OMG its just sunk in

[welovesalc]

Just got my suitcase out and gave it a clean (it smelt so badly of mothballs!). I've been feeling so positive about the holiday but now am feeling so panicky, sick and dizzy. I'm trying to embrace it, but its reminding me of how I'm going to feel on the way to the airport and I'm not sure how I will cope! Oh.my.god I've only got till next tuesday to try and sort myself out. Must. Breathe! All the what if's are going round my head, what if i'm sick, what if i need the toilet and can't get to one, what if i have to stand around for hours on end when all I want to do is cry and go to sleep! Oh.god.

[Robbs]

yeah and what if you do have to stand around for hours and what if you are sick, the very worse thing that'll happen is you'll have a panic attack and if you're like me you've probably had loads, you'll cope with it in the same way you always do and eventually it WILL pass and probably sooner than you imagine, then you'll be somewhere nice where you can relax and forget your worries.

if you can try take this attitute towards your trip then im sure you'll calm down and even if you cant YOU WILL STILL BE OK !!!


i really really didn't want to go ice skating earier with my gf and her girls, i worked myself right up before we left and i panicked quietly to myself all the way there, but once we were there and i got on the ice i forgot about it and was ok, sure you'll be the same on your holiday, ENJOY IT :yesyes:

[welovesalc]

Hahaha Thanks Robbs, your reply has really calmed me down. I havent slept very well cos the holiday has been playing on my mind. You are totally right, the worst that can happen is I am sick and have a PA, but I have had many of those and ALWAYS coped.

Glad you had a great time ice skating, you are 100 % right, it is the anticipation that is the worst thing, as soon as the "event" happens enjoyment takes over and you wonder what you were worrying about. Thank you for giving me some perspective.

[Robbs]

glad to have helped :yesyes:

[welovesalc]

Feeling wobbly again today. Keep waking up and feeling sick. Read your post again to try and rationalise a bit!

[Robbs]

today is no different to yesterday and the day you leave for your holiday will be no different either, you maybe somewhere unfamillier but you are still you where ever you are, it makes no difference if you are at home or halfway up mount everest if you get what im trying to say.

airports are very safe places they have security, doctors/paramedics/medical staff, shops, entertainment ie: arcade games/fruit machines books/magazines (for distraction) etc so if you need anything at all you'll be able to get it :yesyes:.

when you're there watch all the interesting people going by, think to yourself where are they going, where have they been, make up little stories to yourself about whats happened in their lives why have they come to england why are they leaving etc.

[welovesalc]

thanks robbs (again!) You are right airports are safe places! I start the morning off all worried but my lunch I'm fine, then its goes in waves throughout the day! My new worry is that I i will have a panic attack on the coach (doing a coach tour of the usa) and people in the coach will think I'm a freak. But I do know (deep deep down) that it wont acutally matter if I do have PA's on the coach cos people I'm sure will be more worried about me, rather than judging me!

[Robbs]

i dont know about you but i've never ever noticed anyone i dont know personally having a panic attack, although i bet i've been in the same room as some one having one seeing as they're so common.

dont know if your the same but when i have a PA i go into myself and im just very quiet while i try to deal with it, i've always found its only when someone's having their first ever or first few PA's that they show any significant outward signs of panic (in public anyway) so i doubt anyone would even notice,

and yep your right if they do notice im sure people would just want to help rather than think your a freak, if anyone does think your a freak it may only be one person and its only cos they dont understand and have no knowledge of PA's and its unlikely they'd voice their opinion so you'll be none the wiser anyhow, also does it really matter you dont know them, they aren't your friend and your not likely to ever see them again so who care's what they think :shrug:.

[welovesalc]

Was just speaking to someone at work (he is a pyschiatrist actually!) about my holiday and started having the worst stomach ache and feeling really shakey! I wish I could just be able to enjoy this holiday anxiety is awful.

[Robbs]

yeah its crap i hate it, just dont let it ruin your life, battle on and you'll have ups and downs but if you let it get to ya you'll only ever have downs.

[welovesalc]

Thanks Robbs, am feeling ok again today (I'm not normally THIS flightly! It's just the pressure of the hol!). Done some mindfullness relaxation in the bath and feel ok again, also sick feeling has eased (think it just took me a while to get used to taking propanolol again)! onwards and upwards, as you say we can't let it ruin our lives. Hope things are good with you Robbs x

[LoveMusic]

I get most anxious around holidays, I just try to focus on accepting that I will feel worried, its normal.

[welovesalc]

Yea I've been fine all day today, just finished packing (going on tues) and feel quite content apart from the whacking headache. I'm just telling myself whatever happens, happens.

[titchjd]

Hiya m8 ......

where are you going nice ?
You will be fine and will get through it and will go and have a fab hols ..The anticipation and thoughts about what might happen are the worst part but remember they are just thoughts and nothing bad will happen .......thats what I kept telling my self last night and i did it xxxx

Best wishes
Titchjd xxxxxxxxxx

[spotty socks]

I can understand how you feel, i went away on a plane and abroad for the first time and was on my own . I was very anxoius leading up to the whole thing , I also had never been to london before and had to go to london to get to airport. I found breaking everything down into steps helped me with my anxiety. Got to station got on train, changed trains , got to airport etc etc. My heart goes out to you as i know what you are going through, just try hard to enjoy all that you can.
take care
spotty

[welovesalc]

I can't believe its tomorrow!!! I can't believe its come round so quickly. Just spent about 20 mins on the toilet (nervous tummy! sorry TMI!! And I'm at work, mortifying!). Feeling alright, nervous but excited too (which is a good thing, normally I just feel nervous and anxious!). I keep trying to tell myself its just the anticipation once I get going tomo something will take over and I'll be fine. It's just a case of getting today and tonight over with. Well done for the other night titchjd, I read your success story and was like, wow!

spotty Socks, i think thats great advice to think of doing it in stages, walk to the coach, wait around at heathrow, get on plane, wait for coach to pick us up to take us to LA. I'm hoping once i get on the coach to heathrow by anxiety will cease likes its done every other time I've been on holiday, but there is always that niggling feeling what if this time is different. Well done SS for going away ON YOUR OWN! that is incredible!

Thank you all so much for your replies, you have been great! I'm going to read through all the posts again before I leave to give me some strength!!!