Overcoming Life's Obstacles

[tyler24]

I am curious what kind of obstacles people on here have overcome in their lives and what they credit for helping them get through it.

If anyone has seen my posts in the past, I talk a lot about my anxiety. It has been severe ever since I was a child. I would walk into school in the mornings and immediately go to the nurses station and request to go home sick because of it. It eventually escalated to severe panic attacks where I thought I was going to die. The best way I can describe a panic attack for those who haven't had one is the feeling you get when someone jumps out from behind a corner at you but the feeling isn't just half a second, it lasts for a while.

I began associating that feeling with everything. From being in wide open spaces to being too far from home. In a sense, I became agoraphobic and could relate any situation to my fear which caused it to grow. Back in March I had a severe panic attack that nearly pushed me to moving back home, but through perseverance and meditation, I am doing as well with my anxiety as I have ever done and plan to continue to work on this issue so that I can write a book about facing fear and overcoming it.

I know we have a ton of tough people on here because cyclone fans have had to endure a lot of nut kicks in our lives, but I am curious what people have faced and overcome outside of the elite 8, Hampton, Niang's broken foot, and Florida State.

Let's hear it!

 

[diaclone]

I am curious what kind of obstacles people on here have overcome in their lives and what they credit for helping them get through it.

If anyone has seen my posts in the past, I talk a lot about my anxiety. It has been severe ever since I was a child. I would walk into school in the mornings and immediately go to the nurses station and request to go home sick because of it. It eventually escalated to severe panic attacks where I thought I was going to die. The best way I can describe a panic attack for those who haven't had one is the feeling you get when someone jumps out from behind a corner at you but the feeling isn't just half a second, it lasts for a while.

I began associating that feeling with everything. From being in wide open spaces to being too far from home. In a sense, I became agoraphobic and could relate any situation to my fear which caused it to grow. Back in March I had a severe panic attack that nearly pushed me to moving back home, but through perseverance and meditation, I am doing as well with my anxiety as I have ever done and plan to continue to work on this issue so that I can write a book about facing fear and overcoming it.

I know we have a ton of tough people on here because cyclone fans have had to endure a lot of nut kicks in our lives, but I am curious what people have faced and overcome outside of the elite 8, Hampton, Niang's broken foot, and Florida State.

Let's hear it!

This is a great idea......I've got to think about this some. Also a heartfelt congrats to you for your strength and persistence and humility in your struggles that you are conquering.

 

[Jacktronic]

Almost 2 years ago my stomach started hurting. Imagine the burning sensation when you haven't eaten for a while, but turned up a notch.

I shrugged it off for the first few weeks, but it only worsened with time. Over the next year I saw multiple specialists (internal medicine, gastroenterology, a bariatric surgeon, etc). I had 3 or more scopes, an abdominal CT scan, an esophageal mannometry and pH test (horrible test, I never want to experience a nasoesophageal tube again) and blood test after blood test. I was diagnosed with reflux disease and a hiatal hernia.

During this year of testing my stomach continued to hurt, from the moment I woke up to the second I fell asleep. It began affecting my every day life, and I even had suicidal ideations (I was 35 at the time, and the thought of living another 35+ years with this pain brought me to tears). Nothing any doctor prescribed helped.

Last fall I underwent surgery to correct my hernia and had a magnetic ring placed around my esophagus (a Linx device, used to treat reflux). Around the same time I had begun to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder and depression and started me on medications to help my conditions.

Since then I have shown steady improvement. My stomach pain is not gone, but I can go hours without thinking about it, and when it flares it's but a fraction of what it was before. I imagine I'll live with it for the rest of my life, but now it's manageable. I'm happy with where I am and have noticed significant improvements in my overall outlook on life. The idea of chronic pain / lifelong disease remains scary, but that's just life, and I'm in a better place now.

 

[tyler24]

Almost 2 years ago my stomach started hurting. Imagine the burning sensation when you haven't eaten for a while, but turned up a notch.

I shrugged it off for the first few weeks, but it only worsened with time. Over the next year I saw multiple specialists (internal medicine, gastroenterology, a bariatric surgeon, etc). I had 3 or more scopes, an abdominal CT scan, an esophageal mannometry and pH test (horrible test, I never want to experience a nasoesophageal tube again) and blood test after blood test. I was diagnosed with reflux disease and a hiatal hernia.

During this year of testing my stomach continued to hurt, from the moment I woke up to the second I fell asleep. It began affecting my every day life, and I even had suicidal ideations (I was 35 at the time, and the thought of living another 35+ years with this pain brought me to tears). Nothing any doctor prescribed helped.

Last fall I underwent surgery to correct my hernia and had a magnetic ring placed around my esophagus (a Linx device, used to treat reflux). Around the same time I had begun to see a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder and depression and started me on medications to help my conditions.

Since then I have shown steady improvement. My stomach pain is not gone, but I can go hours without thinking about it, and when it flares it's but a fraction of what it was before. I imagine I'll live with it for the rest of my life, but now it's manageable. I'm happy with where I am and have noticed significant improvements in my overall outlook on life. The idea of chronic pain / lifelong disease remains scary, but that's just life, and I'm in a better place now.

Keep up the good fight! Anxiety and depression are no joke! If you or anyone else on here needs tips on how to combat it, I have plenty!

 

[Cyclonepride]

Long story but I'll try to keep it short.

I've had digestive issues for over 20 years. About three years ago, they got worse, and started to affect my sleep with weird breathing issues, and I'd get shaky throughout the day, and would sometimes get severely shaky.

Radically changed my diet and tried everything that I could imagine, including monitoring blood sugar, regular visits to the doctor, etc. Ended up going from 185 to about 160 and felt terrible. Every moment of every day was spent thinking about what I was going to eat, how I felt, and whether I would have a bad time with whatever I had just ate.

Then, strangely enough, we watched the Sopranos. Saw Tony going through panic attacks and something just clicked with it. I had no idea that a panic attack could have that much of physical effect. It all started to make sense. My weird breathing problems, getting shaky, etc, were anxiety related (with a underlying probable-ulcer that was exacerbated by the anxiety).

It's funny how just knowing that (along with an acid blocker) made everything better really quickly. Still had lingering doubts and issues, but at Christmas last year, I just decided that I was going to eat whatever was in front of me and worry about the consequences later. And I felt great. Hardly any issues. I've eaten normal ever since, and gained back 30 pounds (I've had to scale back, as the regain was rapid lol).

 

[Gunnerclone]

I’m just reading these stories and thinking how much Cannabis and CBD could have possibly helped so many people in their lives. Great stories guys keep up the fight.

 

[tyler24]

I’m just reading these stories and thinking how much Cannabis and CBD could have possibly helped so many people in their lives. Great stories guys keep up the fight.

I've been prescribed cbd, benzos, SSRI's, done therapy, and have used alcohol to try and ease the nerves. CBD didn't do much for me.

The main thing that helped me was paying close attention to the voice we all have in our head. The one that critiques and judges. Through meditation, I've learned that I can hear those thoughts still but I don't have to attach meaning to them. The best way I can describe it is like standing on the side of the highway and watching cars go by. You focus on the nice ones and the crappy ones and the neutral ones go right on by. If you learn to focus on the good thoughts, eventually the negative thoughts will just blend in with the neutral thoughts. They will still be there, but you won't care about them.

 

[Rabbuk]

I've been prescribed cbd, benzos, SSRI's, done therapy, and have used alcohol to try and ease the nerves. CBD didn't do much for me.

The main thing that helped me was paying close attention to the voice we all have in our head. The one that critiques and judges. Through meditation, I've learned that I can hear those thoughts still but I don't have to attach meaning to them. The best way I can describe it is like standing on the side of the highway and watching cars go by. You focus on the nice ones and the crappy ones and the neutral ones go right on by. If you learn to focus on the good thoughts, eventually the negative thoughts will just blend in with the neutral thoughts. They will still be there, but you won't care about them.

ECT did wonders for my dad. I know it's controversial. Not sure if anxiety/panic disorders is under it's purview.

 

[tyler24]

ECT did wonders for my dad. I know it's controversial. Not sure if anxiety/panic disorders is under it's purview.

I'm happy to hear he found something that worked! That's the most important part!

 

[mywayorcyway]

I've recently had what was diagnosed as severe generalized anxiety disorder. I'm in my mid-40s and they suspect I've had it for 15 years but I had no idea what was going on. It wasn't until last month that things got completely out of control. Life has been a breeze for the most part, had some trauma, the floodgates unleashed. Worst month of my life and I'm still dealing with the aftermath. A bad medication recommendation made things much worse.

So I suppose I've had no real obstacles until now and I haven't overcome it yet, but I'm working on it.

 

[ArgentCy]

Been there and done that, although I'm sure many will dismiss it just because of my politics. You absolutely need to try adding a magnesium supplement. Yes, it is that easy. If it doesn't work for you then feel free to dismiss it but it can't hurt to try.

https://articles.mercola.com/vitamins-supplements/magnesium-glycinate.aspx

 

[Acylum]

Threads like these remind me when I’m feeling sorry for myself, that a great majority of people in the world have been through far worse and persevered.

 

[tyler24]

Been there and done that, although I'm sure many will dismiss it just because of my politics. You absolutely need to try adding a magnesium supplement. Yes, it is that easy. If it doesn't work for you then feel free to dismiss it but it can't hurt to try.

https://articles.mercola.com/vitamins-supplements/magnesium-glycinate.aspx

I tried this as well. I have tried about every thing there is. I eventually realized we have an anxiety hierarchy. That is, if you do something that causes more anxiety, it will make the other anxiety subside. That ultimately led to me having stronger panic attacks.

I'm a firm believer that what you truly believe will help you. If you believe a supplement will help, it will.

 

[StormnClone58]

Ok ill share.

For most of my life ive snored. About 3 yrs ago my wife told me that my snoring had gotten louder and that it seemed like i was holding my breathe too long. There were some nights where it was so bad she would move to the couch (facepalm) to be able to sleep. At that time, i brushed it off and told her id figure it out. I didnt.

I began to have problems with severe acid reflux, night sweats, and i would wake myself up throughout the night gasping for air.

Then, I began to have problems with daytime drowsiness, feeling like crap, and weight gain. It got so bad i began to fall asleep at work, and my work performance started to decline.

At this time i did my research and sought out my doctor for a referral for a sleep study.

Took a couple weeks to get my sleep study set up, but i able to do the ‘at home’ study. Sleep dr told me they’d have my results in about a week and call me. Sleep dr called me back 2 days after my study to tell me i had SEVERE obstructive sleep apnea, and that he wanted me to get set up for a cpap machine. Few days later i visited the medical equipment people and got my cpap.

First night i was only able to use it for about 6 hours, but i felt immensely better.

i have been ‘compliant‘ with my cpap since the day ive gotten it, and almost immediately following things started to get better. While im not excited about the recurring monthly monitoring charges, i will accept them if it means i can live my life to the fullest.

My biggest regret in life thus far, is that i didnt ask for help earlier.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I've been prescribed cbd, benzos, SSRI's, done therapy, and have used alcohol to try and ease the nerves. CBD didn't do much for me.

The main thing that helped me was paying close attention to the voice we all have in our head. The one that critiques and judges. Through meditation, I've learned that I can hear those thoughts still but I don't have to attach meaning to them. The best way I can describe it is like standing on the side of the highway and watching cars go by. You focus on the nice ones and the crappy ones and the neutral ones go right on by. If you learn to focus on the good thoughts, eventually the negative thoughts will just blend in with the neutral thoughts. They will still be there, but you won't care about them.

Meditation is awesome. One of the top ten useful skills in life is the ability to shut your mind off before it crawls down the rabbit hole.

 

[ruflosn]

I’m just reading these stories and thinking how much Cannabis and CBD could have possibly helped so many people in their lives. Great stories guys keep up the fight.

Along with the above mentioned for anxiety, I also do acupuncture 1 to 2 times a month. Good stuff.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Been there and done that, although I'm sure many will dismiss it just because of my politics. You absolutely need to try adding a magnesium supplement. Yes, it is that easy. If it doesn't work for you then feel free to dismiss it but it can't hurt to try.

https://articles.mercola.com/vitamins-supplements/magnesium-glycinate.aspx

I started taking magnesium too. Mainly because of leg cramps, and it gets the mail moving, which was part of my digestive issues, but I suppose it could help in other ways.

 

[Cyfern]

I've been prescribed cbd, benzos, SSRI's, done therapy, and have used alcohol to try and ease the nerves. CBD didn't do much for me.

The main thing that helped me was paying close attention to the voice we all have in our head. The one that critiques and judges. Through meditation, I've learned that I can hear those thoughts still but I don't have to attach meaning to them. The best way I can describe it is like standing on the side of the highway and watching cars go by. You focus on the nice ones and the crappy ones and the neutral ones go right on by. If you learn to focus on the good thoughts, eventually the negative thoughts will just blend in with the neutral thoughts. They will still be there, but you won't care about them.

Alcohol is no solution. Before depression and anxiety became known, many of us used it to deal with these things. It never ends well.

 

[Cyfern]

Keep up the good fight! Anxiety and depression are no joke! If you or anyone else on here needs tips on how to combat it, I have plenty!

Unless you have had a panic attack, you can have no real appreciation for what it is. IT IS TERRIBLE. The worst. Exhausting trying to keep the lid on and always tempted to self-medicate.

 

[ArgentCy]

I tried this as well. I have tried about every thing there is. I eventually realized we have an anxiety hierarchy. That is, if you do something that causes more anxiety, it will make the other anxiety subside. That ultimately led to me having stronger panic attacks.

I'm a firm believer that what you truly believe will help you. If you believe a supplement will help, it will.

It definitely can spiral, especially when it comes to a health concern. And that is where the mediation and thinking processes can help. For me it was heart palpitations so you can see how that would spiral out of control quickly.

I've been taking a Mg optimizer just about everyday now. I have no problems and dont have to worry about any of the other stuff. Do NOT take the oxide form or any calcium pills. Those exacerbate the issue. Mine is a Mg malate with B6, K, and taurine. You might also look at kava kava to quell an attack that is starting but that has side effects. Cannabis would be better if legal.