Anyone Else Struggle With Anxiety Affecting Getting To Sleep

[JCWarrior]

I am continuing to struggle with being able to relax and get to slepp when I lay down to go to sleep. Even when I'm sleepy, many times I'll start to fall asleep and be awoken because I have the urge to take a deep breath (sigh - I do this more when I'm anxious). Or sometimes I'll feel the need to clear my throat, which is not as comfortable with nose pillows on.

All of this has an underlying anxiety componant, I'm sure.

Sometimes I'll dose off and wake up and feel so tense and anxious I have to get out of bed to kind of reset myself. This makes me more anxious and adds to the issue. I am also bothered by how this must be affecting my wifes quality of sleep. Thank God I have such a wonderful wife.

If I was one of the folks that felt comforted by their CPAP mask; one who feels it's time to sleep when they put on their mask, I would be ecstatic!

Once I am asleep I typically sleep very sound.

It's this darn anxiety that's messing things up for me.

I've increased my exercise, limiting coffee and alcohol, trying to improve other areas of sleep hygeine...... Hopefully this will improve.

I have a history of sleep anxiety and now CPAP has seemed to trigger it again. I realize it basically comes down to managing the anxiety and it's not really only related to CPAP. That's just where it manifests itself so strongly.

Hopng to hear from others that have been through this and conqured the beast. It's really got me down.

[Sir NoddinOff]

When I was going thru a bad patch last year I had some anxious feelings about going to sleep every now and then. I know what you mean - it's a horrible thing to have happen just when you should be winding down your day and sleeping. All I can say is that it seemed to go away after a month or so, plus hopefully one gets used to the CPAP process and all the little nighttime chores and preparations that go along with it. I'm sure others will come along and give you some tips on how to cut down on the anxiety. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[avi123]

I would seek a psychiatrist who deals with medications (one of them put me on Alprazolam {Xanax} to take it "as needed") b/c of anxiety. I take 0.5 mg tablet {not the extended release), once daily, at around 6 p.m. Check the properties of Xanax. But I also take 5 mg of Zolpidem before sleep. If it does not put me to sleep within 30 min I then take another 5 mg. I then sleep nonstop for more than 6 hours with one bathroom trip. I have no hangovers the next day.

p.s. if you register your age and gender I could then be more helpful, I think.

[JCWarrior]

I would seek a psychiatrist who deals with medications (one of them put me on Alprazolam {Xanax} to take it "as needed") b/c of anxiety. I take 0.5 mg tablet {not the extended release), once daily, at around 6 p.m. Check the properties of Xanax. But I also take 5 mg of Zolpidem before sleep. If it does not put me to sleep within 30 min I then take another 5 mg. I then sleep nonstop for more than 6 hours with one bathroom trip. I have no hangovers the next day.

I had 3 other episodes within the last 10 years where I experienced sleep anxiety. It's really gneral anxiety but mine seemed to manifest when it was time to lay down. At times I dreaded evening approaching. I would lay down and have to get back up because I felt claustrophobic.

The first time it happened I went to a sleep clinic and they basically explained that my stress and anxiety level had increased and caused this. They put me on a strict sleep schedule, sleep hygeine and kick started me with 3 ambien. I followed their instructions to a "T" and increased my exercise. It took a while but I snapped out of it.

About 5 years ago it happened again during a very stressful time in my life. This time, I recognized it and knew what was happening. I talked to my doctor and he prescribed .5mg Klonopin. I took this at bedtime and began reducing the stress in my life and overcame it. I only took the meds for a short time and then used as needed. Maybe 2-3 times in a year.

My mother passed away in 2012 and about 1 month later, here we go again.

This time I sought therepy and worked on CBT. I combined this with using .25-.5mg Klonopin for about 2 months and things improved. The grieving process triggered my anxiety I guess.

So now it seems trying to adjust to CPAP has triggeed this again a bit.

p.s. if you register your age and gender I could then be more helpful, I think.

Done.

[BlackSpinner]

What does your data say?
Many people have sleep transition centrals when falling asleep, which can make you feel like it is an anxiety attack because you rewaken with your heart racing. Post your data.

[Sclark08]

I know I started out that way but for the most part it's gone now I think it's something all of us with this affliction and you have to realize that's what it is have dealt with

It will be part of you for probably the rest of your life Don't fight it . Start wearing it an hour before you go to bed while watching tv. You get in your compliance time if that's where you are and you are getting used to the feel of the mask and pressures of the machine. It really helped me.

Best of luck!

[JCWarrior]

What does your data say?
Many people have sleep transition centrals when falling asleep, which can make you feel like it is an anxiety attack because you rewaken with your heart racing. Post your data.

There have been times I checked and didn't see an centrals. I will post my data though. Might not be until later this week/weekend (very busy this week - hmmm may explain some things, huh?) but I will check it before that.

[JCWarrior]

I know I started out that way but for the most part it's gone now I think it's something all of us with this affliction and you have to realize that's what it is have dealt with

It will be part of you for probably the rest of your life Don't fight it . Start wearing it an hour before you go to bed while watching tv. You get in your compliance time if that's where you are and you are getting used to the feel of the mask and pressures of the machine. It really helped me.

Best of luck!

I've started wearing it for at least 10 minutes or so before laying down. That way my breathing normalizes.

[ems]

JC -- as I mentioned to you in your other thread, I know exactly what you are dealing with and really understand. There were many nights I didn't fall asleep until 3 or 4 in the morning. Additionally, I was worried about waking with a migraine and would be miserable all the next day, but that's another thread.

Simply put, you must find something that helps you relax... a book, TV, radio, exercise, deep breathing (meditation), and possibly meds. It's a vicious cycle and you have to get yourself out of it! I mentioned that music seems to calm me tremendously... wish I had known that sooner. I also take .5 xanax and if I'm not asleep in 45 minutes, I take another .5. I'm not thrilled about taking a med., but I have to sleep and also knew I had to break the cycle. It's been around a month now so I'll continue with what I'm doing for a few more months, and then begin to cut back on the xanax.

I also found that adjusting the pressure helped greatly bc I was taking the mask off during the nite. I made a small adjustment - 9/6 to 9.4/6, but it helped a lot, and after a few nites I realized I was no longer waking up which relaxed me even more. As I know you've read here, sleeping with a mask that is comfortable is imperative. I don't remember what you said about your mask, but I hope it fits well and is comfortable.

I hope you find something that works for you! I know how awful that night time anxiety can be.

[ChicagoGranny]

What does your data say?
Many people have sleep transition centrals when falling asleep, which can make you feel like it is an anxiety attack because you rewaken with your heart racing. Post your data.

There have been times I checked and didn't see an centrals. I will post my data though. Might not be until later this week/weekend (very busy this week - hmmm may explain some things, huh?) but I will check it before that.

BlackSpinner asked the first question that should be answered. If your CPAP therapy is not very effective, it could explain everything about your anxiety.

You are doing right by sleep hygiene - just do the full job. Also, have a regular moderate exercise program and eat a good diet.

[ChicagoGranny]

I would seek a psychiatrist who deals with medications (one of them put me on Alprazolam {Xanax} to take it "as needed") b/c of anxiety. I take 0.5 mg tablet {not the extended release), once daily, at around 6 p.m. Check the properties of Xanax. But I also take 5 mg of Zolpidem before sleep. If it does not put me to sleep within 30 min I then take another 5 mg. I then sleep nonstop for more than 6 hours with one bathroom trip. I have no hangovers the next day.

p.s. if you register your age and gender I could then be more helpful, I think.

Avi, That is shit advice to put someone on benzodiazepine and Ambien without knowing whether their therapy is effective.

[freshair]

I have now stopped using CPAP and the reason is that it would cause my sinuses to close up, I did every thing to get back to the way it was at first with using CPAP when it was working very well but I think it has caused a worst sinus problem after these many years, I now take some sleep meds and also us nose strips and a mist spray by Ayr. I sleep and breathe better now and don't use CPAP~

[BlackSpinner]

I have now stopped using CPAP and the reason is that it would cause my sinuses to close up, I did every thing to get back to the way it was at first with using CPAP when it was working very well but I think it has caused a worst sinus problem after these many years, I now take some sleep meds and also us nose strips and a mist spray by Ayr. I sleep and breathe better now and don't use CPAP~

And your proof from the subsequent sleep study? Most people think they sleep well but still have serious events.

[jencat824]

I have now stopped using CPAP and the reason is that it would cause my sinuses to close up, I did every thing to get back to the way it was at first with using CPAP when it was working very well but I think it has caused a worst sinus problem after these many years, I now take some sleep meds and also us nose strips and a mist spray by Ayr. I sleep and breathe better now and don't use CPAP~

You haven't done everything or you would BE back on CPAP. You could verify this by a sleep study, but haven't chosen to do so. Why?

Also, how many different masks & other procedures did you try before giving up?

Giving up on CPAP is more than just how you sleep. Its about heart disease, stroke, diabetes & other bad stuff happening in your body. Are you really willing to just give up on yourself & your loved ones this way? How sad.

Jen

[Sir NoddinOff]

I'm pretty sure it was Pugsy who once gave me the tip to not look at my data in the morning. If it's not too good then it can taint an otherwise okay day. It also can cause you to brood throughout the day about how you're messing up - by the time bedtime rolls around you might just work yourself into a fine tizzy (is that a word?). Anyway, if you can try this method for a few weeks it might help you be more relaxed when bedtime rolls around. It did for me. Thumbnail summary: Data can be a great help, but it can also be a double-edged sword if you obsess about it too much. Like many things in life Also: I'd have to agree with ChicagoGranny on this one: Drugs, especially benzos, are to be used only as a last resort and then strictly with a doctor's careful guidance.