Panic every night

[Karen59]

Hi!
I've just joined today. My panic attacks started one year ago in January. Every night I jump up and feel like I am losing my mind. I sweat, tremble, feel dizzy, nauseated, lightheaded like I'm going to pass out, my hands tingle and my face feels numb and sometimes tingly, I get the chills. I feel like I'm not myself and feel confused and have racing thoughts. I am totally fine during the day. I exercise and try and eat right every day. I dread going to bed. Night time feels like doom to me.  I try and stay up as long as I can till I fall completely asleep in the chair and I go to bed and I fall asleep and anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours later I'm jumpiing up in a terrible panic attack....some nights are worse then others. I get up and start pacing the house looking out the windows and sometimes I try reading or going through the mail. If I'm real bad I have to put a washcloth on my forehead and take deep breaths. It's horrible and I can't take it anymore.
Any Suggestions?
Thanks,
Karen

[conquerer]

karen59,

have you tried anything to help you sleep? natural remedies, sleeping pills, chamomile tea, etc? i was going through the same thing for awhile, although i wouldn't have a full blown panic attack. I would just wake up completely scared, and then i wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. this went on for about a week or two and it was awful. also, you may ask your doctor about sleep apnea because i believe it can cause you to wake up alarmed sometimes. but if you are fine during the day, i think that's great so i would maybe just try some natural remedies and if that doesn't help, try some sleeping pills. it wouldn't hurt.

i hope you get to sleeping better :)

[nichol82]

dont you absolutely just hate panic attacks, it probably one of the worse things that has happened in my life! mine are really bad at night too. sleeping pills arent strong enough to help me so my doc perscribed me xanex which helps.  if it gets worse you should talk to your doc about getting on antidepressants, getting on lexapro took away my panic attacks completely.  im starting to get them again but my dr. upped the dosage, so that should work.  hope that helps.

[ocdengineer]

I take only Xanax and it has worked wonders for me.  It sounds like you are health conscious, so I won't tell you what you already know.  Meditation has been my single most important tool against anxiety.  Check out www.buddhanet.net and you will find all kinds of info on meditation that should help.  Concentrate on the meditation and mindfulness books.  Both techniques will really help your anxiety.

Take care,
OE

[jennstar25]

I can relate, I am awake right now. Too scared to go to sleep.

[ocdengineer]

Also Melatonin and Valerian tea taken together create a blissful night of sleep.  Consider giving that a shot.  Buy quality herbs from your local health food store instead of a chain like Wal-Mart etc.  These two in combo give me excellent nights of sleep.

Later,
OE