insomnia worried i have something like cancer

[martin2011]

sorry for double post, posted under drugs mirtazapine

Hi all, male 40, new to forum,
got a major problem, cant sleep at night worried sick something seriously wrong with me, body wants to rest but mind wont switch off, thought i could handle it so been self medicating, Booze to start with, worked for a while, then used valarium sleep tablets, sort of worked, then sominex promethazine hydrochloride, nocked me out for about 4 hours or so, then as i was using it nightly hardly works at all now, Then been trying kava kava which is ok in the day for a mind number but does nothing for me 2 sleep,
This all started back in march were i had a major health scare found a lump on my testicle, 2 weeks of convincing myself i was going to die i eventually saw a doctor who reassured me prob a hydrocele, nothing to worry about then went for a ultrasound fortunately confirmed, i was so relieved i cried, but something still wasnt right almost like not a good enough explanation even tho was ok, then my left a right side of my neck felt really swollen, and im convinced my right side of my throats numb, i smoke I did drink, so right now thats my worry, seen 6 doctors & 2 ent drs all saying same thing nothing wrong ?? can my mind really be convincing me of this ?? i would say more dry throat, less saliva, more swallowing, more phleghm 1st thing, and as i said just a general feeling of numbness worried every time i eat as really concious i may have a obstruction, is this my mind focusing on something from anxiety like something new to focus on ? this has been going on for 8 weeks or so, theres no lumps or bumps, glands are fine, also seem to have more wind after eating, doctor said may be more acid produced giving me these symptons, so gave me a omeprazole, just started it, he thinks 80% anxiety, its genuinely real as in physical these symptoms, & i am at dispair now, havent slept right for 6-8 weeks, all the doctors say im ok, but somethings telling me not, i feel week & tired as i got to have some rest to try & feel better, & have been given mirtazapine but im scared to try as dont know how they will work read some scary stuff re: more anxiety etc, im at my witts end & have the horrors of lying awake again tonight for another 7 hours, someone if you have any ideas id appreciate comments sorry for long post ,

[steveh31]

deleted

[Meewah]

Hi Martin welcome to the club

A lot of us have gone through what you describe in one way or another. I did that's for sure. When you get a health scare like this it can waken the limbic system in our brain, It sees what we have been through as a immediate threat and tells our body to go on high alert and listen out for other symptoms. Its part of our fight or flight response and is designed to keep us alive. Your body is working well for you at the moment, you have just been chased by the biggest life threatening dinosaur and you are your mind says it is still wise to be vigilant. The problem is that the limbic system is not perfect and when it triggers this fight or flight response it causes many symptoms which your, then sensitised, brain sees as threats also and so the cycle begins. See it as a ever increasing circle, The more you ruminate the more you worry the more symptoms you will have.

My advice is come off the sleeping pills and stay up as late as possible for a week. Deny your body the sleep it craves for a week, then go to bed at 11pm prompt every night. Sleep deprivation is the best cure I found. The thing is your body is probably getting enough sleep to "get by". I still wake in the early hours now and again but I feel incredibly tired by 10pm everyday. If you are wondering where my advice comes from, I watched a programme on insomnia and the specialists said this was a proven cure. When I was suffering, night jolts etc... It worked for me.


We all could have cancer, saying that life is cancer and we will get old, suffer and die. This we share with every living thing on the planet and sharing that common concern brings you closer to every man woman and child. The skill is in how we deal with that.

PS I started at 40 too and a number of my mates, A lot of them now worry about the abuse we put our bodies through when we were young. I'm 42 now and still worry, we all have more responsibilities and more to live for.

oh, I nearly forgot try this site:- http://www.getsomeheadspace.com/
Take Care mate and learn skills to relax.

Mee