Anxiety & Insomnia

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hoping someone could give me some advice and encouragement. I made a lifestyle change thinking it would improve my over all health but ended up triggering Anxiety, Insomnia & acid reflux which I believe is due to my anxiety.   My anxiety levels seem to increase in the evening which seems to trigger my acid reflux I then have trouble falling sleep and have only been getting two to three sleep if that and some days none at all. 

I've gotten blood test done and everything was excellent according to my Doctor.  However, I still feel like crap, probably from not sleeping much and worrying about my health.  I've changed my diet and are taking vitamin supplements as well as exercising.  It's only been a few weeks since the onset of my symptoms so maybe I have given enouth time but it's starting to really worry me.   I've also tried taking over the counter sleep medication but it doesn't seem to work and only drys my mouth our and give me more anxiety so I think I'm not going to use them anymore going forward.   Does anybody else have similar symptoms or can relate or any advice?

Thanks for taking the time to read.

1 like, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Elliot

    ​What was the life style change that you made, and can you describe what makes you think it's anxiety and what symptoms you're experiencing other than the insonmia and acid reflux ?

    • Posted

      Hi Craig,

      I stopped using the 420 and drinking Caffeine cold turkey on March 1.  Anxiety definitely runs in the family so I'm familiar with the symptoms.  The reason I stopped using the 420 was due to panic attacks I would get from it.  However the insomnia and accid reflux is a new experience for me as I usually got at least 6 hrs sleep a night. 

    • Posted

      ask your doc about amitripiline (it's an anti depression with sedating effects), and omeprazole for the acid reflux. I get really bad acid reflux and over production of saliva it's really uncomfortable, so I know exactly what your feeling and both of those symptoms can be caused, quite commonly by anxiety. Are you on any medication atm ???
    • Posted

      I'm actually was given trapozone by my first doctor which is also an anti depressant with sedating affects.  However, hears the thing I'm trying my hardest to avoid medication as I didn't want to trade one habit for another. So I only took it once but didn't after the fist time.  I mean it seems to me if I had to be put on anti depressants I might as well just start smoking again to help with the sleep?   I don't know man, I'm just in a really confused state of mind right now.  Do you think I should try Prilosec for the acid reflux?
    • Posted

      yes definately it works great it will protect your stomach lining too. It's, not a habit, it's a treatment for a common condition. I would advise you to try and take the trapozone for at least a month and see how you feel. You might be able to come off them after awhile as your insonmia is almost definately caused by the acid reflux
    • Posted

      Thanks Craig,  i really appreciate your advice and recommenations!!
    • Posted

      no worries mate that's what we're here for let me know how you get on.
  • Posted

    Have you been diagnosed with anxiety?
    • Posted

      Hi Lynne,  I don't know if it's officialy diagnosed but my Dr. and Psychologist seem to think that I definitely have it based on the symptoms I've gave them.  Anxiety definitely runs in the family as my mom and brothers both suffer with it. The acid reflux and the not sleeping is kind of the new experience for me as I usually always was able to get at least 6 hrs but did use the herb to help with the sleep. 
  • Posted

    Do you take anything? I knew w you mentioned you did want meds. Acid reflux will keep you up. I had for a very long time.honestly its diet related and stress. Eating whilst stressed. Graze instead of ever eating a big meal.six  small healthy meals versus huge ones. Drink a lot,of water. It washes away the reflux too. Elevate your head they even sell a wedge pillow for acid reflux.google that. i use it. Proton pumps inhibitors work on acid reflux and can be used short term but know long term effects will cause vitamin deficiencies.they interrupt absorption of vitamins and foods.i lived that and still do even though i stopped ppis years ago i will need b12 shots forever. So Short term yes.ma food log is very useful amd helpful. Keep it for two,solid weeks and everything you eat or drink you log. Its really helpful. You can also see a nutritionist they are qualified specialist to guide you. The sleeping thing can be directly related to reflux. Or it can be stress related. There is an otc helper sold on vitamin stores called suntheanine l theanine. Very useful to sleep and lower anxiety. Feel better
    • Posted

      Thank you Lisa!   I've taken melatonin in the evening and also tried some over the counter sleep medicines but they seemed to make things worse and dry out my mouth which was very uncomfortable.  So right now it's just vitamins as I'm trying to keep it as natuaral as possible.  Once I understood the symptoms I was feeling were due to Acid Reflux which was about a week to a week & half ago I've made attempts to adjust my diet continue exercising to reduce stress and anxiety which are definitely factors contributing.  I must say it's not as bad as it was but it definitely hasn't gone away.  I just feel like if I could a good night sleep I would feel great but I can seem to make that happen which is very frustrating!
  • Posted

    hi elliot, i'm sorry to hear things aren't going so well, understatement of the year i know, but looks bad when i put things look terrible rolleyes

    i can't relate to all of your symptoms but i can to the trouble falling asleep, very few hours sleep and anxiety increase at night. i used to have them all when my panic attacks were at their worst and sleeping tablets made it so much worse. 

    can i just say though it was a good idea trying vitamin suppliments as most Doctors do put some anxiety down to a vitamin c deficiency but i doubt it in your case if things have gotten worse rolleyes 

    Anyone on here will tell you lack of sleep is bound to make you feel 100 x worse than what you originally did in the first place and i know it's close to impossible to sleep when you have anxiety but the only advice i can give in that area is what my Doctor told me and i'm sure yours will tell you the same, just some simple things like avoiding caffein and any bright screens ie TV/Computer 2 hours before bed can help your brain start to switch off as the above will just confuse your brain into thinking it's still time to be awake because to be quite blunt our brain is pretty basic when deciding when to be awake and when to sleep and its all to do with light receptors in your eyes ie if you're sat infront of a bright screen and giving your body stimulants then it thinks it's still time to be up and about where as if you're light is dimmed and you're relaxed then it switches to night mode, if you will, and starts sending signals to release melatonin which is the hormone that makes you fall asleep. The same goes if you smoke seeing as nicotine is a stimulant.

    you're doctor won't prescribe any sleep tablets because they can mess with your ability to naturally fall asleep. i asked for them and got told no.

    my sdvice is to go see your doctor, take their advice, maybe look at your meds, although seeing as you've probably missed doses this could all be withdrawal symptoms aswel?? but stop taking sleeping tablets and start trying herbal tea's?

    you have to in essence teach your body how to fall asleep again and get into a regular pattern.

    acid reflux is either a side effect/withdrawal symptom or you dont agree with something you're eating.

    hope at least some of this has helped and just know you're not alone.

    D x

    • Posted

      Hi Danielle,

      Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post and for your advice.  I will continue down the path and avoid all medications for sleep if possible.   May just use something for the acid reflux, but the sleep I will try and do naturally.  I've gotten this far and things are better then they were when I first started so it's encouraging.  I think once I get that the good night sleep I'll be back to my old self!

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