Nighttime panic attacks?

[Monkeysss]

Hi everyone,

ive posted here quite often I guess I just need reassurance that other people go through the same thing.

My anxiety got worse in December I got put on medication. the medication would make me sleep through the night but lately I’ve been waking up between 4am-5am and I feel like I’m about to panic.

I get this feeling I can’t really describe, my eyes are blurry (most likely from the medication) and I feel like I’m not really here. I feel like I’m still asleep in a way I guess? I don’t feel short of breath or struggle to breathe but I feel like I’m not breathing like I’m numb in a way? And my face feels numb.

I normally take medication and go back to bed but I don’t want to be reliant on it

does anyone else get this and how do you deal with it?

[white knight]

Hi

I suggest you need some relaxation techniques. I use musvle tensioning ecercises before sleeping.

Its mentioned in the first post of the following. Use google

Beyondblue Topic anxiety, how I eliminated it

TonyWK

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Monkeysss,

Thanks for your post.

When we have panic attacks our body goes into fight/flight mode which does affect the breathing, which makes me kind of wonder that it might be something else entirely.

I get what's called sleep paralysis which feels a little bit like what you've described. I feel half awake/half asleep, a bit panicky and usually unable to move for a few minutes. Does this sound like what's happening to you? Despite the name, it's not at all dangerous and is only ever temporary.

My suggestion would be to chat with your GP or pharmacist; I think if you can get some clarity on why this is happening it might lessen the need to take some medication.

[Monkeysss]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

Ive has sleep paralysis before and it’s nothing like that, but thanks!

I did speak with my doctor today, didn’t really mention the symptoms just that I keep waking up at night. He said to try meditation before sleep, if that doesn’t work and I’m still exhausted during the day he will organise a sleep study for me.

The feeling hasnt actually happened for the last 2 nights, I’m seeing my dr again next week and if it does happen from now till then I will mention it to my doctor

[Monkeysss]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I am going to try meditation before bed I have also purchased an anxiety weight blanket so I am hoping that helps

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Monkeysss,

Great to hear back from you!

Oh that sounds like a helpful idea - sidenote: please let me know how you get on with the weight blanket?! I've been umming and arring for ages but it seemed to expensive for me so I really hope it helps you! 🙂

I'm glad that it hasn't happened for the last two nights, hopefully the new techniques will help!

The other thing that I thought of is that it might be worth describing to your GP what you've described to us. That way they can get a better understanding of what's happening to you, other than you're not just sleeping through the night.

[Monkeysss]

hi!

ive been doing meditation before bed and I fall asleep almost right away! That mixed with the blanket had really helped improve my sleep. I agree it is super expensive but it has afterpay 🙂 I personally find the blanket very comforting. And my sleep still isn’t the best but it is better than it was before. I’ll be sure to mention it to the dr 🙂

thanks for your help