That awful feeling in the solar plexus

I guess I'm not the only one who experiences that awful feeling in the solar plexus. For me it's worst in the morning, a part of the hell of getting out of bed. It can be so intense that it's often disabling. I have to curl up into a fetal position and stay in bed. It usually lasts at least until 10am, sometimes longer.

It happens right after waking up, so there is no time to take any meds to counteract it. It's often the reason why I call in sick.

First question is how do you describe this to someone who never experienced it? The second: is this related to anxiety or depression? And the third is how do you relive or avoid it?

I think anxiety and depression are at play here. Try setting an alarm for an hour before you have to get up. Take your meds and go back to sleep or stay put and curl up until the meds start to work. I had to do this for over a year because of how bad I felt every morning. I'm actually getting ready right now for a little nap time. The body needs what it needs and so does the mind

I don't have any antianxiety meds at the moment, I only take Lamictal in the morning, but that sounds like it might make me oversleep. Did you have any problems waking up?

I work 2nd shift specifically because it takes me hours to get out of bed most days. Need to mentally prepare, overcome anxiety and the thoughts of "why bother"

I agree with sorryshaped that maybe take your meds and then lay back down for a bit might help. Or is there any type of meditation, music or show you could do/put on while getting up and ready for the day that might ease the transition and help focus less on the feelings?

For me, the solar plexus feeling is anxiety, strong anxiety.

I take meds at 4 a.m. in order to overcome some issues when I later awaken.


WC

I tried meditating and listening to soothing music but that doesn't help in the morning My pdoc doesn't like benzos for their possible impact on cognitive functions. I already take temazepam for sleeping - which actually can be a part of the problem. I'll have to discuss this with him. Again.

I have to agree with some of the others, it sounds like strong anxiety.
I know that feeling and it's awful.

Have you tried the time release lamictal? I find it a LOT more effective and I don't wake up feeling so out of it. It is in generic so not expensive but can require a preauth in the US anyway. I take it twice a day, morning and night. It's made a big difference, the time release and splitting the dose up.

I'm having that feeling in the solar plexus right now while paying bills.


WC

I have chronic costochondritis. It's worth looking into; you could have an actual physical malady. I had a flare recently and I am still taking prescription strength naproxen to get it under control. I go in for a quick assessment every time it flares to make sure I am not ignoring something more serious. Mine is related to my arthritis.

I am sorry you have costochondritis. I have it, too. The solar plexus feeling I am referring to is very different from costochondritis. It's an anxious, almost queasy feeling.


WC

I take regular Lamictal in the morning. I don't think it has any calming effect on me. I can try splitting the dose. Or I may ask my pdoc for Klonopin. I was on it for a while before. Maybe at least until spring.

I don't think it's physical. It's not really pain, more like sensation, only very intense. Like when you get startled or scared, only stronger and lasts longer.

You might want to get your cortisol levels checked. When I was having a lot of anxiety I had mine checked and it was high and stayed high (they take blood twice). I took some supplements for 6 months and my anxiety hasn't been near as bad as it once was. Just a warning though, normal drs will probably think your crazy asking about it. I was seeing a holistic dr at the time. Man I wish I could see him again. It was one of the best times I felt in my life.

Low dose kava and ashwaganda?

It was relora i think and a supplement called a-Drenal. It's been a couple years so memory is fuzzy. I was on like 20 or so supplements at the time. He also had a theory that if zinc and copper levels weren't 1:1 in your blood it could cause bipolar mood issues.

I wondered why none of you mentioned being worried it might be a heart attack. Scares me pretty good when I get a flare because I am worried I could ignore something much worse.

I don't know if I had cortisol level done. I'll mention this to my pdoc. I had thyroid checked and bunch of other tests and they didn't find anything wrong with me. Physically I'm healthy.

I had EKG done only few months ago. It didn't show anything.

I have had a few done over the years and they all were clean. Every time I get a costochondritis flare, I am over 90% sure that's what it is. But that small chance it is something else gives me some pretty severe anxiety.

Chakras? If not, explain please.

I experience a sinking/tightening hard to describe sensation in my solar plexus when I am very depressed. That feeling is a clear signal to me that I need to change my antidepressant.

It is the 3rd chakra, I think. I tried meditation, breathing exercises and stuff but it's not working.