Can the ER help with insomnia caused by anxiety and panic?

General Health Q&A
1

23f, 148lbs, 4’10"

Conditions: Type 1 diabetes, chronic pain syndrome, DDD, arthritis, GAD, MDD, chronic folliculitis/abscesses.

Medications: Topamax 10mg, Doxy 100mg, Keflex 500mg, Zofran 4mg, Buspirone 7.5mg, Omega-3 1300mg.

I’m stuck in a repeating cycle where I feel exhausted, but when I lie down, my mind starts racing. I have an intense, irrational fear of staying still because I’m terrified of lucid dreaming (I read somewhere that staying motionless for 15 minutes triggers it). I start fidgeting to prevent it, which makes my heart race, and then I feel like my blood sugar is crashing. I check my pump and it’s fine, so I watch YouTube for about 30 minutes to distract myself, but then the whole cycle just repeats. It’s getting so bad and I’m so anxious that I’m considering medical help.

I took my Buspirone three times today for anxiety. About two hours before this started, I took my Topamax, both antibiotics, the omega supplement, and an old hydrocodone/acetaminophen 10-325mg for pain from an abdominal abscess and cellulitis. I also took 10ml of children’s liquid Benadryl (12.5mg per 5ml) about an hour ago to try to settle down, but it’s not working.

What should I do? Please be kind, I’m really panicking and I’m scared because I can’t sleep. Should I head to the emergency room??

2

I wouldn’t suggest going to the ER for this.

First off, there’s no reason to be afraid of lucid dreaming—it just means you’re aware and in control of your dreams. Also, simply lying still doesn’t actually cause it to happen.

Second, a standard dose of Benadryl is usually 50mg. While it’s not a good long-term solution, you can take double the amount you currently have to help you sleep, if that normally works for you.

You really need to consult a doctor or therapist about this, but in the meantime, maybe try some guided sleep meditation or self-hypnosis videos on YouTube?