I’ve had anxiety for all my adult life. I’m 28F. Sometimes it’s fairly ok, sometimes it’s awful. I am not on medication and am in the UK. I’ve never had a panic attack.

I thought I was a little worked up at the moment, but ok. I’ve just moved house and am struggling to settle into it alone (my husband is away with work), I’m still moving all my stuff and the place is a mess, we are currently going through IVF (6 years) and I am taking buserelin for that for the last 3 weeks. I also have a root canal today, so I’m quite anxious. I am very busy right now and am going to bed tired most nights. I usually have the opposite issue where I struggle to feel tired and fall asleep.

Anyway, it first started 1.5 weeks ago, as I was falling asleep and at 3 points, I was jerked to a pounding heart. I eventually fell asleep. Since then, it’s happened most nights. Sometimes as I fall asleep, sometimes during the night. 

Sometimes I wake up to either a rapid heart rate, a heart palpitations, a jerk in a limb, but mainly it’s just to a huge intake of breath. 

Well, last night was the worst. I lay for 3 hours being jerked awake every time I fell asleep. It was probably over 50 times and was so scary. After the first few times, I woke up very scared. I cried and felt so alone and helpless. I just kept thinking about how I’d every sleep again. 

The jerks became less and less intense over the last short while until they stopped and I slept in peace until 8am. I am now absolutely terrified of going to sleep again tonight. It was so scary and I’m worried what is causing it. 

Does this sound anxiety related? What do I do to stop it?

I’ve booked in to see my doctor today, but looking for any advice or experiences in the meantime. 

Thanks guys.