Ive seen some similar posts but nothing exactly like what I'm about to describe.. Panic attacks while trying to fall asleep...

[Txsrbl]

So I had panic attacks for a year or so and they stopped. I have weened myself off all meds, except for topomax (for daily headaches/migraines) and serequel for insomnia. The last week or so i have been having panic attacks nightly as i lay in bed trying to fall asleep. (Ill be laying in bed, and suddenly my heartbeat starts rising slowly, breathing speeds up, the fear of death comes to mind, the ocd comes out of me wanting to check my pulse., then my heart is off to the races... And i try everything I can do to get it down before i fear its going to explode. This lasts for 5 minutes or so, I toss and turn, Do techniques I've been taught to relieve panic attacks (think of smells you can smell, name things you are touching, name things you are hearing, and do this again, but different things..) Eventually it goes away.. But the FEAR that controls me at night i can not stand anymore! I just successfully got off taking 5 pills a day, and don't want to start again, unless absolutely necessary. Does this specific thing happen to anyone else, this extreme fear of panic attack at night, or actual panic attacks almost nightly.. (15-20 mins before bed) occur to anyone else? They drain you of energy so after they are done, I'm exhausted and tend to fall asleep rather quickly.. (which is nice..) But I'd rather deal with my insomnia then this...

Thanks in advance..

Txsrbl..

[mickyjoan4]

hi txsrbl hopefully you are sleep now, I woke and strted to panic, awful isn't it, I think its that one little thought at the beginning that starts us off, then it spirals and I have been told just let it come and not care and oh boy that it

[mickyjoan4]

oops pressed send by mistake, yeh easier said than done. have you radio by you? I switch on to radio 4x and there is usually a play or quiz on and I just try to listen to that or play scrabble on I pad while trying to breathe slow, maybe you could try that. I wish you love and luck I know how awful you feel, chin up xx

[Gayle77]

I know all this far too well, yoga and running helpede a lot then my doctor changed my medication to mirtazapine then boom 3 weeks after they anxiety stopped!! Got my life back, check out my community, health walks are for everyone I'd they have no mobility issues and really helps if u can get out get walking you can literally walk off the anxiety but I know sometimes that's not doable when at your worst as simple tasks and even just getting up getting showered dressed and walking out the door can take tremendous effort, focus on when your having a not as bad day and try to walk brisk for half an hour, see if that helps

[nylandmmy]

I've learned to control my panic attacks over the past 15 years. That is, while I'm awake and aware. It's the night time ones that are the worst. It seems like at the end of the day, when you're ready to let go and relax, it hits you. Just when you're falling into a sleep. Mine is caused by endless thoughts in the quietness of night. For over ten years I had to sleep with my TV on. It gave me comfort. It felt as if I wasn't alone when it was on. Also, I wouldn't get intrusive thoughts. It's hard to when you hear someone else's voice.

[lin62-65ze]

What you are experiencing is normal for a panic attack, I used to have similar but managed to conquer it with relaxation tapes, the more you worry about this happening the more it will continue. Try not to be frightened, this will NOT carry on for every because you will get the better of it. Try to picture someone lovely holding your hand, read a book which takes your mind off things before you go to bed, the mind is clever in playing tricks on us, don't let it succeed, look how amazing you are, you have already got off most of your tablets😊. I know you can do this. We are all here to support you, be brave and strong I am confident that this will go away very quickly. 😊😊😊 xxxx

[cat13]

I get the same thing... So awful I think I'm going to die. I try ignoring it till it goes away. I dread bed times xx

[Mamakatie84]

I get panic attacks at night too! I actually had one last night trying to go to sleep. My son couldn't sleep so he climbed in bed with my husband and I and I ended up turning the tv off so my son would go to sleep ( I usually keep on to distract my thoughts). It seemed like every time I dosed off I would gasp for air then I would startle awake with my heart racing and a numbing sensation over my body. I hate going to bed sometimes! I don't have a problem falling asleep. I seem to worry I'll have panic attacks at night which is what makes me have them. If we could just not be afraid of them at night I'm sure they would go away.

Remember they can not hurt you. I hope you get some relaxing sleep. You're not alone!