anxiety

I am six weeks post-op and doing well. My doctor let me go back to work after 4 weeks but just for half days. One problem I'm having is at times I become short of breath...not like a heart attack but like I need to take a big deep breath and I can;t. I had all the tests for pulmonary problems, asthma, heart trouble. Everything looks great. My doctor gave me xanax for anxiety and that has really helped but it has not eliminated the problem. I am on a hormone patch...wondering if it is too strong, not strong enough? etc. I go to the doctors this week but I'm just curious if anyone else has had this problem.

Dos your Dr think this is panic attacks? If so maybe it will be helpfull to start a panic jurnal, write down your feelings no matter how off the wall they are during your attack. I know this sounds strange but this can give you alot of insite when your able to read how you feel and maybe the underlieing cause. It also gives you something to do so you dont feel so out of control.Even list what you eat during the day incase this is food related.
Good luck

Hi. What you are describing sounds very much like anxiety. I have had anxiety for the past 3 years and it always got worse pre-menstrual before my TAH. How much Xanax are you taking? My anxiety seems to be worse at night and that is when I take the 1 mg. of Ativan that was prescribed for me. It works pretty well and I get a good night's sleep for the most part. You may just need a dosage adjustment. Since both of my ovaries are gone, too, I have noticed an increase in my anxiety throughout the day. This may be due to the lack of hormonal activity post TAH. Keep the faith and let us know how you are doing, hon.

Thanks so much for sharing...I do think it is a hormonal anxiety situation...i take .5 milligram of xanax before bed. Maybe one milligram would be better. I'll ask my doctor. I hate that feeling of not being able to get enough breath. Anyone else out there using the hormone patch?