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!

[ToTiredofpaintothink]

Yes, I have been having night terrors every night. I woke myself one night sitting up abruptly in my sleep. I felt if I didn't force myself to wake at that moment I would not wake up.  My daughter stayed over the other night and woke me out of a night terror, I was pleading for someone not to leave.

[PinkKirby2]

I also have this condition when I sleep I get panic attacks, confusion, and my jaw hurts. I am 40 years old and this has been going on for the past 20 years. I recently discovered that when I have these panic attacks during sleep that I've eaten something sweet at night. I noticed when I stopped eating sugar after 4 p.m.,I no longer get these panic attacks nor my teeth grinding. I believe there's a correlation between sugar and panic attacks during sleep as well as teeth grinding. Last night I had a barbecue sandwich that had barbecue sauce on it which is sugary, and then it came back like yesterday - the panic attacks, mumbling in my sleep, and confusion. As well as my jaw hurts this morning. So now I'm going to continue my regiment of not eating sweets after 4 p.m.

[gerald838]

Hi I would also have the same exp. i waking up that sometimes im confuse and i can't speak and like i holding my breath. then after a moment when I cant breath my heart starting to race as hell, and that I was trying to inhale to keep my body having an oxygen. and just for you to know I keep the record in my cp when is the attack happen. i guess It usually happen when i have something at the back of my mind that bothers me..usually it happen after an hour of a deep sleep...well i guess I thought of I have to sleep early, but i cant even sleep early too.. im sleeping like around pass 12 to 1am then usually i waking up like around 2am gasping for air..I thought i was dying..but i keep my body and mind relax till i can get back to sleep again....and to my surprise  last month august 17 was the last attack and last night sept 17? i hope its just coincidence

[miche31263]

I have this.  My Dr. wants me to do a sleep study

[htalon]

I have MVPS and had panic and anxiety my whole life.  From my second pregnancy in 2001 I had a strange "turn" as I called it.  These turns can happen for no reason or especially if I've done "too" much and tip over and know that I will have a night episode.  I can get so exhausted, not tired though, just have to go to bed.  I fall asleep too quick and then wake abruptly within an hour or 2 and "it" starts.  Crushing pressure in chest, waves of energy through my body, feeling of dread and terror.  Need to use my bowels but feel too weak and unwell to get up.  After the bowel movement and I get back to bed the symptoms can settle.  Usually last in total 20 min but I get a shocking "hangover" the next day.  Drs and specialists can't find anything other than MVPS and said overall my health is fantastic for my aged (46) but I feel dreadful when this happens.  Can happen regularly or infrequently just depends, no real pattern.  Worse if I do too much and can't exercise too much or I know I have a turn.

[goddessofm51]

Wow I dindn't know that so many other people suffered with this. I thought that I had some medical issue or that I would die. I know that sounds melodramatic but it is scary. I have suffered from generalized anxiety my whole life, and once I became a parent it kicked into high gear, but since we moved a month or so ago I have it so bad that I barely sleep. It is awful. I have tried going the herbal tea route which sort of helps but last night I only got about an hour of sleep and I am a mess today. Blessings and light to you all. Thank you for sharing your stories, I don't feel so alone anymore.

[Daaniel]

I have similar problems with waking up at around 5 or 6 o'clock, for many, many years. I first try slow breathing, like instructed using Heartmath. If I don't feel I'm calming down I start a Lifeflow meditation (Michael McKenzie), based upon binaural beats that bring you into an alpha-state, using earplugs. Then I usually fall asleep with the binaural beats in the background. All in all I usually 'lose' at least half an hour.

[whiterick1994]

tell yourself this is panic feeling is my new third arm, it is part of me., This is part of your day, just play the game and learn how to make it a game.(mental note: you have no choice this will take away the being scared feeling or bringing it on ) with it learn how manage yourself while your actually in the attack. You really need to have faith in G-d meaning knowing that you are safe.


when you are scared you bring it on to yourself.
being scared is the creation of panic attack.
I am writing this paragraph below for the intention of all people to have a peaceful life, This is the path of G-d.


practice living your life with G-d by your side. People that do not have faith in Life, Don't have G-d in there life.
Have Faith in the realization that our stability is G-d.

[Alfredo14]

I have the same thing that many people have posted here.  Waking up between 2 and 4 a.m. gasping for air, heart racing.  In about 5 minutes I am usually back to normal, but still a little worried it will happen again.
I have anxiety problems in the day time as well.  I take Lexapro.  Sometimes I need a little Lorazepam.   I often go to kitchen and have some Chamomile tea as well.

[muggins134]

Wine doesn't have 'sulfites'. They put sodium metabisulfite into wine when they make it, but it changes into a non-sulfite form due to chemical reactions long before you drink it. The stuff stabilizes the wine and renders the yeast immobile and takes out bacteria but only for 48 hours. People who say they are having a reaction to sulfites in wine are more likely reacting to the tannin in the grape, which is a problem for many people.

[Ciller]

Yes I get the panic gasping for air all through the night thing. I hate it it scares me I feel like my heart stops then its pounding when I wake up. I have wonder what it was for years.

[MirissaRae]

For the past 2 months, ive had paniac attacks.. every night. During the day im fine, i mean i can feel them coming on, but i can do something, & it'll take my mind off of it., & im fine. But at night time, i have NO CONTROL. My heart starts racing, i get shortness of breath, i get dizzy, i feel detached from everyone, & i have the fear im dying. When I first started having them, i had no idea what was wrong with me. My mother took me to the ER, 2 different times. The doctors said nothing was wrong, my heart beat waa normal, & blood was fine. I thought i was goinf crazy. Nobody understand what i was going through. My parents couldnt even comfort me, they tryed, but it wouldnt help. Im only 15. Since ive had panic attacks, its changed my life, my body, & me. Im not the same person i use to be. I cant even live my life, do things i enjoy, because i fear of going into one. I always feel anixious, uncomfortable, nervous, scared. I hate it. I hate whats it done to me. I have no idea what to do. I need help, any advise would helpp!!!!! Ive tryed everything. NOTHING HELPS. My paniac attacks can last up too 1-2 hours, sometimes the whole night. I get no sleeep! I eventually doze off when i get exhausted. Can anyone tell me what i can do , when i go into one? what causes panic attacks? How can i stop them from happening? or what can i do to control them???!

[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

[joe27111]

Hi

I suffer from the same thing, I have to wake myself up to start breathing and get my heart back to normal.

Did you come across any causes/treatments?

Thanks

[grark2]

I am a guy in my late fifties, and suffered night panics for many years; I was like so many out there, waking up terrified with what was going on with my body. Having forums like this now is a wonderful way to connnect with people especially young people  who have the same problems, but can now, realise they are not alone; For me I believed I was the only person in the world feeling these horrible symptoms, and unfortunately my doctor , made me feel that as well. Life  today is so full of stress, worry and bad news, and most of us are spending our days at work or at school or college trying to keep on top everything that is thrown at us, trying to relax completely  is truly not that easy. My advice which has helped me, is to try and not beat yourself up about what is happening to your body, just accept it, dont fight it  and try and love yourself even more for experiencing  such sensitivity.My advice to young people is to look at the posts from some of us older people out there, and realise after maybe years we are still here, after all the panics we have had. I look back at my life and I can honestly say that having these panic attacks, particularly at night, have made me a far more sensitive and caring and understanding person, than from the person I may have been; It altered my life, and career, but I can honestly say, I would not want to be any different to how I am now. Peace to everyone x

[xclairx]

Im so glad to have found this site. I too am suffering so bad with these nocturnal panic attcks. Im 25, only used to suffer from anxiety & panic attacks during the day but then they started coming of a night & they are so much harder to control especially when u are exhausted and all you want to do is sleep. Mine happen as im falling asleep when i eventually do drift off i seem to be fine but some night i watch it get light as i desperatley try an drop off to sleep. Its very scary. I will be just about to drift off & i shoot up gasping for air feeling like im fighting to stay alive its so intense & so scary. My heart doesnt pound tho i am just so so tired i lie there & try an get bk to sleep only to have it happen over & over again i feel so privliged if i manage to get a night where i just drift off to sleep normally. I am a newlywed, happily married & desperate to start tryin 4 a baby but worry how this would effect the baby. Anyone suffered these nocturnal panic attacks whilst pregnant?
I pray we all find a cure for this & one day soon manage to just fall asleep normally & stay asleep. Its good to know im not alone. xx

[Max952]

I wake up at night feeling the same way. It is frightening.  I begin to feel like I need someone to talk to right away to comfort me - to tell me that I am o.k. I believe it is caused by stress and irregular sleep.  I will not take medication to relieve stress because I believe that would eventually increase my anxiety.  I pray, I and have reached out to a relative to help calm me down.  
We have to find ways to calm ourselves.   I have herbal teas that help with anxiety on hand always and I will immediately get in the bath to feel the water.  It calms me.  We will be fine because we have to believe it will not last and it doesn't.  

[Max952]

I wake up at night feeling the same way. It is frightening.  I begin to feel like I need someone to talk to right away to comfort me - to tell me that I am o.k. I believe it is caused by stress and irregular sleep.  I will not take medication to relieve stress because I believe that would eventually increase my anxiety.  I pray, I and have reached out to a relative to help calm me down. It is embarrasing at times.
We have to find ways to calm ourselves.   I have herbal teas that help with anxiety on hand always and I will immediately get in the bath to feel the water.  It calms me.  We will be fine because we have to believe it will not last and it doesn't.  

[jpxx901]

Dear all
I'm a 46 year old woman who's been having night time panic attacks 3 or 4 times a week for about 8 months. I didn't know they were panic attacks until seeing my doctor 4 weeks ago with other signs of stress that occurred during the day. I had thought they were hot flushes due to peri-menopause. I completed a depression questionnaire and was diagnosed with mild depression. I didn't want medication though, trying to cope without it. I took 2 weeks annual leave from work but then went back for 3 days and walked out of work 2 weeks ago because I couldn't cope anymore. Just couldn't seem to concentrate or think straight.
I have seen my doctor every week, started counselling (only 1 session so far but going back next week), I've been getting better everyday following a stress control course. Had another panic attack last night, but I know that I will get better.
For all those people asking  "What's happening to me?" You need to look at why you feel the way you feel and why the body is reacting this way to get you through the panic attacks - day or night. It's usually about a lack of carbon dioxide due to hyperventilation which causes a sense of shortness of breath, blood vessels constrict and the heart starts to pump harder to get blood around these narrowed blood vessels, and you get too much adrenalin in the system. If you understand what's happening to your body you're better able to control it.
I'd recommend the following websites as they provide great help.

http://glasgowsteps.com/home.php
http://www.mind.org.uk/help/diagnoses_and_conditions/panic_attacks

I hope that these are helpful.Good luck. J xx