Please help

Hi all

I am having a very rough time at the moment and need some help and support. I have suffered with anxiety for 3 years and managed it successfully for the most part, but now feel like its gettin out ot control.

It started on Friday when I had a bad nights sleep and was fairly low the next day. Over the weekend I had bad symptoms of nausea and non-cardiac chest pain related to GERD but also stress. My sleep became very intrupted but that's something I have become accustomed to. then yesterday something happened, no sure what, but the chest pain became very intense and was causing me significant distress. The stress from the pain only contributed to intensifying the pain even more and started the viscous cycle. My pain levels are usually low enough when I got to bed that they don't prevent sleep but last night it was very bad and the stress of the pain just magnified it. I eventually got it to settle down by adjusting position and with pain killers, but then began the difficult task of trying to fall asleep. I used relaxation techniques as I usually do to enter a very relaxed state but just could not fall asleep. I eventually got about 3 hours.

Today I'm tired and I have these headaches from lack of sleep and stress. The problem is that I usually lie down to do my relaxation exercises several times a day and this is how I manage my anxiety. But today every time I lie down the headaches come on and I'm reminded of how I cant fall asleep, then the heartburn starts and when I start to feel it I get stressed which then brings on even worse chest pains from the stress.

I don't know what I expect people to say but just needed to unload and for some comfort. I am going through a change in antidepressant which is never easy but I have been at a stable dose for 2 weeks so don't think it's that, but I am due to drop dose again and really do not feel ready.

I'm going to see the Dr today and will ask to increase my new AD but stay on my old one for a couple of nights jst to try and get a good nights sleep. I also want to ask about something for the pain as I'm taking cocodamol which isn't that strong and doesn't really deal with the stress component. I'm in the UK and Drs don't prescribe benzos here, but I may ask for pregabalin, has anyone tried it?

Sorry for the long post, I just don't know how to relax really as I can't lie down without getting stressed :(

I'm sorry you're going through all of this! I've had restless nights the last few nights, it's definitely not a fun thing.

I agree with Jake'sMom, I really hope you and your doctor come up with a different plan and things get a little easier for you!

We're all here for you, please keep us updated!

Andy,

Glad you went in and got a plan in place for getting the rest you need...feeling better all around...and for help in the anxiety management.

Continue with your use of coping skills...even if you have hit and miss success. It's important to keep trying...perseverance will win out with time!!

Sending healing thoughts and prayers your way. Things will not always be this hard. Hang in there through this transition, and keep positive...better times are coming soon.

With support,

S.C.

Thanks, I managed to get 7 hours sleep last night which is a relief, though I'm finding it still quite stressful when trying to go to sleep or waking in the night, brings back horrible memories when my anxiety first started and I couldn't sleep at all, it was hell and stresses me to feel like I did back then. But that's just something I'm going to have to deal with, back then I had no idea how to cope with it and manage it, now I do, just need to keep relaxed and not obsess about it. Finally been able to find a good time between meals to lie down and do my relaxation, when the pain is getting bad I do a quicker version my therapist showed me so that I don't have to endure it for long.

Yes I've got a wedge but it doesn't completely relieve the reflux pain, which at times I think is just brought on by stress.

I didn't sleep at all last night and am really struggling, as soon as I went to bed I started to feel the stress come on, the tight chest and headache, I relaxed and waited for it to pass, which it did, but I just couldn't fall asleep at all, my mind did that ting where every time it wanders and thinks about falling asleep it snaps back and stays alert. I don't know what to do, never been so bad before that I couldnt sleep even with my relaxation exercises. The med changes must have something to do with it but now I am stuck in this cycle of getting stressed when I first go to bed and having to wait until all the pains from the stress subside and I can properly relax.

I think I just have to accept that this is how it's going to be for a while, going to have to wait for the stress to pass when I go to bed then hopefully managed to nod off for 5 or more hours on a good day.

Does anyone else have this problem and know something that helps?

Hi Andy,

I am sorry that you are currently in such a rough spot.:(

It is good to hear that you have a therapy appointment today...and that you'll be talking with your doctor as well. Hopefully you will be able to get input and guidance from both of them...

...and come away with a good game plan to move forward in your treatment!

Let us know how your appointments go, okay?

Sending encouragement!

S.C.

Hi Andy - The stress of not sleeping is probably my #1 problem right now, so know you are not alone. I have a panic attack every morning, almost like clockwork. Hopefully you'll be able to develop a plan to help you get back into a regular sleep routine. I think once sleep comes, dealing with the anxiety itself will be much more tolerable. Running on no sleep just makes everything so much worse it seems. Positive vibes and thoughts being sent your way!

My doctor only prescribed my sleeping pills for short-term use as well. Use them if you need them! However, if you think going to the A&E would help you more, do that. Whatever it takes to get you feeling better!

Thanks for the kind words, I never thought I'd be in this place again, afraid to go to bed, its truly the worst part of anxiety.

I checked with the pharmacist and I can't use my sleeping pills with my other medications so they're out. Looks like I'll just have to brave it until I see the dr on Monday. Why did I turn down his offer of sleeping pills....

I don't know what I'm afraid of, I hate not being able to sleep but honestly I didn't sleep last night at all and today I've not even rly been tired. I guess I don't like lying all night almost falling asleep only for my dumb brain to whip me out of it. All my anxieties flick through my head and the next day is painful to get through trying to ignore it all.

I can't believe I'm getting such bad anxiety and I'm not even off Mirtazapine yet, still got the hardest part to go but I think I will actually stay the course and keep my meds the same as last night, my dad is really pushing me to do this as otherwise it just postpones some otherwise hard won progress I've made in switching these darn meds. I'll take some of my drowsy painkillers before bed too. And tonight I'm going to try not lying in bed not sleeping, my therapist suggested instead lying on the sofa to try to sleep if its difficult so the bed doesn't become the object of stress

Thanks, I did sleep but in the end I took an extra 15mg of Mirtazapine during the night as I was having trouble. That seemed to help relax me and I felt actually able to nod off. I think I've still not adjusted to the new dose and the insomnia is the withdrawal, as none of my usual sleeping techniques have worked. Still got a lot of residual anxiety today so will be tough going from here I think. My mum is coming down to stay with me for 2 weeks and has taken compassionate leave from her job so she can help me keep calm and occupied.

Tonight I will take 22.5mg of Mirtazapine I think and reduce back nortriptyline to 25mg, hopefully I won't have the insomnia at that dose of mirtazapine. It does set me back on my AD change over but I can't handle the insomnia and anxiety at the moment so think its the right thing to do. I've still made some progress though as I started on 45mg Mirtazapine.

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 10/31/2015 2:33:13 AM (GMT-6)