What do u think about my anxiety

[jennifer567]

Hey there!

Okay here's the deal. My anxiety peaks at bedtime, not like right before or getting prepared but like once I lay down. Moments after laying ther, the fast heart beat sets in with the pounding feeling; inability to breath, feeling anious like I want or need to get up, and then just real bad attack!

I thought my prozac was doing it, so I quit it (it caused it during the day dose also), the anxiety was still there. I thought it might be pain meds, so I try taking them a good bit of time prior to laying down. No caffiene near or around bedtime. The only other outside factor is possibly Ambien. But that sounds absurd. Do you think Ambien could cause it?

Does anyone else have issue woth anxiety at bedtime??? Is it more common than I realize?

I know there are some things I can take for it- My question is more about why it is happening.

Let me know if you have any ideas, or if you have it too, or whatever else you want to share- I'd like to hear from you.

I hope all of you are having nice relaxing nights!

Thanks in advance!!!!
Jennifer

[lagoya]

hi
i know if i get straight into bed lay down i get all dizzy and start getting paps like that and then the anxious comes in and 50% of the time i have to get up.only to be shattered the next day.
certain meds can effect the body in all different ways and certain meds can also effect your sitting bp --i dont know if yours have this effect but it may be worth looking into.
if the bp falls to fast the heart will regulate it and u may feel paps.it could be nothing to do with that however.
you know sleep is  very important it is a time for your body to heal--
so how do u get there--without the meds
if u have any emotions that are upsetting u express them dont keep them in
an hr or 2 before bed do something different and nothing health related
drink chamomile tea double the strength at night
listen to music something you enjoy
sometimes it just takes the body a while to settle down esp if u are under stress during the day.
if none of that works try counting sheep lol {sorry}

i hope u feel well soon
u be good to yourself ok

[meki]

Have you guys ever thought that maybe it could be like... blood pressure related?

I don't mean like you have high blood pressure...

But --- bear with me...

When you are up - the blood is PUMPING up to your head... So it pumps at a certain rate.

Then when you lay down - you change that rate.

I used to feel "UNCOMFORTABLE" in my own skin when I lay down.

So I thought about it --- and I tried laying down bits at a time... Like sitting up to read for 10 minutes - inclining slowly down more every few minutes...

That sometimes worked.

Then elevating my head and upper chest also helped.

Another strange thing that helped was a BODY PILLOW...

cause I sleep on my side.

I feel like I am choking or dying if I sleep on my back.

Anyhow - those things help me... dunno if they will help you --- but there is no harm in trying them...

I also get so anxious at that time - sometimes --- I have to rock my foot or leg to get comfortable in my own body so that I can eventually drift off to sleep.

Much luck guys,

Meki

[Joni686]

Let's just say I could write a book on panic attacks and we'll leave it at that for now.  I will tell you that I began having them at age 16 and at times in my life they controlled me.  I know after many years of therapy and experience that there is always a reason behind the attacks and when they happen also should tell you something.  I began taking Serzone about 12 years ago and working on exposure therapy which I believe is what Kimpton was trying to explain.  Believe it or not, my boyfriend of 8 years also began having them about 6 years ago.  His would always come when he was sitting down or laying down to relax.  The doctor explained to him that he believe he rushed through his day doing what he had to do (working etc.) and it was when he went to relax that all the anxiety of the day would rush in on him.  Maybe that is what's happening to you, I don't know.  Maybe try winding down at a slower pace at night.  Also, the doctor put him on Celexa and he really hasn't had a panic attack in a long time.  I knwo it would be great to go without medication but sometimes it is needed and sometimes you can take it just until you get a handle on the situation.  I have insomnia at times and a lot of pain in my legs all the time and I do take 1mg. of xanax at night to help me sleep and I sleep very good.  Someone else said to be careful of pain medicine and I have to agree strongly with that.  If I am given too much pain medicine it slows down my breathing and I instantly have anxiety and my heart races, so be careful taking too much.  Also, try to exercise during the day.  Not housework but swimming or something because that will help you relax at night.  God Bless and I hope you get a good nights sleep.  If you want to talk more about panic attacks you can write me.  I'm telling you that is a subject I do knwo a lot about.
Nite

[Cindee56]

Hi Jen.  I often get the anxiety and panic at bedtime.  I think the reason is that I know I will probably not sleep well and if I do sleep, I always wake up because of some kind of pain.  It's horrible to be up in the night with pain.  I don't even have pain pills because they make me nauseous, so I just use Tylenol, Advil, ice, the muscle creams like BenGay and Aspercream, which don't help enough for bad pain.

For some reason, in  the daytime I can deal a bit better with pain, but at night I get really anxious and depressed and very scared.  I feel very alone, and God forbid I wake up my husband, he bites my head off, so I leave him alone.  He never cares anyway.  So being alone with the pain and not being able to have any control is what makes me anxious.

[kimpton]

hi.  just an idea. there are theories that some disorders are caused by over stimulating the nervous system.  for example, ceiling fans or certain visual images can produce seizures.  try not using the computer, watching tv, or being around anything that makes a repetitive motion, one hour before bed.  a fan is very stimuli to the nervous system.  i think the issue with breathing issues while you relax to sleep is a fight or flight response.  this was described by bella.  from biomechanics side it's the dysfunction of your thoracic spine.  my nervous system did not want to relax at night to sleep.  i would have these horrible episodes of gasping for air right as i was starting to relax into deep sleep.  add pain medication into the mix, which does suppress your respiratory system....whew.  the fight or flight response would last sometimes 3-4 hours.  if you're concerned that your meds might be the issue you cango to a sleep disorder doc.  they monitor you while you sleep.  a note on helping yourslef work through the anxiety. maybe try warm stones (the flat black ones) on your forehead, heart, lungs & stomach to break the nervous system's pattern.  then, focus on the stones.  it might take a while to learn this.  try taking baby steps.   i would liken this to training my dog....pls don't take that personally.  if i wanted her to wait for me, say at the store, i would take her and sit with her to let her to show her how to be relaxed.  then leave her for 3 min + reinforce, then 5 minutes + positive reinforce until she could sit out it front for an hour relaxed.  dropping her off for an hour the very first time would produce anxiety...barking, chewing, scratching at a door, etc.  dogs that bark non-stop are so full of anxiety.  i don't like listening to them and their owners really **** me off, but it's pure anxiety for the dog.  i don't have any of the breathing problems after going to myofascial release (barnes trained).  it broke these patterns in my nervous system.  i hope this helps. kimpton

[bella686]

I also have the anxiety after I lay down and go to bed, its like I feel like I cant breathe.  I will be up watching tv and be fine and then its like as soon as I go to bed something happens.  My heart starts pounding in my chest and I feel like something bad is going to happen even though nothing ever does.  I dont know what causes it or what to do about it  I have tried everything from taking a hot bath to reading a book to relax and nothing ever works now I know I have not helped you in the least bit but I just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
Bella