Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Ok Carol, I spent years overcoming these panic attacks and my 13 year old son experiences them every day...so I know where you're at. It's pretty useless telling you that it's not real and everything is OK. because every fibre of your body is telling you otherwise. I always found the best way to alleviate the feelings of terror was to talk to someone...just talk, talk, talk, talk...it worked for me! Luckily I had someone to talk to. After all the fear I went through...I'm still here today, happier and healthier than ever! Maybe this is a time when you need to start living in the future. Imagine how close you are to finally succeeding in this incredible endeavor! Hang in there Carol..you're nearly there! -- Panic Attacks Ok Group ... tomorrow is my surgery and I'm starting to, well, to " freak out " just a bit. If I think about it too long, my chest starts to constrict and I feel like my insides are shaking. I think about being wired shut and what a claustrophobic must feel like when s/he is in a closet with the door shut. How do you handle that panicked feeling? What if I all of a sudden just can't breathe or move or think or ...? Maybe I'm just being paranoid or maybe I'm just being silly. But the question occurred to me yesterday: what if I have some sort of panic attack when I'm wired shut? You guys have been so nice to me and you seem to have a plethora of information available among the masses. So, I pose this question ... with the risk of sounding silly or being embarrassed - because the thought won't go out of my head - because I can - because the answer, or a decent facsimile thereof, might come back to me. Thanks ... so much, Carol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Carol I have had my jaw wired before, a long time ago, and I completely understand where you are coming from. Please don't worry though. It really isn't as bad as it sounds. The hospital staff advised me to breathe deeply if I ever felt panicked or sick, and this helped me no end. Have you ever practiced deep breathing for relaxation? If not, then why not look up the technique, it really is good for all worries in life and it will certainly help you in this case. All the best. Sue --- Pouye wrote: > Ok Carol, I spent years overcoming these panic > attacks and my 13 year old > son experiences them every day...so I know where > you're at. It's pretty > useless telling you that it's not real and > everything is OK. because every > fibre of your body is telling you otherwise. I > always found the best way to > alleviate the feelings of terror was to talk to > someone...just talk, talk, > talk, talk...it worked for me! Luckily I had someone > to talk to. > After all the fear I went through...I'm still here > today, happier and > healthier than ever! Maybe this is a time when you > need to start living in > the future. Imagine how close you are to finally > succeeding in this > incredible endeavor! > > Hang in there Carol..you're nearly there! > > > > -- Panic > Attacks > > Ok Group ... tomorrow is my surgery and I'm starting > to, well, > to " freak out " just a bit. If I think about it too > long, my chest > starts to constrict and I feel like my insides are > shaking. I think > about being wired shut and what a claustrophobic > must feel like when > s/he is in a closet with the door shut. How do you > handle that > panicked feeling? What if I all of a sudden just > can't breathe or > move or think or ...? Maybe I'm just being paranoid > or maybe I'm just > being silly. But the question occurred to me > yesterday: what if I > have some sort of panic attack when I'm wired shut? > You guys have > been so nice to me and you seem to have a plethora > of information > available among the masses. So, I pose this > question ... with the > risk of sounding silly or being embarrassed - > because the thought > won't go out of my head - because I can - because > the answer, or a > decent facsimile thereof, might come back to me. > Thanks ... so much, > Carol > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Carol, When I was little and use to have mini panic attacks my father taught me a little trick that I have actually been using every time I panic about this surgery. Close your eyes and think about a nice place, somewhere that makes you feel at peace. Now imagine that you are in that place. When I was little I used to imagine I was on a white cloud floating in the sky. Today I think about a nice tropical beach, sun beating down on me and the sound of waves lapping up on me. I do agree with that the talking does help because I talk my boyfriend's ear off lately about this surgery and it has helped however, I would not recommend talking too much right after surgery. I asked my doctor the same question about what if I panic when my jaw is shut? I actually suffer from a little bit of claustrophobia so this was a real concern to me. The doctor explained to me that usually what happens if you do get a panic attack is that it only lasts about a minute, then your brain registers what is happening and calms down. Another board member, Fiddlesticks used surgery recovery tapes to listen to after surgery. I plan to bring with me my good old iPOd to listen to some relaxing and *happy* music. Like you, I hadn't realized that I wouldn't be able to sing for a good time after this surgery (not that I'm a good singer any way) so I will be relying on my music to get me by and keep me in good spirits. And again, I agree with , stay focused on the end objective. I always think of all of the difficult things in life that I have done so far and that I never thought I could get through. Well I did get through them and if I oculd get through those I can get through this surgery. Look at this way, if you were able to live for so many years with migraines and a mal-functioning jaw and you survived AND you've already gone through one surgery, well this is a walk in the park! Right, that was a long answer. And remember we're here for you! Sara > Ok Carol, I spent years overcoming these panic attacks and my 13 year old > son experiences them every day...so I know where you're at. It's pretty > useless telling you that it's not real and everything is OK. because every > fibre of your body is telling you otherwise. I always found the best way to > alleviate the feelings of terror was to talk to someone...just talk, talk, > talk, talk...it worked for me! Luckily I had someone to talk to. > After all the fear I went through...I'm still here today, happier and > healthier than ever! Maybe this is a time when you need to start living in > the future. Imagine how close you are to finally succeeding in this > incredible endeavor! > > Hang in there Carol..you're nearly there! > > > > -- Panic Attacks > > Ok Group ... tomorrow is my surgery and I'm starting to, well, > to " freak out " just a bit. If I think about it too long, my chest > starts to constrict and I feel like my insides are shaking. I think > about being wired shut and what a claustrophobic must feel like when > s/he is in a closet with the door shut. How do you handle that > panicked feeling? What if I all of a sudden just can't breathe or > move or think or ...? Maybe I'm just being paranoid or maybe I'm just > being silly. But the question occurred to me yesterday: what if I > have some sort of panic attack when I'm wired shut? You guys have > been so nice to me and you seem to have a plethora of information > available among the masses. So, I pose this question ... with the > risk of sounding silly or being embarrassed - because the thought > won't go out of my head - because I can - because the answer, or a > decent facsimile thereof, might come back to me. > Thanks ... so much, > Carol > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 , You're words are wonderful! I get all emotional over the outpouring of understanding and compassion that comes from this group. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me. It matters, a lot. And I appreciate it greatly. Talk, talk, talk. Ok - I can do that. My Mom, my Son and my Boyfriend are all on board and there to support me. I'll be sure and hang onto them when I need to - until the panic subsides. Looking toward the future, Carol > Ok Carol, I spent years overcoming these panic attacks and my 13 year old > son experiences them every day...so I know where you're at. It's pretty > useless telling you that it's not real and everything is OK. because every > fibre of your body is telling you otherwise. I always found the best way to > alleviate the feelings of terror was to talk to someone...just talk, talk, > talk, talk...it worked for me! Luckily I had someone to talk to. > After all the fear I went through...I'm still here today, happier and > healthier than ever! Maybe this is a time when you need to start living in > the future. Imagine how close you are to finally succeeding in this > incredible endeavor! > > Hang in there Carol..you're nearly there! > > > > -- Panic Attacks > > Ok Group ... tomorrow is my surgery and I'm starting to, well, > to " freak out " just a bit. If I think about it too long, my chest > starts to constrict and I feel like my insides are shaking. I think > about being wired shut and what a claustrophobic must feel like when > s/he is in a closet with the door shut. How do you handle that > panicked feeling? What if I all of a sudden just can't breathe or > move or think or ...? Maybe I'm just being paranoid or maybe I'm just > being silly. But the question occurred to me yesterday: what if I > have some sort of panic attack when I'm wired shut? You guys have > been so nice to me and you seem to have a plethora of information > available among the masses. So, I pose this question ... with the > risk of sounding silly or being embarrassed - because the thought > won't go out of my head - because I can - because the answer, or a > decent facsimile thereof, might come back to me. > Thanks ... so much, > Carol > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Sue, That's wonderful advice, thank you. My Surgeon actually sent me home with some literature on the subject. I wasn't sure why - until now. My Mom has gone down the meditation road before. I'm sure she can help guide me in the first few days, as she'll be staying with me to help care for my Son. Breathing ... slowly and deeply, Carol > > Ok Carol, I spent years overcoming these panic > > attacks and my 13 year old > > son experiences them every day...so I know where > > you're at. It's pretty > > useless telling you that it's not real and > > everything is OK. because every > > fibre of your body is telling you otherwise. I > > always found the best way to > > alleviate the feelings of terror was to talk to > > someone...just talk, talk, > > talk, talk...it worked for me! Luckily I had someone > > to talk to. > > After all the fear I went through...I'm still here > > today, happier and > > healthier than ever! Maybe this is a time when you > > need to start living in > > the future. Imagine how close you are to finally > > succeeding in this > > incredible endeavor! > > > > Hang in there Carol..you're nearly there! > > > > > > > > -- Panic > > Attacks > > > > Ok Group ... tomorrow is my surgery and I'm starting > > to, well, > > to " freak out " just a bit. If I think about it too > > long, my chest > > starts to constrict and I feel like my insides are > > shaking. I think > > about being wired shut and what a claustrophobic > > must feel like when > > s/he is in a closet with the door shut. How do you > > handle that > > panicked feeling? What if I all of a sudden just > > can't breathe or > > move or think or ...? Maybe I'm just being paranoid > > or maybe I'm just > > being silly. But the question occurred to me > > yesterday: what if I > > have some sort of panic attack when I'm wired shut? > > You guys have > > been so nice to me and you seem to have a plethora > > of information > > available among the masses. So, I pose this > > question ... with the > > risk of sounding silly or being embarrassed - > > because the thought > > won't go out of my head - because I can - because > > the answer, or a > > decent facsimile thereof, might come back to me. > > Thanks ... so much, > > Carol > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Sara, I don't know what I would do without you guys, without this support group!!! I'm at work, my last day before surgery, and I just hope no one comes around the corner - 'cause the tears are falling. It's so strange. I don't know you guys ... but in this amazing way ... I feel connected. I should have signed up sooner. I know I'll be a part of this board through my recovery, though, and I think it will be one of the things that keeps me going. A happy place (ironic because my friends at work got me some going away gifts - one of which was a book called Happy Thoughts), I can do that. Mine would be flying with my boyfriend (he's a pilot and has his own 4 passenger plane) over the tree tops, past the mountains, looking at the world in a totally different perspective. Like the country is my backyard - and all things are possible. Ok, so if I can just wait out the initial panic feeling - it will subside. Of course, you're right. My brain just didn't get that far in its thought process. I can make it a minute or two. I'm a strong person ... even if I don't feel that way today. And music ... yes, I think I'll make sure to have that readily available. My friend says I can just sing in my heart. I told him it won't sound the same. But, he's got a point! Anyway, I'm nervous and emotional and rambling. But, succinctly - thank you ... for all your words. They mean the world! Sincerly, Carol > > Ok Carol, I spent years overcoming these panic attacks and my 13 > year old > > son experiences them every day...so I know where you're at. It's > pretty > > useless telling you that it's not real and everything is OK. > because every > > fibre of your body is telling you otherwise. I always found the > best way to > > alleviate the feelings of terror was to talk to someone...just > talk, talk, > > talk, talk...it worked for me! Luckily I had someone to talk to. > > After all the fear I went through...I'm still here today, happier > and > > healthier than ever! Maybe this is a time when you need to start > living in > > the future. Imagine how close you are to finally succeeding in this > > incredible endeavor! > > > > Hang in there Carol..you're nearly there! > > > > > > > > -- Panic Attacks > > > > Ok Group ... tomorrow is my surgery and I'm starting to, well, > > to " freak out " just a bit. If I think about it too long, my chest > > starts to constrict and I feel like my insides are shaking. I > think > > about being wired shut and what a claustrophobic must feel like > when > > s/he is in a closet with the door shut. How do you handle that > > panicked feeling? What if I all of a sudden just can't breathe or > > move or think or ...? Maybe I'm just being paranoid or maybe I'm > just > > being silly. But the question occurred to me yesterday: what if I > > have some sort of panic attack when I'm wired shut? You guys have > > been so nice to me and you seem to have a plethora of information > > available among the masses. So, I pose this question ... with the > > risk of sounding silly or being embarrassed - because the thought > > won't go out of my head - because I can - because the answer, or a > > decent facsimile thereof, might come back to me. > > Thanks ... so much, > > Carol > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Another couple of ideas: Is there a passage of literature (or something from the Bible or the Mishrah or whatever books are sacred to you) that you find particularly consoling? Perhaps a poem? Perhaps one you'd like to discover when you're up to reading again? I find that mental recitation of something I am fond of... " When I consider how my light is spent...., " " That time of year thou may'st in me behold ... " " For I have been to Ludlow Fair, and left my necktie God knows where... And Malt does more than Milton can, to justify God's ways to man! " can be calmng--- And I am most fortunate to have some internal tapes that can play in my brain with some special music. Doesn't matter whether it's or J. S. Bach. If I can latch onto a theme of it, it can really distract me from frustrations. Hope this may help... C. In orthognathicsurgerysupport , miss_redagain2005 <no_reply@y...> wrote: > , > You're words are wonderful! I get all emotional over the outpouring > of understanding and compassion that comes from this group. Thank > you so much for taking the time to help me. It matters, a lot. And > I appreciate it greatly. > Talk, talk, talk. Ok - I can do that. My Mom, my Son and my > Boyfriend are all on board and there to support me. I'll be sure and > hang onto them when I need to - until the panic subsides. > Looking toward the future, > Carol > > > > Ok Carol, I spent years overcoming these panic attacks and my 13 > year old > > son experiences them every day...so I know where you're at. It's > pretty > > useless telling you that it's not real and everything is OK. > because every > > fibre of your body is telling you otherwise. I always found the > best way to > > alleviate the feelings of terror was to talk to someone...just > talk, talk, > > talk, talk...it worked for me! Luckily I had someone to talk to. > > After all the fear I went through...I'm still here today, happier > and > > healthier than ever! Maybe this is a time when you need to start > living in > > the future. Imagine how close you are to finally succeeding in this > > incredible endeavor! > > > > Hang in there Carol..you're nearly there! > > > > > > > > -- Panic Attacks > > > > Ok Group ... tomorrow is my surgery and I'm starting to, well, > > to " freak out " just a bit. If I think about it too long, my chest > > starts to constrict and I feel like my insides are shaking. I > think > > about being wired shut and what a claustrophobic must feel like > when > > s/he is in a closet with the door shut. How do you handle that > > panicked feeling? What if I all of a sudden just can't breathe or > > move or think or ...? Maybe I'm just being paranoid or maybe I'm > just > > being silly. But the question occurred to me yesterday: what if I > > have some sort of panic attack when I'm wired shut? You guys have > > been so nice to me and you seem to have a plethora of information > > available among the masses. So, I pose this question ... with the > > risk of sounding silly or being embarrassed - because the thought > > won't go out of my head - because I can - because the answer, or a > > decent facsimile thereof, might come back to me. > > Thanks ... so much, > > Carol > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2005 Report Share Posted May 4, 2005 Good plan! If you start to clench up, go flying! (i think those into this stuff call it " visualization " ). I can do it with blending colors, but it doesn't really matter what tools you use. Just go on an expedition, wherever your brain and notions may take you. Maybe the Taj Mahal. Maybe the Great Wall. Maybe the Adirondacks in fall, or even my own beloved Gulf Coast in the height of Azalea season... Some place that will be welcoming, with nice sounds (how bout a running brook in the Blue Ridge Mountains?) and an easy pace. No reason you have to stay in a hospital room, or a recovery bed, if your brain can take you elsewhere! C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 Just a small correction - the Surgical Support Tapes are not just used post-op, they are used pre-op and during the operation (I had to clear it with my surgeon but he said ok provided the headphones didn't get in the way of the anaesthesiologist). They're very effective - my mom has used them during several major surgeries and required no pain meds. My dad's used them too, and my mom actually loans her copies out to friends when they have to have surgery (I had to buy her another set because when my dad had emergency surgery the tapes were not available!). I have my own set too in my first aid kit. I don't sell or represent these tapes in any way, but if anyone's interested, here's the link to their website - search for " Surgery Support Series " http://www.hemisync.com Another board member, Fiddlesticks used surgery recovery tapes to listen to after surgery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 I just want to add to the comment about calling the panick attack... Though this is a good idea, this isn't for everyone. People with " over reacting " imagination may be inclined to consult a specialist before using this technique. People who have a tendency to think they're seriously hill when, in fact, they're not or not that seriously, people who always assume the worst or who are known to stop seeing clearly when something bad happens should also consider seeking professional help. The brain is a formidable organ. But, it can do just as much good as harm. If you think you're suffering from panick or anxiety attack and have symptoms you can't control, or someone close noticed a change in your behaviour lately, please consult a specialist, even for just one visit if money is an issue. Let the specialist know before the visit the reason why you're seeking help, he or she will suggest reading or a series of exercises to help. Otherwise, you may hyperventilate or choke. Not to death, but to the point of being injured (if this happens right in the middle of the street, for example). Some medication may help, like Ryvotryl (I have no idea if this is the right name in English). People suffering from this condition have, usually, an intuition to know they're gonna meet a crisis within a few minutes. This medication helps a lot. Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2005 Report Share Posted May 5, 2005 That's really good advice, Ray. There seems to be a stigma about asking for help, but honestly, there are good and talented people out there to help for just about anything, I think, and we shouldn't be reluctant to ask when it's needed. > I just want to add to the comment about calling the panick attack... Though this is a > good idea, this isn't for everyone. People with " over reacting " imagination may be > inclined to consult a specialist before using this technique. People who have a > tendency to think they're seriously hill when, in fact, they're not or not that seriously, > people who always assume the worst or who are known to stop seeing clearly when > something bad happens should also consider seeking professional help. > > The brain is a formidable organ. But, it can do just as much good as harm. If you > think you're suffering from panick or anxiety attack and have symptoms you can't > control, or someone close noticed a change in your behaviour lately, please consult > a specialist, even for just one visit if money is an issue. Let the specialist know > before the visit the reason why you're seeking help, he or she will suggest reading > or a series of exercises to help. Otherwise, you may hyperventilate or choke. Not > to death, but to the point of being injured (if this happens right in the middle of > the street, for example). > > Some medication may help, like Ryvotryl (I have no idea if this is the right name in > English). People suffering from this condition have, usually, an intuition to know > they're gonna meet a crisis within a few minutes. This medication helps a lot. > > Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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