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panic attacks when sleeping...anyone?

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Posted 7/19/2013 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
For the past 3 week I have been getting panic attack when I am asleep I have know idea why but they are freaking me out and scary. I am waking up with my heart racing and body feels like I am shaking on my inside it last for hrs. My dr put me on xanax and I have been taking 1.5 of the .25mg before bed and still
Getting them the xanax seem to help lessen the strength of the panic but still having them every night. I need relief and sleep from this any suggestion would be great. Dont want to be given more meds want to try to control it somehow.
Posted 7/19/2013 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
I have the opposite problem. I sleep like a baby but am anxious during the day. Don't take any naps during the day. No caffiene. Slow down before bed. I always try and watch a comedy tv show right before bed. Stay away from the news or any depressing tv.
Posted 7/19/2013 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
I've been having the same problem (anxiety preventing sleep). I was told to get out of bed and do something such as reading to try to refocus the brain and relax but thus far its been ineffective.
Posted 7/19/2013 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmmm.... The "good ole" nocturnal panic attack!

Nothing says "OMG, I'M DYING" more than being shocked out of a deep sleep, with a racing heart, uncontrollable shaking, and feeling like a volcano is going to erupt inside of your chest and upper back, along with feeling like you just got out of a bath from sweating so much!

IT SUCKS! But Jerry gave you some great advice. No naps, no caffeine after a certain time (depending on when you go to bed), try and wind down a bit before bed by reading, doing puzzles, or something you enjoy that relaxes you, and definitely NO watching the news or anything that's going to get you anxious or depressed.

Try watching something funny, even cartoons! I'm serious! Trust me, I'm going to be 41 next month and have been dealing with this BS since I was 14!

OH! And don't forget to BREATH! When you get woken up in a panic like that, you MUST recognize what is happening, KNOW that you've had them before and YES, you lived, and do some deep breathing to try and slow your heart rate, and calm yourself down.

NOW, try and get yourself some peaceful sleep tonight!

((hugs))
Fox
Posted 7/19/2013 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Me, most of the time I would be having nightmares or vivid dreams which I don't usually have before. It can happen 3-4 nights in a row with bad dreams eventually waking me up that makes my heart race and sometimes out of breath. I also have dreams where I get in situations where my adrenaline would be pumped up like having fights in a dream, brawling with someone, like someone is getting on my nerves (like seeing my wife with someone else and telling me directly that she doesn't love me anymore and end up arguing with her till I wake up still feeling angry), dreams like someone close to me dies that makes me feel so bad and out of breath, dreams like I'm in seconds from disaster scenarios. Dreams like that will sometimes lead to a full blown panic attack right after I wake up.

I also get my heart racing like you when I wake up sometimes without having bad dreams. As the moment I open my eyes I can feel my heart pounding so hard and will beat faster because of the fear it brings. Anxiety is just a mess to us.
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