Panic attacks waking me from sleep

[AnxiousAmy]

It appears my anxiety is further progressing, despite being on medication now for 4 months. I have had, for the first time ever, three nocturnal panic attacks this week alone. I wake suddenly, can't even think straight like a million fragmented thoughts are running through my head at once, and then my heart starts pounding, I get weak, I start to sweat and then the shaking/chills.. I breathe deeply and it passes after a few minutes. This is so very frustrating, as I'm sure you all know. My anxiety is constantly changing... finding new ways to scare me. There is something seriously out of balance in my body... whether it's hormonal or not I'm not sure, but my anxiety/panic always gets worse right before my period begins. I have also developed a complete intolerance to caffeine. I did eat a lot of chocolate yesterday and had two cups of hot chocolate so I'm wondering if that was enough to set off my panic last night. Oh dear

[Hidden]

Hi amy .sorry to hear about your experiences. Could be a case with trying different Meds And taking short term sleeping tabs .just now.have you seen a psychologist yet could help.and is there no referral groups through.gp.some of those 8 weeks courses can really help.

[Hidden]

Did the Zoloft ever work

[AnxiousAmy in reply to Hidden]

Yes! My life has changed since I began Zoloft 2 years ago now. Seriously, I got my old life back. I used to have a panic attack every day... now, I might have 1-2 a year. My life is back! There is hope!!

[Hidden in reply to AnxiousAmy]

Omg really?? They gave them to me I’m sooo scared to take them? I am panicking 24/7 I feel dizzy and get these head rushes... I even don’t like going places anymore bc I panic... I have 4 children it is ruining me

[AnxiousAmy in reply to Hidden]

This sounds all too familiar for me.. bad memories for sure, but that's all they are now, memories. I was so bad one summer I just lid in bed all day every day! I was very apprehensive about trying medication.. never thought I'd have luck with it, but it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Best of luck to you!

[Hidden in reply to AnxiousAmy]

So you feel nothing now?? Can it be possible ? Lol

[AnxiousAmy in reply to Hidden]

Not that I feel nothing. I just don't have anxiety all day every day and the feeling of panic never comes around anymore. Im still an anxious person by nature.. always have been, but I don't have crippling anxiety anymore.

[Hidden in reply to AnxiousAmy]

What were your biggest symptoms?

[AnxiousAmy in reply to Hidden]

I would have a constant "dread" everyday, but the most severe symptoms were head rushes/adrenaline rushes, which would lead to dizzy spells/panic. I would have tingling sensations in my scalp. One night, my mouth went numb, yes, numb. I went to emerg thinking I was having a stroke (I'm 31 and clean bill of health), and the doctor told me I was having another panic attack symptom. My body kept trying to fool me over and over that something was very PHYSICALLY wrong with me and that no way anxiety could be causing all of these crazy things to happen.. but yes, yes it does! And it's only since all of my symptoms stopped that I finally wholeheartedly believe that anxiety can/will cause any physical symptom possible! Hang in there!

[Hidden in reply to AnxiousAmy]

It is so hard to believe! I am getting so scared because latley everywhere I go I feel so weird and off then I get these rushes and feel like I’m going to faint , I can’t wait to leave ... it is ruining my life I have everything like youbare saying , I also get lightheaded like I’m swaying on a boat and I get so scared I’m going to pass out.. I just went to target and was panicking the whole time, my dr prescribed me zoloft but I am so scared to take it, have four children and I’m afraid of the side affects but the other side of me is thinking I cannot live like this, it’s so sad I wonder why I am being punished that’s what it feels like .. like your torture, I cry everyday because I feel so bad that my kids have a mom like me .. I am even stopping there life because of my stupid anxiety ! It breaks my heart into a million pieces

[Shellslj]

Hi AnxiousAmy, I realize this post was a while back but I’m scared I have this or worse. When you say your thoughts were fragmented what do you mean? I feel like this has happened to me a handful of times now where my body is startled awake by a noise or alarm clock and my body goes into a few second of panic where my mind is trying to wake up but for those few seconds of waking, my mind feels like it’s going crazy and can’t get on track. They are very scary and I worry about my mind and if this is really caused by my anxiety. We’re yours similar? Thanks.

[AnxiousAmy in reply to Shellslj]

Sorry you are going through this! That is exactly what happened to me. I increased my medication (I wasn’t at the correct dosage when I was having these nighttime attacks) and since then, it hasn’t happened. I remember I used to jump awake, and desperately try to remember where I was, who I was, who I was sleeping next to (my husband). This all lasted for maybe 5-10 seconds. And then I would calm down and be back to normal! If your mixed up thoughts are lasting much longer than that, and are still bothering you, I would just check with your dr. However, sleep + anxiety does some crazy things so try not to worry! wishing you wellness!

[italiancookie]

This sounds so similar to what I’ve experienced. I haven’t had those nocturnal attacks in a long time but they were ruining my life for a while. Did you ever experience rapid muscle spasms? I’ve been so afraid I’ve been having seizures, for like three years. But everything you said is exactly what I’ve been going through! When I went on Prozac, I’d only been on it for a month and a half, but it was making me wake up with horrible attacks. Once I stopped the drugs, it took a while, but the attacks went away after several months. I do have some other symptoms you haven’t mentioned here, but I can definitely relate to the headrushes and panic.