I think that everyone who reads this got my Christmas letter and heard about all our plumbing difficulties over the last year. So as follow-up to that, several weeks ago the toilet downstairs got plugged up two days in a row and the first day I had a panic attack: I couldn't breathe, my head was spinning, and I almost passed out. The second day, I concentrated on breathing and did better. I also called a plumber who told me that there was probably just too much toilet paper from an especially messy BM from my 3-year-old (both days).
Anyway, having a panic attack is neither useful nor helpful in maintaining sanity and equilibrium, so I called a doctor and made an appointment. She asked if I wanted drugs for anxiety (I've previously had depression, but I haven't needed Paxil for more than 4 years now) and I declined since I don't really feel depressed, just having panic attacks that are located always in connection with the downstairs bathroom. Anyway, I see a counselor starting on Tuesday to see if I can deal with this...after all, I need to be able to do laundry and flush the toilet.
Last night I had a panic attack start just going into the bathroom. The toilet wasn't running, the washer was off; but I still felt dizzy and couldn't breathe. I don't think the dizziness is related to the lack of breathing, because it is immediate and feels like my head clenches off all the blood supply like a fist clenching. I'm still having occasional nightmares of flooding. I can't bring myself to do laundry except when Brad is home. (This has been difficult the last week since he's been working late at a conference every night, and it will be repeated this week.) Added to that, I try to wait 3-4 hours between loads so that if there is any blockage, there will be a lot of time for drainage. Who would've thought I'd get PTSD from my plumbing?
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4 comments:
If it makes you feel any better, I have a lot of anxiety about driving because of all the car trouble I've had. It's especially silly because since my car has died once again, I am driving somebody else's growly old pickup. My mechanic wants me to look for a new engine, but I don't want to tell him that I want a new car because my civic scares me.
I love you and I hope your appointment with the counselor goes well.
The doctor did ask me if I'd thought about moving to a new house.
I hope you've had better luck this past week with the toilet, laundry, and all. With only 2-1/2 baths and 6 people (5 of them of the male sex) in our house you can imagine that the toilet gets clogged alot but luckily we haven't had any over flowing or anything. I've grown used to the toilet gurgling when I wash clothes! I would feel just like you if I had gone through the same plumbing problems you have had.
Hang in there; I'll keep you in my prayers.
That's helpful. Right up there with "Have you considered getting pregnant to cure your female problems?" Because raising a child on my own would be SO much easier. Doctors give great advice sometimes.
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