Really scared

I am not a doctor, but shortly after I was diagnosed I felt a lump in the area around my collar bone.  I also had cold symptoms.  When I asked the docor about it, he kind of made light of it and said that my body was doing what it should be doing to fight off infection.  He said we would keep an eye on it and in 6 weeks if it was still there we would explore further.  He was right, it went away after my cold cleared up.  It could just be your body working to keep you healthy. 

Meg. I'm prone to anxiety as well, although I've noticed as I've gotten older and learned more about myself and found ways to cope with things, it's gotten quite a bit less frequent and severe. 

Coping with anxiety is hard, and everyone is different and has to find what works for them, but here are some things that have helped me:

1.  meditation.  I'm not good at it, and I don't practice as regularly as I'd like, but it helps, even in small doses or emergency situations (like an anxiety attack when I'm waiting for my mammogram results).  There are many different ways -- I like visualization, and TM, the best, but again, it's what works for the individual.  Breathing exercises help me, too.  If you're interested, look for the "Relaxation/ Meditation CD you'd recommend?" thread in the "recommend your resources" forum.  There are several good ideas there. (edited to add, link doesn't work but it should be easy to find the thread).

2.  I ask myself, what do I know right now?  and what can I do to make this better, right now?    I answer those questions.  That brings me more clearly into the moment, instead of projecting ahead.

3.  Once I've figured out what I know and what I can do -- I act. I do what I can and let the rest go. If I can't do anything right now (for example, unless it's an emergency, I can't call the dr. on a weekend), then I've done all I can do and I have to let it go.  Letting go can be hard, but for me, I've found that if I even have the intent to try to let something go, that gets me started on the path, and before I know it, I've actually moved on. 

4. I call a close friend and share what I'm going through.  Sometimes the process of getting something said out loud starts to lessen its power over me.  If a friend isn't available, in many communities there are 24-hour crisis hotlines. 

5.  I eat something healthy, like an apple.  I know it sounds simple and like it won't help, but it does.  Same with going for a walk or listening to music or watching a comedy or whatever I find soothing. 

6.  Also, I try to get enough rest!  My mind can't cope with things nearly as well if I'm not rested.

7.  Before it happens again, I make a list of things I can do to calm myself when it does happen.  Then I have something concrete in front of me when I need it and can't think as clearly, and I can pull out my list and use it.

8.  I've seen a therapist.  Professional guidance is very helpful. 

9.  Last, but maybe not least:  I still keep some ativan on hand, small dose.  I don't like using drugs if I can  help it, but I've also come to respect that they can really help.   I was having some serious anxiety last fall over a situation and was getting overwhelmed and finally took an ativan a couple of different times to help me through it.  And, if anxiety is an ongoing issue, I wouldn't hesitate to talk to my dr. about it and maybe go on a daily med for awhile -- I've done that in the past (about 10 years ago, and also when I was going through treatment) and it's always helped ease the stress, and once I've gotten back on my feet and feel I'm ready, I stop whatever I'm on.

I don't know if this is really what you were asking for or if it's of any help, but it's here FWIW.  Please do keep us updated.  Thinking of you!