Mornings

[King1961]

Why are mornings worse. Ever since my first breakdown, mornings are when I feel the worst. I don’t want to get up, but can only sleep 8 or 9 hours and the last two of those is hyper sleep. Very light surface sleep, almost conscious sleep. Since I quit smoking, 2 months in, it has worsened. My stomach becomes knotted and I get a bit shaky. I get out of bed, not feeling well. Typically, as my day progresses I feel a bit better. I’m retired at an early age and have found things to keep myself busy. I’ve been taking clonazapam for two years or longer. 2mg, daily, 1/2 at wake up, half at dinner and 1 before bed. Has never been an issue for me as far as needing more? I’m using the patch to quit the cigs and am at the end of my 30 day 14mg cycle. I ask to stay on 14 thinking the step down from 21 is what’s causing my intensifying anxiety of my mornings. I don’t wear the patch to bed? I also take high BP meds and 2.5 of lexapro. Any ideas what’s going on here?

[fauxartist]

maybe your having a drug interaction ..... like with the patches and the other stuff your taking... maybe cut your patch dosage in half and see if it doesn't clear some of they symptoms up..then you'll know maybe a bit better what is causing how your feeling.

[guynfl2chat]

Sometimes our blood sugar is low in the morning. (even if you dont have a sugar issue). I want you try some breathing exercises first and positive thoughts when you first wakeup. We train our brain to immediately think the worst sometimes when we wakeup. If you still have some trouble, try leaving a granola bar or something sweet (fruit works too) next to your bed and eat it when you wake up. When we suffer from anxiety sometimes our body is tired and reacts at different times. These tricks have worked for me and sometimes you have to fight through the negative feelings and see if you feel better in a few hours.

[maslater]

2.5 mg of Lexapro seems very low to me. I take 20 mg daily. Check with your md. Also try vigorous exercise first thing in the morning. For me I think it helps burn off the anxiety.

[Tedddy in reply to maslater]

I was going to mention that too, that is a very tiny dose. Work with your doc, maybe dosages need to be updated?

[Tedddy]

My anxiety is worst in the morning too. It's an awful way to start your day. I've found breathing exercises and meditation to be very helpful. I do 3 or 4 different breathing exercises before I even get out of bed. I also have an alarm that's a calm sound (but one that still wakes me up) so I don't get the blaring "alarm noise" to make my heart race. I usually watch a funny tv show or just one I like, to distract me while I get ready. I don't love using tv as a coping mechanism, but it seems to work well for me. I make my breakfast and get completely ready, all in the same room as the TV. That way, my mind is focused on something else and doesn't have the space to think anxious thoughts.

[King1961 in reply to Tedddy]

This is great advice. The times I feel best are when I’m distracted. My anxiety actually wakes me through my stomach butterflies. Sometimes after only 6 hours of sleep? I’m seriously hoping it is part of the withdrawal. My mind would be at ease, knowing it was going to pass, or at least go back to normal more manageable level. Thank you.