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Night time Panic

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Posted 1/18/2017 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all.

I am having a rough time the past couple days and my usual skills for this stuff are not working so well. I have not slept more than 2-3hrs a night.

So I was wondering if anyone could share something that may work, other than,[ CBT; camomile tea; meditating; listening to music/nature sounds; praying; breathing tech. and counting backwards]

I fall asleep, then within an hour I wake up. My body sort of feels restless, then increases to wanting to crawl out of itself. This is not restless leg syndrome, I have this so I know how that feels.

Then, my mind starts to realize, hey, my body is in terror! So a panic attack starts. The only thing that calms me down any, is a hot, hot bath with Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender. Still not enough to sleep.

I know this is something dogging me from my past that has not popped yet. Just have to wait it out. BUT, I would like to sleep in the mean time!

Any suggestions would be welcome.

Peace
Trina
Posted 1/18/2017 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
I dunno Trina, it's hard when all the regular things don't work.

Insomnia was so bad for me I just went the drug route. Not the best thing, but it lets me keep working!

Before drugs I used to find distractions. TV was a good one. If Netflix had been around when I first had trouble sleeping I probably wouldn't own shares in Ambien now. ;-)

So yeah, TV is all I have for you. I recommend Sherlock. Great show, and the British accents are calming.

Good luck. smile
Posted 1/18/2017 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry you are having nighttime panic like that - I get it sometimes but for some reason I manage to stuff it back into it's closet fairly quickly. I think I'm just so afraid of what might happen if I let the panic take over that somehow I manage to deny it. Usually mine happens right as I turn off the light and turn over to go to sleep. I have a moment of falling into panic - if I roll over and re position myself it's easier to push it away. Sometimes I have to get up and walk around the house or pick up a book, anything I can totally let myself sink into saves me.

I guess mostly it's just that I focus very intently on anything other than the panic - maybe try to work out a logic puzzle or something intense that doesn't allow my mind to wander. Anyway, I hope that helps a little. Hang in there!
Posted 1/18/2017 9:58 AM (GMT 0)
Trina, I am real sorry to hear this. I hope you find some resolve soon. I don't have anything to recommend, just wanted to let you know I care...

I hope it goes away soon. Did you mention it to your therapist? They might have some suggestions. I hope you find what works for you soon.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 1/18/2017 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your input.

I do read and do soduko , crosswords before sleeping.

F27, by bedtime, my eyes hurt so bad, media of any kind is out, but good idea.

I looked on the yoga site I use and tonight I think if/when it happens I will try a calming pose with a repetitive mantra of "it is not my fault". The pose is, laying on your back flat, butt against the wall, feet straight up the wall hands out to your side and a comfortable angle.

We will see, the dogs, at Goose will come and lay half way on the shoulder or stomach, I will try and let this be a comfort instead of a distraction.

I now have validation, that I am not the only one that experiences this. That is half the battle sometimes and I thank you so much for posting!

Peace
Trina
Posted 1/18/2017 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Would you like me to send you some audio books? They're great to fall asleep to, especially the fluffy non-fiction ones.
Posted 1/19/2017 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Lately I have the same experience
What has worked for me is when I start panicking I say go back to the breath and I start doing my deep breathing
Also I started saying forget about everything- this is my time and I force myself to think of what I want no matter how selfish it may seem. I always put everyone in front of myself and we really do deserve to indulge ourselves a little- even if it's only in our dreams...
All my best
Sleep well- sweet dreams
Posted 1/19/2017 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
That you Weary.

Sure F27, can they come over via email?

Saw psychiatrist yesterday and got a new script, picking up today, drug store texted be 5 min before they closed last night, that it was ready. Ha!

Sleep 4.5 hours this morning, up at Noon. Taking care of myself.

Art, sketching brought something out, can not say what here. But it is a step in the right direction I feel.

Again, the support here is a God send.

Thank you.
Peace
Trina
Posted 1/19/2017 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
That you Weary sorry you are dealing with this too.

Sure F27, can they come over via email?

Saw psychiatrist yesterday and got a new script, picking up today, drug store texted be 5 min before they closed last night, that it was ready. Ha!

Sleep 4.5 hours this morning, up at Noon. Taking care of myself.

Art, sketching brought something out, can not say what here. But it is a step in the right direction I feel.

Again, the support here is a God send.

Thank you.
Peace
Trina
Posted 1/19/2017 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Trina,

I'll email you a link.
Posted 1/20/2017 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you are taking care of yourself, Trina. Hopefully you can start sleeping better.
I have been having my own struggles with sleep. The only thing that I can suggest that hasn't been mentioned is that I listen to podcasts, (kind of like F27's suggestion). Listening to authors I like, ( like Tara Brach) can relax me or at least not think about how awful I feel lying there awake!
Keep taking care of yourself.
Hope
Posted 1/20/2017 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
i hop in the shower and let just warm water flow from the back of the head, and down the nape. not sleeping either, and having issues as well. many healing thoughts to you all.
Posted 1/20/2017 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I do have a suggestion......
I too sometimes tend to wake up every hour and only sleep maybe a total of 2-4 hours. Ive learned that their was something in my life that was holding me back. Being stressed or worried can do that to you. Currently i feel free and happy and until recently ive started sleeping the whole night. Make sure your life is in order. Thats what i think. Goodluck and i hope you get better.
Posted 1/24/2017 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all.
Posted 1/25/2017 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. My 21 year old daughter uses Melatonin to help her relax and sleep. You could check with your pharmacist to get a good starting dosage. It really helps her and she also has major depression with anxiety. It unfortunately runs in the family. Cass
Posted 1/26/2017 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Cass, melatonin does not help me, but good idea!

Hope, I enjoy Tara Brach also! Mindfulness saves me every time from going to crisis! Tara B. is an amazing person!

F27, thanks for the links.

UPDATE:

Saw my therapist on Tuesday. I can remember an event with both parents abusing together, tag team. Can you believe that? Not all the uncommon apparently!

Anyway, around 5yrs old I remember flipping the switch for the 1st time and checking out, splitting as they call it. So since I am using mindfulness and stuff my anger still [pruely out of habit] therapist thinks my body mind is trying to healing itself and I am fighting it subconsciously.

This makes sense as my dissociation as increased.

We are going to use EMDR slowly to try and target some emotional pain, in the meantime, I am trying to use body scans and sitting with eyes closed trying to find an emotion, hard to do when you are having spiractic body spasms all night long.

Baby steps.

Peace
Trina
Posted 1/27/2017 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
good healing work trina. many healing thoughts.
Posted 1/27/2017 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Jamie.

Last night after centering prayer and some meditation, I was calm. Even though John was staying at his Mom's sprained her ankle on stroke side, whole other story.

Anyway, dogs and I are settled and I am just dozing into the nice sleep... NOT. thigh spasms, arms spasms, head, well neck spasms. Really?

So I sit up and force myself to do a body scan talking out loud. Body is not listening, spasms going off as if the 4th of July were talking place.

So I got up and walked, started asking myself random questions until theses , listed below;meant something, like I knew the answer possibly. Keep in mind, my therapist has been telling me for 2yrs to calm, hold and protect 'my child' Yea right....

So the first ? was, "why does it always start with the legs?"
"I feel a lot of rage, terror, am I fighting"
"If so what or who". dingdingdingding ding!

I don't know the what or who. My gut tells me the whole kit and kaboodle is involved.

I sat on the edge of the bed closed my eyes and started staying over and over, in a calm soft voice Trina you are safe. No one is going to hurt you again. I am here to protect you.. At one point, I wrapped my arms around myself, felt good.

I don't know how long it took, but in the and I was calm, when I layed down, a few twitches started, I repeated the sentences, just as if I was talking to a scared child. It worked.

Do I believe there is a 'scared child in me?' Who's to say. Bottom line is I needed to hear "that" sometime in my life, never did. So I have fought, now I can not hide the fighting any longer. So I told myself what I needed to hear. The words came out on their own. I never read about this, I was never coached, it was as if my mind knew what to do. A bit freaky.

We will see what tonight brings.

Thanks for reading the extraordinarily long post.
Peace
Trina
Posted 1/27/2017 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
that is exactly what your mind is telling you. you are safe. that kind of self protection and actual wrapping of arms is your inner self's love telling you you are safe and giving comfort. that is so wonderful.....and healing trina.
Posted 1/27/2017 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have amazed myself, the mind is a strange and wonderful piece of machinery!

Peace
Trina
Posted 1/28/2017 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck tonight, Trina. It sounds like you are on the right path.
You are very brave to face these fears alone, and very wise to be able to comfort yourself as you did. Deep wisdom can come from inside.
My thoughts are with you tonight.
Posted 1/29/2017 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I need good last night, broken sleep.

But it was the mind not resting, the body was calm and comfortable.

My husband is still sleeping at his mothers, I will be spending all day with her tomorrow and there is no aid.
Her sprained ankle is starting to heal.

Can't wait until this is past, and schedule gets back to normal.

Thank you again everyone, I can not say how much the support has meant to me. I love you all.
Peace
Trina
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