Clearing Things Up
Pic of the Day ~ Do You Like My Hat? ~
Isn’t Becca’s toque AWESOME!??! Marina knit it (for herself but the pattern came out a little small! hehe) Becca has received so many compliments on it!
I realized on my drive to Marina’s yesterday that I never really blogged about the anxiety attacks, rather I grazed by them not wanting to make them a big deal.
For the last 6 weeks, I have been experiencing what I think are anxiety attacks. I feel this incredible sense of impending doom, my chest tightens up, I have trouble breathing, my heart races and pounds in my throat, sometimes I break out in a sweat and have hot flashes. It is a HORRIFIC feeling. I feel like at any moment I might die. The only time I have ever felt this sensation was when I had the miscarriage. I was bleeding extremely bad and my blood pressure was dropping at an alarming rate. I had the above feelings as well as a feeling of lose of control. Then I passed out. It only happened three times during the duration of the hospital stay during the miscarriage, but it was a feeling I will never forget.
So after the first “attack” I was pretty freaked out. However, these “attacks” occur when I am at rest, the most comfortable and pretty much completely relaxed. There is NOTHING occuring to initiate such a responce. I spoke with our OB doctor about it and he seemed disinterested and said sounded like anxiety attacks. I have just breathed through them and tried to remain calm.
Now that I am a little more in tune with my body and the braxton hicks are gettign stronger, I am coming to realize that with the practice contractions the “attacks” appear either before or during. I am coming to accept that these attacks are indeed my version of a braxton hicks (explaining the 2 cm progress!) and that it is not impending doom instead my body at work. It is not comfortable and I dislike feeling that way quite a bit, however knowing my body is working for me this pregnancy rahter than against me, makes me feel jubilant and fortunate.
at Deal With it Girls Rule, is a new blogger, however has been a reader and commenter here at Crazy Thoughts for a long time now. She participated in the Q & A, so make sure you check it out and give her some blogging love, being the new kid on the block is a tough gig!
Midori played too … her answers are really great! Erica from A Lifetime too! Awesome Mom played along (again!) Stephanie from Queen of the Cute Shoes (got to love that blog title!) … There are more coming … Challenging my very pregnant brain to come up with unique questions! I will be sending out another round out this morning! This has been a fun meme!
Updated to Add Misguided Mommy played along too!
Those do sound like anxiety attacks. I have a little experience with those. Try carrying around some small hard candies (like Spree) and when you feel it coming on pop one in your mouth and concentrate on it. The breathing helps too!
love the touque!!
I have never really experience anxiety attacks like yours, worst I ever got were the heart palpitations. I hope they pass soon.
OMG! I can’t believe how close you already are! This pregnancy (along with mine) just flew by. I can’t wait to see pics for Ethan!!!!
Oy - I’ve never had an anxiety attack but it sounds really scary.
Have you done yoga? The meditation/breathing might help you. Or I might be talking out of my ass because I have no experience.
I hope they end soon though. Thank God they’ll end with a little Ethan in your arms!
She is just so beautiful. Good for you for making the connection about your body preparing for the delivery. You are going to do such an amazing job. And yes, you will have moments when you will see your children playing together or hugging or kissing or even wrestling and know with utter certainty that you have given them the greatest gift - each other.
Great job lil mama!
I think the game you are doing is a great idea! Your belly shot was awesome. Congrats on the kiddo on the way. Hope it all goes well! Oh and your daughter is a adoarable…so super cute!!!
I love the touque! As for the anxiety attacks, I have them but only when I sit and worry about everythign that could go wrong in my life. I try to stay busy enough that I won’t have time to think, but it doesnt’ help all that much…
You are so sweet!!
It’s kind of ironic. I just got off the phone with a mental health dr because I was having feelings of anxiety and they have gotten worse lately. I even went to the ER at Christmas because I swore on my life I was having a heart attack. Anyway, they now are saying I have Panic Attacks from deeper issues…who knows. I am waiting for another phone call to see a therapist right now. The feeling is horrible and I hope that they go away for you soon. Hugs.
I love that hat. Is that what you call it a toque? Gorgeous. Then again that face would look gorgeous in a ripped up, tattered old anything….
Feel better. Are you resting or do I still have to come out there and MAKE YOU?????
Love the hat! It’s adorable on Becca, of course.
So sorry to hear about the anxiety attacks. I hope they ease as time passes, and maybe if nothing else you can practice your breathing when they come on? Not sure if you’re doing Lamaze or anything like that — I learned Lamaze and then sort of did my own version with lots of deep breathing and concentrating on classical music during delivery, and it was completely amazing. Not sure it would work for anxiety attacks, but maybe!
Thinking of you…
Becca looks awesome in the toque! I hope the anxiety attacks pass soon. Sound like it can be pretty freaky at times!
It sounds very much like an anxiety attack. I had one several years ago, and like yours, mine only happened when I was “at rest” and never when I was upset or actually actively stressed about something. I ended up going into the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack and felt for sure I was going to die, but … nope. I was there for about 4 hours, they gave me nothing and sent me home. What I ended up doing was mostly alot of breathing exercises (which oddly enough made me feel like I was going to pass out - weird) and forcefully pushing away any bad or negative thoughts… Sort of trick my brain so to speak. I’d get the wild chest pain and I’d tell myself over and over again tomorrow we’re going to the docs and get better… But I never did and eventually it all just stopped. (I’m sure there are much better ways to cope and deal with it tho!) Very scary and it sucks your body has chosen now of all times to go through it. :\ Hope it passes soon and you find something with which to combat it!
Hey Chelle,
Sorry I missed Interview with a Blogger, I would have like to have participated. Let me know if you do it again.
On another note, have you considered doing a belly cast in your current state? I cast my belly for both pregancies, they are both sitting in boxes downstairs waiting for me to be inspired. Tomorrow I’m off the the Beautiful Women Project Exhibit. Here is a link so you can see what I’m talking about.
http://bwp.websterwood.com/index.htm
Enjoy.
The anxiety attacks are something I can relate to. I hope they stop soon and that you can just enjoy the rest of your pregnancy! Not long now!!
What very beautiful skin Becca has.
On the panic attacks, I had one once when I was in Bangladesh due to some anti-malaria medication I was taking. It was horrific and I am very sympathetic. Someone whom I am close to gets panic attacks regularly and takes medication for them. I do hope it is a temporary condition!
She looks great! And what amazing eyes she has. I think hats really play up your facial features.
So, we’re partnering for the blog exchange … please send me yours at growingalife at gmail dot com, and I’ll send you mine!
I have had lots of anxiety/panic attacks and they are downright scary! People that have never had one just can’t relate to that feeling on the same level that someone who has them does.
I wasn’t pregnant at the time but I did have some major events going on in my life, which my doc said was natural so it seems that would stand to reason for you as well. Mine ended up getting so bad that he put me on Paxil for them and the fact that I’m seriously OCD, lol. Hopefully yours will take a hike and end up being a temporary thing.
Becca looks so cool in the toque