4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Guest]

most of you know about my marfan syndrome, I've had arrythmia problems all my life but they've been controlled for the last 11 years or so by flecainide. Anyway, I was put under huge stress at work (long story) and had a really bad attack while at work and had to be carted off by the paramedics. It scared the bejesus out of me and I haven't been able to leave the house by myself for about 18 months because I'm so scared I'll be out on my own and have another attack and no-one will know what's wrong with me etc.

 

I've had tests to make sure there's nothing mechanically worse with the old ticker and the GP has said my heart is no worse or better than it was before and says I'm suffering from anxiety.

 

I'm trying my best to overcome it but it's really hard. I've managed to go out by myself to get prescriptions for my dad and to go to the local shops but I haven't been anywhere further than that without Ian in the last 18 months. I used to drive to Manchester and back for work before all this but I seem to have totally lost my confidence.

 

I'm determined to beat this, I'm on sertraline and have diazepam to take in an emergency.

 

I'm going to an omlet course by myself tomorrow (as Ian is at work) and I am really looking forward to it. It's about 11 miles-ish from where I live and I thought I'd be okay but now I'm beginning to feel a bit panicky.

 

I'm scared about going out on my own. I know it sounds silly and I will take some diazepam to help me thru it and I know Ian will be at the other end of the phone but I'm still worrying about it, I can feel myself getting panicky about it now and I'm annoyed with myself for being scared!

 

I feel like such a big baby but I can't control these feelings.

 

Any advice please? I'll be driving so I can't have a drink to steady my nerves

[Guest]

I do feel for you Poet. I know that sometimes we can't control the feelings our body is displaying, even when those feelings don't really seem to be in our head.

 

I'm a believer in making choices and find it really helps me. You don't have to go tomorrow. You could choose right now not to go. Thinking about this choice will make you feel one of two things:

 

Either you will feel relieved that you're no longer going - then that is the right decision.

 

Or you will be disappointed and know in your heart that you really want to go. Then you must go - don't give in to your nerves. Ian is at the end of the phone. The person running the course can know that you are very worried about being out on your own. It's not far to go and you will be totally safe. Not only that, you will be much more confident if you can manage this.

 

Let me know what you decide to do. I will be thinking of you either way!

[Cinnamon]

Hi,

 

I think I have posted before about my anxiety/panic,which hopefully now seems to be more under control

There was a point in my life when I couldn't go anywhere or do anything.

I take things slowly,& just this week reached the huge (for me!) milestone of attending a hot,crowded sweaty concert,which is something that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago

I am even considering a trip to Wembley next spring to see the band again

I think the thought of having to go somewhere & people counting on me to take them/go with them sets me off.

 

So I feel for you Poet.I have been there & I know how frightening the attacks are,& ,even worse,the THOUGHT of them

 

I have found that a few 'safe' things have helped me.I carry my Diazapam with me all the time,although I have never taken it,its there should things get bad.

I have a 'lucky' necklace,a solid silver wishbone (appropriate for a chicken keeper,eh? ) which I wear if I need a bit of extra help.

Wherever I go,I suss out escape routes,where the loos are & I always,always have my phone on me.

Breathing in a slow & controlled manner helps me too, as does Bachs Rescue Remedy.

 

Its a slow process, & if I am honest a G&T helps a lot ,but I am getting there.

[Snowy]

Have you ever tried cognitive Behavioural Therapy Poet? It is not so much counselling as life coaching - helps you to retrain your thought processes to avoid the 'self fulfilling prophecy' of negative thinking. There is a brilliant book and website called the Promised Land, you can work through it on your own, or with a CBT practitioner.

***The Book***

**The website**

[Guest]

my GP recommended CBT ages ago but there's a 2 year waiting list for it in my area apparently

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I've PM'd the lady that runs the course as she uses this forum and given her this link and Ian's contact number which makes me feel a little happier because if anything happens, she can reach him and that makes me feel a bit calmer.

 

Poor woman, I feel terrible burdoning her with my neurosis but I so want to go to the course. I'm planning a route which will avoid the motorway so I can stop the car at any time.

 

I have bachs rescue remedy so I'll have a quick squirt of that before I leave too.

 

Wish one of you could come with me!

 

xxxx

[BeckyBoo]

But we will be coming with you, all of us. I was going to suggest the Rescue Remedy, I'm lucky in that I've never really suffered from anxiety so I can't pretend to know what you're going through, but try to focus on how great it will be when you get there, how impressed with yourself you will be when you get home and know you've managed it and how fab it will be to post on here and know you made it. Make sure your mobile is ready to go all charged up, make sure you know the route you're going to take so that's one less thing to worry about and remember, we're all crammed into the passenger seat next to you having a giggle on the way there and I would say holding your hand but that probably wouldn't help with the driving!!

 

And like Ginette said, if you DO decide not to go, then even seriously considering going is a step in the right direction.

 

Go girl, you can do it.

 

Mrs B

[faverollehen]

Im really looking forward to meeting you,

 

Not a thing to worry about

 

Ive got all the numbers off your private message

 

[Guest]

thanks mrs B, hope the party went well, how much wine did you take? xxxxx

 

Nikki, thank you so much, that's a weight off my mind

[Snowy]

Such a shame about the waiting list

Do try the book though - it has exercises to do so you can work through it yourself.

 

Just keep thinking positive thoughts about tomorrow - think of all the good things that will come out of it and focus on how good they will make you feel. Imagine yourself achieving it - don't even think about panic attacks, they won't happen!

 

I'll also be in that car with you

[Guest]

erm, are you all going to chip in with the petrol costs then?

 

seriously though, thanks for the helpful advice and moral support!!!

 

I'll have a look at the website, thanks snowy xxx

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

my GP recommended CBT ages ago but there's a 2 year waiting list for it in my area apparently

 

Just caught this Poet.

 

There is a really good CBT workbook called "Mind Over Mood" which is a CBT self help tool. It's used with clients by many CBT therapists and takes you through how various styles of thinking can affect the way you feel and react and goes on to give you the worksheets to put together a graded programme of exercises to challenge the anxiety.

 

CBT is now increasingly used by primary care counsellors (GP counsellors) and private & voluntary counsellors. Maybe you could try one of these avenues?

[GreenGirl]

Hi Poet, that sounds a frustrating situation to be in, but as others have said, it is fantastic that you are thinking about going, whether you do in the end or not, just considering it is a giant leap

CBT does sound like it would help, and will challenge any negative thoughts you might have without going too 'deep', additionally there may be something else causing the anxiety which it might help to talk about (like the work situation)? There are agencies out there staffed by volunteers (I work at one) where you should be able to do a self referral if you want to. Also, there are increasing numbers of online or phone options exactly for those who might prefer not to go out. The fact that you are aware of this is, in itself, really positive.

 

If you do want to look into getting somewhere, PM me and I will try to find something through the BACP

 

Enjoy tomorrow, whether you go or not!

[Karen & co.]

Hi Justine

 

I hope you have a great time if you choose to go on the course, lots of us will be with you via the internet, and if I wasn't taking YS to play rugby I would have offered to drive behind you so you could do it by yourself, with a 'shadow'

 

It's worth looking for a different CBT therapist, as my OH is thinking of doing the training to help him at work, so there must be lots of therapists out there

 

Good luck with today It will be a huge achievement for you

 

Karen x

[jackiepoppies]

Good morning Justine,

 

I just wanted to wish you all the luck in the world for today.

 

Huuuuge positive thoughts coming your way

 

Jackiex

[BeckyBoo]

Right then, I've got me bag of boiled sweeties, I've been for a wee, what time are we off! Good luck missus, just think of all those Omleteers virtually crammed into your passenger seat. Bagsy choosing the first CD!

 

Mrs B

[quickcluck]

Hope all goes well for you today poet, it will be a HUGH step forward for you... remember to enjoy yourself!!!

 

Can I ask, do you wear a MEDIC ALERT at all? It would be great for your Marfans which is not widely know about, and equally good for your anxiety problems... it may go a small way in making you feel more confident for going out and about, going that in any difficulty there is a way to contact those important people....

 

http://www.medicalert.org.uk/

 

You can also highlight those important people in your mobile with the ICE (In Case of Emergency) scheme.... all medical people know to look for these things.

 

Sending positive thoughts!

 

K

[Couperwife]

Justine, i think you have taken a huge step forward just be asking for advice

 

Have a lovely day today, what ever you plan on doing

 

Can I sit in the middle and choose the second cd? I like 80's music at the moment

 

(((hugs)))

 

cathy

x

[Guest]

well, I managed it I decided to go on the motorway because it was more direct. All was pretty straightforward until I got almost there and then one of the roads on my AA route directions was closed! I had to stop several people for directions but I got there eventually.

 

Had a nice time until it started to rain later on during the course and I was wet and freezing cold so I made an early dart, I had been there from 2.15pm until about 5pm. It overran because a few people were late and there were lots of questions.

 

I got majorly lost on the way home!!!! (Nikki, I ended up in Abram, then Prescot then Whiston! ) Got home eventually! I don't have sat nav so just had to use my wits

 

I still felt really shaky and could feel my heart beating in my throat but at least I didn't panic. Mind you, I had to use my diazepam and rescue remedy to get me thru it.

 

It was lovely to meet Nikki and her girls. She's got some beautiful chickens but I loved the true bantams, they were soooooooooooo cute!!!!!

 

Phew, hopefully it will be easier next time! Thanks for all the advice etc and Karen, that was a very kind offer, thank you xxxx

[Guest]

Well done Justine, I am really pleased for you!

[Snowy]

Very very well done Poet! That is brilliant, that you made it with the diversion and getting lost! That would've phased me and I'm the most laid back person going!

 

Now just focus on the good feelings and let go of any negatives. Well done!

[jackiepoppies]

 

You left me behind

 

I love getting lost

 

I look on it as an adventure and see LOADS of places I wouldn't have normally gone to (Honest )

 

On a serious note, congratulations, you must be feeling so good about your achievement.

 

Jackiex

[ClaireG]

Yay well done. I hope your feeling very proud of yourself.

[Joojoo]

Well done you :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: You should be so proud of yourself. You'll be driving off all over the place before much longer.

 

xx

[Guest]

Having seen it done, I think I'd like to host a course, anyone know how I go about it?

 

Do Omlet cover personal accident insurance etc, just in case someone trips over in your garden, that sort of thing?

[tiggerlady]

Hello there poet,you brave girl you,and well done for coping so well with it all! Just a thought... if its so booked up for the CBT treatment,perhaps you might like to consider emotional freedom technique(or NLP I think its also called) im not sure if its the same thing as CBT, but your local healing centre might know of someone locally who does it, although it wouldnt be NHS though....Good luck with it and Im sure now you know you can achieve such dizzy heights you wont look back