I’ve been experiencing episodes when I attempt to sleep, whether napping or at nighttime. As I’m drifting into blissful sleep I feel as if I’m fainting. My eyes roll up, my heart feels as if it slowing or stops beating altogether, and I feel lighthead. I’m completely losing control and I’m terrified. I force myself into full consciousness and gasp for breath. I experience a sharp pain in my chest which immediately subsides, then a dull headache ensues. My eyes will be bloodshot and I’m tired the remainder of the day (if it occurs during the day) or the next day after the episode occurs. Sometimes I’ll have back to back episodes. Other times it’s one and done and there’s times when it doesn’t happen at all. I can’t find a trigger. I’m not depressed or stressed (in fact, I just retired and I’m in a really good place in my life). I’ve talked to my doctor and he believes it’s anxiety much like many others have posted about here. But I’m not convinced. My son did some on-line research and is of the theory that I’ve developed nocturnal seizures. See more here.
columbianeurology.org/sites....
I’ve decided to have myself checked for this before going on anxiety drugs. I think that some may believe they are experiencing myoclonus which is anixiety related but you may want to consider this, especially if you don’t have involuntary jerk movements associated with Myoclonus.
Food for thought