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Panic attacks at night even with Lunesta?

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Posted 6/15/2007 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I was recovered from panick attacks ... well, almost recovered as I see it now. Somehow, after 5 years they came back to me, at night! They are really freaking me out, I started to delay my sleeping due to fear that I will have one again, and now for 3 weeks I have insomnia, and panick attacks.
My new doctor was afraid to give me something strong besides refill my Xanax 0.25mg, but she gave me 1mg Lunesta (usually recommending dosage is 2). One pill of Lunesta didn't help. I took 2 pills today and still, 3 hours later I woke up, I'm still sleepy and having panick attack! Now I afraid to take Xanax on top, I don't know how these two can work together. My silly question is - even on sleeping pills, if I will have higher dosage, I may have panic attack while I'm sleeping? It is really scary...
Is anybody had PA at night and can recommend some good pills? My sleep was always ok, it feels like I shifted my "clocks" and now my body doesn't understand when to go to sleep. It lasts 3-4 weeks already. Need some help. thank you. Lana
Posted 6/15/2007 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi lana. Im sorry you're having such a terrible time trying to get a good nights sleep. First of all, in my experience...sleeping pills really dont have a whole lot of effect on panic attacks. At least for me personally. In fact they have been known to give me even more panic. What MIGHT be happening is..you had a panic attack while sleeping so since then you've been scared about having them..and in reality might be causing yourself to have one. Your mind can do crazy things sometimes when you dont even realize it. Maybe try talking to your doctor again and tell her how bad it is. She might want to up you on the xanax or maybe try the higher dose lunesta. In your case maybe relaxation techniques might work or some calming music at night while you lay down, or a funny show on TV. I realized the ones that I got while I was sleeping were actually steming from nightmares. I didn't even realize it until one night I woke up with a horrible panic attack and my husband said."well yea i was watching you have a nightmare for about 20 mins" I didnt even remember the dream. I hope you find some relief soon and keep us posted. Blessing~
Posted 6/16/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)

if you can find an antidepressant that works for you it would help you most

night time panic attacks are unpleasant but shouldnt be feared, I dont think your pills will ever stop them, more pills when a panic attack wakes you will help get back to sleep

Posted 6/16/2007 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I have Xanax for my attacks, but I want to prevent them not taking pills while having them. I don't know what's happening to me. I thought I recovered. 5 years nothing. And I've read books about, I have to understand how they work - still freaking out, still thinking maybe its heart or some hidden stuff... Have to see shrink I guess. Thank you for reply
Posted 6/16/2007 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ian
Hello, I am Kitt.
Just my own experience, I had a reaction to the Lunesta, and it did not help me sleep at all. I was also taking Ativan with it. We stopped the Lunesta and upped the dose of benzo which did work.
I have weaned the benzo down and I am still sleeping well without panic in the middle of the night.
So there is hope.
Stay with us and keep posting.
Posted 6/16/2007 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Ian
to prevent them you need to learn lots of CBT and relaxation, all the info is likely to be in your books
as mentioned, an antidepressant med that works for you will prevent or greatly reduce the panic attacks, but panic attacks are only a small problem really
self help books are much better than shrinks, IMO, also much cheaper
the panic attacks do sometimes come back after years and for no particular reason
Posted 6/17/2007 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I took app. with shrink and found out my co-payment will be $40 - kinda a lot for my salary :-) Will try to use my books. And thanks for suggestion, will try to change my doctor and Lunesta. Will read about benzos. Thank you again.
Lana.
Posted 6/17/2007 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
wish you all the best
Please do keep us posted okay in what goes on with doc n meds........
LYN
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