Lots of sleep problems. Are they related?

[LNick]

I'm a 23 year old male who should be in good health. I go the gym religiously and I eat healthier than most. I slept like a baby up until about a year ago; never waking up during the night and going to sleep almost instantly.

I've had a lot of sleep problems lately, and I've been trying to figure out the cause. On average I'd say that I wake up around 10-20 times a night. I don't really snore.  There's no pain or anything, but I do think I suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome. My legs and sometimes arms tingle with kind of an electric sensation, which makes me very restless when I'm trying to sleep. I frequently wake up with Sleep Paralysis, but it usually comes in spurts. Like I may be paralyzed when I wake up 5 times in a row one night, and not at all the next. Sometimes the paralysis is accompanied by a panic attack. Intense electric sensations going through my whole body. I suffered from waking panic attacks about 5 years ago, but haven't had one since, except when I wake up.

I also have had bad heartburn for years (generally fixed by taking Prilosec or whatever). If I don't get enough sleep I get "cold shivers". The kind that originate in one spot and travel through your body. I feel like most of this is related because the shivers, panic attacks, RLS, are all varying degrees of an uncomfortable tingling or electric sensation.

I've been to a few general practice doctors who find nothing wrong with me, and say it's just stress or whatever, like it's all in my head, but I didn't even know what any of these things were before I experienced them. I thought I was suffering from seizures until I googled all the symptoms and found out it was definitely a panic attack. None of the doctors mentioned it at all.

I have also suffered from the symptoms of an enlarged prostate off and on and have dull pains in my lower left abdomen, but a prostate exam came up with nothing unusual. I wonder if it could be due to kidney problems, as my lower left back frequently bothers me, but who know, that may have something to do with my heartburn.

Anyway, does anybody have any suggestions? The only thing I can think of is to go to a neurologist or something.

[Suri123]

Hi, yes stress and strain to body can cause sleep disorders due to less rest than required to body. What you mean is correct. A sleep study can throw some light on the reason of your disturbed sleep. Get evaluated by a sleep specialist. Good luck and take care. Bye.

[LNick]

Thanks guys. It sounds like I need to get a sleep study done! I'm sure stress and sleep problems go hand in hand like you say. (Vicious circle!)

[Suri123]

Hi, thanks for reply. The fact that you are not having proper sleep since couple of years itself causes stress as you cannot concentrate at your work next day or may not feel like attending to your daily routine at home, state of run down and low feeling so on. This by itself causes tremendous stress to body as it is not getting its share of sleep and rest. This might be the reason doctors speak about stress. Anyway try some of possible things as suggested and probably get a sleep study done and update. Take care. bye.

[scarlet37]

Waking 10-20 times per night causes lack of proper sleep. You may not be getting the proper amounts of deep sleep which our bodies need to repair themselves for the next day.
I would recommend a sleep study - that way you'll know for sure wehter it is lack of proper sleep RLS or breathing. We have to rule each thing out at a time to find the real issues. Kind of like peeling an onion.Some of your symptoms may not be related. but sleep deprivation can cause many odd things.

It took me 2 years of feeling yukky tons of tests, mri's ct scans, eeg's, lab work , 9 doctors, 2 nurse practioners,1 thyroid surgery, and 1 psychiatrist to diagnose my narcolepsy.

Hang in there -

[LNick]

Thanks for the tips! I don't think any of the symptoms are actually due to lack of sleep because they started back when I slept great. It certainly could be making it worse though. What gets me is that the doctors say that it is probably stress related, but I've been suffering from a lot of the symptoms for 4 years straight. I'm not that stressed out!

Anyway, thanks for the help.

[Suri123]

Hi, Relax! it seems you are under stress due to improper sleep and the sufferings so. It is a good idea to see a neurologist but also visit a sleep specialist and go for an sleep study. Your heartburn if not under control can cause discomfort and irritation in chest  and can aggravate your sleep symptoms badly. Do morning evening walk, stretches, have nutritious diet with lot of water or other liquids, have hot shower and listen to soft music before going to bed, these can be soothing to mind and body so it may be of some help. Mild dose of alprax also can be tried. Keep updating of any visit. Take care.