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[slicky33]

Hi all. I am new to panic attacks/ anxiety. It all started about a month ago when I went from working day shift to night shift and couldn't sleep. Yesterday I felt so tense and could not relax. Thought I was gonna pass out. I believe it's the fear of not sleeping. How do I get over this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Did see a psychotherapist and plan on continuing so I can get better.

[Enduronman]

Wow! Glad you're noticing such a dramatic change in life so quickly, that'll help greatly to get this under control. I am not new to anxiety as I've carried it around in my pocket for over 4 decades but the panic part of it manifested over many years. You actually have the answer to your question, in your question itself. This sudden transitional change from working days to going to nights is going to take its toll on your "hormones". The balance that you had already established (daytime work) has basically just been "flipped upside down!". Kinda like my life, LOL!... anyway, It will take some time for your "adrenal systems" in general to receive the new messages, process them and figure out what to do with the "new calls for steroids, hormones, prohormones, cortisol, DHEA, and dozens of other chemicals" that are now completely out of wack. The answer is, routine. You have to adjust to the new daily routine in your mind first (so important because its the one sending the orders) and then let your body and all internal systems understand the new protocol.

Basically, when its time to go to sleep and you can't? Take a sleep-aid of some sort. I dont want to start throwing out ideas until someone ask for them as i have MANY that are available to you OTC..

Best wishes to you friend!

Enduronman.

[slicky33]

Thanks for the info. I have tried melatonin but no effect. I feel as if as soon as I dose off my mind gets a jolt and I wake right up. Don't no how to relax my mind long enough to put me to sleep.

[Enduronman]

Unfortunately melatonin will do that to some people although our own bodys make it chemically. I'm just going to throw out some suggestions here for you to think about or try, nothing that follows will create any sort of dependance or dilusion or side effect that you wont adapt too.

First, you must go to sleep. It is a must because if not, well you already know and thats why youre here. If you've ever had a bad cold and couldnt sleep at night I'm guessing someone may have given you a nightime cold med..You probably also slept like a baby too. The chemical in nightime cold meds that makes you drowsy is called (doxylamine). It is also used in brand name sleep aids. It can be purchased alone, generic, otc,..about $4. This is strong stuff if youve never tried it. Start with only 1 tablet.

Next is good ole (diphenhydramine)..benedryl. An anti-histamine that produces mild sedation. $4.

You can probably find some herbals also with valerian, and some other lawn clippings but these are not as straight forward and produce sleep all that well especially in people with anxiety.

If you need prescription sleep aids then they would probably be a stronger anti-histamine first called (hydroxyz) which is basically (zrytec) without the sedation taken out yet. Kinda pricey though. Next would be (benzodiazapines) like tamazapam, bromazapam, xanax, and a bunch of other "pams" too.

Also, if you drink caffeine beverages?..Stop..or at least reduce them slowly..

Nite nite! LOL!

Enduronman.