Sleep anxiety

[Cookej05]

Over the last 3 months I have had chest pains, trouble sleeping, muscle weakness and other strange feelings in my body. I went to the doctors and hospital where they’ve told me I’m okay and I’m not going to have a heart attack or a stroke, I’ve previously had a kidney transplant which causes me to have high blood pressure so I’m constantly worrying I’m having a heart attack or a stroke. I’ve never suffered with anxiety or mental health problems, however the doctor has told me im suffering with anxiety and has referred me to counselling. Unfortunately the counselling waiting list is anything up to 11 weeks so in between this time I’m really struggling. During the day I’m usual fine, however the second I lay down for sleep time I get minor chest pains. My entire body goes weak and has such a strange feeling like it’s sinking or something it’s really hard to describe. I work 5 days a week and 21 years old and each night getting around 2 hours sleep because of this, does anyone have any ways to help, I’ve tried meditation but the more my body seems to relax the more it seems to weaken and sink and go all funny.

[SxufferingSxoul]

You’re too young to be at risk of a heart attack or a stroke, the older someone is the higher the risk. The risk usually increases after the age of 45 so don’t worry. Anxiety can worsen these symptoms, and cause even worse symptoms. You’re not alone I get the same thing with trouble breathing. I usually take melatonin 5mg 30 minutes before going to bed. It gives you so much sleepiness that it would be the only thing you can focus on rather than these symptoms. Besides, if you were to get a heart attack, you would have had a lot more warning signs like neck pain, left arm pain/numbness, trouble speaking, one arm being droopy, and loss of concentration. So yeah this is all anxiety don’t worry at all! Melatonin really helped me with these symptoms, because all I could focus on was the sleepiness it was as if the symptoms aren’t even there. Best wishes.

[Cookej05 in reply to SxufferingSxoul]

Thankyou so much, I think I need to look at getting something to help me sleep because it’s one of the only things that really bothers me, I’ve been up all night trying to relax but when I do my legs go numb and my whole body has this strange feeling.

[SxufferingSxoul in reply to Cookej05]

No problem, trust me melatonin is great for people who have trouble sleeping due to anxiety and such. It makes you so sleepy to the point that even when you’re having the symptoms, the only thing you can entirely focus on is the sleepiness, meaning that the symptoms won’t bother you because you already have something to focus on. Try asking your therapist for melatonin. In severe cases of trouble sleeping 10mg is usually taken.

[Laniben in reply to Cookej05]

I’m Sorry you’re going through this. I can definitely relate to the lack of sleep bothering you as it bothers me a lot too and same with the leg feeling as well.

I hope you’re feeling a little easier

[Cookej05 in reply to Laniben]

I’m so glad people can relate and I’m not the only one going through this, it’s such a relief.

[vbp123]

Hi, It does happen to me too that your body floats type of feeling, not very pleasant. On top of that I get heart palpitations. I know it is anxiety related and I have read other post where people describe falling asleep in a similar way. It is reassuring. Therefore try to go with it. Be with it, without fighting it. Hopefully you will drift to sleep. Valerian capsules helps me- 1 to 2 tablets prior to going to sleep, hot bath, warm milk, read a book.

Just take it as it is, do not alarm yourself.

Have a good sleep tonight

xx

[Cookej05 in reply to vbp123]

This has really helped. I get the heart palpitations too and as I’m drifting to sleep the whole undescribable feeling comes over me and makes me feel like I’m not going to sleep. After being awake for around 6 hours I eventually give up and try just forget about it which I will then eventually fall asleep, I just need to not let it bother me. Thankyou so much for your help.

[vbp123 in reply to Cookej05]

You are welcome. It is seem that this symptom is quite common amongst us, therefore try to relax and let go.

Sometimes I switch on the light and read until my eyes start to close.