Panic attack or heart-related?

I woke up this morning at my usual time, 5:00.  I noticed when I got out of bed I felt especially tired and just really wanted to go back to bed.  But, I went into the bathroom and while I was in there I noticed my heart was beating sort of fast.  It does that sometime in the morning when I get up.  I touched my pulse and it was a little fast but not too bad.  Then when I "got up" I noticed my heart started skipping beats, it seemed to do it over and over again.  Well, I got really scared and that woke me up instantly.  Then, my heart just took off and started beating REAL fast.  I don't really know how fast, but it was pretty darn fast (I'd estimate 150 or so).  I started panicking and also trying to talk myself down, saying the fluttering had just scared me, everything is OK.  I got some water and took a .5 Xanax and a 10 mg Inderal.  It kept going like that for a few minutes and then when I sat down on the couch it started gradually going down and then went down to normal.  Well, I was totally freaked out.  I am having an unusual amount of stress lately and have had some pretty bad things happen to myself and my family.  When the fluttering was happening, I touched my pulse and it was regular but fast.  Wonder if this was panic or something terrible wrong with my heart.  I do have a history of panic and used to have them all the time in the morning - why would it start back now?  Also, I've been trying to wean off Xanax and it has been going OK - I have noticed an increase in palps but not too bad.  Could the weaning cause extra anxiety, causing panic?  I am scared, guys.

[anacyde]

I feel for you, having gone through this myself.  In March 2006 I weaned off Ativan and I had a rough few weeks.  I'd have little episodes like you describe.  It sounds exactly like what I felt.  I also had a lot of dreams (weird, scary, unpleasant).  This does NOT mean the panic attacks are coming back or that they're here to stay!  Trust me.  It's just a very normal part of coming off of this type of medication.  You'll get through it, I know you will!  After those few tough weeks, I'm panic free for more than a year - and two years prior to that.  Hang in there!!

[SillyHeart]

Weaning off of Xanax or any anti-anxiety medication can ABSOLUTELY cause an increase in anxiety.  It is very difficult for many people to wean off of drugs like Xanax.  Please go very slowly and be prepared for withdrawals.  It would be helpful if a trusted therapist could help you through the process.