Startled in the middle of the night

When it happens to me, I can lie awake for a very long time (I used to do that). Instead, I've taken advantage of the time to start saying prayers for others. It keeps me from worrying or sometimes over-thinking things.
A phone call late at night is especially unsettling!

Happens to me all the time. The good part for me is that I can sleep in when I finally do get back to sleep.

Learn meditation, it will help you in instances like this. I fall to sleep fast when I meditate.

Hugs, Karen

There are several relaxation methods to try:
counting 1,2,1,2
focus on each body part starting at your toes and work your way up telling it in your mind to relax
listen to a white noise box
reading a book
deep breathing
close your eyes and picture yourself walking down a winding staircase relaxing as you take each step.

These are methods I use. I'm sure others have more they like to add.

I have the same sort of problem i think. I find now that when i go to bed, i am anxious physically, even though I am not mentally anxious about anything. Like i am having an adrenaline surge. It isnt too bad, and i get my mind off of it by "writing" novels in my mind, lol. Not too seriously, but i think of things like the plot, what are my characters doing, how will it end. Before i get too many details planned out i am fast asleep. But if i get woken up by my phone or kids or noise, then i have to start all over again. I have tried relaxation of muscles, but that is just a foreign concept to me. I focus on a muscle, and i cant really make it relax mor ethan it is. And i am not big on meditating. So story writing it is. I cant fix these adrenaline rushes, all i can do is get my mind off of them.

You can still relax the other muscles and your mind. Practice, deep breathing. In through the nose and out through the mouth. It is called smelling the roses and blowing out the candles. This brings your heart rate down. If you ever have anxiety, this is what you do. Keep trying. You can master it. Do what you can to help yourself.

I hope that you don't continue to have sleep issues. I take ambien and it works well.

Take care,

Hugs, Karen

I am sorry ambien leaves you feeling drowsy. Some meds do that to me. There are others, Lunesta, and now I can't remember the other one. Fibro Fog... lol... Have you tried melatonin? It is natural. Does this happen all the time, or just once in a while? I hope you get some rest.

Hugs, Karen

Thanks, Karen. I've tried Lunesta too and it also didn't work for me and caused me to feel drowsy the next day.

For years I've been doing Melatonin and L-Theanine. Sometimes I have to add a Metagenics supplements called MyoCalm PM.

I know what you mean, Chrissie. My mind can be so messed up it's difficult for me to focus on one thing, that's why I count on the supplements to knock me out.

I'm glad you like the idea of shopping. Then imagine this large department store has a cafeteria downstairs where you can check out what was made that day.

Thanks, Joy, for sharing that. Is fibro considered an autoimmune disease? I thought it was a condition of a compromised immune system. Maybe that's what autoimmune means?

When muscles refuse to relax, continue to focus on them. Make them relax, though it doesn't seem you are getting anywhere, you actually are as you have located that specific muscle. I have had them go birzerk when I focussed on them, but it is mind over matter.

Hugs, Karen