Fishmanpa
12-01-24, 20:39
I've been on this forum for over 10 years. I've responded to many thousands of replies and threads and created a few myself. Recently, I've been accused of mocking others and told I shouldn't even be on this site. That's Ok. Your opinion is your opinion. Having a daughter that suffers from extreme anxiety and depression, this site has helped me in helping her as I've gained a better understanding of how the anxious mind works.
As for myself? I've been diagnosed, and is noted in my medical records, with depression and GAD. I've taken meds and been to therapy. Granted, my experience certainly not as extreme as I've seen here but nonetheless, I get it.
As an example, around 2 1/2 weeks ago I was sitting on the sofa after work talking with my wife and I reached across myself with my right arm to grab the drink to the left of me. No different a movement we do a hundred times a week to scratch an itch or pick something up. You know, a totally normal movement and motion. But this time? It felt like someone had put a glowing red hot poker into my ribs midway on the right side. I'm talking 10 out of 10 yelling out in pain. It lasted around 5-10 seconds then faded. Since then, that spot has been sore and very sensitive. It feels like a slight burning and is sore to the touch. With my history of cancer, I have to say, it had me uneasy. There have been no other symptoms but I've not experienced anything like this before. Believe me when I tell you, I have a multitude of physical symptoms from the real medical issues I've faced. That's why I can confidently debunk the dragon when I see him. That said, for me this time, the dragon got the better of me. After 2 1/2 weeks I called the doctor and got an appointment today. I went in, explained everything and the doctor examined me thoroughly. He believes, based on the examination that for whatever reason, the incident of reaching irritated the muscle lining of my rib cage. I expressed some doubt in that why would something I do on a regular basis cause an issue now and he shrugged and basically said, 'things happen, especially as we grow older'. He prescribed some lidocaine patches, said to use OTC muscle pain creams and to call back if the pain and discomfort doesn't ease in a month.
I left with a huge sense of relief. I feel kind of silly actually as I was creating worries I didn't have to create. Again, I don't suffer to the degree I see many here suffering from but even so, we all have things that stress us out and cause undue anxiety into our lives. I have so much going on in my life. Work, growing older, planning on retirement and the financial aspects. The inevitable and legalities of that etc. Not pleasant things to deal with but necessary. It's all about focus and a positive attitude to overcome that.
I guess the point of posting this is in a way a defense of myself for being accused of the things I've been accused of. I know I'm blunt and I have no apologies to make for that. The things I say publicly are the same things I tell myself and the dragon that breathes fire down my neck. We all have our dragons, and they are as different and unique as any human being, anxiety or not. It's obviously not for everyone but what I iterate here is how I handle mine and it works for me and has helped others.
Most times, calling out the dragon's BS is what's needed to shut him up!
FMP
As for myself? I've been diagnosed, and is noted in my medical records, with depression and GAD. I've taken meds and been to therapy. Granted, my experience certainly not as extreme as I've seen here but nonetheless, I get it.
As an example, around 2 1/2 weeks ago I was sitting on the sofa after work talking with my wife and I reached across myself with my right arm to grab the drink to the left of me. No different a movement we do a hundred times a week to scratch an itch or pick something up. You know, a totally normal movement and motion. But this time? It felt like someone had put a glowing red hot poker into my ribs midway on the right side. I'm talking 10 out of 10 yelling out in pain. It lasted around 5-10 seconds then faded. Since then, that spot has been sore and very sensitive. It feels like a slight burning and is sore to the touch. With my history of cancer, I have to say, it had me uneasy. There have been no other symptoms but I've not experienced anything like this before. Believe me when I tell you, I have a multitude of physical symptoms from the real medical issues I've faced. That's why I can confidently debunk the dragon when I see him. That said, for me this time, the dragon got the better of me. After 2 1/2 weeks I called the doctor and got an appointment today. I went in, explained everything and the doctor examined me thoroughly. He believes, based on the examination that for whatever reason, the incident of reaching irritated the muscle lining of my rib cage. I expressed some doubt in that why would something I do on a regular basis cause an issue now and he shrugged and basically said, 'things happen, especially as we grow older'. He prescribed some lidocaine patches, said to use OTC muscle pain creams and to call back if the pain and discomfort doesn't ease in a month.
I left with a huge sense of relief. I feel kind of silly actually as I was creating worries I didn't have to create. Again, I don't suffer to the degree I see many here suffering from but even so, we all have things that stress us out and cause undue anxiety into our lives. I have so much going on in my life. Work, growing older, planning on retirement and the financial aspects. The inevitable and legalities of that etc. Not pleasant things to deal with but necessary. It's all about focus and a positive attitude to overcome that.
I guess the point of posting this is in a way a defense of myself for being accused of the things I've been accused of. I know I'm blunt and I have no apologies to make for that. The things I say publicly are the same things I tell myself and the dragon that breathes fire down my neck. We all have our dragons, and they are as different and unique as any human being, anxiety or not. It's obviously not for everyone but what I iterate here is how I handle mine and it works for me and has helped others.
Most times, calling out the dragon's BS is what's needed to shut him up!
FMP