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Discussion Topic: fear beyond belief
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 deedles |
12-05-2004 @ 9:30 PM |
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Member
Joined: Jul. 2004
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Hi everyone, I have suffered with anxiety since I was 12, and im 22 now. It seems as though it is constantly reinventing itself. My biggest hangup now is a fear of severe allergic reactions. I am terrified to eat any foods that people are likely to be allergic too. Many times I have driven myself to the emergency room and just sat in the parking lot because I have feared that I was beginning to have a reaction. I am also TERRIFIED of bees. This recently started. It is now winter, so I am comfortly leaving my home and trying to do things outside, but this summer and fall were horrible. I REALLY feel like I need to talk to anyone who fears this. I wouldn't go outside during the day at all because I was so terrified of being stung by a bee and going into anaphlictic shock. I went on a vacation to CA and we were in the middle of the red wood forest and there was bees all around me. I felt like I was going to die. I can not even imagine being in the country where I could be stung by a bee and be miles away from a hospital. I know that severe allergic reactions can happen even if you have eaten those foods before or have been stung by bees and were previously ok with it. This is why it is so terrifying to me. I feel no safe zone. I have lost over 10 lbs. the past few months because I have been so nervous. Can anyone relate?????
D
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| mommzay |
12-06-2004 @ 8:25 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2004
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I can totally relate to your food fears. I suffered the same thing about 8 years ago and very slowly was able to introduce most foods back into my diet but there are still many times in my life when my head starts to tell my heart that an allergic reaction can develop at anytime and I try to convince my heart that it is "unlikely" and I have to remember where I was and where I'm going and how I had been so afraid of dying or getting really sick that I had really diminished the quality of my life. I had 4 years being almost panic free (aside from a few restrictions driving etc and a medication phobia I've suffered for 15 years) and am in a relapse now. I stumbled on this site and am grateful to it for I used pretty much the same method the first time I came so far so I'm hopefully I'll get back on track.
Enough about me now though are you doing the program on this site? Where are you with that? What sort of support do you have from family and friends? Could people support you with a plan where say you slowly introduce foods (one per week) that you've been avoiding (like come up with a written plan) and have people with you close by to monitor your symptoms and offer support?
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| deedles |
12-08-2004 @ 10:45 PM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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THANK YOU for responding to my post. It is always helpful to hear support from others who have been where you are. I am not doing the program on the site because but I should. How did you get the courage to introduce new foods back into your life>?? I am so terrified that at any given point I could have a sever allergic reaction. This all came about as I was eating pineapple and my tongue felt like it was literally getting stabbed by pins and needles. I had eaten pineapple my whole life up until that moment. I called the hospital and they said it sounded like an allergic reaction. So since then i'm terrified. Well, I have had panic attacks for many years, but my panic about allergic reactions began then.
I am sorry to hear of your relapse. Don't get discouraged because we have all been there. There have been times in my life where I have been panic free for a couple of years and it has come back. I too have always been terrified of medication, and I understand where you are coming from there. I chose not to take it now. I am reading a book "From Panic to Power", and I have also read some other books that I feel have helped me somewhat. Have you tried any self help books?? Remember we are all in this struggle, no matter how differen't our situations may sound, they all boil down to the same thing. Let me know how you're coming alone!!!!
Dee
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| mommzay |
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12-08-2004 @ 10:51 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2004
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Well I overcame it by following a program almost identical to the one on this site. It wasn't easy but I was able to slowly introduce foods back into my diet. I also honestly discovered that my panic does get worse when I don't eat. There are times when I'm stressed and I start having panic attacks and the last thing I want to do is eat but if I force myself it seems to help. I remember though when I was at my worst and there was so little I'd eat because I was afraid of either choking or having an allergic reaction it was terrible. I lost so much weight people though I was anorexic! I'd highly recommend you to consider this program. Is there a support group in your area? I am going to look for info on your book because I've seen it mentioned a few times on this site. Please let me know how you're doing.
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| deedles |
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12-09-2004 @ 12:33 AM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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The author of the book is Lucinda Basset. It is taking me a while to get through it because I have so much that is keeping me busy, but so far it is helpful. I also fear choking, not as severe, but I have to chew my food really well. I have lost 10 lbs. in the last few months, and everyone has said something about it. I too feel better when I do eat, and I believe that it could be due to the fact that when your blood sugar is low, the physical sensations that you feel with that feel like panic attack symptoms. (Shaky, light headed, fast pulse, dizzy) These feelings make me feel even more nervous.
Take Care! I hope that things improve for you, and in the mean time hang in there!
Dee
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| mommzay |
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12-09-2004 @ 9:22 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2004
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Thanks for supplying the author I'm going to look for that book as soon as I post this. Do you have a plan to deal with your fears? Does your doctor know?
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| deedles |
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12-10-2004 @ 8:26 PM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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umm, i feel like i have a lot on my plate right now, and it is difficult to for me to stick to a plan at the moment. But i am trying to read the lucinda basset book when i have time. I started to see a therapist, and what i was doing with her was very similar to what i was reading in self help books, i was just paying over $100 each time I talked to her!! I hope the book helps you, another book that I found to be helpful was Panic Attacks by Christine Ingham. How has your anxiety been lately?? I hope the books can helf you along.
dee
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| mommzay |
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12-10-2004 @ 9:23 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2004
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Sorry I didn't mean to be push about the "plan" I'm sure you do have a lot on your plate. My anxiety is coming along quite well right now.
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| empathy |
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12-12-2004 @ 6:42 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2004
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Hi Deedles'
I just read your story and started to cry. I have had panic attacks since 15 and now 41. I have several times driven to an ER and sat in the parking lot.And now afraid of allergic reactions the same as yours! I felt like I was the only person out there who was like that!! I am so tired of feeling like I am going to die!! I have so much to be thankful for and yet I can't seem to get through this panic stricken disease.
I won't stay on medications because I will be the statistict to get the allergic reaction I am so glad you are here to write to.
Empathy
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| deedles |
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12-13-2004 @ 12:03 AM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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Empathy,
Have your habits completely changed?? In the summer, I hate to leave my house during the day when I know the bees will be out. When I am in a town with no hospital, I will try to stay indoors the whole time. My life used to be much different. I loved to do things out doors. I loved to try new foods. Now I only will eat foods that I believe are safe, and it's driving me and everyone around me crazy. I feel completely worn out at all times because of this. I would like to hear more about your experiences. Are you getting help in some way or some place?
Dee
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| empathy |
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12-13-2004 @ 7:54 AM |
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Joined: Dec. 2004
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Good morning Deedles,
Yes, I have gone to physicians whom no of my problem and are very supportive. I carry around and inhaler and an epipen which is an emergency antidote in case of a severe allergic reaction,Just having that you will be able to do more things. And also I carry around benadryl chewable pills in case I start to feel
like I ate something I was allergic to. Soon you will be able to go outside and take trips with out feeling scared. Also if you have insurance go to an allergist and have some allergy tests,that will make you feel better about knowing what your really allergic too.Don't eat pineapple if it worries you, thats a normal reaction anyway to have that feeling on your tongue, alot of people do!!Will chat again soon.
empathy
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| deedles |
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12-15-2004 @ 8:44 PM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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CAn I ask how you got your epi pen? Did you tell the doctor it was because of your anxiety?? I really would like to carry one with me because I know then I would have the courage to do some of the things that I am avoiding. It is a relief to hear you talking about the same fears! Has your anxiety also revolved around allergic reactions?? Mine has revolved around many things, and for the last 6 months, it has been this. (Not counting fear of taking medication-that I have had since I was about 13). Hang in there!
Dee
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| bsonrisa |
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12-27-2004 @ 8:40 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2004
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Hi, I'm new to this support group...I totally understand how you guys feel. I've been dealing with panic attacks about allergic reactions since this July. I see a therapist and have been able to stop going to the emergency room and all, but I still panic all the time whenever I eat new or unusual foods. I have this program where I'm supposed to do something scary - either eat an unusual food or just think about having a reaction - every day, but it's really hard because I get so scared! What do you guys do when you're eating an unusual food to prevent from panicking, and do you have any other tips?
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| Josie, Support Specialist |
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12-27-2004 @ 8:50 PM |
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Moderator
Joined: Mar. 2004
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Risa,
You have come to the right place! Please feel free to roam the site at your own pace. If you look to the left of the screen under "TOOLS" you will find many supportive tests. These tests are not diagnostic tools and are not a replacement or substitute for a physician's advice. The purpose of these tests is to prepare you with information that you can present to your physician. When you're finished the test, you can either print your Final Report or email it directly to your doctor.
We also have developed a Panic Program. This program is 12-weeks and involves the tools mentioned above. Each session is based on the previous session, so we strongly advise that you work slowly through the program and not jump ahead.
If you have any question or concerns with our “TOOLS”, you can contact at [email protected]. We are the Support Specialist for The Panic Center and are open to any questions or concerns you may have.
Please lean on us at any time and post often. The individuals on this site are very caring and knowledgeable.
Josie
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The Panic Center Support Team.
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| Posted By |
Discussion Topic: fear beyond belief
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