Anxiety, Insomnia, and Depression

Hello,

First off let me say I'm glad I found this website and community. There is good information, advice, and support here.

I've been having what I think are anxiety / panic attacks, but along with that I've been suffering from insomnia the past month. I haven't slept 6 hours straight in over a month. I don't really seem to have to much of an issue falling asleep. My problem is staying asleep. Sometimes I'll wake up still groggy and I'll be able to fall back to sleep within a few minutes. Other times I snap wide awake and simply can't go back to sleep, at least not for a few hours. Sometimes I'll snap awake at 1am, but usually I snap awake between 2am and 4am. Sometimes I can move to the couch and fall back to sleep after an hour or two, but other times I'm awake until the next night. It has got to the point there are days I'm just zoned out and I feel like my brain is working at half capacity. That makes my job as a software developer harder when you can't concentrate.

I've read that anxiety and insomnia can be linked. I'm wondering if there is a connection for my case. I tend to sleep better when I fall asleep watching a tv show or movie I'm really into because my mind if focused. I do find my mind wondering and racing sometimes before I go to bed. Also when I snap awake 9/10 times I can't remember any dreams, but sometimes I have really bad dreams, which are disturbingly vivid. One time I awoke to a dream of me laying in a hospital bed having a heart attack. Talk about scary!

I've already read that anxiety, insomnia, and depression can all be linked together. I don't really feel depressed, although I have been living by myself since June of this year. It is lonely at times although I got a dog in July, he can be a handful at times to deal with. At the same time of not feeling depressed, I don't feel particularly happy either. I've lost interest in many things I used to enjoy. I'm 26 so I understand part of that is growing up but I think it goes beyond that. I don't laugh like I used to. I don't go out to socialize and social events anymore for fear of having an anxiety attack / or what I convince myself is a heart attack.

I've been to the ER 4 times since February with chest pains, shortness of breath, light headed, tingling, racing heart and elevated blood pressure. I've had several EKGs, chest x-rays, blood tests, CT scan of chest, stress test, echo-cardiogram, and a heart calcium score. My heart calcium score was 0 and my echo cardiogram and stress test came back normal. I did however one time have my heart rate climb from 70 BPM to 150BPM while being monitored by an EKG, but it started decreasing back to normal in less than a minute. The ER doctor said I had palpitations and sick sinus syndrome, but I'm thinking it may have been anxiety. Although I can't say what triggered it because I wasn't thinking of anything in particular when it happened.

Medically I've had a conclusive set of tests for my heart that have shown its healthy. I'm 26 years old with no family history of heart disease so I feel my chances of having a cardiac event are virtually 0%, especially given the echo-cardiogram / stress test shows normal function & structure, and the heart calcium score shows no blockage. You can't have a heart attack without a blockage, or at least that is my understanding. I'm still overweight but 230 lbs is a lot better than 280 lbs, and I can run 2 miles in 20 minutes.

Ohhh and I also want to mention I stopped taking Prevacid (30mg) about 5-6 weeks ago and I've read it can cause anxiety and depression. I was taking that for almost 6 weeks.

I know this was the "War and Peace" of forum posts lol. Any feedback, advice is appreciated!

I am seeing a cardiologist tomorrow for further investigation. I'm hoping he determines my heart is healthy and refers me to pursue Anxiety and GERD.

Should I mention to the cardiologist that I may be suffering anxiety?

Hi there. I really don't have a lot of experience with all of what you're talking about, but not getting enough sleep definitely causes me all sorts of problems. Great job on running 2 miles in 20 minutes though, that's a huge accomplishment! I don't know that I could even run one mile without having an anxiety attack.

A lot of us on here currently have been suffering with these same problems, and since February too. How crazy is that. Must be something in the air! :)

I hope all goes well with you at your cardiologist appointment, and hope you start to find some relief from these symptoms!

Hi TooMuchAnxiety,

Actually exercise tends to help me deal with stress and anxiety. I'm not sure why but running, walking, bicycling can actually help me avoid a panic attack.

Hi GF,

Please let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow...I am sure that you are going to check out fine...and then you can concentrate, like you said on treating the anxiety and GERD.

Have you been able to try any of the coping skills that we have in our Resources? (see link below) Practicng those daily, in conjunction with the exercise you are doing (great job!) can really have a postivie effect on both managing the anxiety, and sleep.:)

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

How about Melatonin for sleeping, or sound wave therapy? (Binaural Beats) These are both natural tools that you may want to consider trying.

Know that we are here to support. We understand and care, so let us know how it goes tomorrow, and what else we can do to help.:)

S.C.

joshwee, I actually had a sleep study done in March of this year and they said I have mild sleep apnea, but it was worse on my back. I do have a CPAP and was sleeping well with it for months.

Thanks for the resources Scaredy Cat. I haven't gone through them yet, hectic week. I'm going to pick up some Melatonin today and give it a try.

I will update this post after seeing the cardiologist to see what he thinks.

GF.,

Great news!! Your heart is healthy...and your risks are really low for any cardiac event.:)

Now...to treat the anxiety and GERD.

This is a good plan...GI and PCP for a two pronged approach to feeling better!

Sorry you were nervous while getting your tests done...I always am too.

I am sure that your BP spike was situational...but if you are concerned about it...you can get a cuff and monitor it at home.:)

Keep posting for support and make updates on your progress!

S.C.

you can try nexium otc. its 1/2 strengh and works wonders and no rx needed. i never had increase in anxiety on it or other acid reflux meds. you also can take nexium every other day to avoid side effects if any.

Hi All,

Sorry for delay in response, it has been a busy past few days.

I've noticed some improvement in Anxiety since seeing the cardiologist Wednesday. I still have all the same symptoms but I'm not freaking out like I was before. I think the cardiologist saying my heart was fine put my mind at ease somewhat. I still have anxiety but it seems to have improved. I'm hoping over time I will learn better ways to handle it.

I tried Melatonin as Scardy Cat suggested, and man does that stuff put me out quick! I fall asleep about 10-15 minutes after taking it. The supplements I take has some other natural herbs and ingredients. However I am still waking up in the middle of the night. However I have been able to get back to sleep quicker most of the time.

Arnel, software development is a stressful job huh? I mean I love building applications but timelines, learning new technologies, bugs, requirement changes, it can really have a toll on mental health. I have two weeks of vacation scheduled at the end of the year I'm really looking forward too!