This is unbearable

[sandie]

What on earth is doing this to me? I feel dreadful again today - only 3 hours sleep again last night. I awoke wet with perspiration in the middle of a panic attack and never got back to sleep. I managed 4 hours on Sat night, but only 2 hours on Friday. I feel so exhausted - I can't go on like this - its been going on for 3 months. Why am I having panic attacks in the middle of the nights? Is it because the propanalol is wearing off after just a couple of hours?

I had a good day yesterday - chatting to NMP friends online, doing one or two chorese in the house etc - I can't believe I had such a dreadful night after such a positive evening.

This sleep deprivation is driving me to DESPAIR. I feel shivery, and trembling totally unable to face the day. I cant see the doctor until Friday - but I can't bear the thought of another night like last night.

What on earth am I going to do??????

Sandie

[lainey]

Hi Sandie

How about trying something like Nytol which is a herbal sleeping pill, a friend of mine swears by it. I'm not sure if it interferes with other medication but you should be able to ask the pharmacist about that.
It's a vicious circle as sleep deprivation is probably making you feel more panicky as well.
Do you do anything to help you relax before bed such as a warm bath with lavender oil in it, a hot, milky drink etc.
It was good to speak yesterday, here if you want to chat.

Take care

Elaine x

[Piglet]

Sandie have you ever tried muscle relaxation cd's???

The charity Nopanic do one thats quite cheap and cheerful that gets the job done. Maybe if any tension and stress were out of your muscles your head might get the message :D Also I do like Glenn Harrold cd's - I've got 'Complete Relaxation' but he also does a newer one just for sleep. Perhaps have a look at Amazon at the reviews he gets to help you decide.

When I first took up yoga a few years ago I noticed a distinct improvement in my sleep quality too.

All the best.

Piglet :)

"Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?" said Piglet.
"Supposing it didn't," said Pooh after careful thought.

[LickeyEndBlues]

Hi Sandie

I can relate to what you are saying although I'd like to think I've turned the corner on the sleep side of things.

I used to have extended periods where my sleeping was all over the place, my side of the bed often resembled a screwed up pile of washing with sheets and pilows all over the place.

I think we are susceptible to panic attacks in the night as we are unaware that the demons come out to play. During the day we can put in place diversionary stuff to keep them at bay.

For me trying to get a routine back in place was important. As folks have suggested here look at a variety of relaxation techiniques can help. I try to avoid caffeine after about 7pm, and go to bed when I am feeling tired. I like to feel freshish and usually try to have a book to hand...currently Ian Rankin's Rebus series. With a book you have something to turn back to if you do wake or struggle to get over.

The hardest thing I found was trying to stop kipping during the day. When you are as tired as you say, desperation means we often will sleep through the day and end up completely out of synch.

Hope you can find a solution.

Iain

What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

[sandie]

Thanks for your suggestions - I'm sorry to sound so despairing but I honestly don't think I can move forward on things until I've solved this dreadfulsleep issue.

I tried Nightol for the first time on Saturday - the antihistamine one. My husband has been banging on about trying it for some time. That was the worst night's sleep I've had - just 2 hours. I think it reacted with my propanalol. The Nightol and other herbal remedies advise against use when propanalol is also being taken

I currently drink warm milk with my sleeping tablet and take my beta blocker just before settling down. I try to keep to a routine, put lavendar oil on my pillow and don't normally have too much problem falling asleep - its STAYING ASLEEP that's the issue.

It really is dragging me down; I start the day feeling shivery and trembling, that leads to hunching my shoulders and neck which results in pain and discomfort.

Why doesn't my sleping tablet work (its zimovane). My GP is reluctant to prescribe any more, but there doesnt seem much point anyway if they don't work!!

Sandie

[sandie]

By the way, I don't nap during the day. In fact whilst I'm actually exhausted, I can't seem able to fall asleep during the day. My mind is all over the place and whilst I want to cry about so many things, the tears won't come.

Sorry, I'm really rambling, but I honestly do think its sheer exhaustion.

Sandie

[lainey]

Hi Sandie

As Piglet said, have you tried any realaxation cd's. I also used "Complete Relaxation" BY Glenn Harold, as it was recommended by my counsellor and it really helped loads when my anxiety was at it's acutest stage. You can purchase it online from Amazon.
Take care

Elaine x

[angiebaby]

Hi, sorry i haven't been on for ages but we have changed our internet provider and had loads of trouble and it's taken weeks and weeks to get it back on line. But i'm back now.
Well, have not been doing so back until recently. Off work sick at the moment, having real problems with unreality, dissociation and disorientation and this is really drinving me insane! Cannot come to terms with the fact that i don't recognize myself or my family and my dizziness is terrible. But i have not had a panic attack for months, since the Seroxat finally came out of my system i suppose. That is until this morning. I feel awful, i had a lie in today, the first for ages, just got up to go to the loo and WHAM there it was, old faithful returned in full swing sorry to say. My chest was pounding, unreality was worse and i managed to get back to the bed. Luckily my husband was here, when i recognize him that is, and i told him my heart was off again. He tried to reassure me and had me lie down and took my pulse. It was batting away at 107 and my whole body was shaking. Thought i was going to die, haven't felt like this for ages and it's really thrown me, totally not fair i have enough to deal with without this horror again. Anyone have some support for me please for any of the symptoms that i feel. Thanks for reading.
Angiebaby.x

It takes a minute to get anxiety, but a lifetime to get rid of it!!!

[honeybee3939]

Hi Sandie,

Some of these links my help you too:

Night panic
Nothing like a panic attack at 3:30 am (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2701)
Sudden nighttime attacks (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24)
Waking Up With A Panic Attack In The Night (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5211)
Bad Morning !!!!!!!!!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5692)
Panic attacks during sleep. (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5796)
It's Back! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5769)
Waking Startled at Night (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5951)
Panic Attacks....During Sleep (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6385)
panic attack in sleep (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7118)

Love

Andrea
xxxx


"If you have a worry turn it into a problem, you cant solve worrys but you can solve problems"

[Ladym]

Hi Sandie, I'm so sorry you're going through this, I know how it feels.
I don't know if you've tried aromatherapy, but a friend of mine made up a mixture for me that really helped. I was skeptical, but willing to try anything, and it seems to have worked.
It contains 10mls of apricot kernal, 7 drops lemon, 3 drops rose, 2 drops frankinsense.
Mix it all together in a glass bottle (you should be able to get one from the chemists, they often let you have them for free).
Before you go to bed, have a nice warm bath and add a few drops of it to the water - it smells lush and leaves your skin really soft, which is a bonus! (if you have someone around to keep an eye on you, get them to shout/phone you after 20mins just to make sure you don't nod off in the bath)
Afterwards, pour a few drops on a tissue and leave it beside your bed. If you do wake up in apanic, hold the tisue to your nose and take deep breaths.
Make sure you only use pure essential oils. I don't know how able you are to get out and about, but you can buy them in Boots, or get them online. The whole thing should cost about £10, and it lasts for ages.
Also, avoid LIKE THE PLAGUE alcohol, caffine, sugar and nicotine four hours before bed.
Here's hoping, and I'm sending you lots of love.
Hugs
Anna xxx