Morning everyone. I'm finally seeing the swelling start to go down on my hips...especially on the right side. The softball sized lump is now more like a tennis ball and I dropped seven pounds this week....which obviously is Water. I even think I'm going to try to get into the office later this week. I really miss my coworkers and I think it will help me emotionally to get back to a more normal schedule.

Speaking of which.....I've also got something else on my mind and would like some feedback regarding emotions. I've mentioned lately that I feel very off kilter between the hip replacements and the enormous changes to my body from the weight loss. I actually suffered from an anxiety attack last week. That's never happened to me before and I didn't have a clue what was going on but fortunately I had it in the doctor's office so he was able to tell me what it was and help me to get through it.

So I'm just wondering....between the anxiety attack and a general unease I have, has anyone else had feelings of doubt, fright, and uncertainty after the weight loss? I took plenty of psych courses in college and I think there is a sort of safety net when we are obese, and in my case, seriously limited by my mobility issues. Now, I have no excuses and that scares me in a way. I can't say 'I can't' anymore. Anyone else feel this way or do I need to just shut these kind of thoughts down and try to refocus more positively?

Thanks so much for sharing! I was out shopping yesterday in a dept store and got dizzy, broke into a sweat, then mouth got really dry and I was so thirsty, then headache. Really scared me. I went to my car and drank some Water and took some deep breaths and was okay. Maybe that's what that was...an anxiety attack! I've lost 45lbs since Sept 9th and am really starting to feel the diff, physically and mentally! I get bored so quick now, and its an awesome feeling not to be depressed and have what I would call "black days". Oh what a feeling!!! </blockquote>

This almost sounds like more of a low blood sugar attack. When I have a rapid drop, that is it in a nutshell. The only difference is, drinking water won't stop it. I have to eat something to quickly bring my blood sugar back up. Not pleasant!

I think panic attacks are one of the worst ever things to go through. I've had my share, and now carry Xanax at all times. I'm not saying to run to your doctor & ask for a prescription, but it does an excellent job of helping me de-escalate, when I can't do it on my own. That wave of panic out of Nowhere…..horrible! One time, on X-mas day, I went shopping at the only market that was open. It was mobbed. I unloaded all my groceries at check out, and BOOM - my heart started racing, I couldn't catch my breath, and I was going to pass out. I told the checker that I left my wallet in the car; I'd be right back. Well, I sat in the car until the wave subsided a bit, then went home. I left all of those groceries at the checkout, with a huge line behind me. That was about 27 years ago, and I will never forget it. Interestingly, this was the day after I was released from an in patient eating disorders program.

Thank you!