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Jolted out of sleep by nocturnal panic attack

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Posted 8/29/2013 6:22 AM (GMT 0)
I did have some anxiety while I was trying to fall asleep, took me a while but I managed it, only to be rudely awakened by the panic demon!
So, I'm not sure if all of this is happening due to trying to wean off of my xanax (5 days into weaning .25 mgs at a time), OR if it's because I take my Lexapro at night before bed. I have always taken my SSRI's before bed, but maybe this one is different.
Been having some serious sleep issues for a while now, insomnia to the point that I'm not going to sleep until about 4-5 AM. I tried to go to bed early tonight (10:30) and woke up in a panic at about 1:30.
You know the drill..... sweating, shakes, palpitations, etc.... SO, took .25 xanax to calm myself after about 20 minutes of breathing wasn't working.
Lots of stuff going on, so I'm not sure trying to wean off of it is the best thing at the moment (btw, I started to wean without my doc knowing), and maybe switching to taking the Lexapro in the AM to see how that works out.
Not sure, but if anyone has any input on the best time to take the Lexapro, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks guys!
((hugs)) Fox
Posted 8/29/2013 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Fox,

I don't have any advice really...just wanted to say hi, and wish you the best in making any changes that help you sleep better!

I am assuming you've done the obvious...

*No caffiene/t.v./eating/media devices before bedtime.
*Using your coping mechanisms. (breathing and PGR)
*Exercise
*Natural relief: Melatonin, GABA, Evening Primrose Oil (always ask your doc before starting a suppliment. Binaural beats (sound wave therapy)

Best wishes friend.

S.C.
Posted 8/29/2013 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks S.C. I managed to get back to sleep around 4:30 this morning. I did drink a Dunkin Donuts caramel iced coffee before I went to sleep, plus ate about 6 garlic knots earlier last night, which gave me some indigestion, so maybe those two combined were the culprit. Should start getting the iced coffee in decaf...

Feeling a little yucky this morning, but hopefully as the day goes on, and I resume taking my xanax as normal, things will get better.

Hope you are doing well my friend!

((hugs)) Fox
Posted 8/29/2013 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Well, at least you warded off the vampires?!? Lol!!

Seriously though, I do hope that the afternoon finds you feeling better.:)

Hugs,

S.C.
Posted 8/29/2013 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Foxie are you taking xanax as need or at certain times of the day? I always had better luck taking as
needed they seemed to be more effective. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/30/2013 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Larry,

I am supposed to take 1 mg. THREE times a day. BUT..... I only take a half (.5) TWICE a day, and I try and make sure it's spaced at least 12 hours apart, unless I'm having a really crappy day, then I'll take another half around supper time, which is very rare.

((hugs)) Fox
Posted 8/30/2013 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
I think that is a good plan, some day you may want to see how far you can go without, but I would
wait until I was stronger. Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/30/2013 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah Larry, I definitely have to wait until I'm stronger to do this. This month has been a very bad month for some friends of mine, so I can tell I'm just not ready yet. Too much stress!

Besides, doc wants me to go up to 20 mgs of Lexapro. Maybe then it won't be so hard to wean of of the xanax. He did tell me that there is no need to go off of it, that he'd rather have me stay on it because I have panic disorder, along with everything else (listed in my signature), and that it's part of what is helping to keep the panic attacks away.

We'll see. It's not like I'm on a huge dose anyway, so I really don't see the harm in staying on a low maintenance dose.

Thanks for being here for me Larry. It is much appreciated.

((hugs)) Fox
Posted 8/30/2013 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
You can count on it Kid, I personally took the strongest xanax for 10 years then started to taper off,
one of my other meds made it stronger, but actually I went down to the lowest strength as needed and
never had a problem, I am sure a lot of this depends on individual body chemistry but all in all people
who dont abuse their meds usually dont have a problem, Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/30/2013 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Foxy Lady,
Hello my friend. I used to have a heck of a time falling asleep and when the clock was showing 3:00 AM I would be in tears as I needed to get up at 5:15 AM. My Dr. started me on Valium which worked pretty well. She did tell me to take it regular for awhile until my antidepressant kicked in.

She strongly suggested I take the Valium a couple of hours before bedtime so it would start working before I actually turned out the lights and snuggled down for a cold winter's night. Or was that Mrs. Claus that told me that ? What ever turn ! LOL

I took my Valium twice a day, before I left for work and in the evening around 8:00PM.

Eventually I started on Trazodone 100mg at bedtime for sleep which is a side effect of this med. It has never failed me other than extremely high stress times.



I know you will overcome the problems but remember to be kind to yourself and know I am here for you.



Gentle Hugs,

Kitt
Posted 8/31/2013 4:40 AM (GMT 0)
My dear friend Kitty Cat! How did you know that my favorite colors are green and purple???

Last night I managed to fall asleep about 2:30. That was great compared to 4-5. I think it's because I started back on my xanax at the normal dose again. Could have had something to do with some withdrawal effects.

Doc practically yelled at me yesterday when I told him I was going to try and wean off, and that I cut back .25 mgs of my dose a day for 5 days.

He said that the xanax works extremely well for me at a low dose, and "why do you want to screw yourself up again?"! LOL!

I was just experimenting to see if it really was still helping me. I guess I found out huh?

I have been having fibro flare-ups a lot lately, and that doesn't help my anxiety, and my anxiety and stress doesn't help the fibro. Go figure, kind of a catch 22. If I'm stressed out, I get a flare-up, but when I get a flare-up, it affects my anxiety levels.

Anyway, how are you doing lady? I hope things are going well for you with the chemo and all. I'm still keeping you in my prayers Kitt. You are one special friend!

Much love,
((hugs)) Fox
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