Sleep issue! Not Apnea. Is it anxiety????

I have low vitamin D. Wait let me back up. In January I began feeling fatigued, anxious, weak and having tachycardia. I was put on Metoprolol in February. In March my brother passed away suddenly from an allergic reaction to hair color for his beard. I've been a mess since. I now feel like I'm numb in my stomach, my face, my head and this happens in my sleep. It feels like I'm not breathing through my nose but I know I am. Im tired but I can't sleep for fear of what happens when I try. I've been tested for apnea and I don't have it. I'm sad because I'm sick. Doctors say I'm sick because I'm sad. Please help me.

This sound absoluitely horrible! My condolences about your brother- I know that major changes such as death in the family can send one's anxiety skyrocketing, and it sounds like this is happening to you. What makes it even more maddening, though, is that you have a physical illness as well, so you're left struggling to figure out if it's a medical symptom or one of your anxiety.

I personally remember after major events being afraid to fall asleep. I remember having severe anxiety one evening when I thought I wasn't a devout enough Christian, and was convinced I'd be crucified if I didn't give into some OCD thoughts I was having. Granted I was still a kid at this time, but it's held true that I fear sleeping after triggering or anxiety heavy days.

Some nights I'm convinced I'll die in my sleep,, or that something horrible will happen to me if I give in and go to bed. I've learned that it's a vicious cycle- I'm anxious because I'm tired, but my anxiety about sleeping makes me more tired, and in turn, more anxious.

Now that I'm older, I've learned to simply ignore the anxiety. Anxiety has lied to me so many times- saying I'm in danger when I'm not, convincing me horrible things will happen when they won't, lying and ruining my life.

I've learned to just stop giving it any mind- anxiety tells me that I'll die when I go to sleep. I just sort of scoff- if I die in my sleep, then so be it. I have no control over it, but if I do die in my sleep, having anxiety or not having anxiety won't do a thing to effect the final outcome.

Anxiety tells me this crap all the time, and I'm so sick of limiting myself and catering to it I've just stopped. Anxiety is a liar and I refuse to let it make me waste anymore tears or rule me.

That being said- just by the way you're writing, you sound absolutely exhausted and uncertain and afraid. Thinking that you will die if you sleep or that other improbable, horrible things will happen to you is irrational, and it means that anxiety is influencing you a lot lately.

I know it seems dark- but even an ocean of anxiety ends once you reach land. You've been swimming in it for so long, I have a feeling you'll reach land soon. But before you do- consult your therapist/doctors about strategies to help you cope with anxiety, since it sounds like anxiety is absolutely taunting you right now.

Praying for you!

I truly appreciate your replies. Even my days are rough. I get the sensation in my nasal passages before the panic comes. My doctor wanted me to try Busparone. Corrie Ten Boom. I read her book The Hiding Place. Well most of it.

Post Edited (SunshineGirl7) : 11/15/2015 8:57:03 AM (GMT-7)

I have a therapist. Not sure if I need a new one. Thanks for the well wishes. I'm very happy I found this group.