Am I hindering healing?

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 7:38 am

Sue - it sounds like you're off to a great start on your visit. The difficult part is behind you and you can now settle in and relax

. It was inspiring to hear how well you did on your trip, as I'm about to embark on a loooong trip to Norway (from Colorado).

Have a wonderful time with your family and grandson. Perhaps you'll be able to shed the fast paced life style of the East Coast, and sink into a more relaxed state of mind in Oregon..... Enjoy!!!

Love,
Kari

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 10:31 am

Thank you Sue and Kari,

Your stories of taking trips and living life gives all of us the courage to do the same. Let us know how your Norway trip goes!

sunny · Post by **sunny** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 2:13 pm

Sue...that's quite a accomplishment! Glad you could calm your mind and not add to your stress....all that time traveling was a big challenge for anyone, but someone with MC it's a huge challenge!
Sunny

May2yuk! · Post by **May2yuk!** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 2:59 pm

Thank you all,

Reading these posts gave me more to consider and think about. My stress over healing and healing fast is probably not helping. I'll try to relax and accept my new diet and way of life.

Good days to all,

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 6:16 am

Sue,

Just wondering how your trip back from Oregon was. I'm trying not to stress myself out before our San Diego trip on October 15th. Haven't been on a plane in over a decaded

let alone on a vacation in 4 years. I'll be on that plane thinking if Sue can do it without a cooling system....so can I! Anxiety is a real B*cth! Extra mag for me

I'm using all the tricks I've collected over the years to stay calm but I'm hoping the anticipatory anxiety is the worst of it.

You should feel proud and victorious after going to see your fam!

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 11:23 am

Vanessa wrote:Sue,

Just wondering how your trip back from Oregon was. I'm trying not to stress myself out before our San Diego trip on October 15th. Haven't been on a plane in over a decaded let alone on a vacation in 4 years. I'll be on that plane thinking if Sue can do it without a cooling system....so can I! Anxiety is a real B*cth! Extra mag for me I'm using all the tricks I've collected over the years to stay calm but I'm hoping the anticipatory anxiety is the worst of it.

You should feel proud and victorious after going to see your fam!

Hi Vanessa. Trip back was even better than the trip out there. For the return I booked two flights with a layover in between which I like much better. It breaks up the monotony, gives me a chance to stretch my legs, check out some "safe" snacks, and know that there is a REAL bathroom available should I need it. Armed with safe snacks you don't feel so "deprived" having to pass on the freebies they hand out on the plane.

I'll be totally honest, both on the way to Oregon and on the way back I took a tranquilizer about 2 hours before the flight and a Dramamine about 30 minutes before the flight.... I really think that was key for me. I have a real issue with vertigo and during take off and whenever the plane turns or changes altitude I normally get dizzy, which sets off anxiety, which then sets off panic attacks, stomach issues, etc. As part of my "acceptance" plan I accepted that I've had anxiety issues all my life, probably always will, and that it's OK to take a little "help" during especially stressful times. I think traveling, especially when you haven't done it in a while (as in your case) definitely qualifies as stressful. I accepted that I have stomach issues and can't always eat what everyone else is eating, and since anxiety triggers the stomach issues, I don't beat myself up anymore for taking a tranq. It's not a sign of weakness - it's using the tools in our toolbox. And taking the Dramamine has made flying SO MUCH more pleasant! No more vertigo, no more nausea, no more stomach clenching.

Accept that you will be anxious, accept that we have the tools and the wisdom to do what we need to do to have the fullest life possible, and realize that there are no prizes or rewards for "white knuckling it" or toughing it out.

And if you find yourself starting to get yourself worked up a week or two before the trip, try meditation, or yoga, or take medication if you have a prescription for some, and nip it in the bud because you don't want to be working yourself up more and more as the departure date gets closer.

Positive imagery seems to work for me, too. When I start getting the "what if's" and picturing a bad situation, I visualize a big red "X" through it and quickly replace it with an image of me relaxed and happy. The mind is a powerful thing.

You're going to be stressed - it's only natural, but trying to keep it to a minimum is key. You can do this!!! :)
Sue

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 1:59 pm

Thanks for the pep talk Sue! I needed it.

Unfortunately for me, I haven't had great experience with the benzos and I add on to the anxiety by taking it. Looks like I'm white knuckling it. My problem is that I'm so hyper aware of my body that the change the med brings on brings more of the feelings I don't want like dizziness, etc. I had a hellish time getting of Clonazepam also, which doesn't help me ever wanting to take it again. I too have had anxiety pretty much all my life.

Its so weird when it comes calling. Its been years since I've been like this and now since the tickets are bought, I'm toeing that line again with moments of sheer terror. I just sit with it and invite it in. No running this time. I imagine looking at it and tickling it and messing back with it. Even hugging "it" (which is hard to do when your hyperventilating and your heart is pounding). Hopefully it will get bored with me and leave.

The big red X is a good visualization. I only allow myself 10 minutes a day to totally freak out thinking about the plane ride then I give myself a stop sign when the thought comes creeping in again. Then I must put it away.

I am concentrating on how proud I will be of myself when I did some of the things that scare me the most. Thanks again for the update. Hopefully you won't see me on social media being drug off the plane screaming!
:cool:

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 4:55 pm

Friggin' anxiety.... it can take a perfectly happy, healthy person and make them miserable (physically and mentally) and attempt to keep them trapped in their homes. Fortunately you and I have dealt with it long enough to learn some of the things we should and shouldn't do when it decides to make an appearance and it will never attack us as badly as it used to. Yes, we'll probably deal with it for the rest of our lives, but it won't control us anymore and it won't keep us from doing things we want to do.

I've read all the suggestions to invite it in and sit with it.... just let it happen and not resist, but BOY that is a hard one for me to accomplish. Old habits die hard and when I feel it starting my mind and body lock up and and make me either want to get up and run somewhere or I feel as if I'm going to pass out. I've learned to not run and keep reminding myself that I have never actually fainted and won't now, either.

I actually tried Xanax a few times and didn't like it - it makes me feel dizzy which made the anxiety worse. I'm glad I tried another because it takes longer to kick in but does it gradually and then lasts longer. How about just trying a Dramamine? I've read that those have a relaxing affect on some people. Try one BEFORE your trip to see if you have any negative reaction to it but I doubt you will. At least it will keep you from feeling dizzy or sick to your stomach on the plane. Or hell, if that doesn't work, fly drunk. LOL I don't like to drink but I see lots of people chugging them down before they can get on a plane.

I've often asked myself if I had a choice, which I'd like to give up: the anxiety or the colitis. And would you believe it would be the anxiety? No one knows how horrible or life-altering it is unless they're dealing with it. You're a smart cookie and have the tools..... you've got this.
Sue

Post by **tex** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 6:08 pm

Are you aware that dramamine is an antihistamine? It's very similar to Benedryl. It even has anticholinergic properties similar to Benedryl.

Tex

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 8:07 pm

tex wrote:Are you aware that dramamine is an antihistamine? It's very similar to Benedryl. It even has anticholinergic properties similar to Benedryl.

Tex

No, didn't realize that. So does that mean I don't need to use Afrin the morning of my flights anymore?
Sue

Post by **tex** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 9:08 pm

I don't understand. Afrin is a decongestant, not an antihistamine.

Tex

Sue777 · Post by **Sue777** » Sat Sep 23, 2017 9:34 pm

tex wrote:I don't understand. Afrin is a decongestant, not an antihistamine.

Tex

You're right - my bad. I always use those two interchangeably since they both apply to allergies and congestion.
Sue

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sun Sep 24, 2017 6:30 am

Very interesting about the Dramamine....very good suggestion I would not have thought of! No drinking for me....sure fire way to poop these pants

Thanks again for the suggestions.