Panicing during the night..

Maybe I shouldn't be posting this here. Maybe I should talk to a therapist of some sort.

I can't sleep at night. I know there is lots of forum posts there about not sleeping. I read them all. I tried tea, I'm thinking about going back to taking gravol or some medication to help me sleep. I turned off lights, read boring books, had sex (which used to wear me out and I would just conk out lol), watched boring shows..etc etc.

I panic at night. Think about like, life and death a lot, and my family members, and their problems, my problems, money, weight, emotions, how I don't feel inspired to paint (school seemed like it ruined it for me), space, the country, our leaders, the environment, my current mental state, and how I really miss having a pet.

!

Maybe I just need a friggin' pet. Had one my whole life. Now I am lost. For now I need some advice, some emotional rescue (go rolling stones!) of sorts. I started smoking in the past month (bad bad bad) and I decided to not smoke, quit cold turkey tonight. Never had a puff or a draw. I need to be healthier.

I need to go to the docters and get a full body exam as well. I worry about my health (why did I start smoking? Stress I think, but it's over now) a lot.

Sorry for ranting. I hope someone is up to read this.

Take care,
Amber Stuckless

Hi Amber, I read your post. I dont' know how old you are but I'm sure I'm alot older, I'm 51yrs. and my kids are probably older than you. I know I miss my puppy but have a cat that is 11 yrs old. Hubby doesn't want another dog. I work fultime at school and I'm going to school ful time so my mind is going a 100 miles an hour and when went to bed wouldn't beable to unwinded trying all the same things to get to sleep. I went to the doctor and he gave me some xananx (sp) to go to sleep it helped. Also on antidepression medicine  (lexpro, it doesn't have the sexual side effects that other have.  Glad you gave the cigs up they wont' help and will cost you a bundle now days. If you can give you doc a call and make an appoint and see if he can help. Good luck , Tori

Sleep loss is one of those vicious circles.... You lie awake thinking about stressful problems so you don't sleep.  Next you lie awake thinking about why you can't sleep...  Then you're fatigued and feeling stressed.   If you can find a way to stop chewing things over and not think at all then you'd be OK.  Easier said than done.

A visit to the doctor sounds like a good idea.  Giving up cigarettes is another good idea because they're a stimulant, as are tea, alcohol, coffee etc..  Exercise is a good way to wear yourself out in the evening.  Brisk walks in the fresh air, especially at this time of year, can be nicely tiring.    Be open with your doctor about the background to the problem - the stressful thoughts etc.  And if you need medication temporarily to reset your body clock that may be a constructive route to take.

I went to the pharmacy today and they percribed me a regular sleep-eze. I'll try that. Anyone else ever try sleeping pills??

amberstuckey--please clarify for me.  You said the pharmacy prescribed, didn't you mean the pharmacy suggested? 

yes yes oops my bad lol The pharmasict suggested that I was to take this and if it happens for any longer to go to the docter. We'll see how tonight goes anyways. I had ONE glass of wine, damn. I can't take those pills with alcohol. So better safe than sorry I guess.

hi amber...

I am queen of panic attacks. I have ptsd. I used to wake up in the middle of the city constantly and every kind of thought and worry would nag on me until my heart would pound so badly i thought i was going to have a heart attack. I've called the emergency rooms and they told me to take deep breaths--that i was too young(22-30) for a heart attack. I totally understand where you're coming from. I used to smoke. Quit. I used to drink...finally quit because it would wake me up exactly 2 hrs after I fell asleep. I finally became so sleep deficient that if affected my whole life. 

Don't let it get any further than it is. Go see your doc. Preferably a psychologist. They can really help you understand that you don't have to do this alone. you can get help and not feel guilty for taking something to help you with your anxiety. I know. I did. 

Anytime you want to talk Just email me. Oh, and by the way...I was a dog rescuer. I also had two of my most precious dogs taken away from me by dog haters. I long for them.  Ive had my family taken away from me and I've lived through treacherous times. I've prayed and found comfort from scripture and I've also realized that 'I' have to reach out if I wanted help from anyone. So don't feel embarrassed about asking. 

hi amber, are you on any medications even diet pills can keep you from sleeping and let us know how the sleepeze work out for you, and please see your doctor before it gets worse. Goodluck

Last night I went to bed pretty late, and I JUST woke up (it's 12:40pm!!) my day is wasted oh god. Maybe that sleep was good??  I did have some wine last night, maybe that helped, but I am not to drink wine every night, I am a creature of habit! The weird thing is, I am still tired. I'm going to try sleep eze tonight. These weird night patterns have me eating strange to. Thats another story. Thanks for your comments everyone! :)