h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thanks smurflles for hug and post, I needed both!
I agree that is what a panic attack is, a rush of adrenaline, fight or flee gone mad! My anxiety is undefined and doesn't happen for a defined reason like many people which means it can happen at any time for no reason. Even relaxing in bed, which takes away the go to bed and relax option,lol! In fact the first arm bouncing started which in bed.
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Hey there is one good point, the Propranolol I was taking, now stopped, had a side effect that some get of causing hallucinations arround the waking up from sleep area and that has stopped which is great as pretty scrary!

Oh I know that feeling of not absorbing facts when strung out - for most of my life in fact.

I hope you are feeling a bit steadier, I am sure it will take a while but you will get there. Thanks for answering the questions. it does sound as if it is hereditary, but I am sure they will get your sorted so your are more settled and able to cope.

Had my BP done and she said it was 'brilliant' so I asked if she was exaggerating and she said no! So I am bouncing now, and can you believe I have already fogotten the reading - good job I got her to write it down

Take care. Off shopping. Catch you later.

Websailor

That is great news WS!
Blood pressure can be a dodgy thing.
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I forgot to mention but was reminded when phone just rang and jumped out of the settee nearly that for last 6 months the slightest noise made me jump and have been restless and unable to relax quite a lot, so panic attacks are likely.

Just thought I would pop in and see how you are doing this evening SS?

My BP was a nice surprise as I had been rushing round all morning, apart from a spell here, and we have a steep hill to climb to get to the surgery.

Panic attacks are strange things, I have heard them described like that before, with no rhyme or reason, and even at bedtime when it should be possible to relax.

I do hope you will take some time off and have a proper break. I wondered if you did shift work of some kind since you are about in the day sometimes? You don't have to answer questions if you would rather not, just ignore me

if you do get some time off, and things get too much I am sure there will always be someone here to chat to. I try very hard not to come online during the day on week days as I find myself staying too long and getting nothing done. I do get on during the weekend though.

The weather forecast here for tomorrow is rain, rain and more rain, which is a pity 'cus I hope to go and get some more photos, now I am getting the hang of the camera and what it can do. I am very relieved it has an Anti-Shake mechanism or they would be all blurry, every time I breathe!!

Take care.

Websailor

Thanks WS, yes I do shifts but don't want to go further than that as the anonimity allows me to say the things on here I have said.
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I am not too bad at moment it has been a day of changes from the morning bad episode when I can honestly thought I was losing my mind it was that bad, to the later numbed meds feeling which was nice as took all anxiety away! I am now at a more normal state with a few eye twitches and a little fast breathing occasionally but good on the whole.
Infact I have been so good this evening I have started to simply my financial affairs so that if the worst comes to the worst I will not be able to become homeless. The worry of losing your job if off a long time just makes the worry worse so it will help. I spend little so if have to give up work I will be ok! If I still have a roof over my head everything else can just about be managed so will be ok.
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There was one amusing moment this morning when I WANTED a bath but had trouble with boiler so COULDN'T have a bath. That is so amusing if have depression and normally avoid baths!

That's fine SS, it is best not to say too much. I had a funny feeling you did shifts.The job market at the moment is difficult. My son wants to change his job, but never gets time to look, and jobs are scarce in his area.

It is a good idea to get finances sorted always. Even if you don't have to give up work it is still worth doing for peace of mind. I have read that shift work is not good for your health and it certainly doesn't help my son, especially as he has to do days on end of twelve hour stints owing to staff shortages. Mean employers just won't pay enough to keep people. Like you I can't say much! If you ever want to chat off site you can get me on twirlysixtyatyahoodotcodotuk ( just fiddle with it a bit) I hope things might look better for you when the meds. settle in.

If they work, perhaps you won't need the Yeti slippers just yet That conjures up such amusing pictures you know.

Isn't it typical about the bath?! We have been warned we may be without water for as much as fourteen hours on about four different days later this month and in September. That'll be fun! Buckets, bottles, kettles in readiness

As I type fox cubs are fighting in the garden and making a heck of a din. I heard someone clapping a while ago to shoo them away . She probably wants to let her dog out

Websailor

It's funny, the only treatment, as such, I had for Chronic Fatigue, was a meeting they had for a group of patients to give us some coping tactics. One of the things they said to us was not to join a support group, as taking on board someone else's problems and difficulties is draining our energy and that we must focus on ourselves and be more selfish with energy consumption.
I didn't believe them, to be honest, but I see now they were right. The amount of angst and frustration expressed here, very legitimately, works me up and emphasises my own frustration, which in turn takes a real toll on my physical well-being.
Having said this, I hope you don't mind too much that I am going to unsubscribe from this thread. Nothing against anyone here. I'll be back when I am able to support others.

Best wishes of health and well-being
Elly.s

Elly, I think that is very sensible and the best thing for you. I think you need your energy for yourself and situation, I thank you for your help.
Best wishes, and a virtual hug from me.

Morning all.I just dropped by to see how you were this morning SS. It sounds as though there could be some improvement,those lucid,less anxious times feel wonderful,don't they.I shall be back later on,to see how your day has progressed.Have a to cheer youup a little

What a shame Elly had to go, but but there are times when we are just too sensitive to take on others' problems, and times when we take on other people's problems to push aside our own. Sometimes that helps, but sometimes it means we delay dealing with our own.

Hi, Smurfles *waves*

SS, I, too, logged in to see how you were. The weather was lovely at 7am but has got worse since 9rain and wind) so my hopes for the day have been dashed. Still, other thigs will get done instead

Take care,
Websailor

Thanks smuffles,
I have been sorting out stuff to ensure flatwise everything will be secure in future on phone which got me going a bit then FOOLISHLY went shopping in a busy supermarket, which got me really jumpy by time checkout time came and wondered if others noticed! Anyway I took a couple of really deep and slow breaths as recomended on here and calmed down a bit.
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What was really nice was to see the man outside Sansburys in a wheelchair with condition Woolfy has collecting money for that condition. I always talk to him as his is a nice man and sometimes sits outside there, always smartly dress with a jacket and tie, in some terrible weather collecting, Someone had left some money on the tray he has collecting box was on and he asked if I could pick it up and put in tin as he couldn't with his hands due to condition. He said he was worrried he was slowing my shopping down and I said it is no problem at all! To be honest what he said bought a bit of a tear to my to my eye but don't really know why. I think it was that picking up coins for him was nothing but he sits out there in freezing weather with no coat on and doesn't complain. I touched his hand to say goodby and he felt freezing cold. I noticed he is in a manual wheellchair so must be dropped of there and picked up as don't think it was a wheelchair with added out large wheels to wheel yourself, I don't think he is phtsically abble to, nor perhaps steer an electric wheelchair.
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As WebSailor rightly said I should keep in touch with nature, well nature got in touch with me this morning when a Parrakeet landed on my open window only three feet away, a lovely sight of a bright green and red bird!
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I do apologise for any mistakes as I seem to be leaving out words or other errors which I can't see when checking these last few days!

<<>> you and me both SS

My nails need cutting and I have difficulty with the modern flat keyboard. I love it in some ways but the keys are too close together for an old fashioned touch typist

If you got through your shopping that was good. It is difficult when you feel like that, but you stuck it out, and the more you can do that, the easier it will get, though it can take a long time.

You have to admire people like the old gent for still carrying on. A lesson for us all I guess, but a difficult one to learn

I hope your close encounter cheered you up. Weather is awful here. Hope yours is better.

Back later.

Websailor

Nice to see you around tonight SS. I hope you are feeling ok. I have been I think and must make tracks downstairs before the badger arrives.

Take care. Nite nite.

Websailor

Hello there SS.It's been a busy day,i just dropped in to see how you were feeling.You did really well if you went to the supermarket,and the deep breathing really does help.We always go later in the evening,as hubby works all day,and i cant go out alone,and certainly can't manage in the wheelchair.Mine is one that i can propel myself,but it causes problems with my neck and shoulders if i try.I hope the meds are starting to do their job,and that knowing others that have or have had the same problems is making things easier for you.it's bed time now,so here's hoping for a better day tomorrow for everyone healthwise,and weather wise too.Sweet dreams,

Hi SS and WS hoping you both have had a good day
SS where are you from, you mentioned parrakeets landing near your window, how lovely.

I am at present packing up our house as we are moving out on Monday, so much to do and so little time to do it. Last minute panic setting in, as purchase went pear-shaped and we've not been able to find somewhere to rent straight away , so off to stay with hubby's mum for a few days or so

I'm not going to have access to h2g2 possibly for a few weeks , so take good care of yourselves and I'll catch up with you both very soon
WS hope all the badgers and foxes are keeping you entertained
And SS about that tear you mentioned, it's because you're in a difficult place right now and that good man made you feel all the things you should be feeling all the time,stay strong you'll come through it all

Thanks for all your best wishes, believe me I do appreciate them and a Hug back to one and all!
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Yesterday was a mixed day to be honest. Sorting out my making certain I have a permantly secure living place come what may went well and be beieve it or not can be done entirely over the phone with out even signing any thing, which is great.
Otherwise it wasn't particularly great as had jumping arms practically non stop, however I have learnt how to eat a pear with bouncing arms, a circus act perhaps,lol!
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My BLEEP of a neighbour, pardon my language, installed laminate flooring a year ago despite me telling him the floors have no sound insulation and have been bothered by his noise eversince and complained many times. Yesterday was the worst of all when I really didn't need it. From the afternoon to around 11pm he had his friend around playing really loud computer games and not only that but they bought a kid who sounds about 6 who ran up and down the flat most of time and even jumped off the furniture with what sounded like boots! Those who haven't had the joy of living under laminate flooring with basically no insulation will have no idea of how the thuds of even normal walking with outdor shoes sounds, He also plays his TV loudly a lot.
When the kid jumped of furniture directly above my head I jumped off in the sofa as so anxious and instinctively shouted oh dear that is loud!, well I will leave you to translate it into what I really shouted! I simply couldn't help what I said as it was so loud, the ceiling shook and I was so anxious. Anyway the visitor said, I can hear every word said as floors so thin, who said that, where did it come from? My neighbour finally said to kid don't jump furniture and told visiitor sound carries through floor so promptly carried on with very loud computer games for hours!
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Well I did what any self respecting man would do and got drunk! The pregabalin said on sheet if drinking booze the sleepiness sideffect will be worse so naturally I thought as had arm bouncing most of day I would have some of that. I had great fun, I got the headhones out. despite , the bad tinitus, and plated all the music from 70s I used to listen too, Clash, early Jam, etc and danced around, fear not for my neighbours as have carpets and extra insulation and even more extra insulation in my dance stop. My arms. weare flailing, and really getting back into early seventies, sure I knew I would pay for it in morning with aches, which I have got but boy was it worth it! I woke at 4am still laying on settee so must have fallen asleep around 11pm.
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I live in outer London where there are lots of wooded parks and quite a lot of reservoirs so get a fair amount of wildlife and although the Parakeets are VERY noisey they are colourful and they live in tree next to my flats and usually around 15 at any one time the evening flocks which fly away can be a hundred or so.
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Sympathy for the moving, a very stressful time by sounds of it!

with the move J. It must be a bit of a trial, but I am sure you will get sorted. Will look forward to hearing from you when you get settled.

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SS, I have great sympathy with you over the laminated flooring. We live in a semi and the other house had it fitted in the lounge. We could hear them charging around the house and going up and down stairs, even though the stairs are the furthest away from us. The sounds echo. I can't understand anyone having that flooring in a living room, so cold and uncomfortable. I find the flooring scuffs too, which looks a mess after a while.

It sounds as if you had a high old time with your music. It is a great mood lifter, but my choice goes back to the 50s and 60s and beyond and I have very broad tastes. If it 'moves' me I like it

I hope you have a more settled day. it is a funny one here - heavy showers with sunny spells in between, but it is a lot cooler thank goodness.

Take care,

Websailor

Good morning allAre you feeling beter today SS??
The laminate flooring can be a nuisance,I have it in the second bedroom,which is the one that the grandchildren use when they stay!I can't say that i like it,and i certaqinly wouldn't have it anywheere else,so i can sympathise with you.Music lifts my mood too,and like WS,i love the old 50's and 60's music,i can't say that i even listen to todays "pop",it drives me mad!!Looking forward to a cheerful post from you

Good news on doctor front as Pregabaline has been raised to 200mg three times a day which I understand is pretty high so will knock me out a bit which is exactly what I need! I told him so and agreed and said stay infront of tv for a few days as will posibbley be very drowsey, which will be great as pacing up and down flat a couple of mins ago talking to myself and shaking! He also gave me a sick note for three weeks which will go up to my week away at coast. He was going to give two weeks but happily agreed to three as I said it is making me exausted. He said clearly I can't work at moment as not fit and have severe chronic anxiety!
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I saw my best friend while out and she is going to pop round after work to see me. I did't want to tell her about all this unless off sick for some time as she had a sad loss a few months ago who was also my other best friend too.
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Anyway, a positive day and a chance to say enough is enough and give up fighting it and start to get well without work worry of working while shouldn't and knowing I have a whole month to start to get better!

Two of the side efects on information sheet for Pregabalin are , using their exact words , you can get "high" and "elated". Well man I have just listened to Hendrix and was back in 70s and 19 again! The high was so real I was standing on the stage and feeling the drums vibrate. I was back in the Round House where alternative music was the main type of band there and hippies loved it. I could actually feel I was walking around the building watching the hippies and smelling patchuli oil and watching the canabis haze over audience.
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The "elation" side effect is making me feel really good when the arms are bouncing and pacing. It isn't stopping panic attacks yet but it sure makes me not worry about them! It makes me want to do stuff and be out and about which is new for me for a while, mind you the walking in unstraight lines is a not so go side effect nor walking into doors, at least I am smiling when I do it, lol.!!