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Is what I experienced a panic attack?

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Posted 12/6/2011 7:12 AM (GMT 0)
I sleep at 9~10pm, I usually will wake up at 12 or 1 and feel a feeling of fear on my chest and with intense tingling sensations on my arms. This feeling persists when I lie on bed. There is no way to fall asleep again. Even though I try to relax and control my breath the feeling will not go away.

 

Posted 12/6/2011 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
H WJF and welcome!

What you are describing could be a nocturnal panic attack. They can and do happen, but I would need a few more details to be able to tell you anything more definitive.

Have you had panic attacks before? (during waking hours) Or have you dealt with any other anxiety issues in the past?

Have you had more stress, or change in your life recently...even 'positive stress'? (such as a move, new job, relationship change, ect...)

Have you been under a dr.s care, and had a recent check-up to rule out any physical issues? Are you on any medications?

These are all questions to ask yourself, as you seek to find out what is goin on. If you would like to post back with a little more info, we could probably be better able to help you:)

Talk to you soon,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/6/2011 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
WJF,

The second post in this thread speaks to nocturnal panic attacks too.  I just posted it today so perhaps you may find some info that will help you if you check out this link.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=2278761

Stick with us as we are here for everyone !

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 12/7/2011 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
thank you all, I have been under a lot of stress, first from my job (now I have quit), then from my another illness (GERD/acid reflux, it somehow stopped for a few days now). My life was turned upside down because of these. I have a feeling that the fear of a reflux attack at night has caused my panic attack. I usually could not differentiate a panic attack from reflux, or which one has caused the other. I don't get panic attack at daytime.

i am under the care of a gastro doctor, i take lexapro 5mg after dinner. The doctor says my acid reflux is a result of my stress. It isn't due to any physical issue. Yesterday I totally relaxed myself at bedtime, and was able to sleep 9hours without problem.

By keeping negative thoughts and emotion to a minimum, won't my problem go away? I wonder.
Posted 12/7/2011 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm suffering from panic attacks on and off for many years. I do not take any daily medication, only Xanax for the time when I have attack. about 10 years ago I had panic attacks at night very often and I figured out why.
Interesting fact, but majority of nocturnal panic attacks happens at hour or two after you go to sleep. For me the reasons are :
going sleep later than my usual hours (I need 8.30 hours of sleep to function normally, if I'm getting only 7 hrs or less for couple of days I might have an attack after few days); or too much work at work place (need to take a break at work! sometimes I forget this and working on computer non-stop for hours until my back hurts. Not good!)
Panic attacks comes and goes. Sometimes I have them 2-3 times per month, or I may not have them for 10 month or so. Try to relax when this happens. I know the tingling sensation is really freaky (sometimes I feel that some big hands grabbing my arms), heart is pounding, slow breathing seems impossible. But try to think this will pass in few minutes. For my self I go on internet. I browse on Google some calming techniques, or just read how to survive panic attack, somehow it helps. Or I go to chat here, talking to people takes your mind away quickly. Just don't be too stressed about, it will go away.
Posted 12/7/2011 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
WJF,

Hopefully, coming here andtalking about it, and relaxing before bedtime will help keep these night time attacks away!

If you do experience it again, here is one of my favorite coping mechanisms. If I wake up frightened, with my heart racing, or with nausea, I repeat a positive mantra, until I can fall asleep again.

I like to say:

'I am okay, it is only fear making me feel this way.'

This reminds me that even though I feel shaky and scared, there is a reason for it, and it will pass. :)

Keep up the relaxation...in fact in our Resource Guide (main page 3rd post) we have some great links that might be good to add to your arsenal!

Take care, post anytime, and let us know how you are doing soon,
S.C.
Posted 12/10/2011 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks you. the trick works though not everytime. Doctor has put me on lexapro 5mg valdoxan 25mg every night, xanax when attack comes. He said it will take at least 10 days for the drugs to work.

The first night I slept very well. The second night, I had a little difficulty falling asleep, and had a panic attack in the middle. I stayed very calm, tried to breathe slowly and took a Xanax and fell back asleep.

I don't know how long I will continue to need these drugs. I hope I could recover from it, to at least a stage where I can work in the day. I have stopped my daytime job because the insomnia and attacks have made me too tired and sleepy to work in the morning.

Can someone recover from a panic disorder to enjoy a reasonable quality of life?
Posted 12/12/2011 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
I have been having headaches in the back of the head neck and shoulder area. It was diagonosed as tension and stress. Eight
months I woke up with a sore throat and began having requent mild sore throats. Went to ENt and was diagnosed with mild
Posted 12/12/2011 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
?
Try some relaxation techniques?
Posted 12/12/2011 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. I have recovered fully.considering the fact that I have had panic attacks for 12 years!it took me 3 months to cope with atacks.so I wish u all luck either
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