Waking in the night.

[Lanakay]

i Have been waking up in the night, sometimes several times, feeling like I’m in a total panic. Night before last my husband checked my blood sugar at 3:00.am and it was 185. Last night at 1:00am it was 119 so I don’t think it’s that. This has been going on for weeks. It is scaring me. Usually later in the day I feel ok. Could the prednisone be doing this? I have an appointment with my rheumatologist next Tuesday. I don’t know what to do. I was diagnosed with PMR last September. I’m afraid.

[Hidden]

Hi lanakay

It is very scary waking up in a panic. I haven't had it with pred but know the quality of sleep effected.

Is there something else making you anxious? I used to get anxiety attacks when I worked and panic attacks in the night. I didn't know where I was or what was going on. If you can track down some thing that pred might be amplifying it might help you. Hopefully done helpful info will be along. Hope you get some panic free sleep. 🌻

[Pongo13]

Hi lanakay - I too suffered with this (down to steroids I read here) and picked up from another fellow sufferer that amitriptilyne can help - my doctor gave me a prescription and I have now slept brilliantly ever since) the best for years). when my gorgeous hub is away (he snores and we wake each other....) I manage to sleep without the tablet once in a blue moon, thereby reassuring myself, and my doctor, that I am not "hooked". Hope this is helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Pongo13]

Good info, but what dose of amitriptyline ? 🤔

[Pongo13 in reply to Hidden]

I take one 10mg tablet an hour before bed.

[Hidden in reply to Pongo13]

Interesting, I've been on 20mg taken about 8pm for most of the PMR symptoms. I am now slowly deducing the dose to try and come off of this medication because I am sure it is effecting my memory. Now what was I saying? No it's not that bad, but I'm not as sharp as I use to be and it's not just old age 🙄 Discussing this with my Dr he said it is a know side effect 🙁

Pete 😀

[Pongo13 in reply to Hidden]

Yep. Brain fog - tick. But don't you just love finding others with the same challenges! I use my iPad and keep lists! Where's my iPad? Oh yeah I'm on it....

[Hidden in reply to Pongo13]

Yes, as most of us experience brain fog from prednisolone, I think the amitriptyline increases it especially in the early morning. 🙁

[karools16 in reply to Hidden]

A recent birthday card from a friend says; She felt she had a photographic memory. Unfortunately, it no longer offered same day service!

I also have memory problems, more lack of concentration, at 7mg Pred.

[Hidden in reply to karools16]

yep, I can relate to that

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Have you ever checked your pulse when you wake? Pred (and the autoimmune cause of PMR) can cause tachycardia/arrythmias and episodes can wake you in a panic. Most of my atrial fibrillation episodes tend to be at night. Do talk to your GP about it.

[SnazzyD]

Sleep apnoea??

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Right on - hadn't thought of that!!!

[margiebell4]

I'm very interested to hear this as I sometimes wake in the night feeling as if I'm having a panic attack (I've never had one but imagine it would feel like that). My heart is racing I feel like I'm struggling to breathe. I've been on pred for nearly 3 years now. I wonder if I should get it checked.

[Lanakay]

Thank you, everybody for your replies. It’s good to know I’m not the only one on this struggle bus! This seems worse when I’m tapering. I will let you all know what I find out from the doctor.

[Pieater67]

I also have trouble sleeping and experience what could anxiety moments have attributed these to Letrozole which I have taken for 6months.Side effects similar to the menopause,already been through it once 15years ago,loved it that much I’m doing it again ha ha.As for PMR now taking 9mgms daily and hoping to reduce again to 8mgms.

[daworm]

I have something like this too, I think it's when my throat drys out and I have claustrophobic type dreams, wake up in a kind of a panic attack..not pleasant to say the least...I have xanax if needed, I try not to have to use it..I know this, I never understood how people with a panic attack problem felt, now I know even with my "slight" panicky feeling, it's gotta be terrible...sometimes I can't lay down for half an hour or so...sure disrupts the sleep,process..luckily I'm retired so I just sleep longer in the morning...it's a feel of dread that I don't like for sure..

[HeronNS]

Not denying that these ones have been triggered by physical conditions like medication, illness, but nocturnal panic attacks are a well-known and fairly common phenomenon. I think as a child you'd have called them nightmares. Not the same as a "bad dream".