Waking up in a panic repeatedly all night, every night.

[amyk365]

Hi guys! This is my first post here, I really need to talk to someone about what's been going on with me.

First a bit of backstory: for the past week or so I've been suffering from a burning sensation in my feet and thighs, doctor has run all the blood tests and I don't have anything serious, he thinks it's a virus of some kind & I just have to wait it out.

At the start of the week I was waking up in a panic a couple of times a night because it felt like my feet were on fire. I was always able to get back to sleep after I'd calmed down. Now I'm immediately waking up with a jolt whenever I start to drop off. If I'm lucky enough to get through this stage I sleep for about half an hour then wake up in an absolute panic. At this point my feet are usually only mildly warm, so I don't think it's that causing me to wake up anymore.

I'm at the end of my rope, I've had about 20 hours sleep in five days and my pain tolerance for my legs is way down. I know my tired scared brain is spiralling and coming up with all kinds of dreaded "what if's" like "I'm never going to sleep soundly again" and "all this lack of sleep is not helping me fight off this virus that's started the whole thing" but I don't know what to do. 

I have been trying desperately to employ some of the CBT techniques I learnt about panic surfing and whatnot but it's hard at 2am when I've been jolted awake for the fourth time already and I'm anxious about both my mystery burning feet pain and just about being anxious.

I've tried writing my problems down before going to bed, I've tried relaxation tapes, they are all well and good to get me to sleep at first but it doesn't stop the panic response/jolting awake once I am. The only time I got a bit of relief was I took a sleeping tablet a couple of nights ago and that gave me a much-needed solid seven hours sleep, but I know thats not a long-term solution. 

I am going back to the doctor for a few more blood tests on Wed & I'll be asking for another referral to go back and see my psychologist again (it's been about a year... I thought I was coping well without her but obviously not) but that doesn't solve my immediate sleep issues. I am not on any meds, my psychologist has not thought them necessary so far.

I'm not sure what I'm asking in this thread, I guess I just needed to vent to people who might understand and have some encouraging words or advice to make me feel like this isn't as terrifying as my exhausted brain is making it feel right now.

 Amy

[White_Rose]

Dear Amy

First of all I welcome you to Beyond Blue. Thank you for telling us your story.

You are in a horrible place with not sleeping and I do hope you find an answer soon. If it is a virus then hopefully all will be well shortly. The waking up in panic may be something different. It may be that your body is used to waking at the slightest bit of pain in your feet and has not yet learned to relax.

You may be experiencing panic attacks because of your anxiety about the leg pain. I understand panic attacks at night having had this experience on many occasions. For whatever reason, panic attacks in the night seem worse than daytime panic.

Another thought is that it may be related to your breathing. Do you have any difficulty breathing at night and could your panic be related to this. I have to say I feel a bit of a fraud writing this as I am not a doctor, just guessing at possible scenarios.

One thing I have found when I have had some breathing difficulties to sleep propped up on pillows. It does take some pressure off your chest and allows you to breath more easily. Perhaps you could try this.

I understand your reluctance to take sleeping pills. I do wonder though, if you took them for a few nights until your body got used to sleeping properly if this would help. Sort of re-educate the body and brain. You probably should discuss this with your doctor first.

Please write in again and let us know how you are going.

Mary

[Harlo]

Hi Amy,

I have been seeing doctors and psychologists about something very similar for a number of years now.

I shoot awake in panic. But my whole body feels hot. Like you could cook an egg on my skin.
On a couple of occasions I'm so frozen in panic my partner has to carry me outside to cool me down.

It's always so unexpected because I can go to bed feeling good... And shoot awake like impending doom.
And it's not dream related! Not that I can remember anyway.

They usually occur for me in the first 3 hours of the night of being asleep...

 And the next day I feel EXHAUSTED - Even when I do manage to go back to sleep for a "decent" rest for the night.

I don't have a perfect solution because I can still suffer from these attacks from time to time...

BUT I can tell you, mine have reduced immensely after I started eating cleaner. I use to get them every 1-2 weeks...

I stopped eating a Subway salad sub every day for lunch thinking it was "healthy"

Now they occur every 2 - 3 months...

From my own personal experience... I wonder if preservatives are playing a role...

What do you think comes first? The heat or the panic?

[Kat19855]

Hi Amy,

Just wondering if you ever found a solution to your waking up constantly in panic? Same thing is happening to me right now, I'm going into panic constantly and getting no sleep unless I take a sleeping tablet or sedating anti depressant 😞

[Monkeysss]

Hi Amy,

could the burning feeling be related to anxiety?

When my anxiety is high, especially before and after a panic attack it’s worse, but I get a burning feeling in my shoulders, arms and back, it can stay for days after a panic attack, it feels like a sunburn. or sometimes feel like my blood is boiling, mostly after a full blown panic attack.

As for the sleep thing, I’m currently awake at 5:30am as I woke earlier due to panic..it’s the worst. And I’m the same I can’t go back to sleep unless I take serequol.

If you find anything that works please share 🙂