Couldn't sleep last night, new to anxiety

Hi, I;m new here. I don't suffer from social anxiety, I'm actually an extrovert. Panick attacks are somewhat new to me. Had my first one almost a yr ago out of the blue in my home. Now the ones I've been getting over the past week are actually over an 'issue' (it's stupid and irrational, long story) anyway everytime i was about to doze off my heart would start racing and I couldn't get to sleep, then the fact that my heart was racing(i feel that is unhealthy) made me panick even more, and the cycle repeated itself. I prayed, tried singing hyms and nothing really seemed to help, the few times it did, it was only short lived. I figured I'd be better in the morning (which is now) but I don't feel much better. Maybe it's bc I've read about 3 anxiety/panick forums and it's making me focus. I have normal BPressure readings, but bc I went in for a test super stressed my BP was high(138/98). I've had it tested since then and it was normal. Of course I had to ruin it by checking it at walmart while stressed and it read high again. So basically my fears are BP related. Logically I know it's normal, but the false readings from stress have me scared.

Please tell me I'm not alone. I didn't sleep a wink, and won't be able to nap today bc hubby will be gone all day today...just my luck lol.

I'm afraid to be seen again bc they may suggest I go on BP meds and I'm scared it would lower it too much. They seem to look at me crazy when i say it's stress related...like i'm making it up. I'm also tempted to try valium or xanax but have heard too many horror stories.

Thanks for listening.

Thank you sister. I logged off for a few and am listening to praise and worship and I feel myself calming down considerably. Do you mind me asking how high your BP has ever gotten? I'm gonna make a trip to GNC and purchase some herbs/pills I looked up that I think will help. I also keep a journal, some months I chart more than others.

DISCLAIMER*

Please no one say anything frightening to me like..... you knew someone who thought they were having a panick attack but they really had a heart attack lol. I hate post that make me worry more needlessly

Thanks girl. I think this may border on phobia as well. Before it was high(few occasions) because of anxiety. I could still 'somewhat' calm my nerves, now my heart just races faster than it ever does, when the cuff goes over my arm. While at walmart i kept trying to tell myself, calm down your not at the hospital...I would visualize waht it was 3months earlier at an unrelated calm visit(under 120/80).then when I see ppl walking by..it makes me more nervous...especially since i don't ant anyone to see the high numbers. For me, it will prbly be worse putting myself thru this until time can pass and I can get 'over' myself. The second time was actually worse than the first time. The more I focused on breathing and trying to slow my heart rate down(i could feel my heart BEATING) the more it did the opposite. I guess i can always do reverse psycology and tell myself it's a good thing my heart is beating, and that it's better than the alternative

BTW- this has all been in the past two weeks. I did get two normal readings inbetween tho. One at the dr.s and one at walmart, so I KNOW logically that I'm fine.. but it's just not transfering to my brain...YET!

Post Edited (I_willconquer) : 10/7/2006 8:47:11 AM (GMT-6)

I keep hearing this mentioned. Anyone have a link to MoodGtms Training Programs

Also, got about 4 things from gnc. the first one i took(only one thus far) is calm-u-nat, by bioremedy. It works. I feel pretty mellow, ontop of that sleepy, but I'm sure it's bc I've been up for more than 24hrs

I also got some valerian root, and melatonin, but i don't think i'll havta open them up since the first bottle is doing the trick! thanks everyone. Howdy, the day my bp read high i was wearing a tight girdle,I'm not big framed but I do have a pooch.Anyway that actually crossed my mind lol(false reading)

Post Edited (I_willconquer) : 10/7/2006 11:16:47 AM (GMT-6)

my bp has been as high as 195/110 before. dont worry over a couple of readings. you will be fine. drink lots of water and relax. whats kind of weird is mine has been running kind of low recently. that scared me just as bad as when it was high. of course i will always find something to worry about. think happy thoughts.

I find it difficult to sleep when my anxiety is really high. My mind races and I can't stop thinking the what if's. When that happens I either take a hot bath or listen to a relaxation C.D. and that seems to get me to sleep. Hang in there.

Georgia

Hi there, just to want to let you know that you are not alone...And just let me also say that when i went to my anxiety classes i learnt that alot of extroverts actually suffer with anxiety,panic attacks...I am an extrovert also,love to go out,love meeting new people,except when my anxiety is playing up...It is then that i cant even handle being around people let alone meeting new people... Since the attacks my bp has been high,my docs put me on inderal,and now i have normal bp...Well most of the time anyway... When you are anxious it is only natural that your bp rises,it happens to the best of us... The antidepressants that i am on doxepin, i take of a night time just before i go to bed,they help me to sleep,i usually here nothing till i awaken in the morning...Some may say that is a bad thing but for me if i didnt have them i wouldnt sleep at all....You have to find the right medications that work for you, please know that i am thinking about you all,as it is you guys that are helping me through what i am going through,so thanks to you all... P.S. Just a quick tip,when you are going to bed put some nice relaxing music on,i know it helps me... P.P.S. Valium has helped me for four years with my anxiety,but i think i may have been on it too long,so im going to try to change to xanax...I believe that xanax will help me better...As it may do you also...Just my thoughts thats all...