Susan, posting 12-7-08 I thank you for sharing your experiences and found them to be very helpful. I too find myself being very"wordy" but you were clear and concise. I am happy to see you have come a long way in dealing with your anxiety. Keep up the good work,I pray you continue to succeed!

I relieve stress by taking drugs to lower my blood pressure, drugs to relieve my depression, drugs to stop acid reflux, drugs to stop herpes simplex I, drugs to keep my cholostrol down, and drugs to help my memory, and drugs to help my memory, and drugs to help my memory, and drugs to help my memory!

I am 66 years old and my doctor says I don't look a day older than 75!!!

Clean living is what done it, and drugs.

What is url? I have been reading comments and find each one very informative. I go to the doctors a lot, but would love finding a better and quicker way to feel normal, or almost normal, again. I am 82, but have no incapabilities, other than arthiritis and depression, caused mainly from not socializing enough.This is certainly a good web site and I will click it again soon. Thank you a bunch.

What I like first thing in the morning is a bowl of steel cut oatmeal with apple juice instead of milk. I add some fruit and good size dash of ground cinnamon. Then a cup or two of black coffee. Really gets me going.

I was diagnosed with Fybromyalgia 5 years ago. The pain was overwhelming, not being able to sleep and the depression was terrible. In addition I was tired all the time. My doctor was very interested in this disease and was continually doing research. He tested my growth horomone level and found it was low. (I already had hypothyroidism.) He put me in the hospital and performed a glucose stress test where I fasted and then was hooked up to a IV and injected with insulin. I was told that growth hormone is supposed to increase in order to correct the imbalance. My growth hormone only increased slightly. For the last 5 years I have been on growth hormone daily. I inject it. It made me feel so much better. I was able to heal, my nails grew again, I wasn't achy, fatigued or depressed. It took about 4 months to kick in. I only get the trigger point pain if I don't get enough sleep and push myself too much. (I am a second grade teacher.) When the pain starts up again I know it's my time to rest. It has really been a life saver. You can look on the internet, fybromyalgia + growth horomone, and find information. You have to ask for your growth hormone to be checked because a routine examinaton will not include it. Hope this helps.

I must admit I do like my speciality teas - chai tea and in particular green tea (ideally with ginseng) - both are very soothing and relaxing - so good news for em that they're also very good for you.

I heard that dark chocolate is good for you - glad to hear you agree too. Personally, I think it does help with mild depression - whether it's just coz it's comfort eating I'm not sure but it always makes me feel better.

I went to www.reliv.com and I don't have the money to quit my job and start this type of business. I am glad you were able to do this but no way can I just quit my job and go into business for myself..not at my age (50).

HELP i'm54 realage65.5 love this website BUT how do i get off my butt & get started i have hbp 175over103 depression stressful job but i like it) 6kids 15 grands mom moved in 5 weeks ago one childs mate went to prison she moved in with4 kids lost home one child on crack shes leaves her kids here 4 daysat a time so she can do her drugs guess thats a good thing! i just dont have the energy to change lifestyle. anyone fill me?

This site is fabulous thanks for this list imma print it and keep it on my fridge and I love these things so that's super cool too. Thanks again this site is the bomb!!!! Keep it UP!

Sarah Hart

At first i thought this website was going to be another offer scam, But life is so unbelievably hard for me these days that i need all the comfort and stress relief i can get. im 26 and feel 70. Seriously Thank you So very much for all the helpfull information iv recieved about myself that i had no clue about, I believe this is going to be a great start for a better life-style for me. Thanks again

I can't exercise a lot but a twenty minute walk helps. In the winter I try to just go to the grocery store and just walk behind my cart casually and it at least keeps me active and out with people.

I try to eat healthy and focus on foods that help my allergy problem. Salmon, blueberries, soymilk, oatmeal, walnuts, olives, and dark chocolate are among my staples.

Soothing Praise tapes or cds have helped me tremendously with stress. I live with a very negative daughter who stresses all the time and hope to move also. But the praise tapes really really relax me and since my husband's death at age thirty-nine my tapes are indispensable.

Please E-Mail this page to me. Thank You.

to the woman judy,with the fibromyalgia that wrote on march 5th @ 8:25pm....
I also have fibromyalgia as do all of the women in my family. I have learned, that triggerpoint injections, that are lidocane and a steroid mix, help tremendously. I have them religiously every three months. Length of time between each treatment, varies for everyone. I can only get 10 injections at a time, and have 20 total. 10 in one session, 10 in the second session a week later.
I have also found that valerian, which is in the vitamin/herbal section at the drug store, works well for the night leg cramps. Also taking daily vitamins, with b-12 and E that both help with the muscle spasms overall. Aleve daily for pain has worked great for me as well.As does the heating pad.
Occassionally I have a bad couple of weeks, where I need something stronger, and for those times the doc has perscribed a muscle relaxer and a pain pill for me.
The doctor has also perscribed an antidepressant for me, which is to help me not to be so stressed out, so that I am not so tense, which in turn makes my whole back into one big muscle spasm.
Walking twice a day, in the morning, and in the evening also helps the overall flexability and spasms of the lower half of your body. Also, stretching exercises, gently and only a few at a time. Our muscles are very sensitive to being over worked.
Hope this helps you in dealing with your fibromyalgia. I know how frustrating it is to get the right diagnosis and to get someone to listen to you.
Try to find a specialist.
My prayers are with you and your family concerning your sister with cancer. Get yourself checked as well. After you know for sure, you'll stress less .
Hope this helped you.
God Bless

Hi everybody,I thought I would write In to say,I do like this sight to post thoughts.I am 43 and served 5 years In the Military.I do have PTSD.I can tell you what all It Involves.1.Is Anxiety.2.Is Flash backs.3.Is Triggers.4.Is Nightmares and some more.My PTSD Is from being Raped.Hope I could help some.

I have open angle and narrow angle glaucoma, and I am having a hard time finding a list of drugs and inhalants that should be avoided. I need something to clear my nasal passages due to the allergy season, but no one seems to tell me what is safe. Help please!

anne, please don't get a hip replacement. you need to get another opinion. i have had so many problems and traditional drs. just wanted to pump me up with pills or surgery. i went to a natural dr. (a good one, who is certified). they can help you so much and it may be something so simple you will be so amazed. try it before you do any surgery. be well.

RE: Questions on help for anxiety. . . I started to look at alternative treatment for my anxiety, as the meds I was taking were all so expensive. In the end, I found an article that suggested St. John's Wart is helpful. I started taking it and weened myself off my meds. It works! I am the same person with the herbal as I was on the good meds that helped me. Now, it may not work for everyone, and I am not suggesting that you should just ween yourself off your meds, but maybe check with your doctor and see if it is something he/she would monitor as an addition to what you take or even a possible supplement. It's not only less expensive, but it is healthier as it is an herbal substitute.

i was diagnozed with fibromyalgia,i am in constant pain all over,and in different place of course at times, but it is mainly a dull pain on a scale from 1 to 10 , it is 7 and 1/2, it is very depressing and i wonder if the dr has it right at times or if bone cancer could be my problem, it's scary, my sister has non small lung cancer that has spread to the bones, i worry sometimes if they have me diagnozed right, i am on medicaid and fear that they just do not care enough to help me.

I enjoyed your article, found it very helpful, and informative. thank you

Anne, go ahead and submit to the hip replacements. Am headed for my first one after being diagnosed 3 years ago. Am performing pre-hab exercises 2x daily and my overall flexibility has improved 100%. Pain is decreased also. Resisted at first, but glad I waited for surgical improvements. Looking forward to returning to the tennis courts in May '09. Good luck to us both!

First time on this site and I love it. Can any one tell me what the difference is between anxiety and ptsd? My therapist says its anxiety, but not too sure. I lost my mother to lung cancer and that was when it all started. Panic attacks, issolating myself from everyone. Staying at home in my room for hours at a time, and never wanting to be alone. Thanks Deb.

I have found that regular massage has made a big difference in managing hip and back pain. I get a massage every 2 weeks and I soak in epson salts after each massage. It has really helped me with pain management and it also lightens my mood!

got a puzzle.......have problems with losing weight.......can't walk much due to the pain in my leggs and the shortness of breathe....i know i should b eating better.but need to try and eat different while driving 10-15 hrs daily......could get a cooler to put fruits and some veggies..but i too suffer from add and bipolar.....any suggestions?????

I have had anxiety for s number of years and on medication. What does one do other than exercise. I have had three surgeries this year and have to recop. for at least six months.I like to walk,water arobics but now its at a halt.Any advice? CHARLOTTE

I WONDER if anyone else is dealing with the same health problem as I am?
I am very healthy and youth ful female in my fifties. People often think that I am 10 years younger.
I have been at normal weight most of my life. I eat very well and favor fruits and vegetable mostly, some fish and chicken on rare occasions.
I read labels, nothing artificial, no trans fats, hydrogenated oils, nothing fried, no soft drinks, no alcohol and junk food.
Well< I developed osteoarthrites in my hips and the doctors say that I need my both hips replaced.
I do not have genetic bend, noone in my family ever had it. I did not injure my body in an accident or fall and I am withing normal body weight. No one can tell me why is this happening.
I have been researching a possible connection between thyroid and artristis.
I have hypothyrotism, take .75mmg of Levoxyl.
It is mind boggling to see people in their nighties able to walk freely and for me hobble around.
I have severe stiffness in my hips and nowhere else.
People often stare when I walk, because my face and body does not match the conditon.
Stretching and some exercise helps, but has not resolved the problem.I wonder if anyone else is dealing with the same health problem as I am?
.I do not want to have hip replacements.
I somehow believe that if there is way to eliminate the cause, the body can restore itself.
Any thought on this?
I would welcome all opinions!
Thank you for reading!
Anne

For Anitra Summers re Fybromyalgia - I suffered with severe pain until I met my lovely man, there were days when I was in so much pain I didn't know what to do with myself. In the 16 months that we have been tog I have only suffered one weeks pain, the first week we lived tog. I believe it is because he makes me laugh, silly stuff but deep belly laughs Every night before we settle for sleep. It makes you settled and relaxed and you sleep better which is imperative for Fybromyalgia. Give a try x

For Anitra Summers re Fybromyalgia - I suffered with severe pain until I met my lovely man, there were days when I was in so much pain I didn't know what to do with myself. In the 16 months that we have been tog I have only suffered one weeks pain, the first week we lived tog. I believe it is because he makes me laugh, silly stuff but deep belly laughs Every night before we settle for sleep. It makes you settled and relaxed and you sleep better which is imperative for Fybromyalgia. Give a try x

Reading these messages has encouraged me to break a long time of suffering in silence. I'm open for any feedback. I teach classes on relaxation because that is what I need most right now. I have sudden panic attacks which sometimes make me cry outloud. It' embarrasing. I don't like talking about it in the moment it is happening because I know it will only make the moment worse. Sometimes, an affirmation, positive thoughts and calmly asking an unsuspecting person to tell me a joke works. But then there are the other times when people say to me, "this isn't normal". My response is usually, "well, it is for me. The challenge lies in the fact that I am terrible afraid of taking presciption medications. I'm asking for help because a few days ago, it took me 45 minutes, plus EFT (emotional freedom techniques, a guided meditation, talking to a loved one and deep breating excersises to finally calm down....That is too much work for me.... There has to be a healthier, easier alternative. Right???

People who need exercise or would like to exercise , contact the Arthritis Foundation and ask them to refer you to an Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program near you. These exercise programs are run by certified instructors and they are vey resonable in cost.
The exercise program was designed by the Arthritis Foundation

enjoy your column...now on cumidin so have to give up some of the good things I previously enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.

Hi....I read your comments with interest. All these things are connected, I'm sure. I have hypothyroidism....due to a lingual thyroid..which means my thyroid gland is in my tongue..little known fact: we are all born that way, but most thyroids descend into the neck. I have so many labels attached to me now that it's a good thing that I don't draw my self image from those. I, too, was told that the pain was all in my head, which took me to one therapist after another, which is how I started collecting labels. My muscles fire continuously which causes constant muscle spasms. This is where exercise comes in....you have to exercise to counteract the spasms...best place to do that is in the water....swimming, walking, etc....does wonders for you. It is extremely important for balance, which gets affected as the spasms pull your center of gravity away an you stumble more easily. It's also the best place for aerobic exercise for us. Ginger helps with inflammation...in supplements, cooking, tea, or gingerale. I wish you all the best.

I have fibromyalgia. Thanks, for info about Cymblata. If anyone is looking into anti-depressants Lexapro is good to your system and helps. Do not take generic Prozac, it put me in a metal hospital for two weeks. I'm 7 months pregnant,and can't take anything for my fibro. pain. I just walk 30 minutes a day to keep flexible, or else I'd be in bed all day in pain.

Nancy, have you seen a neurologist? That could be nerve pain you're having. And keep looking for a new doctor. My neurologist told me once that the best doctor you find will be the last one. I had a stroke about 14 yrs ago and it left me with neuropathy. The best way to describe it is shingles, except that shingles goes away and neuropathy doesn't. The pain is 24/7 and some days I can barely get out of bed. I'm on Cymbalta now and it keeps the pain manageable.
So don't give up. Somewhere there is a doctor who will listen to you and find what the problem is.

plz send more artical to reduce stress

thanks lots! sounds doable Actually I think I do some things better than were portrayed butwill add on all the extra tips.

Hi. I have just found this site! I can really identify with the people here. I am also in terrible pain all over my body. I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in aug. of 2006. i went through all the treatments, chemo, radiation and internal radiation. From the first chemo treatment i just ache. I finished treatment in may of 2007 and the doctor says I should be "cured"! Well I am hopefully cured of cancer but what about the lasting effects? The doctors have since quite seeing me, they say it is in my head, this pain. That hurts the most. I wish i could get relief some how.

To all of you that suffer from migraines. I suffered from them from the age of 11 tell I was 22, At which time I took acupunture. I went two times a week for three weeks. This was over 30 years ago and I still am migraine free. I still get tension head achs that are taking care of with o/c meds.. My daughter that is 35 started suffering from them when she was 30 I took her and now she also is migraine.
If all else has failed try it..
Norma

WOW! THANK all of you but Susan hit the nail on the head for me!!! I've traveled quite a bit, gone on cruises and truly enjoyed life then suddenly found myself afraid to fly, I'd wake up in the middle of the night convinced I had cancer that I would die before my baby would get to know me. IT IS HORRIBLE!! Because we want to have another baby I've looked for alternatives to medication. Three things that really help me are a very good B Complex (suggested by my chiro) and Herbalifeline made by Herbalife- excellent! Tai Chi was great (even though I was 20 years younger than anyone else- and I think each they each took had 20 years into it -I looked like Scooby Doo in a room of graceful swans). These things helped but it comes back from time to time. Just knowing I'm not the only one that has experiences like this is encouraging. Yesterday Oprah talked about hormone and thyroid therapy. Have you ever looked into that? Blessings to you!

All info was great except
I am perm disabled..I fall
because of my balance from
my lumbar..refuse to have the
surgery......anxiety from chronic pain....no money and in 2 months I will lose my home...no income...

I will have a tumor taken out
of my head in a couple of weeks...more anxiety and fear.

survived breast cancer.....
Estrogen and SOY receptive...
can only eat fresh foods as
EVERYHING else has SOY in it.

My circle of "friends" is not
I counted my sons and their
families.......

Tired of people attempting to
to kill me, ......

I am strong as I live alone
and went through all of this
by MYSELF...my children denied
my cancer and now this one..

Whatever you do, don't go for the sugar substitutes. They only fool your taste buds, but make your brain start craving real sugar, because it recognizes the taste but misses the calories/energy that should be accompanying it. So it starts a vicious cycle of sweet/carb craving. Not to mention what all those chemicals do to your system! We've switched to stevia, erythritol, or the new Truvia, which are actual natural plant sweeteners with no calories and don't seem to cause the brain cravings.

Ashley: Medicare will cover physical therapy for your problem, since it affects your gait (walking) if you and your doctor find the right therapy and the right diagnoses. I get bodywork twice a week for problems similar to yours, and Medicare pays for it. Keep looking for the right provider. (I go to an alternative/complementary medicine office separate from my regular docs.)

Dear friends.
I have suffered from panic attacks and depression for more than twelve years.
Now I am very well -since 10 years ago- and I will tell you what to do. TRY TO HELP YOURSELF. I mean start a better life; start thinking positively, find your best friends from the school and be with them very often, find a good mate to accompany you, go to work every day, go to church every Sunday and pray, travel abroad, buy some books that will help you -about how to improve yourself. If you do not have a job, go as a volunteer to help others. I DID ALL THE ABOVE AND I AM SO WELL THAT MY DOCTOR WANTS TO TEAR HIS DEGREES.

Danielle
I have a friend with similar symptoms to yours. He describes his body as feeling like it has tinnutitus but located in his muscles with as you said, tremors and also occasional indigestion. I wonder if you could say your experience was similar to this

great read bookmarked will return to read more posts

After reading many comments on
this site I recognize myself in many of them.
First get checked out by a doctor who is willing to check
thyroid, diabetes, etc., for
tired, depressed feelings.
Next, no matter what the
problem, stay away from refined sugar (lots of great
sugar free -experiment-receipes out there). It takes
time and will power. took me
20 years. EXERCISE - gives
you a boost for it all - I
hate it but force myself even
if I can't see well- stairs in
home, up and down toilet
without touching, walk around
yard or down block. I'm 67.

interesting post bookmarked

Maybe my story will help others, as I know a lot of people have experienced what I have.

I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which means I don't get panic attacks, but feel slightly to moderately panicky for most of the day, unless I am out having fun with people or am with my husband in the evening. Catastrophic thoughts like a fear of going bankrupt or my husband dying came to me often in the beginning, but I was unaware of what the thoughts were until a few months had passed. The thoughts would manifest when I woke up in the morning and my body would feel a buzzing sensation. I knew something was wrong and rushed to my doctor and a psychiatrist. Now I deep breath and take my sedative pill first thing when this sensation comes on. I don't let it linger; if I lie half dozing and scared, I force myself to get up and keep busy with activities that distract me. The feeling then usually goes away soon.

I was so anxious (suddenly 3 years ago, after losing 4 jobs, one after another, along with some other medical stressors) that I was on the verge of having myself admitted to a mental hospital.

Instead, I sought out a psychiatric day program, where I spent 6 hours a day and then went home to be with my husband. The next day, I would repeat. We had classes on how to become less anxious, how to create a "picture" of ourselves and a plan, should we become incapacitated, etc. There was art therapy, talks about various mental illnesses, group support, field trips once a week to museums and a vocational department to help with finding and keeping a job. We even cooked our own meals (for 60 people) and did chores in order to get the meals. Otherwise, it was good old pb&j.

I have never been in a mental hospital and probably never will be. Yet, being with others who have been gave me a new perspective on my life.

I still go to the day program occasionally, as I am a member of their board of directors, but I now work part-time. I am on social security for my anxiety, ADD, LD and OCD, all of which affect my memory, logic and, thus, my ability to hold a job. Doing so is always a struggle (altho I've maintained full-time jobs successfully, sometimes for many years).

The most important thing that "saved" me in the beginning was expanding my social network and exercise. It was absolutely essential to exercise aerobically almost every day. Now I do it about 3 times a week, but I feel the need to do it more often. So, I plan to up it. Use of a steam room after a session heightens the relaxation. I ride a recumbent bike or walk on a treadmill (or walk outside), or do Leslie Sansone's "Two Mile Walk" exercise video (available at Target).

I go out with friends often. Having someone (and preferably several people or more) you can talk to and have fun with is essential. It's important not to become isolated.

The main fear I am still grappling with is a type of agoraphobia, but mine is the opposite of what you might think. I am not at all afraid to leave home; I don't want to GO home! I still load up my calendar with book clubs, activities with friends, church activities and other things and avoid going home for more than an hour or two during the day. I get scared that I may end up wandering around the somewhat dark house (there is an element of claustrophobia) and then feel confused and unfocused and maybe get really upset, to the point where I become suicidal.

Yet, I have built up a tolerance to spend almost an entire day at home alone, relaxed, through the use of cognitive therapy. I went to an institute that focuses solely on either anxiety, depression or phobias. Keeping track numberwise everyday of my moods and writing "thought records" where I analyze my "catastrophic thoughts" (e.g., "My husband might die. Then, I'd be alone and would have to find a roommate or move to a cramped apartment or get so depressed I might become suicidal.") to come up with reasons for and against the thought and then develop a more "realistic" thought (e.g., "Even if my husband were to die, I could cope. I would seek out friends and activities. The first week would be horrible, but it would get better. I would monitor how I am every month and would probably find that life has become happier and easier. I'd make a point of socializing and maybe would even get married again. I would continue psychotherapy and all the other things I do for my anxiety.") I made coping cards with this information, which I have had laminated and keep in my purse to consult when I feel down.

Generalized anxiety is a horrible thing; it's like a nightmare you wish you could wake up from. Mine started suddenly, in response to extreme stress, but I've also had mental illness in my family. So, it could be partly hereditary and/or hormonal (middle age).

My Internist said that middle-aged women often develop this condition and that sometimes it goes away spontaneously, but that often it remains and is something one just has to "manage."

So, for those of you suffering from the same thing, hang in there! If you live in a small town where there are no day programs or enough resources, contact NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) and consider starting your own chapter! Your State Department of Rehabilitation can refer you to a day-type program and other resources, and they offer testing and counseling.

Do WHATEVER you have to do to get well. Be prepared and have a plan for each day, but try not to be overly vigilant. Massages and facials where they play oriental music and also put your arms, slathered in lotion, in electric heated sleeves is an instant sedative; I almost fell asleep! Beauty schools do this for a lesser cost.

Don't do more than you are capable of or rush. Leave extra time between appointments.

If you suddenly feel anxious, stop what you are doing and DEEP BREATH. Yoga classes are good for this, too. Like exercise, deep breathing has been one of my most important tools. In fact, I sit for 10 minutes in a recliner every day before work and do it. You can also do it in the car on your way to work or wherever.

Your body is trying to tell you something -- you are too tired, busy, upset, etc. and you need to stop and re-evaluate.

There ARE answers. Keep looking for them and realize that happiness means living and thinking in the present. Present moment focusing involves noticing what is pleasurable -- a colorful picture on your wall, the smoothness of your armchair. This can sometimes drag you out of a depressed funk right away, so you can move on. Doing art projects helps, too, and having lots of lights in my house does wonders.

You are unique and special. Treat yourself like you're your own best friend.

My day program has suggested that I might want to become a staff member and teach classes. The invitation makes me proud and shows me how far I've come.

I am sure there are others out there who have experienced similar things. I'd like to hear more about what you've gone through and what you do, to cope.

Sorry for the wordiness; it's my ADD!