strange brain liquid sensation

I'm a 19 yr old caucasian female -

I've always been against using drugs, and I put off using medicine unless I absolutely have to. About half a year ago I took a liqui-gel Advil PM for the first - and last - time. I had a headache that was keeping me from sleeping the night before a major exam, so I took it... but I was terrified when I felt my entire body sinking into darkness while I still felt awake. For maybe the longest 20 minutes of my life, my brain automatically tried fighting it, trying to keep me awake. It felt like I could feel my brain chemicals clashing with the medicine in my brain, and it was frightening. It felt like all the liquid around my brain was sloshing around, sometimes lukewarm, sometimes a little cold. I never felt any actual pain, but it felt like it was on the verge of being very painful. I cried myself to sleep, wondering if I would wake up the next morning. Ever since then, hardly a night went by where, without the use of any medication, I would try to fall asleep and I'd get the same unexplainable liquid sensation. And as I drifted closer to actual sleep, I would feel my body trying to sleep but my brain trying to stay awake, and I'd be terrified that I was gonna die in my sleep, even though I knew I was a healthy person. No smoking, drinking, sex (yet), drugs, or too much fast food, though I am a hard-working student and have been under a lot of stress.
And three weeks ago, I had my first (and so far, only) anxiety attack at 1:30 a.m. It was horrible (teeth chattering uncontrollably, body shaking so much I couldn't stand up, heart beating rapidly, and that same brain liquid sensation) ; my mom rushed me to the ER, where they took an x-ray of my chest to make sure my heart was okay, and they said that everything was fine. I just need to relax, they said. I've done everything I can; going to bed at 9 instead of my usual 11 to 1 helps, but it doesn't completely eliminate the brain liquid sensation. And since the anxiety attack, that sensation has been accompanied by another sensation of the liquid "trying" to numb parts of my brain and almost doing so but never actually numbing it. Ever since about a week and a half ago, the brain liquid sensation has slowly crept into my time wide awake as well, from the moment I wake up til the thousandth prayer for survival before I fall asleep. My blood tests from 4 weeks ago say I'm fine, but I can't help but think something's wrong with my brain or brain chemistry after that one traumatic night of fiercely mentally fighting the medication, especially since I usually go for several months without using any kind of medication - and a combination advil and sleeping aid was something entirely new to my body. If anybody has any kind of insight or info, I would truly appreciate it. I always pray before sleeping, but I want to stop having to pray "please just let me survive the night." ^^'

[Jikan]

Namaste,

This is not a forum where a diagnoisis can be made based upon a short history of the individual.

My impression however, is that you are under a lot of stress and that you're body is reacting to it in a negative manner. Namely, your suffering from anxiety.

Fortunately, there are many alternatives available to rectify this condition, but only a professional mental healthcare worker can give you the proper recommendations on treatment, so I suggest you consult one as soon as possible.

Most colleges have health care services available and if that can't help you directly they can put you in touch with the appropriate people.

You'll sleep a lot better.
Good Luck!

Michael(Jikan)