Saturday, January 9, 2016

Virtual Disney Rides Make Good Therapy

Trigger Warning: I talk about my latest panic attack in this post.



I'm trying to get back on track with my health this year, so I just started a new autoimmune drug that's supposed to have impressive results with Hashimoto's. Trouble is, while there are very few side effects, wouldn't you know it: one of the few is anxiety. And also insomnia. Ahh, MY OLD FRIENDS.

So late last night I had my first panic attack in months, and just to make it extra memorable, it started while I was on the toilet. Playing Candy Crush. Like ya do. I looked up from my game, muttered, "uh oh," and BAM. Adrenaline tidal wave of shaky, queasy nastiness.

But you know what? Thanks to these past years of reading books and talking to doctors and just learning my own body, I knew what was causing the suckiness, I knew what was happening - and more importantly, what WASN'T - and I knew what I had to do. So I just focused on the steps and launched into what I've decided to call my Panic-Attack Recovery Protocol. (PARP!!)

First I wet down my face, neck and hands with cold water from the sink. Cold is essential for panic recovery; an ice pack on your face and hands stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps lower rapid heart rate and blood pressure. Plus it gives you something tangible to focus on.

Next I began deep breathing exercises - which also stimulate the vagus nerve, and also gives you something to focus on. (Hit that link up there for instructions.)

Then I got off the toilet.  :D

From there I shuffled to the kitchen, got a proper icy washcloth for my face, and spent the next 30 minutes taking a slow stroll around the house to burn off the full-body adrenaline shakes - while reading my phone for distraction.

Within about 10 minutes, though, I felt better than I think I've EVER felt so soon after an attack. It was almost euphoric. I kept thinking, Wow, I kicked that attack's butt. 

When John found me 20 minutes later I was at the window laughing at our new garbage truck, which I swear was doing a comedy routine inspired by this one:


Of course I was almost delusional with fatigue at the time, and I still haven't slept since then, so take my giggle proclivity with a grain of salt.
 

Yep, the new meds have also cranked my already existing insomnia up to 11, so sleep was an elusive little bastard after that. Instead, I followed a rabbit trail via Boing Boing to a time-wasting TREASURE TROVE of the most amazing Disney ride-through videos I've ever seen.

The SoCal Attractions 360 channel uses some insane low-light camera that captures dark rides as if you're actually seeing them with your own eyes, and it is DEE-LIGHTFUL.

Thanks to these vids I've been able to experience a few rides I've never been on, a few more I haven't seen since I was a kid, and plenty more that I hope to ride again eventually, when I wrestle my agoraphobia into total submission.

Here's one of my favorites: the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion in Disneyland - which, if you've never seen, YOU MUST SEE:



I know I'm late to the party on this, but how amazing does the new Hatbox Ghost look??

I used to be a Jungle Cruise Skipper here at WDW, so the fact that I've never been on the "Jingle Cruise" at Christmas has made me sad and mad at myself each year. Thanks to SoCal Attractions, though, I finally got to see it! And it's so good!


Not gonna lie; I almost got a bit misty over this.
 
At first I thought these might make me sad in a "look what I'm missing" kind of way, but you know what? They didn't. They made me happy. I was grinning the whole time, and just so grateful that we live in a future where technology like this exists, so folks like me can still experience the rides we love virtually.

Heck, give it another few years, and we'll have VR headsets so it's like we're REALLY there. 

Head over to the SoCal Attractions channel for oodles more videos to watch and drool over. You have to scroll a ways to find all the Disney stuff, and most of that is Disneyland, but there's a nice mix from WDW, too! 

As for me, I'm drastically cutting back the dose on that new medication, so fingers crossed this ickiness passes quickly. And that I can sleep tonight, since I feel like a strung-out zombie right now. I am hitting keys here, right? Not a squishy banana? And the cats aren't scanning me with alien mind probes? LISTEN. Do you smell something? Ungggggg.

Ok, I'm gonna watch just ONE MORE ride video... or two. Definitely no more than three.


34 comments:

  1. I've always wanted to go on the NBC Haunted Mansion! That made my weekend. Thank you for sharing!

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  2. Neat! I didn't know they decorated the Jungle Cruise for the holidays. The last time I went for the season was 10 years ago though, so maybe it's new (ish)? We went for Halloween time this year and the haunted mansion was already Nightmare Before Christmas-afied. It's always fun.

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  3. Sorry if this is inappropriate, but what medicine are you taking? I didn't realize there was anything to take for Hashimoto's besides levothyroxine. I have Hashimoto's plus a couple more autoimmune conditions, so I'm very interested in potential meds.

    Also, well done with your panic attack protocol. I have a list too, it really helps.

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    1. Not inappropriate at all; the med I'm taking is Low Dose Naltrexone, or LDN. It's still *relatively* new for autoimmune treatment, but I'd definitely recommend doing some research on it. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I've joined a few online LDN communities, and the testimonies are really encouraging. Apparently it's especially effective for MS, but all autoimmune conditions benefit, since it works by amping up your body's own immune system.

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    2. Thank you hooloovoo for asking that question. I'm glad I decided to read the comments before asking myself. :)

      Jen - You'll have to let us know how it works for you. My immune system is sadly very weak and I have multiple auto immune issues including Hashimoto's, so I'm a guinea pig for my doctors. Unfortunately my conditions are so complex that my medication balance has to be very carefully monitored.

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    3. its hit or miss with MS (doesn't stop disease progression but in some cases can help with symptoms,)but pretty much impossible to get in this country (UK) to try since it is considered an off license drug (and no evidence scientifically that it does help people with MS since there was no phase 3 trail), and can all depend on if the NHS will pay for it or your dr will prescribe it (unlikely). Which is a pain in the butt since I would like to try because its supposed to help with walking and being able to walk more than 10 feet without looking drunk would be nice :p (sorry for the long comment)

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    4. I second the thanks. :) I've also got Hashimoto's and always feel... well... blah, despite all my levels looking lovely. I'll have to look into this. Thanks, as always, for sharing Jen. :)

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  4. These videos are cool. I get to see everything that I'm missing by not being able to go to the parks.

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  5. Jen, I too have an autoimmune disease (lupus), anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, and other health problems. Great job handling that panic attack! Love the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion, so thank you for sharing. I hope the new medication starts working the way it should. Keep up all your great work here and at Cake Wrecks. <3

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  6. I am super impressed at your managing your panic attack! GO YOU!

    Today is my Dad's birthday and he is a HUGE Disney fan, especially WDW. I totally just sent him the link to SoCal Attractions 360 on youtube. And the direct link to the haunted mansion video (my personal favorite). He is going to be sooo excited when he sees all the ride goodness he can view from the comfort of his own home. Which will make him want to go back to Disney sooner, and they just got back last month...so really you just helped make my dad's birthday awesome and my mom's next several months not so fun. Ah well. Totally worth it.

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  7. Jen, I was so impressed by how you handled that panic attack! Seriously, you go girl!

    I don't have anxiety issues, but through counseling and God's grace I've realized I have huge codependent bondage. When I'm triggered I go into severe fight or flight mode, hands shaking, heart racing, the whole bit. I have realized how much I end up making my responses worse just because my default setting is *reacting* instead of *responding* to other people. I'm working on it. But what you described here is such a great picture of *responding* to the anxiety--thanks for sharing so we can be encouraged and cheer you on. : )

    Also, may I please urge you to consider NOT going back down that rabbit hole with the meds? There is lots of really good info out on the web about how changing what we put into our bodies can make a huge difference with our emotional, psychological and physical health. A quick google search and I found this blog post, that I hope will inspire you to research alternative ways of healing from your Hashimoto's.

    I went grain-free recently to deal with some health issues. Oh, and also sugar free. Like not even fruit. It was not nearly as bad as I expected it would be, and I even invented new salads and meals that are now family favorites! So please don't be intimidated by the thought of making drastic dietary changes if that's what it takes to heal your Hashimoto's. Isn't that better than suffering from anxiety and insomnia again? Oh, and as a side note, when I went off grains and sugar I started sleeping better than I had in years, and completely lost my usual brain fog. : )

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    1. Forgot the link! http://deliciouslyorganic.net/reverse-hashimotos-thyroid-disease/

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    2. She tried that already. It's kind of rude to tell people how to handle their medical issues. It's better phrase in terms of what was successful for you.

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  8. Sorry that you had a panic attack. I get panic attacks sometimes due to my PNES. If I dont get them under control then I have seizures. Mine are caused by stress, which is great since I live a stress free life! o.O Yea whatever. But I do have a routine that I go thru when I feel one coming on. I am happy that you have found a way to control yours. That is a breakthrough in my book. Take care, rest an giggle a bit more

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  9. 0.0
    I think you just accidentally diagnosed my hot-weather panic attacks!! Thank you SO much for sharing that link; I've never found anything besides breathing techniques to alleviate panic attacks, and those exercises make my panic worse. They give this feeling that I don't have control of body or something, because I "have to" breathe a certain way. Yoga does the same thing. I spent two months in Washington state (I'm from CA) last year and didn't have a single panic attack. A lot of other anxiety-related health problems dissapeared, too. Maybe it was the cold?! I am so excited to try dunking myself in cold water I'm actually tearing up, hah! I'm so sorry you have been having a hard time but thank you so much for sharing this!!

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  10. You're a Rock Star! You handled that panic attack just right and got back to *you* quickly. Awesome! Thanks for the video link. I plan to waste much time virtually riding rides tomorrow. :-D

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  11. Love it when people turn the tables on anxiety. I also found understanding the physiology very helpful -- helps replace 'what if' with 'SO WHAT if'. Haven't had a panic attack in years.

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  12. The autoimmune protocol has helped my hashi' s tremendously. Brain fog, anger, anxiety, I've even lost a bunch of weight! I really hope you might think about looking into it. It's tough, but totally awesome healing!

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  13. If new places are one of the things that scare you, I highly recommend using the kinect Disneyland game before going (should you make it out to California!) because it's very true to the park. It'd make things a little less alien, when you pass a store or ride you've "been" to. :)

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  14. I LOVE the virtual ride videos! Rides don't typically trigger my anxiety, but they can, so I like to preview videos to make sure it won't set anything off for me. :) Maybe this could work for you too, Jen? When you're ready to go on another ride, check to see if it has a video so you can preview not just how long it is, but how long it *feels* and if there might be any triggers along the way. Thank you for posting these videos from the SoCal Attractions YouTube -- I haven't seen these ones yet!

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  15. I'm sorry you're having a rough time of it! Hope you get your meds straightened out soon and get to feeling better! (I snarfled a little at PARP, btw)

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  16. I'm so proud of you for taking charge of your health by trying the new meds and for putting all that time and effort into researching ways to help yourself through a panic attack. Really glad the PARP was successful and hope the LDN will be as well!

    I had no idea Disney turned the Jungle Cruise into the Jingle Cruise for Christmas. That's really cool. I enjoyed watching the video of that one, but I had to use lots of willpower to not let myself slip into binge-watching ride videos right now. I have SO much work to do. Someday, though, I'm going to watch ALL of them!

    Wishing you anxiety-free days and nights filled with deep sleep!

    KW

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  17. You can reach the sink from the toilet? How small is your bathroom?!

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  18. You can reach the sink from the toilet? How small is your bathroom?!

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  19. Jingle Cruise was so good! I'm simultaneously super pleased that it's actually excellent and disappointed that when we went (probably 2013) it wasn't like that at all, and made me decide it wasn't worth it - now I know I was wrong! Or at least the situation changed.

    That's some super impressive anxiety combat you did there, and fingers crossed the medication issues are easy to sort out!

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  20. You are awesome for squashing that panic attack so quickly! Congrats! I hope that you continued to feel better through the rest of the weekend. I really appreciate hearing your advice and experiences for how to handle anxiety. I have been trying to gather as much information and techniques as I can to use in my arsenal for myself, to supplement therapy and the techniques laid out in the DARE book from Barry McDonagh (the latter based on a close friend's recommendation). I've been reading a lot about the connection to the vagus nerve too, which is making a lot of sense.

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  21. Hi,

    Have you ever tried mindfulness based mental health therapy for managing anxiety? I know someone who had severe agoraphobia and panic attacks and found so. much. relief. after they started working with someone that specialized in that kind of treatment.

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  22. I got pointed to your blog from a friend, and I've been lurking for a while. But had to post when I read this.

    So SO glad you were able to curb that panic attack - kudos to you for that AND for sharing your techniques! I might have to stash that info away for later.

    Secondly - jealous that you were a Jungle Cruise skipper at WDW. That's my retirement plan. ;) But thank you for the link to the ride-through videos! I'm gonna check that out.

    Keep taking care of you. I hope all goes well!

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  23. Have you read Hyperbole and a Half? your PARP! totally reminded me of this comic: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/09/party.html

    Hoping you find a better dosage soon. I'm on some intense medication for a different thing and it is no fun. But thanks, as always for sharing your journey with us. It helps to know I'm not alone in the ickiness.

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  24. The guide on the second video... dang!!! The puns were strong with that guy!!!

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  25. Hyperbole and a Half has a PARP story...different meaning though. :-)

    http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/09/party.html

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  26. Oh, that heat lightning that starts an attack is the worst. I empathize with the adrenaline shakes too. I hope weaning off the new medicine helps, and congrats on fighting off the most recent attack like a boss!

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  27. I can't link to the ride videos here at work, but I LOVED the garbage truck GIF! I have a weird fascination with garbage trucks and experience all the excitement of a four-year-old when I'm home when the garbage truck comes and I get to see it do its thing. Thank goodness though, they've never flung my trash everywhere like that. Thanks Jen!

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  28. We got to go to Anaheim this year for a pageant and a day at Disneyland was part of the whole shindig. Two of the few rides we got to go on due to it being Thanksgiving week were the Jingle Cruise and the holiday Haunted Mansion. We thoroughly enjoyed them both. I'm glad you got to experience them!

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