Suggestions on how to deal with phone calls?

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I have to make a lot of important calls, and really struggle with it (as I'm sure you are all familiar with), I can do it, but the whole time I have a tightness in my chest and feel horrible and want to curl in on myself and end up exhausted and wrung out after even a five minute call.

So- does anyone have any suggestions for methods of minimalising this reaction or dealing with it when you can't just avoid calls? Thanks!

I hate phone calls too and I avoid them as much as possible. However, when I do need to make important phone calls I always write down what I want to say before making the call. That way I can have a look at the paper if I suddenly feel unsure about what to say etc. Sometimes it's difficult to adapt to the situation when the other person says something I haven't expected or something that simply throws me off, but I find that it's at least a little bit easier with a prepared "manuscript" than without one.

Hope that helps and good luck.

EDIT: Or perhaps that's not what you meant. Sorry. I don't really know how to handle the reaction afterwards. I try to focus on my breathing, which helps sometimes (though not all the time). Anyway, try to be as prepared as possible when making phone calls and perhaps you won't feel really bad afterwards.

I definitely always rehearse what I am going to say... then I build up the energy (stim) until I feel I have enough- which could take days.. then I call (and usually pace back and forth through the living room while talking on the phone). Then I always sit down and review everything that we discussed on the phone.
Honestly, if possible, email them. I find that to be much less stressful... if that is an option.

I have similar issues with phone calls, and would second the advice to rehearse, write down or otherwise go through what you want to say beforehand. Also, you may already do this, but are there any specific things you like to do that help you to relax or calm down, that you could do before, during and/or after the call?