Coping with Anxiety of Illness

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bryanyspencer

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I am wondering how many of you guys are dealing with some of the strain this illness has on enjoying your life with friends. Some times this anxiety of dying paralzyes me from going out and enjoying myself. I still am struggling with this bfs and try to believe its not ALS but slowly I think as each day I can walk and talk I will believe I'm going to be okay. How have you guys been dealing with social anxiety this twitching causes?
 
The evil anxiety that comes with our condition has caused LOADS of social problems for so many members that have come through this community. First, you need to remember that you are not alone in this regard and from your post I would say you have a fairly mild version of anxiety when compared to some. There have been members that have literally lost a year or more of their lives....friends, work, KIDS....year taken from them, never to be returned. The key to getting back on track is reducing your anxiety. Yes, I know its obvious and stupidly simple but its the truth. The sooner you TRULY believe that you do not have ALS, the sooner all these side effects will go away. Another nice side effect is that your twitching will likely decrease and can even be eliminated in some cases. :)
 
Thanks for the advice Johnny. I have been having good and bad days lately. I just need to stop thinking about my condition whatever it is and start focusing on other stuff. When I hear things like the Walton's study and some who are like you need to wait 5 years before you know that stuff freaks me out.SincerelyRyan
 
In the beginning BFS almost made me take my life. Dealing with the anxiety has been the key for me. The one good thing that has come from this is it forced me to decide if I was ready to surrender my life to anxiety or fight like hell to restore my mind. I've dealt with severe anxiety, panic attacks, and agoraphobia since my earliest childhood memories. Who knows how much life I've missed out on because of chronic worry. I made the decision to take my mind back. I take Zolft, go to therapy, and speak openly with others about my struggles. I try not to hide it anymore. And the more I talk to others the more I find I'm not alone in this. I've been able to help others by using my own experiences. If my symptoms of BFS never go away it is fine by me because I've finally faced the anxiety monster and won. Don't let the "what ifs" steal any moments of your life. I'm not losing any more of mine.
 
I highly recommend "Stop Being Your Symptoms and Start Being Yourself" by Arthur Barsky. I've read it three times and made his suggestions a way of life. My therapist also gave me a book when I started therapy. My favorite lesson in it taught me to write down my fears, to name them, to write exactly how they made me feel. Then I had to list reasons why my fear was rational or irrational. Of all the fears and phobias I started with, not one of them stood up to scrutiny. When I made a written account of them and weighed all the evidence, I realized that my feelings, not my logic were running the show.
 
A lot in the beginnings. For one, because my anxiety was so strong, and I think I got kind of depressed. But also, my sypmtoms of pain were sometimes so bad they made me leave a party to get home into the bathtub. In the beginnings, Icould not do my work. I need fine motor skills ans the tremors and loss of dexterity made it impossible for me top do it. These days I still have BFS symtoms, not asbad as in the beginnings, but they do not any more affect my social life. Unless we go somewhere where it is really really cold, because then I will be in bad pain.
 
Hi there,you have all said some really intresting things and it great to be part of this community. I would like to comment more later but I am at work and will get shot!! if i carry on now! :rolleyes:
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. Plainslady I will Definetly get that book. I do currently go to therapy and it's helpful in the short term. However I find myself back where I am a lot after a day or two. Same thing happens when I have gone to my neuro. He tells me I have begnin twitching of course doesnt say bfs and then sends me on my way. I feel good for awhile but then I'm back where I'm at. Ignoring the symptoms has been very helpful but for me short lived. SincerelyRyan
 
Hi Ryan,I know it's not easy and the anxiety of it all just seems to make it ten times worse. Try and not put expectations on how you are feeling it's just the way it is for the moment. Emotions are like weather patterns they come and go. Sometime the weather is clear and other times the clouds are so dark obscuring sight. There is no expectations on you. All there is for you to do is watch the clouds in their passing.Plainslady you really show great insight and I guess that is partly born from therapy. I am impressed.I am also equally impressed by Chrissi and Johnnythejet, what an amazing amount of post you guys have posted on this forum a great team! :)Martin
 
It's interesting Chrissi...there was a short time ago when the twitching started (5 months ago) I would jump as fast as I could into a very hot bath both in the morning and evening. I had an aversion to any cold draft. Adding Epsom Salt into the hot bath moves potassium into the surface of the muscles.
 
If you really think this is worth pursuing then I suggest making a new thread on the subject. This also applies to your ideas/rants about TCM and disdain for western medicine. Generally, it's not ideal to tack these posts onto a members thread whose subject matter does not include discussion about felines,oriental medicine, parasites, etc. I think you will have more success getting responses by starting your own, unique threads. And to play along....I've never owned a cat.Each to their own. Your ideas/rants are yours...not mine. I am not here to play. As in AA if you don't do the work you can't reap the benefits. Have a nice day. :LOL:
 
I never said that ALL of BFS is from cat parasites just that there is a triggering mechanism to reduce immune system and an opportunistic infection of some sort.
 

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