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I'm sick of this! I feel like I'm going mad!

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Posted 5/20/2014 11:13 AM (GMT 0)
Why is it that when I lie down to go to sleep on my bed my heart starts pounding and I feel like I can't breathe? Then, the chest pains begin, too! Why? I'm just trying to go to sleep and yet my heart starts pounding. This is every night! I feel like I can't cope, any more! Why would a body not affected by some kind of physical illness do this? This is the exact reason why I can't believe that I'm having panic attacks.

I'm so tired of feeling this way all the time. I feel like I can't cope with this fear and pain any more. cry
Posted 5/20/2014 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry for not only being absent but coming back like this. :< I feel really selfish now.
Posted 5/20/2014 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Janghwa, I'm sorry you are experiencing this. I am too, have been for about a week now. I lay down to sleep and the chest twinges will start. I will try to ignore them and end up in a worse state and everything starts to hurt. I've tried propping myself up on another pillow, it doesn't always help. After an hour I'll get up and go to the spare bedroom, and as soon as I occupy myself with reading or listening to music, it all disappears and I go back to normal. I wish I understood it. Tonight I will have a hot soak in the bath before bed and hopefully this will help. Maybe you could find away to relax before bed or have a hot bath or shower? Sending hugs.

A x
Posted 5/20/2014 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Janghwa,

I do hope that you are feeling better this morning....and don't feel selfish!! That is why we are here to support eachother...and you have done much of that for others in your previous posts.:)

It is strange that when all is quiet and seemingly relaxed, that the anxiety strikes. However, this is more common than you would think.

We often push our stressors aside during the day when we are busy...only to find it 'catches up' with us at the times when we should be settling down and feeling at peace.

These sensations are completely real and are very physical in nature...however they originate in the mind rather than from an organic disease or illness. This does not change their validity or power however!

How are you doing on using your coping skills? This is very important to do every day...even on the good days!

I hope that you were able to get some sleep, and that today finds you feeling much better.

Talk to you soon,

S.C.
Posted 5/20/2014 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Janghwa,

Please don't feel sorry as we are your online support group and when you need us we are here for you.

I have morning anxiety and it causes me many tough days and then all of a sudden it will just stop, never to stay away but it takes a break. I suspect your having a similar reaction in the evening. Anxiety affects our whole being.  It affects how we feel, how we behave and has very real physical symptoms.

The first thing to understand is that anxiety is self-sustaining.  It causes problems with your mind and body that make it more likely to experience further anxiety.

Heart palpitations are most often not serious. They can be due to:

  • Anxiety, stress, panic attacks, or fear
  • Caffeine and nicotine use
  • Have you tried any home therapy that is known to help a lot of people:

Learn to reduce stress and anxiety. This can help prevent palpitations and help you better manage them when they occur

Try breathing exercises or deep relaxation (a step-by-step process of tensing and then relaxing every muscle group in your body)( see our resources)

Practice yoga, meditation, or tai chi.

Get regular exercise.

Here are a couple of links that deal with ectopic beats:

Self Help for PVCs

http://heartpvcs.com/pvc_cures.htm

http://heartpvcs.com/long_term_pvc_cures.htm

Remember if you have not seen your Dr. concerning your heart symptoms that now is the time to get a complete medical screening check up.

Kindly,

Kitt 
 

Posted 5/20/2014 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I used to have the night anxiety terribly, as Scaredy Cat stated it is more common than you would think. Basically how the doctor explained it to me is during the day you are basically consumed with daily activities, then when we go to bed and all is quiet we start thinking and this can lead to panic.

I have to have my T.V on when I go to bed, not loud and it has to be an upbeat show(something like Everybody loves Raymond and King of Queens), I listen to it and dose off and keeps my mind from wondering, I know a lot of people say to get a good nights sleep you need a completely dark room but I need that "white noise", which I know it is really not the typical white noise but it works very well for me. The shows tend to soothe me, and listening to them is almost like someone telling me a bed time story. Maybe that sounds crazy and maybe I should make an early appointment to my Psychiatrist ASAP smilewinkgrin, but it does help me!
Posted 5/21/2014 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and good afternoon everyone!

Thank you all so much for posting! I didn't realise this was quite common so it's relieving to read, but also sad that you've all gone through it! D:

I can tell by reading my first post that I was in the "everything's wrong" state as last night I slept without the discomfort of chest pounding etc. I feel okay today, nothing like yesterday or the eve' before. I was very stressed and I was worried that the stress was going to cause me to have a heart attack, which caused more stress! I got myself in a very vicious cycle and it seemed the only thing I could do was let it run its course.

@ Scaredy Cat: I have been exercising coping skills every day as of the beginning of this month. My therapist also states that it's very important to do these every day so I've took her advice, too! ^-^

@ Skitt: Thank you for the self help links! I'll fav them to my laptop when I get home.
Posted 5/21/2014 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Janghwa,

Glad to read you are doing better and hope you do check out the links and practice when your feeling well so the next time anxiety strikes you will have something in your toolbox to help you cope.

Sign of the sheep: "Daydreaming all afternoon sounds heavenly to the Sheep."

yeah   turn smilewinkgrin tongue yeah turn smilewinkgrin tongue
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