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Scared about potential problems with anxiety or more...

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Posted 10/11/2010 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, I'm back and now I think my problems are even worse.


Every night as I lay down to go to sleep, right as I'm about to fall asleep I feel a sudden and intense surge of adrenaline and fear and I spring up really quick trying to catch my breath with my skin feeling really hot. I have been reading this e-book called panic away and I was going to try some of the techniques I had learned from it, so I lay down in bed on my side with my right hand and fingers resting right underneath my left forearm.

So I feel the panic come on and try to deal with it, and at first it seems to be working OK and I seem to have it under control until suddenly, my index finger moves completely on its own and scratches my forearm, and this completely scares the living crap out of me and I start crying thinking I'm starting to develop seizures. This has been my biggest fear which has lead to these attacks.

What do ya'll think?
Posted 10/11/2010 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
i have shakey hands, finger twitching, especially when my panic is growing or i'm becoming aggitated emotionally.

on the other hand, i do twitch in my sleep, so even if i'm calm and passed out my fiance says i'll have sudden twitches throughout the night that wake him, but not me.

could be either? my doctor told me that there is no way panic can cause you to have life threatening conditions. she said if you've already had these conditions panic can act as a catalyst and accelerate them or add to them, but if you're healthy to begin with, a panic attack isn't going to give you a heart attack or stroke (which was my main concern). i'm assuming the same applies to seizures.
Posted 10/11/2010 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I've been there with all that you described and thought the same things and more! (I'm am not going to list my worries so as not to give the power of suggestion, but just know there were many) I had exactly the same experience of falling asleep, only to be jerked awake in panic-horrible! The muscles twitches are common, harmless manifestations of anxiety-nothing more.
Glad to hear that you are reading up on how to help yourself through relaxation. It takes practice and patience though. I did this as well as therapy, and have had a great recovery. Hang in there-it will get better.
Be well,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/11/2010 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
I've too had the same and know others who have as well. Twitching while asleep (or kicking your partner; even when you're not mad at them tongue) whether it wakes you up or not, is common with people who have anxiety.

Also bedtime can be an anxiety provoking time. Rmcconn85, this might be something you can relate to as well. Sometimes we're anxious all day long and constantly on guard thinking "I'm probably going to have a panic attack at some point, but I don't want to be caught off guard so I have to keep my guard up all day long". Sometimes this actually works and you're able to prevent (or at least postpone) an attack. Then at night you go to lie down and suddenly your body goes into relaxation mode. In other words, you finally let your guard down in order to relax enough to fall asleep. It's then that the panic breaks through, which also helps to explain sometimes why we have nocturnal attacks (your guard is down, but you're still highly anxious).
Posted 10/14/2010 11:39 AM (GMT 0)
this is really terrible can't sleep at all
Posted 10/14/2010 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
bsctov
Have you tried any home remedies to help you sleep ? Many people can't fall asleep because they can't relax. But certain smells have been proven to induce a deep sense of relaxation, which can help some people get the shut-eye they need. A lavender fragrance, for instance, is very effective at inducing a more relaxed state.

Using a heating blanket will help you get to sleep by relaxing the muscles and increasing brain temperature--two factors that induce sleep, worth a try even if you only have a heating pad. A warm toasty bed is welcoming.

The old cup of warm mild with a splash of honey works well for others.

Remember to make your bedroom the place you go to sleep and don't hang out in it all day but save it for night time.

Good luck as I know from experience that insomnia is ugly ~ I support you.

Kindly,

Kitt
Posted 10/14/2010 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
I understand, when I was at the peak of my anxiety and panic syndrome, I was actually afraid to fall asleep. For me the act of letting my guard down and surrenduring to sleep was for some reason terrifying. I think I feared the not-being-in-control feeling mixed with a fear of not waking up. I started to use a night light (which I still have-just got used to it!) I would use my breathing techniques and positive mantras, but it was so hard. I remember that period in my life as being extemely difficult, as sleep is a non-negotiable in life!
If you need to, ask your doctor about a light sleep aid. Or try a natural remedy (check for any medication interactions!) like melatonin, or primrose oil.
I finally was able to sleep again after recovering from the panic through therapy. I still sometimes get "the jerks" after a particularly stressful or active day (just had one 2 nights ago) but am no longer worried about them. I hope that you can find some relief either through therapy, and/or talking with your doctor
Take care,
S.C.
Posted 10/14/2010 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
I'd definitely try the natural therapies first. If you do have to ask the doctor, remind him or her that you're currently taking valium. A light sleep aid with Valium could become a pretty heavy one in a hurry, depending on what is prescribed. And you'd be surprised about doctors forgetting/failing to look at your chart. It's happened to me twice.

EDIT...I have not fully awakened yet and in my head I combined your post with someone elses. Oops...

I'd still try the natural remedies first, though. I know what it's like not being able to sleep. It not only sucks, after a long time there are adverse health effects. So if you absolutely have to have a sleep aid, then do it.

Post Edited (debaser) : 10/14/2010 8:35:47 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/17/2010 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
It's so hard to explain these twitches/movements, not even sure what to call them.


It feels like my toes curl up involuntarily for 3/4ths of a second and usually this only happens as I'm falling asleep. Is it due to the xanax or am I developing some neurological disorder? I take very small doses occasionally, never more than 0.25mg usually its a .25mg pill broken into thirds.
Posted 10/17/2010 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, I looked this up for you (do not symptom search on your own! An A/P No-No!) It is called a 'Hypnic jerk" and is common and benign. It seems to have something to do with the muscles relaxing too quickly-the body then respnds with a jerk to counteract this. Please try to not let it worry you. Like I said it happens to me, and I shrug it off and go back to sleep.
I think as soon as you stop fearing this, it will happen less and you can get the sleep that you need.
Hope this helps!
Scaredy Cat
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