OMG, we filed today but I am still so stressed out, what the hell?

[PushRestart]

So the prep work is all done and we filed today but my brain does not seem to want to de-stress in the least bit. Anyone else know what I mean? My wife and I are still so wired with the whole process that my frickin back started giving me these charming muscle spasms two days ago; feels just like a pro-boxer giving me a kidney shot, randomly but regularly... Joy. Muscle relaxer pills from doc today have me not twitching too often.

I do not understand this at all. Our lawyer says we pass the means test, our stuff is exempt/we should be a no asset chap 7, our documentation is all done/solid, so why the hell is my body still so insanely wired? As our meltdown last year got worse, my wife and I started taking a swell drug called Prozac just to be able to function and work. After we decide to pull the trigger, I went through lots of great shame/embarassment/fear, and now that it looks like we are close to a happy ending, my body seems to just want to freak out, wtf...

Any of you gone through anything like this? I'm wiped out...

[Drazil65]

Perhaps after all this time in a stressed state your body has no idea how to relax! It does not know anything else at this point and is just doing what it always does. I understand the fear and stress all too well, my husband is filing in October and its been a build up of stress related ills over the last 2 years (through the job losses and then going back to school full time) and he too is on some wonderful medication just so he can get to the filing date in one piece. My stress tends to manifest itself with not sleeping most nights so I too am looking for some relief at some point. I hope its just a matter of a few days before your body starts to wind down and acclimate to to your new state of financial calm. Although my guess is that for us that might not happen until the discharge is declared! Good luck!

[sunshinepa]

Sometimes it's very hard to accept that we filed BK and the body has a funny way of letting us know it's stressed. Also, you know that there is still a process to go through so it's really not over until the process is completed. That could still be causing some of the stress.

One thing I found that helped me was to keep busy, very busy! Ironically, I am about 8 days away from discharge and have been more stressed the last two weeks than through the whole process. I looked at this as a business decision and once it was made, didn't look back. Everyone who has gone through this has stress of some type, it appears yours comes out with physical symptons ..........not pleasant. One thing that might help is exercise, try taking walks on a nice evening or early morning.

You will feel 100% better when the process is complete, hang in there.

[kawimominPA]

I went through (am going through) the same thing after filing and my 341. I have been SO stressed and panicked and worried and sleepless for so long, that nothing seemed to change after my 341. I still felt the same. Hubby assured me that it is only because my mind and body is so programmed to feel ONE way, that it will take awhile to DE-program and reverse the process. I am starting to feel a little tiny bit better after my 341 a week ago, but I won't TOTALLY relax and feel better until I get the final notice of DISCHARGE hopefully sometime in September. Hang in there. It's all a perfectly normal part of the process.

[lichteda]

Thank goodness you did a 7. We started with a 13 and it's nearly killed me. The one thing I've learned... it's a money game. The Trustee makes money by collecting money from you (how he gets paid). The creditors are in a weak position during a no assest case but carry a big hammer (if there is an advisarial hearing and it goes in their favor the debt is not discharged). So the creditors are in a low chance/high reward position. Soooo, many creditors will try to force some debitors to a settlement... meaning, pay us 50% of the debt over 18 months and we will not file a objection. Many debtors would sooner negotiate then run the risk of owing the full debt. Again, remember, the entire process is designed to "make money" for the courts and the trustee's (my jaded opinion)

Key to sucess... know that it will pass no matter what happens and you and your wife will stand tall at the end.

[IamOld]

PushRestart, I am right there with you my friend. I too will need some meds...yesterday I felt like I was having a heart attack - I stressed myself so much....it's hard, period. I've literally almost ruined my relationship with my spouse (long story there), felt frozen at times...but as others have said, it will pass...I know you can't relax right now...but it will come :-)

And, there is always this forum!!!

[knotholeone]

RELAX, you could be paying 1400.00 per moth for 5 years like I am. It really sucks. It will be fine for you.

[dman]

BK can be a very stressful time, for whatever reason. The way I look at it...you're trading years and years (and years and years and...) of constant growing stress, for a few months of really intense stress. So...it hurts more in the short term to file bankruptcy...but it's much better in the long term. Imagine how you'll feel about three months from now (about one month to 341, then about two months until discharge).

Yes, it's normal, and let your lawyer do the worrying for you...that's what he/she's paid for, right?

[PushRestart]

Thanks for your reply Drazil65, you may indeed be correct, my body is only now starting to unwind but at least it is getting better :o)

[PushRestart]

Thanks SunshinePA, my body is telling me something alright but it is indeed getting better. Hope your discharge happened ok! :o)

[PushRestart]

Thanks KawiMomInPA, your support and that of others here has been priceless, we can both make it! :o)

[PushRestart]

Thanks LichTeda, we are very grateful to be in a chap 7 for sure, my commission job income goes up and down all the time and I do not know how we could keep up with a 13 plan without a cash reserve for the slow months. And yes, you are right, it is all about the money in one way or another; I just plan on coming out on the debt free side of this thing and will NOT repeat the spending patterns that put me in this place again... Thanks for your support, it really is appreciated! :o)

[PushRestart]

Thanks IAmOld, I am old too (love your user name!) and trying to hang in there just like you and the rest of us :o)
The support of you and others here means the world to my wife and myself, thank you.

[PushRestart]

Thanks KnotHoleOne, I hear you loud and clear, I am grateful to be in a 7 as well, you hang in there too and thanks for your support!

[PushRestart]

Thanks DMan, you really hit the nail on the head with your post (and your signature is AWESOME, LMFAO!)
It is indeed like ripping the bandaid off quickly versus the long drawn out agony of a slow fix. Closing in on our 341 meeting in a bit and the only thing I would disagree with you about is
You Are Not An Idiot,
You are a swell person in Florida who helped keep me sane for another day, you rock... :o)