Bride with anxiety

My brother suffers from anxiety quite often, it always helps him to talk to his therapist. Do you have one you can talk to? He also likes to work out a TON, the exhaustion seems to help. As well as not drinking or smoking, those only seem to make it worse. Other things he's tried are CBD gummies, yoga, calming music, and writing in a journal?

Congratulations on your upcoming day. I’m sorry that you have to deal with anxiety but just know that you are not alone! Continue taking your medication & try to find your happy place. Whether that means going off to a corner to breathe or have a necklace or bracelet that’s infused with essential oils, this is your day and you deserve to enjoy every minute of it.

Separated by 2 hours at least from medication time (so it does not affect pill absorption, you might consider buying antacid with anti-gas. Over the counter antacids, like Rolaids, Tums, or generic supermarket or chain brand. Calcium based, usually 2 taken each 4 or more hours ( never closer.). This kind of chewable tablet helps a lot. When you are anxious, you "gulp a lot" , extra swallowing, and in fact are swallowing air. Like a baby needing burping, pressure builds in your digestive system, and in adults, triggers the peristaltic action, that is rhythmic squeeze and push up of vomiting. Body 's own defense again too much gas pressure, or anything toxic. And when anxious, you produce more stomach acid. And extra fast breathing dries your mouth, and feeling hot flush from blood pressure spiking, you drink more. So you constantly have super high acid and large air bubbles mixes with acid, rising from bottom of stomach with large quantity of liquids you drink.. Why you feel like throwing up constantly, and do every couple of hours. So, OTC Extra strength chewable tablets wit anti-gas ingredient. Try it before the wedding, anxious times. [ Don't use sodium based baking soda, no matter how many people say to. It can affect heart rhythm, only for after meal acid stomach when no anxiety present. ]

I have anxiety as well, and when my medicine isn't enough, I take benadryl. It seems crazy but it really does help. It does make me sleepy for an hour or so, but I'll take sleepy over nauseous anyday. Good luck with everything! Don't be afraid to step away and take some time to yourself to calm down.

Things I tell patients: Relaxation techniques. Meditation (great apps and online tools) Seeing a counselor. Meds work best with counseling, not alone.

View Quoted Comment Wow, I never knew that about Benadryl! Thank you, I will
Keep some on hand.

I too have really bad anxiety and am super nervous about my wedding on Saturday. I’m making sure in the morning I have plenty of time to get ready and am limiting the amount of people in the room with me (only 3 bridesmaids and my mom). We’re also doing a first look and having a “hideaway” a half hour before the ceremony starts where it will be just my fiancé and I. We also have 20 mins or so after the ceremony when our guests will be eating that we will be sitting and relaxing before going out and greeting guests. Usually my fiancé is the one who I want by my side when my anxiety is bad so we made sure we had some us time during the day! Good luck on your wedding day, I know how terrible anxiety can be!!

Meditation and/of natural remedies. Melatonin or Valerian Root supplements are great to help put your mind at ease to get some rest. Magnesium will help calm your nerves and jitters. These things have worked very well for me since my anxiety levels have climbed as we get closer to our wedding day. Another thing is just take a day to fully relax and no do anything wedding related. Binge watch a show and sip some wine or whatever you do for personal time.

Jaclyn, I’m so sorry to hear you are struggling with anxiety. I completely understand what you're going through. I’m someone who gets very nervous about big events coming up. I wouldn’t be able to feel that excitement that you're supposed to feel with a big event because I was so crippled with anxiety!

A tactic that worked very well with my anxiety about upcoming events was visualization. I was told that if you visualize yourself performing an activity that gives you anxiety, it activates the parts of the brain that are used in actually performing that activity. For example, I used to get really nervous with public speaking so, whenever I'd have a speech coming up, I'd spend 20 minutes each night picturing myself successfully giving that speech. Visualizing this helped my brain automate my body language and I would come off as a confident speaker! Essentially I was tricking my brain into thinking I was better as something than I actually was - and it worked! Maybe you could give it a try before your wedding?

I also really like Chantelle's advice about having a "hideaway" before you go out and meet guests. That way you get a second to breathe between all of the craziness.

You're going to have a great day and look absolutely beautiful! I know you can do it!

I am so sorry. I am praying that this is not me. I typically manage my anxiety well from day to day and I only take medication when I fly. I told my Fiance that I hope I don't freak out and he has to come get me and escort me to the ceremony because it is just going to look like I don't want to marry him when it is really that the ceremony in front of all those people is terrifying. I am hoping that I can stay calm on the day of because I would like to have a glass of wine with dinner and if I have to take any meds to get through the day I won't be able to. Although, I will probably be able to enjoy my day more if I took something. LOL
I am sorry that you have to deal with this, I wish no one did. The struggle is so real.

Before you take any OTC meds check with the pharmacist to ensure they can interact. Not all OTC meds can be mixed with all anxiety meds. Try some deep breathing, eat small meals with breads or carbs to absorb stomach acid. Make sure you are able to remove your dress, undergarments etc quickly as not to soil them. Make sure you try to limit things that make you anxious as much as possible. I know that is easier said than done...

Add extra time in your wedding day timeline for you to have a moment to your self. Find a specific closable room at venue that you can slip into for 5-10 minutes in privacy to do some deep breathing, or whatever helps you in the moment. Maybe stepping to a quiet zone for 5 minutes out of ever hour when you feel the anxiety start to build, before it spirals, could help you not to become overwhelmed. I am doing something similar.

Hi Jaclyn!!! Congratulations!! How was your wedding? I hope you were able to stay calm, manage your anxiety, and have a wonderful day! Did you find something that worked well for you in this regard?

Please share photos, we'd love to see them

Hey there, I have a high anxiety disorder that I take prescribed Xanax on a regular basis for. I just got married 2.5 weeks ago, and although my wedding was significantly smaller than yours, I was DEFINITELY anxious to be the center of attention (and of course worried of all that could potentially go wrong).

I didn't take Xanax on my wedding day because I knew I would be drinking alcohol, which having mimosas while getting ready helped calm my nerves quite a bit. I too had feelings of nausea, which I had a bag full of Ginger Chews on hand. I just buy these off Amazon and they seriously work in helping my nervous nausea subside. I also (sorry if it's TMI), was having stomach aches due to being so anxious, so I made sure to take some Imodium the morning of the wedding, which helped cure that stomach ache. So, Imodium, Ginger Chews, and alcohol (not in excess though) all came together to help me get through my wedding without dying of a panic attack lol Also, once the ceremony is over, you'll feel instant relief and will be able to enjoy the rest of your wedding day. Hope this all helps!

* AND I JUST REALIZED THIS POST IS FROM 2 MONTHS AGO BASICALLY LOL... hope this advice helps someone else with anxiety then!

Jaclyn,

How did the wedding go? Im anxious to hear!

Thanks everyone, I haven't back on here since the wedding which was 2 months ago tomorrow. I had my anxiety pills and my doctor prescribed me Zofran which was supposed to help me not throw up. I woke up the morning of the wedding around 4A.M sadly having a major panic attack and throwing up. I took my Zofran and I didn't throw up the rest of the day. I was still a nauseous mess all throughout getting ready so I sadly couldn't enjoy it and have fun as much as I wanted too.. but once I got my dress on I was fine! It was the craziest thing. I was still nervous obviously, but after I got to the venue and had our first look all the stress went away. Sadly though, from taking my anxiety meds and the Zofran I had the WORST stomach ache the rest of the night. I tried to get my mind off of it the best I could by dancing and what not and that helped! I wish I would have been able to enjoy the day a little bit more.. But I can't go back in time! I am now married and STRESS FREE. I have not had a panic attack since then. I'd hate to say that I am glad it's over, because I wish I could go back and relive it because it truly was an amazing day. Praying for all of you who have anxiety and have a wedding coming up! Hope you have an amazing day.

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You look so beautiful! I reached out because I too have anxiety about the big day. It is the main thing I think about day in and day out. I dont have it bad enough to where I am prescribed meds for it but I get sick to my stomach and get super hot when im nervous/anxious! I am so glad your anxiety went away little by little!

I cannot wait for mine to be over so we can have a semi normal life again ! lol

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I understand, I thought about it DAILY! I honestly think that made it worse! I know its easier said than done believe me, but try not to think about it. And don't worry when people try to tell you the day of "You're fine" "Eat Something" Just do you! My mom tried to make me eat all morning I was getting so frustrated, the last thing I want on the verge of throwing up is a bagel! Lmao. Everything will fall in to place, I just got to that point in the day where all I thought about was my husband and I was fine. Have a mimosa and relax, you will have an amazing day!

I kept telling my husband "I can't wait until this wedding is over!" and even now I wish I could go back and relive the day one more time. It went by SO fast and honestly alot of the day is a blur to me which sucks. But it's true, it really does go by fast.

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Thats very helpful! I am hoping once we go through the rehearsal and the first look my nerves about the entire day will die down but I wont know till the time comes!

I'm also a Jacquelyn with anxiety. Nice to meet you!

Just BREATHE. I know it's easier said than done, but you are so very close! One question, are you planning most of this with a guest count of 160 or do you have a coordinator? If you have a coordinator, I suggest leaning on them for guidance and support and your bridal party too! Keep in mind, it's just a day, YOU should be the one enjoying yourself. It's your moment, try to enjoy it!

EDIT: Nevermind! LOL! I'm sorry you felt like crap on your wedding day, but I'm glad the stress is gone!