Anxiety Disorders Support Group

Hello everybody, I have seen this mentioned before but I am new to this and really dont know how this all works.... It was about 5 years ago I was laying in my bed and as I was just about to fall a sleep ( almost instantaniously) I jumped up, it felt like someone kicked me in my stomach and my heart was beating fast. At that time I ran in the other room and thought i was going to die!!! It was horrible! 5 years later, this still happens to me, but I am not as crazed... What happens is right when i fall a sleep, I mean RIGHT when i fall a sleep, I suddenly flinch up and it feels that I am gasping for air or out of breath! But I just deal with it after 3 or 4 episodes and finally fall a sleep. Thsi is so terrifying, I have strong faith in god though and I just say to myself, please dont let me die... I know i sound stupid, but its just miserable. I do think it is some type of anxiety or panic issues. I get the same twitching or slight fast jumping if it is quiet or if Im at the movies, I feel like I am losing control so I jump a bit or flinch. Kind of hard to describe........ ANY help on this would be sooo appreciated!!!!!! The weird thing is, lets say I go out with friends to a bar and have about 10 beers... I go to sleep that night like a baby, No ISSUES at all. That leads me to believe that it is because IM thinking about his happening again and again when im sober ( which i am 98% of the time lol ) However, the day after I drink a lot, I have horrible anxiety and panic issues.. Is this normal or am I in serious trouble????? Thanks again!!!

I have panic and anxiety. I got to say; I've never experienced what you have experienced..

Just to be on the safe side, (and I am not a doctor; this is just my opinion and you should clairify with your doctor what is best for you)....

I would request a sleep study to be done. They can check for apnea (where you stop breathing in your sleep).. It effects all different kind of people, weights, races, conditions, etc. etc....

This is not as scary as it seems.. or as a scary as a test as it may seems; and even if you have it.. it's better to know you do, than to live not knowing..

And they can also measure other sleep disturbances to see if there is anything else going on.

Other than that.. it's just what it is.. it might just be nothing; but this is a test that will know for sure. =) That's just my two cents. I've had one done, and it was okay.. and easy. =)

Again, check with your doctor, they can point you in the right direction.

hi

I had to read your post again. I would consult a dr. for a referal to a sleep study program. You could have sleep apnea or alpha intrusion. When you doze off you stop breathing. The first stage of sleep only lasts 5 mins( the dozing off part). It may actually be happening in the 2nd or third stage of sleep.

I have had sudden jerks ( while asleep), i just...I don't know how to explain it excet it's like i unexpectedly ran into a wall full speed. I have had my left arm spasm like i was trying to elbow someone.

if we have a rough experience at sleeptime we can develope anxiousness about going to bed. I read a post a few days ago where someone said she would wake her partner because she was so jumpy. Best wishes for you

I am not sure if this is what you are experiencing but I used to wake in the midst of a panic attack all the time. It went on for about two years. I didn't see a doctor for it until it got really bad. I occasionally wake to anxiety now. I do take trazodone and xanax to sleep and that does help. I would definitely see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out other problems.

Thanks.. I respect your reply.. But, I really dont think it is that.. I sleep awesome when I fall a sleep... I think it is some sort of panic or anxiety disorder.... It doesnt happen while im sleeping.. It happens the split second i fall a sleep. I have read other forums and it seems that it is an anxiety or panic disorder.. I am just wondering if there are any tricks that help Thank you!

I recommend that you take a benzo or sleeping meds to gradually ease you into sleep. It has worked for me!!!! A couple year ago I would wake up screaming and then it went into pure panic. I can't say it never happens now but it is better. For me it is my anxiety and panic disorders. Does your mind race before bed?

Post edited by: lovespeonies, at: 02/12/2010 06:29 AM

I also have this happening more often then not, and the same here it only happens when I first try to fall asleep. I stress now when it's bed time because I just want to so bad sleep yet I can't. a line from the lyrics Pressure from Staind "I'm not sleeping, can't stay awake" is how I refer to this. which that song in my opinion is all about anxiety/panic attacks

Also with Alcohol, when recovering from a night of drinking heavily you will naturally feel more anxious the next day. On top of all the loss of nutrients (sugar, magnesium, potassium) your heart rate will naturally increase and for anxious people like us, hangover's are very difficult to get through. My husband well he knows he's hungover and will sleep it off, me I obsess that it's more then just a hangover.

Best of luck and if you find a med free way of falling asleep, please share!