Nighttime Panic Attacks?

[harris5998]

Does anyone suffer from nightime panic attacks? Like, having nightmares and waking up feeling panicky every so often? Or just waking up nervous with your heart racing and body trembling? Some nights this happens multiple times per night, other nights (usually when I take Xanax before bed) it doesn't happen at all. It's very upsetting. I just did not know a person could wake up in the middle of a panic attack, I have enough of them during the day!

[Rebekaah]

Had my first night time anxiety attack in a long time. I woke up around 330am with the whole body tingling, cold, sense of doom. It was like riding a wave of anxiety. Up and down. It would get intense and subside. Really bizarre feeling. I just rode it and fell back asleep only to wake up an hour or so later to it being more intense. I had to pee urgently, I was shaking severely, the waves were coming faster and more intense. Is is possible to have an anxiety attack for 3 or more hours straight? I was really getting worried I was dying. I popped an ativan, and the bugger didn't even touch it. That really freaked me out. I decided to get on the internet to see if this was normal, and it seems most of what I was enduring is. Just still haven't found many people how haven't had ativan work, or who have expeienced "waves"  of anxiety that just doesn't stop.

[penncan]

The effect of more hours of darkness on many people can be relieved by taking extra Vitamin D3 and use of a full-spectrum therapy light.  Seasonal Affective Disorder may be making your nighttime panic attacks worse.
Try it and see if it helps.  I hope so.

[Theresa075]

Also, looking into sleep disorders and getting a sleep test is a good idea for people who are having problems with insomnia and anxiety.  My husband had a take-home and in-house sleep test recently.  The take-home test revealed that he has severe sleep apnea, and we are awaiting the results of the in-house test currently, but I'm sure they'll show the same results and perhaps other sleep disorders in addition to the sleep apnea.  My brother also has sleep apnea and had anxiety and panic wakeups, and now that he is using the CPAP machine and mask, his anxiety/panic is gone.

[Theresa075]

My husband has had tremendous anxiety, panic attacks, terror dreams, huge insomnia, and panic wakeups for 21 months now, and it has been quite a life change for both of us.  He has been on various psychiatric meds, many of which didn't help or drugged him out way too much (like Seroquel, highly recommend against this drug for depression/anxiety); but is currently on Klonopin, Buspirone, 5HTP, Gaba, and theanine.  This current regimen is helping him somewhat, and there has been some noticeable healing in the past 2-3 months thankfully.  He still wakes up in the 4am or 5am hour and often can't go back to sleep, otherwise he wakes up with terror dreams and panic attacks, with his heart palpitating and his body trembling; so that is really rough on the quantity of sleep that he gets, and therefore he has less serotonin in his body (amongst other things) and less of a feeling of wellbeing/calmness.  The daytime anxiety is still worse in the morning, a bit less in the afternoon, and quite a bit less in the evening if there are no stressful things happening and if he is not ruminating about anything that is stressful.  It's still quite a mystery what is going on, but he continues to eat healthfully and on time, take all of his prescriptions and supplements, and get moderate amounts of exercise (can't exercise vigorously like before, otherwise he feels uneasy and perhaps adrenaline-depleted).  We are thinking about seeing a naturopath who specializes in endocrine issues, and with all of the testing that she orders, we feel we might be able to hone in on the imbalances that are happening.  Thankfully the testing we want is covered by insurance because this neurotransmitter test is $3,000 and takes a month to be fully evaluated.  We will see.  Peace to everyone.  You are not alone, and there are natural supplements and herbs that can help at least somewhat.

[cantsleepclownlleatme]

Hi guys gald so glad to have affirmation that Im not crazy for feeling what I feel. I too stay up till the weee hours of the morning hoping to just knock out. I got my first attack in early Jan. Ive been to the the er and in and out of the doctors ever since. Feeling like I was dying.Last time I was there I was told my ticker is fine after an ekg my bp is a bit high like 138/90. I read on some of your posts the importance of a good diet before you go to sleep. I Will definately stay away from any heavy greasy food after 7. And ty to come up with some relaxation routine. I think I might get abit more sleep tonight  with some of this new knowledge and knowing im not the only one that suffers with this. Ty all. Now lets try to get some sleep!! :)

[sleeplesssally]

I have experienced all of these issues that have been mentioned and because I fear it so much I get sacred of going 2 sleep. I will stay up way into the early hours of the morning until I'm so exhausted I can no longer keep my eyes open, I'm then up at 7 with my very energetic 4 year old! I suffer from panic attacks throughout the day which increase at night time and anyone who has ever had a panic attack will know they are very similar 2 heart attacks therefore I constantly think the worst and fear sleep either because I will wake up breathless and confused through the night or for fear of not  waking up at all. I think I'm crazy! But its comforting 2 read I'm not the only one with issues