I have perpetual throbbing of my pulse in my ears and when I try to go to sleep, I can`t. I then get pannicky. It is very loud.

[grandma210]

This causes a state of anxiety and I am on the verge of pannicking sometimes. Always when I have had a virus. Doctor has prescribed Diazepam but am frightened to become addicted.

[fadedlizard]

Hi Grandma,

It's really scary isn't it? Anxiety really likes to pop up at night and stop us sleeping. Firstly go back to your GP, ask him to check your blood pressure and eliminate all physical causes of your symptoms. If he reassures you all is well which I suspect I'm afraid your anxiety has sensitised you to the tiniest physical sensation in for body. Don't worry I'm like that too. It's a common symptom of anxiety. Read some of the other blogs and questions on here and you'll find lots of tips about acceptance, relaxation, etc.

Other people will be able to advise you better than me about the tablets.

Hope you feel better soon.

Love and best wishes.

L.

[Hidden]

Hi. grandma. (Takes me back a bit. My old Gran was a lovely lady). Diazepam are addictive, but the so is cough mixture if you take enough of it! I was on them for some time but with the help of an understanding doctor was able to 'taper' them until no longer needed. Regard them as a crutch to get you over a bad patch. Anyway, doctors rarely prescribe them for more than a few weeks and they give you time to gather your thoughts which get into a chaotic state without them. They do reduce panic and you need that at present. Then you can look forward to recovery. As liz says, go back to your GP and ask for reassurance about diazepam. Don't try to do it all yourself. Accept that you need help even in the form of medication. This DOES pass I can assure you. Illness, especially virus infections, can lower your energy levels and bring on anxiety symptoms and this seems is what has happened to you. Bear up and take heart. You WILL feel better, I assure you. Best wishes. jonathan.

[grandma210 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jonathan. thank you so much for your very kind comments they have helped more than you`ll ever know. Last night I had the best night for 3 weeks and I didn`t even take any tablets but concentrated very firmly on something to shut out the noise of my heart thumping. I have had it checked out and its OK so my panic of a pending heart attack has been put on one side. I feel nearly normal this morning and the sun is out!!

Happy New Year. Grandma 2 10 which means I have 10 grandchildren!

[GrayEm]

Hi. You have my sympathies. I had tinitis in my ears, when I first got anxiety. I gradually got attuned to the sound, and began to just accept it as part of bed time. Eventually I got so that I did not even notice it. Unfortunately the anxiety has come back, but without any tinitis in my ears. I am taking Mirtazapine and Olanzapine at bedtime, which are not addictive, but help with sleeping greatly. Hope you find peace soon!

[grandma210]

Very kind of you to reply and it`s nice to realise that there are a lot of people `out there` who also have these anxiety attacks. I actually slept normally last night even though the noise was very loud in my ears until my heart settled down. It has been checked out by the GP and it is Ok thank goodness. I have noted the pills you take so that I have something to use when I get another virus. At least I can pinpoint these attacks to having a virus.

Happy New Year and kind regards Grandma of 10!