Panic attacks at night

[Monetlover]

Does anyone experience panic attacks during the night. I wake about for or five times a night. Think it may be to do with my breathing. Have bronchiectasis with pseudonomas. It is very stressful. Been having them for more than a year. Doctor doesn’t seem to have an answer other than anxiety.

[sassy59]

It may well be anxiety but I don’t know to be honest. I get panic attacks sometimes due to being over anxious. Palpitations mostly. Nothing to do with my breathing though. Very scary at the time.

Stay hydrated as that could help.

Wishing you well. Xxxx

[corriena]

I used to wake alot feeling very panicky and gasping for breath. I learned to use breathing teckneaks to calm myself down. As my breathing is more controlled it dosent happen so often. If you use a reliever inhaler try using it just before you go to sleep and go to blf website to lern some simple breathing teckneaks (sorry about the spelling) this wont stop you wakeing, but will help you calm quickly and relax witch will let you go back to a relaxed sleep. I hope this helps a little but you are not alone i think this is a common problem 😷

[Patsy164]

I have Bronchiectasis with pseudomonas too and was getting the same but noticed it alot over the years. I mentioned it to my Consultant last year and he sent me for a Sleep Apnea test which was positive. My symptoms were waking up in the night fighting for breath, lack of oxygen having to open a window and taking large breaths. I was so desperately tired all of the time. The whole thing was very scary and I told the doctor because I was affraid I would not wake up one day.

Doctors are so much more aware of Sleep Apnea now so if you wake up gasping for air and excessively tired I would tell your GP or Consultant as soon as possible. My results were that I had stopped breathing 40 times per hour. I regularly use my cpap and my results are 0.5 per hour, massive result.

Wishing you well. xxx

[Monetlover in reply to Patsy164]

Thanks for reply. My consultant arranged an oxygen in blood overnight test and my oxygen levels were normal. They obviously assumed from this it wasn’t sleep apnea. Don’t wake up gasping and not overtired during day. Wake up more as if I had been shaken in a state and I have to get out of bed and run(wish I could) have really bad hip arthritis.

[Patsy164 in reply to Monetlover]

Your experience sounds awful. A bit similar to mine although you don’t gasp for air or feel tired. I do hope they can sort your problem out and I would be interested to find out what it is. It could be an idea to be tested for it though some people don’t even know they have it. X

[Badbessie]

My wife sadly had this. Before anxiety should be diagnosed then sleep apnea should be ruled out. Ask for a referral to sleep clinic.

[SORRELHIPPO]

I have a CD player in my bedside clock radio, and started to use a relaxation/hypnotherapy CD to send me to sleep in a more relaxed state. This seemed to help with night terrors, as I would wake with a panic, seemingly linked to very scary dreams, where a feeling would be still lingering in my mind.

[Grayjay]

I get it, not had it for a while though touch wood, since I started sleeping with an extra pillow and with the window open. It's worth trying different things. I think my problem's due to my heart failure but I know how it is, not nice at all.

Good luck

[Monetlover in reply to Grayjay]

Thanks for reply. How many pillows do you have? It really gets me down! Begin to think I’ll never get rid of it. Take Nytol, which gives me 3 hours sleep before it starts. Even though I know they say you shouldn’t take it for more than a fortnight, I’vebeen taking It for ages.

[Grayjay in reply to Monetlover]

Just trial and error, sometimes 3 pillows and sleep nearly propped upright. At the moment I have 2. As mentioned by someone make sure you're not thirsty before you settle down.

Hope you improve.

[Maricopa]

I hate the long dark nights. I have terrible night insomnia. I really think I could live with bright warm sunshine 24/7. Nights bring anxiety for me.