I saw some research a while ago that postulated that most phobias are the result of inner ear disturbances or one kind or another. I think there's some validity in this, because now that I'm on several blood pressure drugs, being in a hot shower makes me woozy. Our shower is an old iron tub and creaks a lot anyway, so the creaking and my instability were combining to make me very anxious about being in there. Unfortunately, one can't function with a shower anxiety, so I'm being very good about psyching myself up--and keeping one hand on the wall at all times.
That's really interesting, connie. The hot shower actually seems to help me, but I still get what you mean. Does the heat lower your b.p. Is that the issue for you, or does it raise it?
If I realize my sinuses (and/or ears, by the way) feel full (which can be a common feeling for me, from October to June, that it seems I fail to notice it), I don't seem to have the panic attacks. If I realize I'm feeling a panic attack coming on, the panic attack isn't nearly so bad. The hormones seem to be what pushes me over the edge, but that's fairly predictable for me, too. I haven't taken any antihistimine though, because they also seem to induce anxiety, so I save them for more serious symptoms.
Also? Have been both cutting down on the coffee, and on the strength of the coffee (bless dh, for going along with that second one), which seems to help. A lot.
As does wine. Sadly, wine + parenting isn't really a workable solution. Oh well, it was nice having the kids here for a while. I hope they write.
You know what I need right now? A book of quotes. Too bad there isn't this electronical way to access that kind of information.
Hee, funny bug. You do know of bartleby.com, right? [link] In this case, you don't even need Google. Don't tell Google that though, it'll hurt its feelings.
Cindy, you're COMM'd, but I'll take it down if you're not comfy.
vw, whatcha workin' on?
Comfy, juliana? Are you kidding me? I am proud to disclose my uglier fantasies for COMM validation, any day o' the week.
(That is to say, thank you.)
Does the heat lower your b.p.
According to Doc, the heat opens the blood vessels, which lets the B.P. drop. Depending on heat, it can happen pretty quickly. Doc didn't seem too concerned. "If it gets too bad, turn down the shower." Oh, well, OK.
Is there something specific, vw? I have have four big quote books in front of me, along with the severe overkill in English usage books.
I am full of gronk, which I need to shake because I have a pile of stuff to do. My eyes are full of gunk that doesn't want to wash out, so everything's fuzzy. I woke up from one of those dreams that you're glad to wake up from, in which I had moved into an apartment that had all these problems. The doors wouldn't lock properly and someone had made the dryer out of a leaf blower and when I woke up, someone had just stolen the water heater. My dream the night before, in which I was in an episode of the West Wing and I knew the White House chief of housekeeping was about to be fired because I had read the spoilers, was much less traumatic.
(edited because I can spell. Constructing coherent sentences, NSM)
vw, whatcha workin' on?
I'm trying to find *something* to engrave on Emily's birthday present. I'm about to put "30 years of Emily, December 28, 2004." But, really, I'd like something a little more interesting and thoughtful than that.
Yesterday afternoon I was extremely proud of myself for having turned a proposal around in 3 hours, not including minor corrections. Then I got a phone call to talk about the minor corrections and everything in my back went sproing! kerblooey! Today I can hardly walk and I can't hold the phone. I think this is going to be a snow day for me, too.
