Waking is my worst time!

For over a year now my anxiety has been over the top. I have some good days but for the most part it's always there to some degree. I have a lot of reasons to have it but I won't bother to go into them right now....just need some advice on why I have such a tough time waking in the morning. I have no problem falling asleep and usually sleep for about 6 hours but usually wake real early like 4 or 5 a.m. And that's when everything ramps up...racing thoughts, pounding heart, panic, shakiness and feeling that I'm going to have a heart attack or stroke. Sometimes I think it's a result of vivid bad dreams but other times not. I even have this happen after waking from a very short nap during the day. I know that sometimes this condition can be caused by excess cortisol but I'd love to know how to lessen that effect. I'm on .25 Xanax 3x Dailey and 25m Toprol morning and before bed. When I asked my therapist which came first...the cortisol causing the anxiety/panic or visa versus he said he didn't really know (typical) so wondering if anyone has experienced this and has any suggestions how to cope. I almost hate to go to sleep just knowing what I'm going to experience when I wake up. I hate this.