopped 10 years ago and now just put up with it, Just started a new drug called Lyrica for neuropathic pain which is not addictive and have noticed it really helps anxiety too, similar drug to neurontin but very expensive. None of that herbal shit does anything for me.

I know many people who swear by Neurontin, mostly for coming off tranquilisers.

[stevenjm]

Interesting. I was given Lyrica for pain but just googled "lyrica anxiety" and "neurontin anxiety" and got heaps of results saying its effective for anxiaety also - no wonder I am feeling better, its a subtle effect but makes all the difference.

found this also on Lyrica:

Pfizer’s anxiety drug Lyrica gets EU nod

Lyrica was shown to be significantly effective in providing relief in anxiety disorder patients.

BY OUR PHARMA CORRESPONDENT

April 2, 2006

The European Commission has approved Pfizer’s Pregabalin for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in adults.

It is estimated that nearly 12 million patients suffer from GAD on a yearly basis in the European Union, yet only one-third of these patients are properly diagnosed and even fewer received effective treatment.

Named Lyrica, the drug’s approval was based on five randomized double-blind clinical trials involving over 2,000 patients. Data from a combination of five placebo-controlled studies demonstrate that Lyrica provides rapid and sustained efficacy for the treatment of GAD.

As early as the first week of treatment, Lyrica was shown to be significantly effective in providing relief of both emotional symptoms, such as depressive symptoms and panic, as well as physical symptoms, including headaches and muscle aches.

Generalized anxiety disorder, which affects an estimated five percent of people at some point in their lives, is a common and chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive worry and tension about everyday routine life events and activities. Physical symptoms include poor sleep and fatigue, while the emotional symptoms include difficulty concentrating, irritability and restlessness.

Generalized anxiety disorder occurs more frequently in patients with other chronic medical illnesses, especially those associated with pain conditions. The direct annual healthcare costs associated with GAD in Europe are approximately $1.5 billion.

The most common adverse events reported by patients were dizziness and drowsiness. Most adverse events were mild to moderate in intensity and generally dose related.

In the United States, Lyrica (pregabalin) C-V capsules are approved for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, post herpetic neuralgia and adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures. Lyrica is an alpha-2-delta ligand that is believed to work by calming hyper-excited neurons.

Developed by Pfizer, Lyrica has been approved for various neuropathic pain indications including peripheral neuropathic pain, diabetic and post herpetic neuropathic pain and adjunctive therapy for epilepsy in more than 60 countries outside of the United States.

[John K]

To understand the difference between anxiety and stress is simply to think about it this way. Anxiety is future tense and stress is present tense.

If you are suffering from anxiety you should be able to identify what you are worried about. If you can’t identify it then it is not anxiety but some sort of trigger you have set up to expect ‘x’ to happen when you encounter ‘y’. If that is the case you may want to explore professional help to identify and remove the trigger.

[sabaijai]

Neeranam, I'm no doctor but it sounds to me like you may be suffering from GERD, gastrointestinal-esophagal reflux disorder, rather than anxiety. I suffered from GERD for a couple of years and the symptoms were exactly as you described.

Basically what happens is that when some people recline, stomach acid comes into the esophagus, and causes tightness and pain in the upper chest that may be mistaken for a heart condition or anxiety. Of course this discomfort itself can trigger anxiety about what's going on. It's more common among people aged 40+, for a variety of reasons from bad diet to weakening of the esophageal sphincter.

The difficulty in swallowing is known as aphagia, and can occur when the esophagus becomes swollen after repeated lashings of stomach acid.

You should have a GI specialist have a look at your esophagus via endoscopy. They'll be able to tell right away if it's GERD. Of course you might want to have a cardiac exam too, in case there is something there.

Rule GERD out before you jump to conclusions that it's anxiety.

There's lots of info on the Web about GERD (also known simply as 'reflux'). I got rid of it by eliminating caffeine and alcohol (I know you don't drink) from my diet, by eating smaller meals (overeating is a major contributor to GERD), by being sure to eat dinner at least three hours before lying down, and by elevating my shoulders slightly when sleeping (extra pillow, etc). Antacids will also help. I tried some expensive ones prescribed by a doctor but found that cheaper, over-the-counter Zantac worked best for me.

After following the above regimen for a year and a half, the reflux disappeared. I resumed a normal diet except I stuck to the smaller meals and not eating three hours before bedtime. That was 10 years ago.

By the way when I first experienced the symptoms, I thought I was having heart trouble, then anxiety. A doctor in Laos misdiagnosed it as muscle spasms in my chest wall. I finally had an endoscopy -- that's where they insert a small camera through your mouth and deep into your esophagus to examine the condition of the lining. They can also have you drink barium liquid, then have you lie on a table and they X-ray your GI system at various time intervals to see if the barium moves from the stomach into the esophagus.

It's important to treat GERD, if that's what you have, because untreated it can develop into Barrow's syndrome (chronic swelling of the esophagus) and that condition is often linked to later development of esophageal cancer.

I'd check that first and if that's not it, then consider anxiety treatments. You may be having anxiety about a physical condition.

[Phrakhanong]

Reflux can also be caused by the anxiety. I was the opposite, and was initially treated for reflux, but it kept recurring to the puzzlement of my specialist... until I was put onto relaxation therapy, which cured the anxiety.

[Neeranam]

Neeranam, I'm no doctor but it sounds to me like you may be suffering from GERD, gastrointestinal-esophagal reflux disorder, rather than anxiety. I suffered from GERD for a couple of years and the symptoms were exactly as you described.

Thanks for that very informative post - you should be a doctor.

Funny as an affirmation I use that helps anxiety is, "arai ja GERD gaw hai man GERD"

[sabaijai]

Neeranam, below are a few links on GERD (the 'D' apparently stands for disease BTW). No mention of anxiety as a cause. Smoking increases the risk, by the way, do you smoke?

One other thing about GERD is that some people get 'heartburn' as an early symptom but some do not. It tends to be patients who don't get heartburn in the traditional sense (burning sensation in the upper chest) who seem to be most prone to chronic reflux. I never got heartburn; like many reflux patients I had upper chest pains instead, which made me think it was a heart condition or anxiety.

Another major symptom I had was a feeling of tightness in the throat, as if a piece of food is stuck there. While eating I sometimes found it difficult to swallow (dysphagia) or even unable to swallow (aphagia) without a waiting period of 15 min or more.

Mayo Clinic -- causes

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gerd/DS00967/DSECTION=3

Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease

Here's a link to an article on controlling reflux with diet that says that caffeine isn't a contributor. Others say it is, but I noticed the Wiki article said the two most important cure factors are smaller meals and keeping the upper body raised while sleeping.

In my case it took several months for the lifestyle changes to make a noticeable difference, and it was 18 months before the symptoms completely disappeared. I had a pretty advanced case - at one point (before proper diagnosis) I was on prescription pain medication, for times when the chest pains were so severe I couldn't sleep. Zantac helped a lot too, but I didn't discover that one until I'd been through several expensive acid reducers (traditional antacids like milk of magnesia don't help much) like Prilosec (opremazole), which made little noticeable difference.

[Phil Conners]

Try Deanxit. It's a non-addictive drug in the SSRI family (Prozac) but faster working. You can get them over the counter in any pharmacy in Thailand. Take one morning and evening for a week and see if it doesn't take care of the problem.

Caveat: It of course assumes you already made sure you don't have any cardiac problems and have tried the obvious things including cutting down on coffee, alcohol etc.

Edited October 11, 2007 by Phil Conners