Terrible night.

[Shutterbug65]

I didn’t sleep at all last night. My anxiety is very bad right now. I’m scared and I don’t know where to turn. I have to go into work but I don’t know how I’m going to make it through the day. I been getting less sleep the last few months but this is the first time I didn’t get any sleep. My heart is beating fast, I feel flushed, my hands are shaking and I’m filled with constant worry some thoughts.

I was thinking of going to the er but what can they do? I’m going to call my phychiatrist later.

Please does anybody have any ideas? I’m scared this will go on night after night. I need help.

[ChicagoGirl1961]

Sleep will come. Focus on your day. One moment at a time. The day will be over before you know it, and then you will get some rest. Rather than go to the ER, can you go see a GP? Tell them about your sleep and anxiety issues and doctor can give you some meds to help with sleep and anxiety. I know where you are now as I have had many sleepless nights and had to go to work. It's not easy but I did it many many times, but now take meds and sleep is much improved for the long term. Good luck and be well.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to ChicagoGirl1961]

Thanks. I never had a sleepless night, is it common with anxiety disorders? I’m worried it will happen again and again. My heart was racing, my feet and hands were cold. I just couldn’t stay in bed. I took my Xanax XR so I feel a little better. Does any of this sound familiar? I’m going to call my phychiatrist as soon as possible. Until then I’m at work now hoping my day will be okay.

Thank you again.

[ChicagoGirl1961 in reply to Shutterbug65]

Don't worry about sleep, just plan on going to sleep just like you have so many other times. A sleepless night every once in a white is not rare. Don't fret about it and sleep will come to you.

[Hidden]

Breathe slowly my friend...in through your nose, out through your mouth count to at least 5...I wish you all the best....ya know you can give me a call, right? Love and hugs!!!

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I tried that last night but it didn’t work. I think I was just to consumed with worry to allow the breathing technique to calm me.

I had a very tuff last couple of weeks with insomnia but was always able to get 4 or 5 hours of sleep, until last night.

Yes I will call when I can. Thank you so much

[Hidden in reply to Shutterbug65]

When you get out of work. Okay

[Yumaris]

I get like that every few weeks. Its horrible ! Best thing to do is breathing exercises. Messag me if you need to talk!

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Yumaris]

Thanks I will. Someone else mention breathing exercises and I kind of tried it but was so overcome with anxiety and worry I couldn’t concentrate. I took my Xanax XR and feel a little better. My heart was beating fast and I had chest discomfort so I thought I was having, or going to have a heart attack. Does anxiety have these symptoms?

[Yumaris in reply to Shutterbug65]

Yes, when I get them that bad I feel like I’m having a heart attack and I feel a heaviness on my left arm. I had a real bad one last year at work. I was taken to the ER and they told me it was an anxiety attack. I have passed out during one. Horrible. Try to distract yourself either w a tv show, music try to make yourself go for a walk. Some days are better than others.

I’m so glad I found this community... at one point I thought I was going crazy!

[Hidden]

Try some relaxation techniques... breathing slowly and clearing your mind. There’s apps such as Calm that help or even free videos on youtube ... forget about the night ahead just focus on relaxing right now. Have a warm drink and breathe x

Maybe make a doctors appointment for another day but apart from that just focus on relaxing your body, mind and heart xx

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I have a phychiatrist appt. for next week. I called and told her what was going on and she wants me to take Doxepin at bedtime, I was on that before so wil see how it goes. I really was thinking about going to the er. I was pacing around the house because I couldn’t lie still, my heart was beating so fast, chest discomfort, feeling like I was going to have a heart attack. And I don’t keep thinking about tonight and worrying that I won’t sleep. It’s hard not to dwell on all these issues and my mind just won’t quiet down. Does this sound like a panic attack? I’m scared and I just want a nights sleep.

I’m going to check out calm. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to Shutterbug65]

Yes it sounds like a panic attack x it’s definitely a good idea to check out from everything and focus on calming down x do you have anyone that could be with you through this? Of course you always have us here

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Hidden]

I replied to your post. But didn’t send it to you. It’s in here though. 😐

[Coralrose5 in reply to Shutterbug65]

That happened to me after a panic attack for about 3 nights. Ugh!! I few your pain.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Coralrose5]

Thanks. It’s a horrible feeling. I can sleep now with the help of Doxepin. But what happens if I don’t take it. I’m worried that I will never be able to sleep without meds.

[Shutterbug65]

I have my Aunt living with me, she’s elderly so I’m pretty much alone. I really don’t want anyone to see me like this, it looks like Im losing my mind and I feel like it. Is it normal for your feet and hands to be ice cold during these episodes?

And I saw my GP a few weeks ago, had an ekg, everything looked good, except my heart was under stress. She said my high pulse is caused by anxiety. But what happened last night I don’t want to happen two nights in a row. So I’m worried again.

[Hidden in reply to Shutterbug65]

I’ve had this happen, didn’t sleep for two nights straight and I went to the ER. They gave me Ativan and I passed out for hours. I have struggled with severe anxiety that caused really bad insomnia for months. What helped me was getting on Lexapro and taking Ambien at night. Ambien alone didn’t do it I also needed a sedating SSRI. I also see a therapist and started exercising and attending support groups.

[Marshall64 in reply to Hidden]

Does ambien make you groggy the next day? It did for me. I take klonopin instead which works as good as the ambien but without the hangover.

Btw, I took your advice on getting the magnesium and lavender sprays. I didn't get a chance to use the lavender spray much since my daughter took it (I guess I'm just a guest in HER house). 🤔 😊 She loves it. I'm not positive if the magnesium spray works but I still use it when I remember to use it.

[Hidden in reply to Marshall64]

I take 5mg so no grogginess, if I take more than yes. I’ve never tried klonopin but it’s hard to get benzo prescriptions filled now. Hahaha my daughter loves lavender spray too! I take epsom salt baths or use the mag oil on my feet, it actually makes me feel too relaxed if I use more than 4 sprays.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Hidden]

I to have severe anxiety. Last night I took Doxepin and had no problem falling to sleep. But I woke at about 5:30, about a half hour before I get up, and I feel groggy now like I’m in a daze. I think that’s why I stopped taking it. But my phychiatrist told me to take one capsule at bedtime. She called me yesterday. I also take Xanax XR in the morning. I really need to talk to someone but can’t afford it, copay each week is to high. I don’t know what to do.

[Coralrose5]

In my opinion, Talk to your psych sooner than later. I had mild insomnia for a month then it got so out of hand I’m only sleeping 3 hours. I wished I had addressed it sooner.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Coralrose5]

I too was getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep a night. Waking at 3:00 or 4:00 with horrible anxiety. But all of the sudden no sleep at all. It really scared be. Once it got around 3:00 am I knew I would get no sleep. I took Doxepin last night and slept for 6 plus hours but felt very groggy all morning. Will see how it goes. I’m sorry you are experiencing the same thing.

Thanks for your reply.

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Coralrose5]

Are you getting more sleep now? How do you deal with only getting a few hours of sleep? I hope you are doing better.

[Coralrose5 in reply to Shutterbug65]

I slept 8 hours on Saturday night. Sunday night (last night) not so good. I just try to push through the day with the sleep I get.... I don’t know what else to do.

[Mavis12]

So sorry you’re going through this.

I went through the same exact thing and like someone here has said,

Try to relax because sleep will eventually come.

As hard as it sounds, try not to think about it. The more you think about it the less chance of sleep you’ll get it. Just try to go with the flow and if you don’t sleep, you don’t sleep.

But don’t fret, sleep will come eventually.

Hang in there 🖤

[Shutterbug65 in reply to Mavis12]

That’s all I do is worry. I can’t shut off my mind. It’s only after I take my meds that I begin to feel better. I’ve been taking Doxepin before bed, my doctor said it will help with sleep and it does. It’s just that I don’t want to rely on meds for my whole life to get to sleep. But I’m afraid not to take it. I

Thanks for your reply.

[Jlynn7201 in reply to Shutterbug65]

I have come to realize that I can not be who I want to be or need to be without my medication.

[Shelly46]

I get like that too. It’s no fun it’s like I can’t shut my brain off from worrying. I hope you are doing better. I try to focus on something positive that brings me comfort and also work on my breathing.

[Jlynn7201]

We are not far away from each other I go through the same thing. I just became a member of this site but if you ever want to meet for coffee or lunch let me know. I am a stay at home mom and I am always looking for something to do