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overwhelming anxiety and severe insomnia

Posted , 11 users are following.

linda61015
linda61015

Hello Lovely ladies.

I have'nt been on here for a while for various reasons hope you are all keeping well, as well as you can at this stage anyway.

I just wanted to ask for any advice about my overwelming anxiety I seem to have at the moment. I am worrying myself sick over anything and everything for no apparrent reason and its making it really hard to do just normal things. I find myself worryong about events weeks ahead. I have a family gathering this Friday and just don't know how I'm going to get through it. Has anybody got any advice on anything I can do or take to make life a bit more bearable.I get into a sort of panicky state.

I'm also suffering from extreme insomia and think that is definately making the anxiety a lot worse.

I would appreciate any advice,its such a hard time of life is'nt it and what makes it worse I don't think its fully understood but the medical profession, so can be a very lonely time.

I'm 48 years old and think I'm in the later stages of peri-menopause.

thanks so much and keep strong.

Linda xx

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • maria76995
    maria76995 linda61015

    Posted

    HI Linda, I understand what you are going through at this moment...I have extreme Anxiety myself do nothing else but worry too, it is hard to go out to events or family gatherings and enjoy yourself really

    my advise to you is do not think about the event you are going to attend or get excited because it will bring on the panicky feeling...when the time comes get ready take 3 deep breaths you can use a paper bag and take it along with you,when you feel the need to use go to the toilet or even outside and use it, practise it at home that might be the best option either way what ever works best for you....people say it works but I know everyone is different just try and see, menopause symptoms are temporary and can will stop with time, I had so much crap going on now for years and some of it has subsided but not out the woods yet, you will be ok....good luck on Friday let me know how you get on hugs.

    • linda61015
      linda61015 maria76995

      Posted

      Hello Maria

      Thanks for all your support it really does help . I think like you said Im all the time over thinking everything and need to try and not to worry so much . Really hard though isn't it ??

      Linda x

  • nancy0925
    nancy0925 linda61015

    Posted

    Linda

    This has been the worst part of going through the change. Sleep issues and anxiety. I've gotten a grip on the anxiety for the most part but not before many doctor and ER visits. It's very frustrating!

  • Trishann
    Trishann linda61015

    Posted

    I'm having the same issues! I Had a really bad anxiety/panic attack just last night and it was so so scary. I thought to go ER but was able to take deep breaths and calm my nerves down. I Hadn't slept well the night before and was so exhausted. I suffer from insomnia too, a lot lately!! I get the Hot /cold flashes most evenings. And suffer from vertigo. I've been going through this misery last 3years and it comes and goes. Not sure if it's What I'm eating?! I'm 44yo and just think I'm too young for all this! I'm wishing and praying for better days. Perimenopause/Menopause really stink! 😕 I hope you can get relief as I'm looking for it myself.

  • anetta94863
    anetta94863 linda61015

    Posted

    Yes, my anxiety and insomnia started at exactly 48 years of age. It would come in waves, definitely before my periods, later even more often. Have you ever had anxiety before? For some people, like me, the obessive worries were a normal thing for years, but now they are much worse.
    • linda61015
      linda61015 anetta94863

      Posted

      Hi Annetta

      Thank you for you're support , it really does help to think we are all not totally alone with this. Yes I have suffered from anxiety before and like you said ; it's now just got so much worse because of all the changes going on

      Anyway take care

      Linda xx

  • Lotti1966
    Lotti1966 linda61015

    Posted

    Hi Linda,

    My Dr just recently told me that we need to get my sleeping in order and then everything else should improve. I started sleeping with noise. I play ocean waves, rain, etc while I sleep. I drink chamomile tea before bed. And take a warm bath with candles.

    You have to pamper yourself, get enough sleep and take care of you. It's important. You are in my thoughts

  • julie7525
    julie7525 linda61015

    Posted

    Hi Linda, its 2.30 am so I empathize over the insomnia! I'm 16 months since no period and my anxiety started to build up gradually in the year before periods stopped. Looking back Id had social anxiety for some years for parties, things involving groups of people, and chose avoidance in the end. Was absolutely fine at work and with friends and family. So in the year before periods stopped I started getting palpitations and panic attacks occasionally at first, also noticed if i had stress at work id feel anxiety in my chest for hours after. Also around this time i started to get stomach bloating, indigestion, burping. Pins and needles in hands, dizziness. Once ending up in A&E following a panic attack. I mentioned the increases anxiety at the doctors on many occasions, asking if they thought all the symptoms could be meno related as id had no period for a few months, all id get was a shrug and maybes, but testing to rule out other more serious things, adding to my anxiety! They said at 6 mths with no period it was too early to test for meno, instead i had a round of testing on my stomach,heart, thrn cane a routine smear test and mammogram, so i had several months if tests and awaiting/ dreading results, and ended up with health anxiety! All tests came back normal, yet i still felt unwell, so my anxieties continued till at new year 2017 i started waking multiple times with racing heart, panic attacks, severe insomnia, plus daytime ones. First I was given betablockers which soon stopped the worst part of panic attacks, the effect of adrenalin on the heart, which gradually allowed me to sleep more at night till i was only waking once or twice and able to get back to sleep. I asked if there was something to help the anxiety and was given an AD called sertraline. 2-3 weeks of severe side effects later my anxiety started to improve a little but every time i upped the dose, more waves of anxiety for a couple of weeks. Also tested positive for menopause! No surprises there! Lol, id been telling the docs for the previous year! So I am now 9 weeks into taking the AD, betablockers and lowest dose HRT patch and getting there...but still with anxiety on and off as i settle on hopefully the last dose change of AD. I can't help wondering, if I had been allowed meno testing sooner and been given HRT sooner, could this terrible past few months have been avoided? Sorry to have gone into so much detail. I can see that you are nowhere near the anxiety level that I got to after Xmas, but I wanted you to know that it can escalate, so if you do have a good doctor, it may be worth pushing for help sooner rather than later. Ive read that in meno our estrogen declines and estrogen is needed in the production of serotonin, hence the anxiety and depression for some. Ive recently started CBT (therapy) privately which is helping pick apart the anxiety thinking, taking vit d, magnesium and B complex, bananas for potassium, omega 3. I tried allsorts of supplements before the anxiety escalated, but you may have more luck. A good diet, exercise, the right supplements may be all you need. I occasionally take sominex if i particularly need an unbroken nights sleep and it works well and helps me get an extra hour or so too. Good luck and I hope you manage to get on top of the anxiety and sleep issues.

    • julie7525
      julie7525

      Posted

      Oh and Im 48 too, not suffered with anxiety or insomnia before, never had antidepressants before, always worked (teacher) but had a month off after xmas and now still struggle with part time work to the point of looking to change to a different job. Meno can change so much!
    • linda61015
      linda61015 julie7525

      Posted

      Hello Julie

      Thanks very much for your message.

      I totally agree with you about doctors, I don't think they have any training in how to deal with these kind of problems and I really think they should, as its such a big part of our lives.

      I tend to have periods now about every 3-4 months so I'm estimating I'm probably getting nearer the later stages of peri-menopause. My symptoms of anxiety and imsomnia have got so much worse in the last 6 months; as obviously my ostrogen levels are declining; which has a huge knock on effect on the nervous system; hence the severe anxiety and insomnia. I also take beta blockers to try and slow down my heart beat; as I was getting palpatations like yourself, the betablockers have helped a bit with the migrianes, coz I used to get a lot of migraines and now not too many. 

      I think this forum is great, as I feel without talking to other women, you would actually think you're going mad, would'nt you?

      I have had to put a hold on my Veterinary Nursing course at the moment, as it was too much for me; I really don't know if I'll be fit enough to go back to it; as its a really tough course and not sure if I feel I should be putting myself under that much preasure. I totally sympathise with you with your work, its such a struggle keeping it all together at the moment; is'nt it?

      Any way please keep in touch and lets try and be positive if we can !!

      I've got to get through this Friday first ; thats gonna be a challenge!!

      Take care

      Linda x

  • Guest
    Guest linda61015

    Posted

    I think magnesium,  B vitamins and vitamin D are important. I think herbal formulas can help. I also think acupuncture with Chinese herbs can help anxiety/ mood etc. But the thing that really helped me was taking charge of recognising the anxiety/insomnia for what it was and doing daily meditation as a brain exercise to control it. It takes time to work, it IS like starting an exercise program  ( in this case for the brain) . I have downloaded a guided meditation (End Anxiety Pro) onto my phone. I keep earphones on my bedside table. Then I listen to the guided meditation before sleep, during the night or if I wake too early at least 3-4 times a week ( daily to start).... It really helps if you stick to it and treat it like an exercise. And actually it helps the anxiety by knowing you can do something for yourself when the anxiety strikes!
  • Guest
    Guest linda61015

    Posted

    Hi Linda, I do relate completely.  I take a magnesium supplement that helps me sleep, but the anxiety is a different beast.  Mainly I do a lot of deep breathing and just try to tell myself I'll be okay, which helps some.  Very hard not to overthink things, though, and tend to think the worst a lot.  You are right, it makes it hard to do normal things.  Even simple household tasks seem too much to handle.  However, I do find that being with family helps me, and I hope you'll be able to take some deep breaths and enjoy your event.  

    • mindey44333
      mindey44333 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Liz9305'and also Linda

      I agree the menopause is challenging at times I gave in to taking HRT which helped lots with reducing the volume and intensity of hot sweats.

      I'm interested in the magnesium's supplement you mention. Which one is it.

      Innsomnia and Anxiety. I have found the

      www. headspace app very helpful.. Its comforting to listen to Andy's voice, and his taster sessions. It has lots of guided talks, meditations, tips. You can easily download it and have it for perhaps two weeks for free to try it. You keep the free part and use that again and again but you can choose to pay a subscription and get a lot more.

      I also use Lavender essential aromatherapy oil on my pillows, a little smear near my nose. I drink camomile tea, or warm milk.

      Some nights I agree, sleep is just not there. I find with the racing thoughts that there are usually worries on my mind I cannot see solutions too yet. . I opt to get out of bed and do something like tele, radio or reading something gentle and that's helps tire you out. I find usually I'm not socialising or laughing or having fun when the anxiety is overwhelming and has been so for weeks. I'm also not exercising enough eg a walk in the park getting daylight. fresh air etc. This all helps. With tiredness we can quite quickly isolate ourselves and then, Oops we have a negative vicious circle. This can be a tad harder to break but its never impossible.

      Baby steps, being kind to yourself, talk to someone about how you're feeling, break problems into tiny steps and you have a workable plan which lifts the load. Then plan a fun, nice thing to do eg outing. This all boosts your mood and copeing skills. I really hope I haven't overdone this,

      I wish you all some really good sleep, relaxation and a gentle calming mind to set you up for the next day. ( and to Kick Start your positive looking after me and my mind action plans!) Love Mindey x

    • Guest
      Guest mindey44333

      Posted

      Hi Mindey,

      Regarding the magnesium, I had to stop taking it due to some side effects, but I don't remember exactly what happened.  I have gained 30 pounds over the last year which has really brought on a lot of issues.  I bought an exercise bike and ride 5 miles each evening (30 minutes) on top of walking as much as possible throughout the day and eating healthier foods.  I have cut back drastically the amount of sugar I was eating.  Also, I go to bed as soon as I'm tired, which means I sleep longer (8.5-9 hours nightly) and my sleep quality has improved.  I don't know how long all this will last before any new peri symptoms come up, but I'm working hard to get healthier.  Anxiety is still, as always, a big problem, but I like your suggestions here about aromatherapy and the headspace app and am definitely going to try those! 

      Take care and keep posting!

      Liz  (-:

       

    • mindey44333
      mindey44333 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Liz

      Thank you for your reply. I am impressed with your exercise regime and that you have also reduced your sugar intake.

      I hope soon I can reduce my sugar intake more effectively.

      This Christmas feels tricky as a very close member of my family is quite unwell. I am being proactive and keeping busy. I just have this gap and I keep feeling sad. I look forward to the next few weeks with resilience and peace. I hope that all will become more calm and settled as Xmas comes and goes into the New Year. We must remember Christmas is a small part of a huge year and it won't always be as we hope, but we can adjust out expectation and simply go with a gentle flow around it.

      Best wishes Mindey

    • Guest
      Guest mindey44333

      Posted

      Hi Mindey,

      I know what you mean about the gap and feeling sad.  I have something similar happening.  My grandmother is 91 and in poor health, my mother had surgery a couple of months ago, and it's been hard to get excited about the holidays.  I am continuing to get in as much walking and biking as possible and still being more aware about eating but know it will be a challenge to get through the holidays without enjoying some treats.  Your gentle flow approach makes sense.  Hope you have a good holiday season and take care of yourself.

      Elizabeth

    • mindey44333
      mindey44333 Guest

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth.

      Thank you for sharing with me about your Grandmother being unwell and your Mum too. I hope their situation's can improve quickly. You sound like you are being focused with your cycling and walking so I think I will follow your lead and step up my walking and cycling too. Maybe a swim or saunas soon too.

      The unwell person I mentioned was my Mum and she is 88. Its been strange this Christmas with her not being here and I missed making and taking the usual telephone calls. I did have Christmas dinner with her where she staying till she is well enough to go home, so that was very nice. I'm visiting a lot, and It seems to feel heavy sometimes and very tiring. Its the mild dementia Mum has that plays on my mind and worries me. But Mum is happy in herself which is good and lifts me.

      I guess at this age we go into the menopause, our children often leave home about this time and our parents health deteriorates and they can become more like our children and need more looking after and care and atterntion. This comes at a time when we might now be living alone which all takes time to adjust to and balance our lives positively.

      So that's quite a few changes there and possibly it can create the opportunity to think too much about things. I certainly have rather more free time than I would like over Christmas. But using it to rest a bit and sort out drawers and cupboards. I think the eating good nutricious food is a must for us and getting some much needed fun and laughter in too. This is the indulgent season and all these rich sugary foods can play havoc with our mood swings. Thank you again Elizabeth, for your insight and kind words.

      Wishing everyone a Happy Health Peaceful and Joyous New Year. Xx

      Mindey

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