Stress Center Peer Support

I suffered with panic attacks many years ago. They are back, and they are hitting me at my weakest point. Sleep. I was improving, and even started having a couple good nights, without panic attacks, and sleeping. Then as luck would have it, hormones kicked in, and at the same time I also had to go on an antibiotic, which may be increasing my anxities, and possibly insomnia, both are listed as side effects.

Problem is, I have a medical condtion that makes it difficult for me to take a lot of medicines. I can't even drink a glass of warm milk,or tea, without it causing me pain. Many drugs and foods, effect my conditon, and causes me great pain. The pain can last for days or months. The antibiotic that I am on is one of the few antibiotics that do not cause me pain.

I'm just feeling down, and depressed, I was feeling better, and this has really set me back. On top of it, I was using a med that was suppose to be non addicting to help me sleep, but it started causing my legs to twitch, my head to jerk, and trembles. This was listed as a side effect, but it said the medicine should be stopped if this happens so the twitches do not become permanent. Now that has me taking ativan at night to sleep. I'm worried about addiction and having problems coming off that med. I also worry that it will quicky stop working for me.

As you can see, I am stuck in a negative spiral, I so desperately need words of encouragement right now. I have just started session 4, 3 was good for me, but I am having great problems writing postive thought down about this sitution. When I try to go to sleep now, I almost immediantly start to dream, it seems like the dreams start before I am fully asleep, and this sometimes startles me back awake too. I guess I am overly tired.

Words of encouragement to take to bed with me tonight?

I just looking for some kind soothing words, nothing to scare me Please. I was wondering what others think of to occupy their mind at night, any mind games that you play?

I'm dealing with the same thing. I've been suffering from panic/anxiety disorder for the past ten years. I go through periods without feeling anxious or panicky, sometimes a few years. Just a few months ago, it came back full force. I wake up every morning with the shakes and a stomach ache, unable to eat. The only way I get through the morning is to occupy my mind, which is what you need to do at night.

Do you have any hobbies? I didn't and was looking for something to occup my "mind" to keep me from panicking. Just recently, my mom taught me how to knit. Now when I am feeling anxious, I pick up the needles and get to work. I've already made a scarf!

As far as the medication thing, Ativan is not addictive. Ativan is actually an antihistimine (similar to Benadryl) that help calm the nervous system. I was on it several years ago and had no problems getting off it.

I hope this is helpful.

Good luck!

Beth

Be Positive
Hi hang in there. I have trouble sleeping also.
I think this is common for those that have anxiety and panic attacks. Try as hard as it is to stay in the Precious Present Moment. Deal with today not tomorrow. I have been reading at night and also doing word search. This helps me to keep my mind on something else besides my silly worrisome thoughts. I have been reading BECOME A BETTER YOU BY JOEL OSTEEN. So far it has been such a positive book. I have really enjoyed it. Fill your mind with positives. It has certainly helped me to read positive books. I have been writing certain positive phrases from the positive books I have been reading in a spiral notebook that I read everyday when I'm feeling down or anxious. It has really helped alot. Keep on keepin on. You can conquer this.
The program is super and don't give up. You can do this.
Your Friend
Angla

Hi Beth,
I'm a fellow knitter as well, I've been knitting since I was 7! I just wanted to comment, Ativan is highly addictive. Maybe you were thinking of another drug. Here is a site that talks about it <A HREF="http://www.ativanaddiction.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.ativanaddiction.com/</A>

My Grandmother who also suffers from anxiety, has been on Ativan for many years and she cannot get off of it. The doc tried to get her off slowly, but she got horrible shakiness, hot, sweating, ect. He didn't do it cold turkey since he said that she could die. I think that she probably abuses it. I saw an Oprah episode that had a suburban mom who was addicted to Ativan.

However, if it's used once in a great while, I don't see the harm, but it's you're taking 3-4/day like my grandma...

Anyhow, happy knitting!!!!

Ocean

Ocean- Thank you for helping clarify. I was thinking about Atarax. I think that is part of our problem. There are soooo many drugs out there!

Beth

For the insomnia I have a suggestion. I sometimes listen to a cd by The Healing Garden. It comes with 2 cds one is called sleep well and the other is quiet times. I really wasn't sure it would work but I tried it and the one called sleep well puts me right to sleep. And the music is so peaceful and comforting. Works like a charm everytime. I also play it and press record on my MP3 player and record my affirmations right over the sleepwell cds that is playing in the background then I play it back to myself at night and that puts me to sleep as well.
Dee

Hi Beth,
I agree, there are soooo many drugs that sound similar. I'm an RN and I remember in nursing school learning there is a digoxin and a digitoxin (both cardiac drugs) and I thought, oh my heavens! I can see how easy it is to accidentally think you are seeing one name and it's not really correct!

Take care!!

hi be-positive, sometimes i read until 4am. i have the sleeping problem too. i also listen to relaxation cds. i have went to sleep while listening. emperor1

Hello Be-Positive How is your sleeping coming along?

Guidelines for a Good Night's Sleep

The following guidelines are recommended to help you improve both the quality and amount of your sleep.

1.) Exercise during the day, preferably in the late afternoon before dinner. Aerobic exercise (20 minutes or more) is better, but 45 minutes to an hour of brisk walking will suffice.

2.) Go to bed and get up at regular times, even if you're tired in the morning. Don't vary your time of going to bed or getting up. Getting up a half hour earlier in the morning may help you get to sleep that night.

3.) Don't try to make yourself sleep. If you're unable to fall asleep after 20-30 minutes in bed, engage in some relaxing activity (such as watching T.V., sitting in a chair and listening to a relaxation tape, or having a cup of herb tea), and do not return to bed until you're sleepy.

4.) Avoid heavy meals before bedtime, or going to bed hungry (a small snack before bedtime may be helpful).

5.) Avoid heavy alcohol consumption before bedtime (for some people, a small glass of wine before bed may help).

6.) Turn yourself down during the last hour or two fo the day. Avoid vigorous physical or mental activity, emotional upsets, and so on.

7.) Reduce caffeine and nicotine consumption as much as possible. If you must have coffee, have it only in the morning.

8.) Instead of prescription drugs, try natural supplements that foster sleep. The herb kava in higher doses can induce sleep for many peope. GABA, 200-500 mg before bedtime or in the middle of the night, may also be helpful. (GABA is available in many health food stores.) Safe forms of L-tryptophan (taken off the market in the U.S. in 1989) are available by perscription. Trytophan is a potent sedative when combined with a carbohydrate snack. In recent years, many people have been using the hormone melatonin to help them get to sleep. Herbal tinctures containing valerian, hops, passionflower, or skullcap may also be of help. Finally, you may find a Chinese herbal preparation, "Anmien Pien," to be of assistance. Take four tablets at bedtime. As with any drugs or medicinal herbs, it's important to consult a kowledgeable practitioner to make sure that a given supplement or herb is safe and appropriat for you. This is especially important if you take other medications.

9.) Develop a sleep ritual before bedtime. This is some actiity you do every night before you go to bed. A hot shower or bath before bedtime may help you relax.

10.) For relaxing tense muscles or a racing mind, use deep relaation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation or guided visualization on tape. Get an auto-reverse recorder that can play a tape in a continuous loop.

11.) Eliminate nonsleep activities in bed (such as work or reading) to strengthen the association between bed and sleeping-unless these activities are part of your sleep ritual.

12.) Avoid napping during the day.

13.) Try varying the firmness of your mattress by buying a new one or adding a board underneath, a featherbed, or an "egg-crate" foam pad.

14.) Reduce noise through the use of ear plugs or a noise-masking machine.

15.) Keep your room temperature between 60 and 70 degrees. Too warm or cold a room tends to interfere with sleep. Use fans for a hot room if air conditioning is unavailable.

16.) If your partner snores, kicks, or tosses and turns, have separate beds at whatever distance is mutually acceptable.

17.) Don't let yourself be afraid of insomnia. Work on accepting those nights when you don't sleep as well. You can function the next day, even if you had only a couple hours of sleep. The less you fight, or fear sleeplessness, the more it will tend to go away.

18.) If pain is causing sleeplessness, analgesics are more appropriate than sleeping pills.

19.) Sex (when physically and emotionally satisfying) helps sleep.

20.) If you suspect that emotional problems are causing sleeplessness, consult a competent psychotherapist. Depression and anxiety disorders commonly produce insomnia. Getting more emotional support and expressing your feelings often will help you sleep.


Here's a prayer for you to have a peaceful sleep

Father, thank You for peaceful sleep for Be-Positive, and for Your angels that encamp around those who fear You. You deliver Be-Positive and keep her safe. The angels excel in strength, do Your Word, and heed the voice of Your Word. You give Your angels charge over Be-Positive, to keep her safe and to help her sleep in peace. Be-Positive brings every thought, every imagination, and every dream into the captivity and obedience of Jesus Christ. Father, I thank You that, even as she sleeps, her heart councels her and reveals to her Your purpose and plan. Thank You for sweet sleep, for You promised Your beloved sweet sleep. Therefore, her heart is glad and her spirit rejoices. Her body and soul rest and confidently dwell in safety. In Jesus Precious name, Amen

Sleep well tonight!

Scripture References

Proverbs 3:24
Psalm 91:11
Psalm 34:7
2 Corinthians 10:5
Psalm 103:20

Thank you DPantoja. I was able to get about 3 hours of sleep last night.