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Rough night and I don't get it!

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 2/1/2015 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been sleeping which is my new normal. I took a bath around 3:30 to unwind and after the bath when I was still wide awake, I took my Xanax to help me go back to sleep. This worked. Here's the part I don't get. At 5:15 I woke up feeling extremely groggy (probably from the Xanax and being over tired), but also terrified. I checked my heart rate and it was 115!!

I know this is a common question, but I am too frustrated and exhausted to search for the answer!! Does anyone know why I would suddenly wake up when I clearly need more sleep, with my heart racing that way??

I feel awful this morning and discouraged.
Posted 2/1/2015 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry Park. I just asked how you were on my post and I guess this answers that question.

I don't know. I wish I had an answer for you. I had (kinda) the same thing happen yesterday. I had to be up at 4:45am to get to the equine center for school by 6. When I got home I was super tired and couldn't wait to take a nap. I helped my husband with rearranging our basement (for the treadmill!!) and finally got to lay down around 5. about 1/2 hour later, I wake up heart racing! I take my pulse and it's around 110. I go to take a shower and it's up to 120. Then, of course, I'm freaking out. It doesn't come down until a few hours later. :(

The only thing I can think of is that our subconscious mind is processing so much stuff, even while we are sleeping, that it jolts our already sensitive and easy to react nervous system. Then we wake and really get going with the anxiety when we realize what is going on. Like I said, I don't know, but I sure am sick of it.
Posted 2/1/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry that happened to you too, MG! It's frustrating and scary, especially when we think our bodies should be resting.

I'm glad you found a place for your treadmill! I haven't done it in a few days, so I'm getting back at it today and hoping it makes me feel a little better.

I'm already anxious and uncomfortable today, so that's upsetting. In positive news, we're basically having a blizzard so my hubby will be working from home tomorrow and I always enjoy that!
Posted 2/1/2015 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
We only got a dusting last night. It must have all went south. Glad your hubby will be home tomorrow.

Didn't you say you are due for your period soon too? Increased anxiety and uncomfortableness = PMS?

Hope the treadmill helps. We still need to drag it out of storage, but at least we have a place for it now! Going to start slow and hope for the best.
Posted 2/1/2015 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Like Gigi, I wish I could help. I woke up pretty much every night last summer between 2:00-4:00, regardless if I took xanax or not. I can't say what my heart rate was, as I do not take it. But my heart would race, because I knew right away, I would have a hard time getting back to sleep.

My problem got better very slowly. Like I would still wake up, but could get back to sleep shorty after waking up. Then I would sleep all night until about an hour before my alarm went off. Then, eventually, sleeping the whole night. The whole time my anxiety was getting less. So I'm not sure if I was sleeping better, causing my anxiety to get less...or my anxiety was getting less causing me to sleep better.

Wishing you the best Park.
Posted 2/1/2015 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Oh yes, due Tuesday. No doubt that's what's been causing my bad sleep and bad anxiety. It just sucks that it's a solid week before my period and then the week of too. That's two weeks of life that are just no fun.

Hey, just making a place for the treadmill is a good step. That was something that was overwhelming you and now you have a place for it! I hope you respond like I did and actually end up feeling good. I need to increase how long I do it for, but in just not that ambitious yet.
Posted 2/1/2015 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, M! I miss sleep!
Posted 2/1/2015 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
I hear ya. I'm the same way...week before and week of. Half of my life run by hormones. :(
Posted 2/1/2015 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Can you even believe that? I mean seriously it's unbelievable and really unfair. I always tell my husband that I wish he could experience it just once, so that he would know I wasn't exaggerating about the mood swings and all that junk!
Posted 2/1/2015 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Park - this happens to many of us. Wake up from a "dead sleep" with heart going crazy fast, which leads to anxiety, which can then lead to dreaded panic attack! DON'T let it get that far. At the first sign, when you wake up with it, turn over on your right side and breathe slowly - I usually wake my husband up , he too is pretty wonderful, and put my head on his chest to listen to HIS slower heartbeat. Then take the time to let your's slow down - it will. Wishing you the best ~ we have to stick together :-)
Posted 2/1/2015 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Reepin!
Posted 2/1/2015 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
I wish I had an answer for ya too, Park... I'm kind of in the opposite boat though, I'm having a hard time staying awake during the day or night! Soooooo sleepy! But I have had this happen in the past, and I was lucky enough to remember that I was just having a spooky dream which set my heart to race. It was probably just a dream that you didn't realize you were happening! That's my total guess here! Hope you get some sleep soon!!
Posted 2/1/2015 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
Park,
I'm sure it's hormonal. Actually, almost positive it's hormonal. When I get my period, my body is out of whack for 2.5 weeks, pre and post period. I wake up with a high heart rate, go to bed with a high heart rate, and I've woken up in the middle of the night with a high heart rate. It's just those hormones surging through your body. Also, you're the mother of a toddler. My mom said when she had me, she never slept the same again because she got what she calls "mom ears" meaning she never is fully in a deep sleep because she's always listening for me. Even now that I'm 23. Be gentle with yourself, you're a relatively new mommy, you're close to your period, and you have a lot on your mind. If your heart rate was 200, I may be concerned, but 115 is harmless :)
Posted 2/2/2015 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
That's happened to me too. I will wake up from a deep sleep with anxiety and panic. Hope tonight is better for you :)
Posted 2/2/2015 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
Park
I agree with blus mama , 115 is not high at all , when I wake up in a true panic attack my heart rate is 160 now that's up there , i think you were a little anxious that's it , I'm sure it's upsetting and discouraging but I have to say I wish my heart rate was 115 during anxiety :/, you will be okay :) and I hope you are feeling better and when your pulse reaches 115 again try to think that's it's only 15 beats over 100 , 60-100 is normal pulse for adults .
Peace and blessings to you and hopefully you have a restfull night of sleep tonight .
Posted 2/2/2015 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. 115 is actually very uncomfortable for me. Everyone has their own normal, ya know? It was especially uncomfortable because I went to sleep and then woke up with my heart beating on the faster side like that. Fast for me at least. I had another bad night last night. I just can't stay asleep no matter what I do. I'm feeling so discouraged.
Posted 2/2/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Park,

Are you taking any meds before you go to sleep?
I have been taking a benzo (a very small dose of lorazepam) right before bed time...I never wake up. Without it, I will ALWAYS wake up in the middle of the night and my whole day is ruined because of that.

Maybe you can adjust your meds a bit or ask your doc to prescribe a different benzo before bed. Not sure what kind of meds you are on right now. Also refrain from taking a very hot bath right before bed. Allow your body to cool a bit before getting into deep relaxation. Do some breathing exercises as well. Maybe you can take meditation classes during the day. It will help you calm your nerves and get a good sleep.
Posted 2/2/2015 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Melodee,

I actually take Ambien to sleep and it puts me out without much problem. The Benzo I take is Xanax and if I wake up this week, I've been taking it. I think the problem is hormonal right now. My cycle is due to start tomorrow and this seems to be a pattern. The only time I take a bath is in the middle of the night when I can't get back to sleep. A warm bath relaxes my tense, grouchy muscles and then I tend to be able to get back to sleep.

I will try doing a meditation before bed though. Thanks for the suggestion! I'm at the point where I'll try just about anything. I've done essential oils, chamomile tea, Ambien, Melatonin, Xanax....you name it and I've been trying it!!
Posted 2/2/2015 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat well/healthy? Do you like junk food? I know that when I changed my diet, it affected how I slept. I eliminated processed food, junk food, fast food, soda and caffeine...and also started to eat more vegetables. My body changed. My weight changed of course lol. My skin looks much better as well. I feel much better and more relaxed. If you have a good diet already then ignore what I wrote lol.
Posted 2/2/2015 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
LOL. I'm a really healthy eater. Yesterday we are like crap due to the super bowl, but normally I'm a low carb, lean meats, green veggies kinda girl. I'm pretty sure this is menstrual cycle related, but it's just seemed to drag on forever. I'm keeping tabs in a journal now so I can look back each month to compare and figure this out.
Posted 2/2/2015 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
That's great to hear you are a healthy eater! You're doing great taking care of yourself. Keep it up.
Hope you find an answer to all this soon. I'm suffering from menstrual cramps right now. Hate it. It's mostly due to lack of exercises this month. Gonna do some exercises and aromatherapy today.
Posted 2/2/2015 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I'd say my vices are cheese and wine and I've been cutting back on those too, so it shouldn't be food related! I'm just having bad luck!
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