Anxiety, Panic, Sleep Problems.

Mental health
1

Hi there my name is Nathan I'm new to this website but I've been going through threads for about a month looking for people with similar problems to myself. I apologize if I am not able to properly explain things completely in order as I've been having a really rough time since.

About a month ago and a bit, I ended up getting sick the Flu or Cold one of the two roughly beginning of June. One night I ended staying up till about 3 am went to bed no problems, that morning my mother needed to go to the doc's for a checkup and I awoke lightly at about 6am and decided to go with her, which was a big mistake for me I should have stayed in bed. That following day feeling tired throughout the day I tried to go to sleep that night and previously before this I could go to bed any time without any worries and drop off to sleep quite easily I never gave it any thought it was just so normal for me. Anyways that night I could not get to sleep at all I had a massive rush of adrenaline most likely caused by Anxiety and Panic it was horrible I was up for 3 days straight even trying to lay in bed and get to sleep but anyone who has had bad Anxiety with a constant adrenaline rush knows it's nearly impossible to do so.

I went to the doctor on the 3rd day told him my problems, I was mainly concerned about not sleeping not matter what I wanted that sleep I needed that sleep I felt like complete trash and the anxiety wasn't helping me either which I told him I also had. So the doc scripted me Vallium/Diazepam 2mg, that night I took a full 2mg it seemed to relax me and get my mind off the anxiety but it did not help me sleep and was awake for another night. 

The next day I decided to contact a home GP because I was pretty bad, tired, sore, very emotional, terrified not myself. I went through the usual and explained to him the best I could and what I can remember, my mind was a little fuzzy from the lack of sleep anxiety, he ended up giving my another tablet and assured me it will knock me out for sleep it was a 5mg diazepam so I took it that evening about 5pm I did feel it completely relax me and mask my anxiety again much more so then the first due to dosage. But it did not help me sleep I was awake for a good while after taking it, when the first hr went past I told myself this isnt working then the next hour and so on and so on eventually my mum said well go for a drive to try to take my mind off of it and so we did but I was frustrated because I didn't want to spend another night of not sleeping, so we went for this drive for about an hour or so came home at around 7 or 8 pm and took a nice warm shower and chilled on my brothers bed while he was watching something on youtube, then all of a sudden my eyes started to get heavy. I got excited because I felt I would be able to sleep anyways I went off to bed and actually slept for maybe a few hours its really hard to say because I honestly don't know since I didnt check the time maybe 3 or 4 at my best guest and that was the start to being able to sleep a little every night.

Now here is what I'm really concerned about I've been able to get sleep since that time it may be 3 hours it may be 6 but this is what I go through every day since that first time. 

I stopped taking all meds and changed to natural just vitamins eating good foods etc no coffee sugar, little carbs sometimes none. Excercising every day.

What I'm dealing with right now I still have Anxiety through out the day my thoughts are constantly on sleeping and just fear and what if's, I'm very emotional, I feel detached from myself and I can't find any joy in anything that I used to do/ playing video games, riding my bmx etc just being normal I'm very scared and feel terrible most of the time the worst of it comes at night time when it's time for sleep when I know I need to sleep I worry about what time I should go to sleep and can't relax, I don't feel like myself I hate the way I feel everything is out of whack I really don't wont to live like this for the rest of my life, I know I should think positive and I try to but it's really hard sometimes I can get to see a little of my old self like a glimmer of some happiness and how I used to be feel but It last very long a split second if that. There are more things I need to express but I can't seem to think have them come up at the moment. Will I ever feel normal again?

I'm glad I found this site and the posts I have read and what other people are going through as I know I'm not alone I want to thank everyone on here even If I don't know you or haven't seen your posts but from what I have read it is helpful so thank you.

2

I should say I am able to get to sleep each night some amount but It's a struggle for me every day and night. I even resort to sleeping in my mothers room some time because it seems to put me at ease slightly. Last night I had a bad attack, sweating panicky thoughts of not being able to sleep again similar to a Ptsd sufferer but not the same as I'm pretty sure ptsd is quite bad but just that thought of not being able to sleep for those 3-4 days scares me.

3

Hi, I understand your struggle because I’m going through health issues giving me health anxiety so bad , I’ve lost weight, lost a lot of appt write, get full too fast etc. it’s the worst at night when I try to go to bed. My hearts start thumping and I can’t breathe deep so I get very agitated and can’t sleep. Afraid to even go to bed anymore because I knew s it’s going to be a struggle. I’ve tried over the counter stuff for sleep and melatonin but nothing really works. Last two nights I’ve slept cause I’ve dreamed but not much.  I don’t really want meds but I might get to that point. I hope it gets better for you!!!!

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I meant to write appetite

5

Hi Natan, The more you try to sleep the more you will stay awake ,I know from experience...if you go on to you tube there are loads of relaxation tapes you can listen to..some of them will put you to sleep fairly quickly...just ly there and get lost in them...your mind will clear of worry. your anxiety will ease .better to listen to them with headphones..believe me they are worth a try....

6

Hi Wendy,

I'm sorry to hear your going through the same thing. I too have lost a lot of weight from lack of appetite and just constant stress anxiety. I have tried restavit which is OTC only a couple times when this was fresh and it seemed to help me sleep a little bit but the side effect it had on me the next day was horrible I would be in a hang over state and made me feel a little worse and that was only half of 1 tablet. I would say as long as you are able to dream which means you get into REM which is most important means you are able to sleep which is awesome so you are getting rest. I find that exercising can help even though my monkey mind makes me worry a little while I do it. I would suggest to try to stay away from meds as much as possible as they can help in some way but they can also do harm, I'm not an expert just from what I've been researching online. I hope you feel better asap and I'm pulling for you and thank you for your comment. If you need to talk just let it all out, talking helps.

7

Hi Mariano, I completely agree with you and it makes sense. It's just the build up to bedtime and what time to sleep that affects me and the anxiety quite a bit. I will try it and see how it goes. Thank you !

8

Hii Dear,

I understand your problem.The more you try to sleep the more you will stay awake ,I know from my personal experience..There are more side effects of this Nathan. 

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Hey Nathan, 

Good move with eating healthy and no caffeine and sugar. It takes time. Mine was from a bad car accident 12/21/15. I had to go on celexa and it’s really helped me immensely. I do take a low dose of Xanax for those nights I get restless. I have a high stress job with employees and managers that report to me. I know that doesn’t help but it’s my job. I do meditation Rebekah Borucki on Utube. 

And I walk every day with headphones and zone out to music. It helps. 

Will 😎

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Hi reflux, Sorry to hear that, how are you going with it ? 

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Hey Will, good to see you are doing better since you had your accident. I'll check out the youtube artist and see how it goes, I know meditation has helped a lot of people with anxiety sleeping problems etc, thanks for the suggestion. Walking helps but I can still feel anxiety creep up on me while doing that as well I too my self walk everyday and or if not try to do some kind of exercise or something just to get the body moving a little bit but not to strenuous at this current point in time, as too much can actually do harm causing cortisol/stress to rise so its a catch 22. Hope everything keeps working out for you, cheers !