Extreme Night time anxiety

[Karendeena]

Hi my lovely friends and support network.

Thank you all for responding to my post about excessive urination.

Here's another one for you...

Since my last afib episode earlier this week which went on for 33 hours before reverting to NSR I have been suffering from extreme anxiety. I sm waking in the night with nocturnal panic attacks with this awful feeling of fear and sensations in my upper abdomen. I am absolutely paranoid I am going to go into another afib episode and find myself taking my pulse in the middle of the night...and yes it starts racing because of the panic.

I am dealing with very stressful situations at the moment with looking after mum at 94 and a relationship that is going very wrong.

I am going to try hypnotherapy next week. Does anyone else get these feelings and if so can you help/advise me please!

[Hennerton]

I have found this is useful in any stressful situation and just before sleep. It is wonderfully calming.

You simply breathe in for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of seven and exhale with a whoosh sound for a count of eight. Try it. You will be amazed how it calms and also sets you up for a good night’s sleep. Find it online under 4. 7. 8 breathing technique.

[Sacstate in reply to Hennerton]

I agree 100 percent with Hennerton. Focusing on breathing has virtually eliminated my middle-of-the-night worries and pulse-checking panics that kept me awake often. The 4.7.8 breathing technique works like magic. Also check out the book Breath by James Nestor and this short instructive video by Nestor: youtu.be/80SUe7g5vko(Not working as expected?)

[Gillybean123]

hi there, I had this, it started about six weeks ago. I could hear my heart all over my body it was awful. Spoke to numerous doctors ended up in A&E three times then a lovely doctor at Gloucester Royal said all your bloods are fine so what else is going on. My daughter said she is moving home from Tewkesbury to Derby. My chest by then was vibrating he said to me you are having panic attacks he said you need something to calm you down. Then I saw my cardiologist and she said exactly the same. So perhaps you should speak to someone because as you know anxiety and stress are our worst enemy when we have AF. Also try doing the AUM sound for about 10 minutes then put some earphones in and listen to some meditation sleep music. It blocks you hearing your heart pounding and relaxes you. All the best

Gill

[Tryfan]

agree with Hennerton. Block breathing its sometimes known as in the military. Used to calm your body, it is sometimes hard to do when stressed as initially you think it will make things worse. Do try it. One other addition when inhaling press your tongue behind your top front teeth. On exhale relax tongue. Its part of Tai Chi or chi gong breathing.

[RoyMacDonald]

I tell myself that the stressful thing will go away if I die so be grateful that I'm still alive and have the choice to relax and keep living or give in and die, either way the stress will go away. My choice. Then I start meditating on my breathing. Also keep to a regular routine with waking, sleeping, meals, exercise, relaxation and meditation periods.

All the best.

Roy

[secondtry]

Always take early action to combat a build up of stress with Lifestyle changes...it may be quite late in your circumstances but never too late to take control and build something that will have not just one but many benefits. Best wishes.

[Ablation7]

I had panic attacks in the past and found that distraction helped. Crossword puzzles were great for me.

[sportscoach]

A couple of hours before bed knock you mobile phone off, stay away from the computer or anything else that stimulates the brain especially, watch what you eat high sugar, chocolate etc etc are a well know to cause problems.

[ashdlawson23]

I relate to this. I personally take up CityHypno sessions for my anxiety. Susannah has helped me tremendously overcome my triggers and control my symptoms. I’d recommend you take a look at her anxiety blog post mentioned below for tips or contact her directly.

cityhypno.co.uk/how-to-batt...