Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: sitting in bed, shaking....

I am so sorry you're having a bad day with your anxiety. I almost didn't read your post because it mentioned a stomach bug and I was afraid to hear that you have one, but then I realized that you were just described your paranoia... the EXACT same thing that triggers my anxiety attacks! It's uncanny how similar our fears are (and our LOVE of MASH... hee hee

).

I almost never throw up... seriously... it's only happens to me every few years, but when it does it's been something bad that sends me to the ER. I suppose because I don't get sick all the time (like my sister), I always fear those few times. Every time I have an upset stomach, I just KNOW that it's a stomach bug and that I'm in for a nightmare. It has even caused such bad anxiety attacks that I was literally shaking like a leaf, starting to hyperventilate, couldn't get out of the chair, etc. It only got that bad a few times before I decided to do something about it!

For me, what helped the most was being VERY strict on this diet (NO cheating at all) until I became stable. Fewer cheats = fewer upset tummy days = fewer reasons to fear the existence of a stomach bug.

The other thing I did that helped tremendously was pray and read the Bible daily. I have no idea what religion (if any) you are, but that is what helped me enormously... learning to trust God to take care of you and take away your fears.

I also began going to counseling. It has been very healing to talk about my fears out loud. It seems like talking to someone about it lets you hear it and learn to deal with it. I also realized that I am dealing with depression issues that I hadn't really even been aware of. You may have similar troubles that may need to be addressed.

Another thing that helped a lot... and I'm being quite serious... is watching MASH. I'm not kidding! I had been so stressed and overwhelmed with my work and other things going on that I just couldn't handle it all. Finally, I decided I was going to learn to enjoy myself more... do something I like for ME. What that ended up being is sitting on the sofa at night after our son is in bed and working a jigsaw puzzle while watching a few episodes of MASH. Works like a charm.

My husband teases me that Alan Alda is my boyfriend.

As for medication, I do have a prescription for Donnatal Elixir (sp?). It's an IBS/anxiety medication, and my dr gave me the liquid because I HATE taking medications. This way I have the option of taking a smaller dosage if I want to. Fortunately, these other things helped me enough that I haven't really needed it. You may want to try something like that, though, to help you cope while you're getting started on the other things.

I sincerely hope you feel better soon. Cheer up! You are NOT sick... you are just worrying yourself to the point of feeling sick. Focus on eating right, reducing your stress, and improving your mental and spiritual health... the rest will fall into place.

OH! One more thing that's therapeutic to me... I've found that cleaning really helps when I'm in the middle of an attack. I'm not talking about OCD cleaning... just doing a task that involves physical activity (exercising would probably help, too). One day I went around with a clorox wipe and just cleaned all kinds of things that needed cleaning. One day I got out spot cleaner and scrubbed the stains out of the living room carpet. One day I cleaned out the closet. Find something that will occupy your mind and body so you aren't able to focus on the anxiety.

Okay, that's all I can think of at the moment. I hope some of this helps. Get up and enjoy the rest of your day!!

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