Should I Seek Help???

  Dear Friends and Doctors:
     I am a 19 year old male who, for the past 2.5 weeks has been having a great deal of difficulty falling and staying asleep.
  I will admit that this may be due to an excessive amount of stress or perhaps even mild depression in my life right now, though
  I honestly don't think that is the case.
     With my limited medical training (I'm an EMT)I'm beginning to think that I'm suffering from either sleep apnea or supine
  hypertension syndrome.  Here are my symptoms:
          My evening/bedtime routine has been constant for probally the past 2 years, but lately after I lie down in bed and get
         comfortable and begin to doze off to sleep, I begin to experience this crushing feeling near my diaphragm.  This
         eventually leads to hyperventilation as I try to compensate for the pain.  Just lying there in bed my heart rate increases
         I haven't tried checking my BP but I would imagine it is elevated at this time also.  After about an hour to an hour and
         a half I calm my self down.  However, during the night I wake up every 2 hours or so.  To my knowledge I don't have dreams
         and even though 2 hours may have passed, it seems like I was just roused from a nap.  Like I stated in the beginning, this
         has gone on for about 2.5 weeks- I've had trouble sleeping befor, but never for such an extended period of time.
          I feel this may be somewhat related to the fact that in August of last year my father died of an MI in his sleep while on
         a business trip.  I've had a complete physical c an ECG and it came back normal in Sept. By normal BP is about 122/65, but
         has been higher lately (145/80)  My cholesterol levels are elevated, but I eat well and exercise about 5 times a week to try
         to keep it under control.
  An iformation you may have to offer would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.
  BOB
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Thanks for the question Bob. Anxiety or stress can certainly cause many physiologic problems and as physicians we like to rule out potentially bad things before saying that something is "stress" induced. It is possible that what you are suffering from are a form of panic attacks related to the death of your father and fear that you will suffer the same fate. It sounds like it is causing so much stress in your life that it is reasonable to investigate it further. If you wish a referral to CCF call 216 444 5559 and ask for a neurology referral with one of the sleep disorders doctors. I would in the mean time stay away from caffinated drinks before bed and attempt to improve your sleep hygeine by going to bed and awakening at regularly scheduled hours. Good luck
This information is provied for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic or treatment options of your specific medical condition.