[nzorzi]

Second time posting in this thread. I wanted to share an update in case it might help someone else.

If you’re like me, you may have an upset stomach along with your sleep anxiety. As a long time anxiety sufferer, this was never surprising to me as an upset stomach is a common side effect of anxiety.

A few weeks ago I was struggling with insomnia and adrenaline jolts (not hypnic jerks), and even Xanax was not helping. I realized I felt pretty relaxed but my stomach was still upset which was preventing me from sleeping. So I decided to take a Pepcid anti-acid, and I was able to sleep.

A few days later I decided to take Pepcid preemptively before sleep. That was the first night I was able to fall asleep normally in many weeks. I then started a 2 week course of Prilosec and I was able to establish a somewhat normal sleep pattern.

Unfortunately the course ended and my stomach is actually feeling nauseated and burning all the time now, not just at night. So it’s back to sleeplessness. Tonight I am trying Pepcid again which will hopefully help.

My hypothesis is that all the insomnia and anxiety I’ve had recently has damaged my stomach. And I think at some point the stomach upset shifted from being a side effect to a cause of the insomnia and anxiety. I am going to see a gastroenterologist soon to check if I have an ulcer or something.

Hope that helps someone.

[nzorzi]

I am both comforted and saddened by the fact that others experience this horrible form of sleep anxiety. I have dealt with it several times in the past. For me they are not always connected with hypnic jerks. Sometimes it is a rush of panic (adrenaline) that occurs in a half-awake state right at the onset of actual sleep. I call them sleep jolts in my journal. I don’t know if there is a specific medical term.

Things that have helped me combat this in the past:

* Perform belly breathing as you are going to sleep
* Exercise immediately before sleep
* Intentionally clench your muscles, breathe hard and fast, etc. The idea is to accelerate the depletion of your adrenaline levels.
* Sleep slightly upright instead of flat
* If you get a sleep jolt, sit up and do something else for 30 minutes before trying to sleep again
* Remind yourself that you will eventually sleep regardless of what happens tonight or the next few nights. You will eventually sleep.
* Do not be afraid to share what you are going through with family, friends, co-workers
* Avoid ruminating about stressors during the day
* Take Xanax 0.25mg as a last resort

Presently I am experiencing the worst bout of this I’ve ever experienced. Even Xanax is not helping.

Sending love to you all. You are not alone.

[Author]

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