Strange Feeling in my Chest when i get upset

[smurfchops]

I have a lot of trouble getting off to sleep, and then I lay there and start thinking about family problems and people in the family who have upset me. I get a funny feeling in my chest which seems to swell up inside, what could this be ? And how can I stop thinking unpleasant thoughts and get off to sleep without my Temazapam? I have these prescribed but try to only take one, once a week if not less. I am prescribed 28 20mg tablets every three months.

[Mosaic]

I'd say you need someone to talk to, in the form of some good therapy. Your GP can recommend CBT for you on the NHS and it's worth a try. There are many other therapies that people have found effective.
It's easier to say what isn't working, which is mulling over stuff that you can't change. You need help to let that go.

[cathfromsaron]

ditto! GP is the first stop and pls ask for details of your local anxiety management class! the physical symptoms are most likely stress, and lying awake worrying will never help! plus, if you need the tabs, take them under your doctors guidance! they can't help you in the bottle! x

[jomifl]

A method of overcoming these troubling thoughts is to concentrate on something else such as planning a hobby project, a holiday or something else that you are looking forward to doing. You can go into more and more detail as necessary until you wake up in the morning. t
This helps make you look forward rather than back and if you don't get to sleep at least you will have some carefully laid plans.

[smurfchops]

thanks mosaic, is there anything I could try while I just lay in bed like some sort of deep breathing, which will change my thoughts and help me relax, without going to see someone ?

[douglas9401]

Sincew you don't mention any physical ailments I'd guess at anxiety/panic attacks.
I had similar symptoms a few years ago and after numerous visits to my GP was diagnosed with the same. There was no reason that I could think of for them happening but a couple of visits to somebody trained in dealing with them got to the bottom of things andsorted me out.
I'd recommend that course of action without hesitation. If it turns out to be the case for you I'd hope you had as much success as I did.
Best wishes for a solution.

[naomi24]

This might sound silly, and somewhat non-medical, but do you read in bed? Often that can take your mind off the troubles of the day - even if you read until you drop off to sleep and leave the light on!

[Mosaic]

Smurf, the only alternative that has ever worked for me is to become utterly physically worn out - long walks, digging holes, refitting bathrooms etc. If you are physically exhausted you will sleep.
Also, do you find hotel rooms are easier to nod off in? I do, and I think it is because there is nothing in the room to trigger memories - you could try having a totally 'neutral' sleep room.

[smurfchops]

So what do you think this funny feeling is in my chest ? Its not a pain, just a feeling which seems to rush and swell up

[sophie_1003]

I get that too smurf; I would say it's a stress response but I'm not a doctor so that's just a guess; I've found the best way of dealing with it is to stop trying to get to sleep and find a distraction. I'd agree with naomis technique of reading but anything that you need to focus on might help.

[Hopkirk]

Mosaic may be along the right lines. Exercise.

I find if I have a vigorous swim, I can hardly keep my eyes open that evening.

[boxtops]

smurf, I've got a radio in the bedroom which goes off after an hour - I really find that's helpful in stopping me thinking about stuff, I listen to that and generally drop off in about half an hour. Try to go to bed before you get too tired - being too tired can make me think in a more negative way that I do when I'm not tiredl and do take the tablets - they're given to you for a reason...

[rov1100]

If it was your heart you suffer some compression of the upper chest and pains radiating down your arms. A more likely explanation is acid reflux that may also cause some burning. The third alternative is psychological and stress relieving exercises such as Yoga may help.

[dannyday5821]

well id say thats stress - if it was anything else youd suffer other symtoms - tight crushing pains, pains in jaw arms upper abdo maybe back, sweaty or clammy, shortness of breath

believe me i know exactly how you feel! i have chosotchondritis - which is basically inflammation of the cartilidge in ya rib cage - my chest feels tight and painful most of the time - and i was paranoid as hell when it all first started - i had a few panic attacks convincing myself it was a heart attack - but i realised that without any other symptoms, and the fact that i "felt" short of breath, but actually wasnt reassured me and since, ive been fine - obviously still get the tightness but im so used to it its normal now...

its differenet for everyone - but its all about your own coping stratergies and changing your own thought processes - you need to try and speak to someone, doesnt even have to be a doctor, close friends can help too :)

[moiflan]

I'd agree the feeling in your chest could well be acid reflux.If you are upset and worried the food doesn't always digest all that well.Try some visualisation techniques to take your mind away from your worries.Find them in the self help section of a bookstore."Step into The Magic" by Gill Edwards for example.Good luck!

[moiflan]

O by the way the acid reflux would need sorting with a very common pill"omeprazole"check with your doc,you could have a hiatius hernia as I have.

[Mosaic]

I'm guessing the sensation you experience is an adrenalin response to distressing thoughts. Adrenalin makes your body want to do something instinctive - in this case, howl like a banshee, run round the room kicking furniture over and biting people. But because you are civilised you don't act on this instinct, so you feel odd instead.

[smurfchops]

Mosaic, an adrenaline rush came to mind, but i wasn't sure what an adrenaline rush is ... Well last night I just thought good thoughts, when my mind started to wander I took deep breaths and thought 'the past is past, think nice thoughts about the future' and it seemed to help, the thought of therapy scares me a bit ! So I will do a bit of self help, maybe meditation, deep breathing. thanks everyone !

[Kendle]

I would say its stress as well.

[lcg]

try mindfulness...it takes practice, but really chills you out once you have the hang of it - it's a sort of meditation without religion/chanting/hippy claptrap. i can now do this for around an hour at a time and feel like i have had a full body massage/relaxing bath/that feeling after snuggling afterwards. start with really short sessions first, and then build to longer periods of time. you will feel silly to begin with, but persevere and feel the benefit of taking time for yourself. doing this before you go to bed/but not at times of stress will empty your head of all the rubbish that causes you stress and the horrible physical sensations you are feeling. try you tube for guided sessions or:

http://www.getsomeheadspace.com/

http://www.actionforh...fulness-into-your-day

hope this helps - it's not a traditional solution, but it works (there is a lot of research and interest surrounding mindfulness) and i use it with my patients to reduce stress and to help deal with all manner of mental health symptoms. good luck x

[droopdrawers]

Does anyone know anything, have experience about this skin disease please.

Apparently its very rare, so not a lot of research been done .

Thankyou. DD