[princesslinda]

Hi Belyro:
I just wanted to comment on your post and the other posts as well. I think we can all relate to your anxiety, esp. with a new diagnosis such as diabetes. I am basically a really laid-back person (i'm not REALLY a princess..surprise, surprise), I don't sweat things and basically enjoy life. My one big fear/stress/anxiety/dread was having diabetes. I hava a really strong family history of diabetes and my mom died at age 54 (after 26 years of neglect of her disease). Anyway, I've seen very little positives in my family regarding this disease. When I got MY diagnosis, August of this year, I really had a BAD time. I work in the medical field, so I know just enough to really scare the **** out of myself.

However after almost 4 L-O-N-G months of the "big-D" I'm beginning to realize that there are plenty of folks out there dealing quite well with this disease. Thanks to the forum members, I am encouraged that I, too, can control this and live a happy and fulfilling life. I feel that If I do the very best I can do to control this, whatever happens, I will have done MY BEST...we can't ask for more than this, can we?

Anyway, once you accept that you're only human, with disease being a part of life (i'm working on this one myself ) you are free to enjoy life, even with a "disease." It's easy at first to worry about "what else may happen." I think that's normal. A friend remarked that if I so much as yawned those first few weeks, I'd be checking to make sure it wasn't my blood sugar going up. I'm a little more laid back now, more on my way to being like my "old self." I don't think i'll ever be as laid back as before, because I must control the big-D. This forum certainly helps. Hang in there!

[belyro]

Originally Posted by princesslinda

Hi Belyro:
I just wanted to comment on your post and the other posts as well. I think we can all relate to your anxiety, esp. with a new diagnosis such as diabetes. I am basically a really laid-back person (i'm not REALLY a princess..surprise, surprise), I don't sweat things and basically enjoy life. My one big fear/stress/anxiety/dread was having diabetes. I hava a really strong family history of diabetes and my mom died at age 54 (after 26 years of neglect of her disease). Anyway, I've seen very little positives in my family regarding this disease. When I got MY diagnosis, August of this year, I really had a BAD time. I work in the medical field, so I know just enough to really scare the **** out of myself.

However after almost 4 L-O-N-G months of the "big-D" I'm beginning to realize that there are plenty of folks out there dealing quite well with this disease. Thanks to the forum members, I am encouraged that I, too, can control this and live a happy and fulfilling life. I feel that If I do the very best I can do to control this, whatever happens, I will have done MY BEST...we can't ask for more than this, can we?

Anyway, once you accept that you're only human, with disease being a part of life (i'm working on this one myself ) you are free to enjoy life, even with a "disease." It's easy at first to worry about "what else may happen." I think that's normal. A friend remarked that if I so much as yawned those first few weeks, I'd be checking to make sure it wasn't my blood sugar going up. I'm a little more laid back now, more on my way to being like my "old self." I don't think i'll ever be as laid back as before, because I must control the big-D. This forum certainly helps. Hang in there!

I've actually been diabetic for 25 years, so I'm quite used to diabetes being a part of my life. It's hard to explain the type of anxiety I mean. It's not the rational "this might happen to me" kind of anxiety....it's anxiety attacks from irrational thoughts. I don't really know how else to explain it.

Brian.....thoughts? You know what I mean.....help me explain what I mean....

[duck]

Our bodies "track the negative"...if something is uncomfortable, our body will try and move us from that. If something is dangerous, we avoid it. If something is pleasant, yeah, we *may* engage in it, but that is not nearly as powerful as the body's mechanism to track the negative.

Anxiety can be caused by numerous things: trauma, paranoia, anger, grief...the list can be endless. I know in my life, I could be committed for how germaphobic I am...I also tend to see the "danger" in almost every situation--I think people should always lock their car and house doors; I think computers should be 'locked' when not in use; exterior houselights should be left on at night; power cords should not be run close to water--etc., etc. Since the body tracks the negative, I have basically created a wiring inside me that is so wound up anxiety/dizziness can sometimes come out of nowhere. Add to that a deep-seated concern about a disease that basically has me OCD most of the time, and yeah. I'm eff'd up to put it mildly (sorry Tony).

(and all of the above before I even get into mortgages, wages, taxes, wars, groceries, bills, college educations, retirement planning, crime, telemarketers, mimes, politicians)

It doesn't suprise me anymore to hear people who are living with a chronic disease condition also suffering from anxiety as well. The body tracks the negative, even when we are not actively considering the negative--ever had a dilemna, and after realizing you had no solution you "put it away", only to have an idea hit you in the shower, or when you were asleep, etc.? That's your brain tracking the dilemna and working it in the background. Your brain is doing the same thing on a primal level with the negative in your life, basically. Each of us are equipped differently to cope with these things.

So what can we do? There are some decent books out there, and therapies are evolving today that are more and more effective than even a decade ago. Something I recently read about "anxiety attacks" that made a lot of sense to me is to embrace them. Forget about fighting them, they'll always win that way. Face them head-on, embrace them. Remember in the first episode of "LOST" Jack tells Kate that he had an emergency during surgery that freaked him out, and he said his solution was to let the fear take over, and he counted to five...Because fear has to do what it has to do? But he was only going to allow it five seconds of his life? Same principle...let it do what it has to do, then thank it and send it on its way.

Anyway, I'm just rambling now. Anxiety is what it is, and it's actually a growing issue in the Western World for whatever reason. Maybe not having to worry about our next meals or defending the cave from the T-Rex is allowing our brains too much time to freak us out in other ways...

[belyro]

Thanks Duck. This is more what I'm getting at.

On a situation by situation basis, I may feel "anxiety" about whether I gave the right bolus amount to cover something, or whether I might drop too low at night or things like that....but the type of anxiety I'm talking about is the kind that Duck just explained - the kind that stems from the stressors that are constantly running in the background - the kind that sometimes wells up to the surface seemingly unprovoked and just decides to take over for a while. The kind that I don't think a person can truly understand until they've dealt with it themselves......

Thanks for "getting" me, Duck.

[blonde kiddo]

I'm generally a very laid back person but hypos do worry me. Sometimes I think I'll just pass out randomly, not that I ever have before, but theres always a first, that would terrify me. Thing is sometimes the anxiety of thinking I might go low gives the same symptoms as a hypo would, eg. shaking, feeling light-headed, so I'll convince myself I'm hypo when I'm not. I have to reason with myself that my warning signs are normally very good and that a big unexplained sudden drop in BG is actually normally not that likely!

[August]

I have used the following with good results:

Theanine (avail at any vitamin shop)
Melatonin (any vitamin shop)
Jameson's Irish Wiskey (optional)(1 bottle per week till cured ))

Absolute avoidance of Mono-Sodium-Glutamate, and Aspartame!!!

MSG, AND ASPARTAME, contain the excitatory neurotransmitters 'glutamic acid' and 'aspartic acid' respectively. These excitatory neurotransmitters definitly cause anxiety. Also insomnia. They are akin to amphetamine in their effect on the brain.

MSG is hidden under many many innocous sounding names, such as:
modified food starch
soybean extract
seaweed extract
malt extract
carrageenan
modified potato starch
modified vegetable protein
and lately they are calling it "Natural Flavor", "Flavoring", and "Spices".

These are just a few of the many pseudonyms thet the FDA allows them to use. For a full list and more detail about the link between MSG and diseases (including diabetes), please see the non-commercial site: MSGTruth.org

MSG is found in all sauces, and condiments, canned foods, snacks, candy, and even beer(is nothing sacred!).

If you try the obove, let us know your results.

August.

The wiskey worked best for me.

[KickStart101]

Panic/anxiety-food poisoning-Diabetes. I have/had them all
and in my case are not associated.

I had bad food poisoning once(not that there is any good food
poisoning)at an expensive restaurant, when I was about your
age Beth. I never worried about throwing up after that though.
That may be where I got the phobia of thoroughly washing all
foods that are washable.(My Friends are ROTFL when they see
me washing the hamburger. Doesn't everyone wash their
hamburger?? I'm way too often washing my hands.
So I have a bit of OCD and some phobias from events. Most
people have these. Mine are not caused by Diabetes.

I'm normally a laid-back Person unless someone gives me grief or
sometimes if I'm low.

The first time I had a panic/anxiety attack was in Aug./ 05
when I was supposed to be having my cataract
surgery. So many People, everyone talking, other People
sticking needles in the sides of my eye...I just Freaked. I
felt like I had been abducted by aliens.

I only had one other attack since. I was at the sink having a
glass of water. Hubby had gone to Canadian Tire(his fav play
area). Things just started going in circles. I couldn't control
my own mind. I was hyperventilating, etc. I was scared and
thought, "This can't be good". I was about to phone 911
when Hubby walked in. (He had decided not to go to CT).

Anyways, at the ER the Dr. said I had a panic attack. My bp
was 178/98. (Most of my life it's been anywhere from 94/62-132/85).
I said, "Okay, will this cause me to have a heart attack or die"? He
smiled and said, "No'. Well, good then. No point in worrying about it
and I don't need meds. He actually just told me to put a cold cloth
on my forehead and lie down 'til it passes. I realize that's not adviseable
if you're driving, etc.

Those attacks are scary and if I had them more often, I would definitely
consider meds. and or therapy since they can really be disruptive/distructive
to a Person's life. I figure, if there is help then take it.


I keep my porch light on at night. I always liked to have it on for when the
Kids came wandering home. Still do for my Daughter. I thought it was also
common sense to keep the burgs away.

[BriOnH]

Originally Posted by belyro

Brian.....thoughts? You know what I mean.....help me explain what I mean....

What Beth is trying to say is that Brian is the coolest guy in the world. Getting people to see that can be hard sometimes and it causes her anxiety because some people can't accept it.

lol jk

I like what BK said:

Originally Posted by blonde kiddo

I'm generally a very laid back person but hypos do worry me. Sometimes I think I'll just pass out randomly, not that I ever have before, but theres always a first, that would terrify me. Thing is sometimes the anxiety of thinking I might go low gives the same symptoms as a hypo would, eg. shaking, feeling light-headed, so I'll convince myself I'm hypo when I'm not. I have to reason with myself that my warning signs are normally very good and that a big unexplained sudden drop in BG is actually normally not that likely!

For some its hypos ( like me too - hypoglycemaphobia), others it could be other stimuli of that phobia. I do the same things with convinving myself i am going low.

There are all these "stressors" (like duck pointed out well) that can cause us this anxiety. The problem is when the stressors, whether we realize the stressors or not, always seem to spark the "fight or flight" response. There is nothing to fight or flee from but the danger is there and the body preps for it with adrenaline. Adreneline that you aren't quite sure what to do with except to get ready for what we might perceive happening, wether it does happen or, like most likely in my case, doesn't happen. Discharging that energy of the fight or flight response usually comes out stresfully and anxiously. Often it makes me pace lol. Or more go on the treadmill if I am at home so at least I can know how long and how far I paced/run for lol.

I wish I could condition myself to feel happy when ever I have to think about diabetic situations, but usually it's mostly stressfull and a burden.

Magnesium is the best natural supplement I have found that helps fight anxiety. I don't take it anymore since on Paxil.

ps- I am in San Francisco this weekend. Met a friend from New York here and a couple of other friends. I have some video of it I'll put up if anyone is interested. The city looks great and is very christmas festive!

[KickStart101]

Originally Posted by BriOnH

What Beth is trying to say is that Brian is the coolest guy in the world. Getting people to see that can be hard sometimes and it causes her anxiety because some people can't accept it. lol jk

Ha! Wow, did I get her meaning wrong.

[belyro]

Thanks Brian and Duck.....you've got it!

Brian, I like how you explained the part about the adrenaline....that's exactly how it works for me. Stressors (realized or unrealized) lead to adrenaline, and then I have to figure out a way to get rid of the adrenaline before it makes me spontaneously combust. Like Brian, I'm better off if I'm moving when I'm anxious, so that I can release some of the nervous energy. Trying to sit still just about kills me.

[pinkytricia]

Bethany,
This is what I do for my students, that is why most of them are in my class because they have too much nervous energy and they want to release it when the teacher is teaching class and they get into alot of trouble. I have even tried this with my most severe cases... (exercise came from Special Ed. Resources)

The child seats in a chair with his/her hands in h/h lap
place your hands over each other and press lightly on h/h head 10 times
go to the shoulders place your hand on each shoulder and repeat only 10x
one hand on h/h end of shoulder and end of elbow press 10x into shoulder socket. Wrist into elbow start of fingers into wrist etc... lightly tug on fingers and thumb.... Repeat on the other side ---- shoulders elbow wrist fingers.... I have a new child ever 35 minutes it takes 2 to 3 minutes and the rest of the 33 minutes they are learning...
You get the idea....
Have some one do this to you and I guarentee you will relax.... Have them do your whole body though,you will stay relaxed even longer....

{ Most of my students barely get the human touch or told that they are beautiful !!! } Please people hug your children tell them you love them and that you are proud of them and most of all that they are beautiful.....

[duck]

I need to clear something up since I keep reading "laid-back" as if that has anything to do with "anxiety".

We're not talking about "anxiety" in the sense you get nervous before a big exam or nervous about getting married or anxious after watching a scary movie. In my case, it's basically an irrational anxiety response to something that used to be so second nature to me, driving. I literally feel at times that I could pass out and die while driving. It doesn't matter that my conscious brain is telling me that everything is fine, there is the flight-or-fight response telling me something is up, and when that response kicks in, our natural instinct is to listen and let it take over.

Again, I'm not talking about "worrying" or "stressing". If you have a fear of heights, or snakes, or whatever, I tell you what: Drop yourself into the middle of that situation and tell yourself to be "laid-back". To "relax". While you are standing 20 feet up in the air, remind yourself that this is no different than standing three inches up on a curb at near-street level. And when that doesn't work, you'll understand where I am coming from. Or let that snake or spider crawl under your shirt and tell yourself the only time they attack is when you are nervous or anxious, so just relax. Get my drift?

It has nothing to do with someone being a control-freak or not being "laid-back". From what I am reading, it can happen to anyone, and "anxiety" is becoming a mounting problem for more and more people. I mean, the ****ed WebMD commercial that is airing now specifically shows someone typing in "anxiety" into their search tool. Why?

I just needed to clear that up. I hope at some point to figure out what triggered this **** in me, there was no one who could drive better than me. But for whatever reason, that simple, mundane ability has been taken from me, and I am literally clueless as to why, and my only option is to try and attack this thing from multiple angles. We'll see if I can ever beat back these demons that are literally in my head.

[belyro]

I think this goes back to what I said before too......Unless you've dealt with it, you probably can't fully understand it. An anxiety disorder is not the same as worrying....but if worrying or being scared about something is the only anxiety you've ever felt, I don't think a person can fully relate.

Duck, I really hope you can get to the bottom of it and, at the very least, understand what's behind it all.

[duck]

Originally Posted by belyro

I think this goes back to what I said before too......Unless you've dealt with it, you probably can't fully understand it. An anxiety disorder is not the same as worrying....but if worrying or being scared about something is the only anxiety you've ever felt, I don't think a person can fully relate.

Duck, I really hope you can get to the bottom of it and, at the very least, understand what's behind it all.

That's kinda what gets me...I can't point to any "real" trauma in my life, as far as I am concerned, I have lived a particularly normal, uneventful life. It has been suggested to me that my near-death experiences because of the "Big D", coupled with the responsibility of having/raising kids is what triggered this in me. But why the **** on the road??? I think I said it here, but I have told my wife I wish, if this was unavoidable, it affected my sex-life and not my driving ability! If you can't "perform", people actually sympathize with you. If you tell them you can't drive on the highway because something deep down freaks out, they look at you like you just said "My pet rocks talk to me about the future" or some other dumb thing.

Anyway, to those who don't have this problem/don't have anxiety, consider yourself blessed. Nothing like dealing with abject terror out of nowhere doing mundane things to make you feel your human vulnerabilities.

[Gangrel]

I may have inadverntly caused the "laid back vs. anxious" opinions by asking about people with anxiety.

I was just talking about a laid back person having a harder time to develop an anxiety disorder. Not that we all don't feel anxious over things, like job interviews, etc.

I meant the actual disorder, where your brain spins out of control and the irrational thoughts keep happening, no matter how ridiculous they might be (that's how it was explained to me) "Oh no, if i leave a grocery bag out on the floor, the cat will get his head caught in it and choke to death: Stuff like that.

In the case that i know of, the person lost their mother at an early age, was raised by a loving but over protective father (lots of unplug everything when we leave the house so it won't catch on fire) and then it all kicked in during a very stressful period of their life.

Most of the anxiety revolves around a pet, which I think became the centre of focus of love for this person, since they didn't have a mother.. (dont' know if i explained that right) So most anxiety revolves around keeping the pet alive.....

As an outsider, it's hard for me to understand it sometimes..... but I just wanted to give one example so that those of us reading the thread who AREN'T suffering from an anxiety disorder might better understand it.