Aa
What is wrong with me?
Hi I'm a 25 year ills girl and have been taking panic attacks for a couple years now I normally can control them but in the last month they hav been very severe, I have been prescribed valum for them and it usally works but now I'm experiencing difficulty sleeping at night I'll wake up every 2 hours with tingles down my left arm and also it feels stiff I always have nightmares everynight and my heart rate is usally fast and beats hard just as I wake I've got to sit up for about 5-10 mins before it returns to normal, I havnt had a full nights sleep in months I always wake up at least 3/4 times with the same symtoms I'm getting really worried now as it's everynight also I get pains in my heart somtimes, and wake up fly cold and shivery I wear alot of clothes to bed and hav 2 quilts yet I still get really cold can you please help to find an answer I've been to the hospital and had a chest xray and they done an ECG and they said everything is fine, my blood pressure is fine and my weight I'm 10 stone I don't smoke occasonally drink
I also have a very high anxiety level. I was taking xanex and for some reason doctors do not like to talk to you is about withdraws. I take 2mg every 4-6 hours and the one day I didn't take my meds I had a total a withdraw experience (which I had never had before) and it made me feel awful (like the worst ever.) A therapist is definitely a good place to start. You're not alone =)
Before you do anything get a thorugh check-up by your doctor to rule out all other causes first! It needs to be more than what you had, and make sure they do bloodwork to rule out thyroid problems. Anxiety can and does present with these symptoms but never assume anything new is anxiety. Let your precribing doctor know how you are feeling right away, and see what he has to say. You want a psychiatrist when it comes to medications, they are the most knowlegable about them and can also recommend a therapist. Medications have given so many their lives back, and I'm one of them. Let us know what you find out, we're always here and care. Best wishes.
That was a long run-on sentence! ;-)
First of all, I completely understand where you're coming from as do millions of other anxiety sufferers. Insomnia or sleep disruptions are very common with anxiety, as well as tightness in the chest, shallow breathing, sweating, moodiness, etc. In fact, they say that stress is the number-1 cause of all illness and that is definitely not an exaggeration. On the bright side, you'll never be alone in this! And there is plenty you can do.
I strongly suggest ruling out any prescription medications. I can tell you from personal experience that it is not worth it. Just google the side effects of Valum--or any prescription drug for that matter-- and that is all you will need to turn you right off them. The side effects are problems in and of themselves and can leave you feeling worse.
If you truly think you need a little help with anxiety, look for natural options like Kava Kava, Gaba, St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, Chamomile or Lavender Root, or L-Theanine which are all found in health food stores. Some brands blend the herbs into one, which is what I took for a while. That worked best for me. Give them a little time just like any supplement and you should notice a difference.
And most importantly, dig to the root of the problem. What are you worried about? What are you afraid of? The sooner you can figure that out and be completely honest with yourself, the sooner you can kick those fears to the curb and rest peacefully through the night. All these anxious thoughts are just thoughts. That's it. They are not real and they are completely in your control. If a particular thought doesn't serve you, choose a different one! It really is as simple as that. Most people make the mistake of assuming that worrying prevents things from happening. But the truth is, worrying does nothing at all. It only makes you unhappy.
Remind yourself of these things whenever you feel that dark state of mind coming on. Learn to control your thoughts. Trust that you are safe and someone will always be there for you if you need them!
All the best,
Brittany
First of all, I completely understand where you're coming from as do millions of other anxiety sufferers. Insomnia or sleep disruptions are very common with anxiety, as well as tightness in the chest, shallow breathing, sweating, moodiness, etc. In fact, they say that stress is the number-1 cause of all illness and that is definitely not an exaggeration. On the bright side, you'll never be alone in this! And there is plenty you can do.
I strongly suggest ruling out any prescription medications. I can tell you from personal experience that it is not worth it. Just google the side effects of Valum--or any prescription drug for that matter-- and that is all you will need to turn you right off them. The side effects are problems in and of themselves and can leave you feeling worse.
If you truly think you need a little help with anxiety, look for natural options like Kava Kava, Gaba, St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, Chamomile or Lavender Root, or L-Theanine which are all found in health food stores. Some brands blend the herbs into one, which is what I took for a while. That worked best for me. Give them a little time just like any supplement and you should notice a difference.
And most importantly, dig to the root of the problem. What are you worried about? What are you afraid of? The sooner you can figure that out and be completely honest with yourself, the sooner you can kick those fears to the curb and rest peacefully through the night. All these anxious thoughts are just thoughts. That's it. They are not real and they are completely in your control. If a particular thought doesn't serve you, choose a different one! It really is as simple as that. Most people make the mistake of assuming that worrying prevents things from happening. But the truth is, worrying does nothing at all. It only makes you unhappy.
Remind yourself of these things whenever you feel that dark state of mind coming on. Learn to control your thoughts. Trust that you are safe and someone will always be there for you if you need them!
All the best,
Brittany
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
