Haven't Slept in 48 Hours

Hello,

I was recently diagnosed with anxiety after having my first panic attack in December. Now I have about 1 panic attack a month.

I've noticed if I get too tired, then it ups my anxiety and my heart rate will rise to a steady 100bpm and I just cant sleep. now this all happened yesterday. its like a vicious cycle. I tried and tried to sleep but my heart wouldn't calm down. I tried meditation, breathing exercises, reading, stretching, message, hot shower and Passion flower drops and nothing worked to calm my heart so I could seep. it had been about 48 hours to where I couldn't sleep and my body was getting very weak.

It all started when I was only 2 hours into my sleep when the gardeners startled me. So after 48 hours of not sleeping, I went to the ER and they gave me Ativan. Never took anything like that before.

It did work however. I went home and slept for 12 hours. now its the next evening, I was able fall a sleep naturally but woke up on my own 2 hours into my sleep because of the change of hours.

Since I'm tired my anxiety is up again and my heart rate is elevated and can't sleep again and I am afraid I am stuck in that cycle again.

Has anyone experienced this and is there a way to break the cycle without taking such strong medication as they can be addicting?

I'd prefer natural alternatives. I live alone so I don't like taking hard medication when possible. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

You could try Melatonin.
Its a natural supplement that aids with sleep.
Available at most drug stores in the vitamin section.

 

I took it years ago but it caused irregular heart beat at the time so I stopped and never tried it since.

 

Then you should consult your GP and not wait until you have to go to Hospital .

 

I mentioned that I already went to the ER. They gave me Ativan. It did work but I am trying to avoid taking it again if possible because of its side effects and looking for natural alternatives.

 

Yes but your GP may do a complete examination including bloodworkup and other tests.

 

I've already been to gp, already been to cardiologist with tread mill, 24 hour heart monitor, echocardiogram, 3 EKG and blood work, already been to ER. every time they say im healthy physical and diagnosed with anxiety. and I had a distinct trigger. so I know and multiple doctors know its nothing underlying. I just want to avoid benzos. because all they want to do I prescribe benzos.

 

Try taurine, L theanice, magnesium, multivitamins / nac / creatine.

Don't try melatonin, it is for older people > 55 years old, in younger cause more bad than good.

Stop benzos they destroy you completely, are far worse than heroin, if you take benzos your tinnitus will explode + you will get hyperacusis.

 

@another sean,
Check any medications your taking is not causing your heart rate.
Mine was 130 and ENT said anxiety but it was the next day my asthma specialists took me off a medication and went back down to 75 resting heart rate that was years ago now.
Love glynis

 

Try R14...its a homeopathic sleep remedy by Dr Reckwik.
Also Valerian root drops might help.

 

can I take them all together or do I have to pick one? do GABA supplements work?

 

oh wow, im glad you found the cause. I dont take any medications. I do take magnesium, vitamin D, fish oil and probiotic but thats in the morning. this only happens at night and only when im awake and too tired. its like with a normal person, if they stay up 24 hours their heart rate will increase because lack of sleep causes anxiety in everyone. but since I have an anxiety/panic disorder, its causing a bio feedback loop and wiring me up and preventing me from falling asleep.

 

You could try exercise i know this helps me get off to sleep easier.

 

Try OTC Tylenol pm it works well for me.

 

Yes take all together, do no take vitamin D because it is one cause of tinnitus, the best you can do is to exposure yourself to strong sunlight and the body will build vitamin D without side effects of supplement vitamin D.
Vitamin D is an hormone.

Also do not take tylenol it causes hearing loss & more T.

Anxiety & panic attacks have organic base you must check your diet and you must do all blood exams.

Also exercise with weights works do not take any psychiatric drugs because you will go to hell your panic attacks will be persistent.

anxiety & panic attacks does not cure with psychiatric drugs only serious harm can get from psychiatric drugs. remember that every time.

Psychiatric drugs cause rebound anxiety rebound panic attacks T / H & much more

 

I take 25mg Nortriptyline and sleep well most nights.
Love glynis

 

For me the best sleeping aids in case of tinnitus are about 7.5 mg of mirtazapine along with a small dose of benzos (0.75 mg to 1.5 mg of bromazepam) and about 2.5 mg to 4 mg of Zolpidem. The best effect of these tablets is achieved by taking them on an empty stomach (i.e., after about 3-5 hours after the last meal).

 

How long have you been taking the fish oil, vitamin D, and probiotic? Did you take them for a long time before your first panic attack or was it maybe a month or so before?

 

my first panic attack was in December. I started taking fish oil, vitamin D, and probiotic a month ago. And this whole issue of not being able to sleep due to anxiety from fatigue started 4 days ago when I was anxious the night before about waking up to go to the dentist for possible drilling to fix a chip in my tooth. then canceling that because my tooth felt better then not getting enough rest and being startled by the gardeners. that cause the longest panic attack in duration to date.

ive been up for 24 hours now with about 4 hours of broken up sleep. Pharma GABA seemed to help a little. But the sleep was intermittent and I really had to concentrate on my breathing to get any sleep.

tonight im going to try to take Pharma GABA, L-Theanine and Holy Basil liquid cap. I dont know 100% if they are safe to combine at once. Thats my current concern.

 

also take taurine

 

I actually had to stop taking probiotics after around a month because I started getting temporary symptoms of "panic". My palms would get sweaty, I would feel weird, etc. I haven't had it since I stopped the probiotics. There is a natural herb called Kava Kava that may help you but I don't think you should take it every day or long term. Maybe once in a while. It's hard for me to know for certain though how it would interact with you and all the supplements that you are taking.

 

I had to go back to urgent care again today. hadn't slept for nearly 48 hours. had to take Ativan again while being monitored. At least it worked. but want to avoid it as soon as possible before addiction happens.

hmm, thats interesting. yeah, I just started taking probiotics like 2 weeks ago. I wonder if its connected. I'll discontinue it for now to see if there is any change. I have wondered if its thyroid at all but I don't think so because every time I go outside to the ER or Urgent Care, I feel a lot better already and my heart calms. I think my apartment is partially the issue because of my tinnitus and gardeners. Im home bound with very reactive T and I have to hide in a sound proof box when they come here weekly. the lawnmower runs right outside my bedroom window.

Today I got a few more things to try. CBD Oil, B6, Marry Ruth's Nighttime (mainly mag and calcium as I eat zero dairy, Inositol and then a premade mixed supplement called Serenelle Anxiety Relief which has Lemon Balm, Ashwagandha, L-Theanine and ParmaGABA.

 

I read that somewhere too. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll add it and give it a try.

 

Hey Sean, O hope you are feeling better real soon. Lack of sleep in itself is enough to cause anyone anxiety. I do not know if you are a believer in the Word of God; In Philippians 4:6, it says to be anxious for nothing. God would not
ask us to do something we were incapable of doing. Also when he told us this about 2000 years ago, there was not every type of supplement and medication that they have nowadays. The Word of God is still true, and it still works; but only if you work the Word of God. I would encourage you to cast your burden on the Lord, and ask for His help concerning your multifaceted problems. Doctors are fine to consult; but there comes a point when our health is beyond their capability to repair us; and We need the great Physician Jesus to intervene! I am not making light of your situation, because I also have traveled this road of anxiety troubling my sleep. We need to understand that we have to have a disciplined mind when dealing with afflicting things like tinnitus, anxiety, insomnia, etc. Our Creator has made us; and He has the capacity to fix us whenever He wishes. Sometimes He allows negative situations in our lives to show us our great need for Him!

 

@another sean ,
For long term help for sleep that is not adictive is a low dose Antidepressant under the therapeutic dose for depression.
Amitryptaline 10-30mg or
Nortryptaline 10-50mg.
I take 25mg Nortriptyline and sleep ok.
Love glynis x

 

Have you considered CBT for your anxiety and panic attacks?

I never promote CBT for T or H because I have doubts about its effectiveness for these physical conditions. But for mental conditions like anxiety and panic disorder, I've personally found it to be extremely helpful.

I had CBT for OCD without medication and it was very effective. I also have panic disorder which was diagnosed when I presented myself for treatment for OCD. (I had my first panic attack when I was quite young and I didn't know what it was.) Since my OCD was accompanied by anxiety and an increase in panic attacks it was also something I had to address in therapy.

The behavioral part of the therapy is very hands-on. Instead of just talking about the panic in the calm environment of the therapist's office, we would go to a place likely to induce a panic attack and then the therapist could deal with the panic attack while it was happening.

 

Thanks Joe. I will look this up in my NKJV

Thank you for the suggestion. I will mention when I can find a therapist

Thank you Gynis. I will check those out. I dont have health insurance at the moment because I missed out on the health insurance sign up window due to a error in the postal service so I am not sure when I can speak to a regular doctor but hopefully soon

I just tried CDB Oil for the first time with only 1 drop and I already feel its calming effects. Seems promising. I may combine it with other things, just not sure what, yet.