Adrenaline Rush When Drifting Asleep-Happening Repeatedly??

[w79]

Hi there,

Can anyone tell me if there is a common cause for having adrenaline rushes whilst falling asleep? They started happening a few nights ago and I haven't slept properly since.  They can persist for hours, until finally I might get off to sleep and get a couple of hours at most.  

Are the rushes of themselves dangerous? I am now starting to worry about having them, a vicious cycle has started.  It seems my mind is afraid to let me sleep and wakes me with a rush whenever I try to.  How long can someone go with very little sleep?

Does anyone who has had these know how to get rid of them? Is it adrenaline/cortisol or the just the feeling of a hormone release? I do suffer with anxiety but this is a completely new thing.  

Many thanks in advance for any help or advice

[AnxiousNoMore]

How do you know it is adrenaline, or are you just being descriptive using that term?
How old are you? I ask because sleep disorders occur more often with age.
Your worrying about their danger is making it worse as you mentioned. I would get a book or Google about methods to help sleep. Lack of sleep can hurt your health in the long run but you have only had the problem for a few days.  

[w79]

Hi there, I don't know that its adrenaline for sure but it certainly feels like the rush you get when your nervous about something exactly the same feeling, i could also describe it as a sudden rush/sense of intense fear that seems to radiate from the lower chest/stomach area accompanied by the jolt that awakens me from a semi sleep state.  I'm pretty sure this is not the same as those pre sleep jerks you can get from time to time that will wake you with a big movement as with those I don't get the feeling of fear.  
Thanks for your advice I have started reading about sleep and trying to be proactive about my pre-sleep behaviour in making it conducive for sleep.  Its funny how we can take sleep for granted for so long and the minute it becomes an issue it has the potential to ruin your life as you know it.  

[AnxiousNoMore]

If you sleep alone, then try reading which might tire your eyes and focus your mind elsewhere from whatever is making you anxious. Often I have trouble sleeping when excited about some prospective situation that I think is about to unfold over the next week.

Avoid bright lights like you would get from texting or TV because caveman's body used light as his signal to wake up.

[w79]

Thanks again for the advice you are indeed right about the light, I turn down my kindle brightness and switch it to the black background when reading in bed.  I have started walking mid evening for half an hour, then two camomile teas.  I have started listening to (do not laugh) sounds of rain, waves, etc on my ipod which im focusing on whilst drifting off, this has all helped the last two nights and I've managed to get off to sleep after a couple of failed attempts, stay asleep 2-3 hours wake up go to the toilet then manage another 2-3 hours again after a few more failed attempts until morning.  This is a big improvement though to be honest.  What I found most useful was allowing myself time in the day to actually focus on the causes of my anxiety and allow my mind to go over it and over it until its kind of chewed on it so much that's its had enough and its bored of the topics your thinking about.  

[AnxiousNoMore]

If you ditch the late teas then the night toilet issue might go away too. I can't see how that getting up will help you sleep.
Have you started reading about sleep disorders and how to overcome them?

[Paxiled]

Well, if the teas are hours away from going to bed, it's no different than drinking water.  If it's a few minutes before going to bed, then it could be a problem.