Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnieB3
Strizzlow20, Panic attacks are no fun and are shouldn't be handled alone! I really do hope you get an expert psychologist or psychiatrist to help you out. They're really invaluable!
It is scary to think about the "what ifs" in life but that same thinking can also make you less fearful. They can make you realize that you ARE strong and resilient, as humans are. And it sounds like you have a good relationship with your girlfriend. People who truly love you don't only stick around when everything is perfect. It's the times that are more challenging that can bring people even closer together.
Have you been to an endocrinologist? Some anxiety states can actually be caused by endocrine problems, like Graves Disease. It might be worth an evaluation.
Have I already asked this . . . have you had your B12 checked? 
Are you on any drugs other than the MG ones? I ask because when you get new symptoms (i.e., vision), you should always make sure a drug is not the cause.
You have to know that many illnesses are manageable. They aren't always "fun" but you can live a good life!!!
Perception is very powerful. If you can change your perception about the fear or a disease or whatever, you are then in "charge" of how things will go and how you will feel about them. That's a very important point when dealing with panic attacks or fear or anything in life.
And I think it might be a good idea to be evaluated to see if you have PTSD. Have you had any traumas in life that could have made you more fearful of any future situations? I have PTSD from several traumas (and associated panic attacks). My panic attacks have been reduced to almost nothing, thanks to the help of a great psychologist. There is a new therapy now basically called "touch therapy" that is helping our veterans.
I'm just tossing ideas out there. I hope you'll get someone qualified to talk to about what's going on with you. You deserve to be calm, reassured and happy. Hang in there and know that you'll be okay.
Annie |
Annie,
Thanks again for the advice. I have had many blood tests including for thyroid, vitamin levels (only D was low) and ANA and RA as well. My neuro has been extremely
thorough. As far as panic attacks ago I have dealt with them for the majority of my life and I would just move on. It is what it is but with the recent events with my
vision this has put my anxiety into overdrive. I have reached out for therapy (Psychiatrist can only prescribe meds which my neuro is willing to do) so I am proabably
going to do counseling for a bit during this process. I'm look at atleast a 2 week wait to see any of those kinds of doctors. My counseling for the time being are these
forums, my girlfriend, and I have been calling the MSFriends line. I have been managing my anxiety with Xanax (which I have had for years and took only as needed)
but I have to take it daily right now. To answer your question about PTSD, I ABSOLUTELY believe I have this because getting my MG diagnoses was traumatic. I was in
and out of the ER all the time in 2007 because my throat and toungue felt weird and I couldn't breathe. NO ONE believe me and they kep saying it was in my head and
the local health dept was useless. Once I finally got insurance, I went through many Neuros, Family doctors, and ENTs for my bulbar symptoms and most of them said it
was in my head. This also includes a Neuro at the Cleveland Clinic which was supposed to be one of the best places to go for help. After a year and a half after the
symptoms started it was my current Neuro now that took me serious because I was SURE that I had ALS or something affecting my bulbar muscles. He thought MS,
but checked me for everything, even LYME because I asked him to. The blood test confirmed I had MG and I wasn't crazy. Getting the diagnoses alone was medicine for
my symptoms. I had that relief that I wasn't nuts and there are a lot of doctors that were wrong and should have atleast did some testing before saying it was in my
head. I've never take a med a day in my life for MG. I've just lived with it for 5 years. So a lot of that old anxiety that I went through for about 2 years is back because I
am facing a possible MS diagnoses now. My doc thinks it may be the MG and wants to do this Lumbar puncture to rule it out because all of the other testing is normal
with the exception of some weakness in my right leg which he's not concerned about because all the visual pathways and eyes are healthy. I'm just not convinced that
my vision wavy distortion is in line with MG because it's not doubled or blurried. Either way, I am going through the motions. Optician, Neuro Opth, brain, and eye mr,
iand today the Retinal Specialist cannot find anything wrong with my eyes except for eyelid weakness, which has seemed worse lately. Even in the morning they're
extremely droopy, more so than in the past. I did start getting blurry vision a few months ago, but never had wavy vision. Maybe the MG has slapped me across the
head and it's time for meds? Doc wants to wait after the results of the lumbar puncture before we do anything. I am pushing through and it will be a couple of weeks
before I get counseling. I am hoping this is a fluke MG thing, but if not, I will learn to deal with it. Thanks again for responding, and you're right, my relationship has
been much better and has opened my eyes to what a beautiful person (inside and out
) I am with. Thanks for the supports, it's much needed from everyone, and I
am greatful for all of you. Talk to you soon