OK, first of all? *breathe*

Second? A lot of us have anxiety from pain. Pain causes anxiety. So it's not like the FM does it so much as the fatigue and pain do--- which is common in any chronic illness, from epilepsy (I have that so I can speak to it) to diabetes to FM to fill-in-blank. So it's common in chronic illness, period. Pain and fatigue, and the daily hassle of what-ifs, are all extremely wearing.

A lot of us have anxiety, panic, and in my case, Generalized Anxiety Disorder...

Step one? Seek professional help from psychologists and/or psychiatrists. A lot of meds overlap between anxiety and Fibro--- SSRIs, SNRIs, notably (Cymbalta, Porzac, etc.) ---

Step two? Anxiety management is a process, I've learned. The hard way. Google things like "box breathing" and there's tons of YouTube vids on meditation for relaxation.

Step three? Answer the anxieties. What-if.... well, come up with an answer. No matter how idiotic it seems. (The universe implodes, for example, which believe it or not I almost managed to come up with once.... Yeah, I have anxiety issues!).... It actually calms a lot of people down to realize that even if what if... the world won't end, it'll be eventually okay.

Step four? Vent away, and pop in on the anxiety board here, etc. for better help than I can give.

Gentle healing wishes, and you're not alone,
Leo

I have anxiety and panic attacks along with Fibro so you are not alone. For me, I started having free floating anxiety and panic attacks out of the blue well before my Fibro diagnosis. Thinking back, I think that I was exhausted from stress and it was my body's way of telling me to slooooow down! (Unfortunately I did not listen) I can't say my anxiety came from pain because I wasn't in pain at the time.

Leo is right that you should focus on somehow getting your anxiety and panic addressed with your Dr.. Stress and anxiety leads to more pain and vice versa.

Here is a podcast for anxiety from Kaiser Permanente. You can fast forward past the intro for the 4 different tapes.

whoops, forgot to paste the podcast https://www.healthjourneys.com/kaiser/relieveStress_flash.asp

HI FIC
Sometimes I get panic attacks when I have to do paperwork but I think its because I have trouble filling things out and it frustrates me and then the panic set in because I can't do it. Sometimes noise bothers me alot and sets it off. ( my husband can't seem to watch sports without the tv set at highest sound level lol) If it gets too bad I take a Xanex and just chill with a book or listen to music. Plus then there is the pain, when I am in a full blown flareup I just take a chill pill and grab the heating pad and remind myself that I am blessed beyond measure and I have a family that loves and supports me.
Hang in there and yes do breathe (((((( gentle hugs)))))

Been there and done that. I learned how to better manage these episodes by going to Cognitive Behaivoral Therapy. CBT can be very helpful when learning to live with a chronic illness. Still have the ocassional episode but I now see it coming and can usually head it off.

Leo has some very good suggestions. Take care.

OK, gang, am starting CBT tomorrow. GAG! Not one to trust and unload especially in this situation as she will have access to my Dr. (in same bldg.) However, I'm desperate. Between the PTSD, FM, and anxiety something needs to give. Maybe, just a miracle maybe, she will speak to the Dr about my needing something.

Oh, and Leo, I get the "World ending" thing......LOL.....I was in a panic attack over, get ready for it, not knowing how to die and not being able to do it "right" and the clincher, not having any do-overs. Yeah, typed out I sound insane. That's been the worst I think.....

FIC, I'm doing combo (or was) CBT, DBT, talk therapy, and was slated for exposure but that flopped out.... I know, trust is hard but if you ask your therapist not to share info with your doc? I think they have to legally respect that. So good question to ask outright is, "Are you sharing this with my doc?"

Hang in there.... With PTSD, FM, etc.? Not an easy thing to keep any kind of balance.