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Nocturnal Panic Attacks--suddenly waking up terrified

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Posted 4/10/2014 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
Last night I had my second ever (what I think to be) nocturnal panic attack. I awoke suddenly from being asleep, terrified out of my mind and feeling as though I could not breathe. The symptoms seemed to be the same as my normal daytime panic attacks but being suddenly awoken by one doesn't give me any time to prepare mentally. Sometimes I can sense and feel when a panic attack is coming on but being awoken from slumber with one is really hard to deal with. I wasn't dreaming about anything.

Has anyone else experienced a nocturnal panic attack? Does anyone have any good resources about these? Are they any different than regular panic attacks? I've read many times that panic attacks can't kill or harm you but what about these night time ones. Are they really panic attacks or am I suffocating while I sleep or is something else dangerous, life-threatening, or sinister happening?
Posted 4/10/2014 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
I use to do this all the time, doctor said it was probably my own
snoring, I still wake up but no longer afraid. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 4/10/2014 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
WW.,

I posted on this subject in your other thread, where you mentioned this.

S.C.
Posted 4/10/2014 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have !! Horrible experiences they were. Found they were a side effect of the anti-depressant/anxiety med I was on at the time - fluoxetine aka Prozac. After a couple of nights of this, I crawled to the doc and he switched my med to mirtazapine and there's been zero problem since.

Re snoring, have you ever been referred for a sleep study for potential obstructive sleep apnea ? It may be worthwhile. I'm now on CPAP and had no problems adapting to it ..... and the reassurance of having a good night's sleep can be a godsend when things aren't otherwise too great.
Posted 4/12/2014 9:49 AM (GMT 0)
I got this for months, worst are panic attacks while asleep..
Posted 4/12/2014 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
I hear my HB when I sleep it wakes me up on occasion then I smile to myself and think I'm glad it's still working. I go back to bed easily most times. Recently I was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, I was holding my daughter and thought I will die before she gets older, had a panic attack. Went to bed, woke up night of diagnosis around 2 or 3 am with another mini-attack, after probably dreaming about dying.

It's been a week or so since diagnosis. I'm struggling but it's getting better as I research my condition. What really helps me is positive mindfulness and meditation.
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